This novel is a story within a story in which Maria Illusiones, a nurse, compiles the final storyline after unforeseen circumstances make her the default narrator. Until then, the narration had been Fello Castillo’s project. Fred Donovan, a wealthy man, tasked the maintenance man with figuring out his life’s tale and left cassette tapes to facilitate the project. “For Fello’s Eyes Only!” read the yellow envelope left at the reception desk in the retirement home.

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At the same time, in a parallel account, Priscilla White, now a ghost and former guest of the plush quarters, pesters Fello and Maria to tell her side, suspecting that her long-time lover, “Donny,” as she affectionately calls him, hasn’t voiced the truth about their extended romance.

A green door plays a prominent role in the story, which acts as one of the narrative’s fulcrums.

            To complicate matters, a parrot named Julio and a raven endowed with a sixth sense called Perceptivus become participants in figuring out which tape to play.

            Fello hasn’t spoken to Maria for a year and has kept his love for her a secret, content to worship her in the privacy of his heart. But after a near-death experience, Fello asks Maria if he can kiss her without warming her up to the idea.

You can imagine the outcome of such boldness.

The impending kiss propels their affair to heights they had never reached in their previous skirmishes with love. And when Fello calls Mr. Hypnotic’s talk show to seek help figuring out the tale, the story draws the town of Brittleborough into the romantic thrill.