The Player
Page 27
I nodded and yawned at the same time. “After school. Nelson emailed that he, Sergio, and Renata are having a great time managing the Welcome Bed and Breakfast.” I smiled. “Which is now called Nelson and Sergio’s, and it features a rainbow flag out front, a welcoming sign for LGBTQ people everywhere.”
Freddy grinned. “How is Gabriel holding up since your last visit with him?”
“Nelson said Gabriel is following all the rules, and he’s seeing the psychiatrist in his ward every day. Nelson has also seen a therapist, and he forgave Gabriel for what he did. In fact, the two of them have become really close. It seems they’ve both found the supportive brother they never had and always wanted.” I added, “Nelson told me Jim is seeing a therapist too and making great headway in accepting himself.”
“Nerts!”
“Nelson thinks it’s awesome too.”
“Did Jim run for mayor?”
“No, he’s the chief engineer for a new LGBT senior housing development in New York.”
“And Sherry?”
“She’s running for Congress!”
We both shared a laugh.
Freddy asked, “Any word from Zian and Kelly?”
“Zian’s last text—”
“Text?”
“Words on my phone… said they were living happily together with Kelly’s sister. After meeting Zian, Sharon found her calling as a painter. The two of them are going into business together, doing home portraits all over upstate New York.”
“A happily-ever-after ending.” He kissed my forehead. “Thank you for helping me visit my old country homestead, and for once again being Watson to my Holmes in solving the murder mystery.” Then he glanced affectionately at the framed picture of Niles Birtwistle on the end table. “Most importantly, thank you for helping me accept my true parentage.”
“My pleasure.” I remembered. “Speaking of parents, Aunt Nia and Takoda are bringing dinner tomorrow night. Victor and Alexander are joining them.” I smiled.
“All’s well that ends well.”
Freddy and I shared a long, sensuous kiss.
Then rising, we passed the player piano on our way to the bedroom.
“Freddy, you’re the bee’s knees!”
“Andre, you’re the eel’s hips!”
We laughed merrily.
More from Joe Cosentino
Bobby and Paolo’s Holiday Stories: Book One
Bobby McGrath’s Christmas trip to the beautiful Italian island of Capri to meet his eccentric extended family offers stunning views—none more stunning than his third cousin, Paolo Mascobello, a real stocking stuffer. As the two young men embark on a relationship, Bobby, a driven law student, learns to relax and bask under the old Italian moon, and Paolo realizes there’s more to life than a frolic on the beach. For the two to find everlasting amore, Paolo must overcome his fear of commitment and learn to follow his dreams, and Bobby must get his wish for happily ever after.
Bobby and Paolo’s Holiday Stories: Book Two
Back in America after finding “A Home for the Holidays” and each other in Capri, new couple Bobby McGrath and Paolo Mascobello are ready to tie the knot during the winter holidays. Their families, friends, and pastor offer more advice than sages on speed. So, young lawyer Bobby and fashion designer Paolo are caught in the matrimonial holiday circus. Will a shocking turn of events somehow lead to the perfect wedding for the December grooms?
The following Christmas, Bobby and Paolo aren’t feeling the holiday spirit. They have a nice apartment, designer clothes, entertaining and supportive friends and family, but little time for each other. While out shopping in their quaint local holiday village, Bobby and Paolo encounter Gregory, an adorable seven-year-old who changes their lives forever, offering them a true holiday miracle… if they’re willing to accept it.
Bobby and Paolo’s Holiday Stories: Book Three
Each Christmas has marked a milestone in Bobby and Paolo’s love story. But will this year be their last noel?
It’s no surprise Bobby isn’t feeling much holiday spirit—not when he suspects his husband, Paolo, might be interested in his new business associate, the incredibly handsome Noel. On top of that, Bobby’s father is hanging up his Santa suit at the department store due to health issues; and worst of all, Geoffrey’s birth mother, funded by antigay extremists, is threatening their family. She’s trying to take away Bobby and Paolo’s adopted son, but she’ll have to face their supportive friends, family, and pastor before she can tear Geoffrey from the only real home he’s ever known.
With so many challenges in their path, the December grooms will need an extra helping of holiday magic this year. Rumor has it Santa’s on his way to spread some holiday cheer.
Found At Last: Book One
When young accountant Theo Stratis visits Nolan Downes, an elderly gay man in a local nursing home, he is surprised by Nolan’s request: find the lost love of his youth, Giorgio Roberto. Theo is also surprised to meet handsome and successful Jamison Radames, who is visiting the same nursing home. As Theo and Jamison embark on an investigative adventure to find Giorgio, they discover a great deal about themselves and each other. Solving the mystery of what happened to Giorgio might mean happily ever after for more than just Nolan.
Found At Last: Book Two
An investigative adventure in search of an elderly man’s first love brought Theo and Jamison together. Now they’re called to put their sleuthing skills to use once again and reunite Pocono resort manager Asher with his lost love, Armando. But the hunt through rural Pennsylvania won’t be easy with Jamison’s younger brother locking horns with the resort’s assistant manager and a shocking offer from the sous chef, Grace.
Readers love Joe Cosentino
The Perfect Gift
“The dynamic among the three of them warmed my heart… This is a feel good heartwarming holiday story you need to add on your holiday reading list.”
—My Review Book Blog
The First Noel
“…Joe Cosentino knows how to grab my attention and keep, as well as melting my heart in the process.”
—Urban Book Reviews
“For a story that took less than an hour to read, it really had all I like in a good book.”
—Open Skye Book Reviews
Finding Giorgio
“I will warn you now, you better have tissues with this one… This is really such a good story.”
—Love Bytes Reviews
“Finding Giorgio is the first in a new series that will grab you by the heart, squeeze out those tears, and leave you heaving a satisfied sigh as you turn that last page.”
—Divine Magazine
JOE COSENTINO began as an actor appearing in principal acting roles in film, television, and theater, opposite stars such as Bruce Willis, Rosie O’Donnell, Nathan Lane, Holland Taylor, and Jason Robards. Watching him on YouTube, his students said, “You were cute when you were young.” He moved on to playwriting and directing, and his plays were published and produced in NYC, regionally, and on tour. When he began writing fiction, his mother said, “Don’t you have anything better to do than write books?”
He replied, “I wonder if Shakespeare’s mother said that to him?” All’s well that ends well, as his mother, other family members, and friends love his published books. He hopes everyone reading this book will enjoy solving the mystery and falling in love with a ghost. Writing is all in the family since his spouse is an audio book performer.
Joe received his MFA from Goddard College in Vermont and MA from SUNY New Paltz. He is currently Chair of the Department/Professor of Theatre at a college in upstate New York, where he and his spouse designed and had built an environmentally friendly home. Joe is a member of an open and affirming church, and he does fundraising for GLSEN.
He loves to hear from readers:
Website: joecosentino.weebly.com
By Joe Cosentino
The Naked Prince and Other Tales from Fairyland
BOBBY AND PA
OLO’S HOLIDAY STORIES
A Home for the Holidays
The Perfect Gift
The First Noel
The Bobby and Paolo Holiday Stories
FOUND AT LAST
Finding Giorgio
Finding Armando
Found At Last Anthology
IN MY HEART
An Infatuation
A Shooting Star
In My Heart Anthology
PLAYER PIANO MYSTERIES
The Player
Published by DREAMSPINNER PRESS
www.dreamspinnerpress.com
Published by
DREAMSPINNER PRESS
5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886 USA
www.dreamspinnerpress.com
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of author imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
The Player
© 2020 Joe Cosentino
Cover Art
© 2020 Tiferet Design
http://www.tiferetdesign.com/
Cover content is for illustrative purposes only and any person depicted on the cover is a model.
All rights reserved. This book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution via any means is illegal and a violation of international copyright law, subject to criminal prosecution and upon conviction, fines, and/or imprisonment. Any eBook format cannot be legally loaned or given to others. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the Publisher, except where permitted by law. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Dreamspinner Press, 5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886, USA, or www.dreamspinnerpress.com.
Trade Paperback ISBN: 978-1-64405-726-1
Digital ISBN: 978-1-64405-725-4
Library of Congress Control Number: 2020937627
Digital published September 2020
First Edition
v. 1.0
Printed in the United States of America