Josh, a lonely trapeze artist, thinks he’s cursed. It’s an old family superstition. He can’t have sex on a day he flies or he’ll fall. Maybe that’s why he’s never had a steady boyfriend, though sometimes he dreams of one. In his show, a strange melody plays in the background. It follows him and surfaces from time to time on the street. When Josh’s uncle hears about the music, he tells his nephew to bring the old ring, passed down from generations since the time of the curse. Steve is a realtor who always reaches his goals, in sales or otherwise, and he moonlights as a dancer in an all-male review on The Strip. All his friends his age are married, and his best friend’s wife Genie wants to see him hitched, too. He’s a little bit challenged in the relationship department, though. He has some growing up to do, or maybe it’s his problem in bed, where he’s somewhat one-sided. Steve and Josh meet one crazy night when Josh breaks all the rules used to protect him from the curse. After that, he runs. If it wasn’t for Genie’s matchmaking, Josh and Steve might never see each other again. Though not yet ready for a boyfriend, Josh does need a realtor. What a good way for he and Steve to get to know each other, while Josh works up the courage to tell Steve about the curse. Still unaware of Josh’s problem, Steve falls in love with him. When Steve finds out about the curse thing, it’s a big disappointment, but he wants Josh anyway. There’s no doubt Josh is worth the wait. Maybe the curse isn’t real after all. Can lonely Josh overcome his fear of it? Can horndog Steve handle a curse? Is the answer in the ancient ring?

The Curse of Flight

She walked away. He put his head back in his hands. The program on the floor showed Josh in the air.


Applause came from within. Josh was going to make it. Steve believed, struggled hard. This was the only way. It wasn’t right to think otherwise. It wasn’t real. The fear was a fantasy, a fiction. But why did he feel it?


Music rose and clapping subsided. Josh’s act was first. Steve pictured it. From the platform, Josh grasped the trapeze and stepped off. The ropes suspended him. He fell along their arc as strong fists held the bar.


Feet lifted forward at the top. Josh told him the secret. The higher his legs, the faster the fall and further the height on the other side. He shared the mystery of momentum.


Josh maneuvered to a standing position, feet on the bar. Arms wrapped in the ropes. He lifted himself. Feet free in the air, legs extended in front of him.


Back on the bar, he straddled it. The music surged. The audience cheered.


Chapter 78