99 Problems

Rob Catteneo takes charge of his family’s business, selling ice cream in a British seaside town, and finds their oldest competitor, Bianchi’s, is now being run by the youngest son, Chez. Chez was once a schoolmate but never a friend, because of their old family rivalry. Rob’s interested in both a business partnership with Bianchi’s and a more personal relationship with Chez. But Chez is deep in the closet, terrified his very traditional family will discover he’s gay. A night together in a hotel gives Rob insight into Chez’s fears and vulnerability and he’s sure he can help, but Chez resists further business and personal overtures. On an important summer weekend for both firms, Rob keeps a cool head in an ice cream emergency and helps Chez out, leaving Chez open to future propositions. Will this be the first step on the road to a sweet future together? Rob Catteneo has returned from completing an MBA to take charge of his familys business selling ice cream in a seaside town in the north of England. He finds his familys main rival company, Bianchis, is now being run by Cesare Chez Bianchi, once a schoolmate but never a friend, because of family rivalry. Robs soon not only interested in going into partnership with Bianchis, but is also interested in a more personal relationship with Chez. Though Chez feels the same way, hes deep in the closet, terrified his very traditional family will discover hes gay. A night together in a hotel gives Rob insight into Chezs fears and vulnerability and he is sure he can help. But Chez resists both business and personal overtures. On an important Bank Holiday weekend for both firms, Rob keeps a cool head in an ice cream emergency, helping Chez out. This leads Chez to finally accept both the business and personal propositions from Rob. They are at the first step on the road to a sweet future together. (Short story originally published in the Not Quite Shakespeare anthology.