Al Basha: Our Stories

Franco Minasian, seasoned attorney by day, part-time firefighter/paramedic by night. Avocation-his saxophones. Franco had tackled the Illinois bar over a sweltering summer. Lacking clout, Franco's New Hampshire work-ethic, seaworthy quick-thinking, and Boston/Chicago street-smarts builds his reputation with hardened Chicago prosecutors for whom he clerked as a "third year", landing him a job and delivering prestige assignments.

Marrying South-side Irish Erin, then relocating to the 'burbs; children eventually follow.

Franco moves on to a small law firm to face new priorities: Navigating unconditional love from his children and loyalty from his fellow firefighters-paramedics against his sinking marriage.

Franco reluctantly accepts a lunch invitation from Umair, an affable client, whose case he dreads. Over their succulent meal at Al Basha, punctuated by sweets and earthy coffee, emerges Umair's mandate-that Franco tell their stories.

From this new perspective, Franco's destiny delivers Amsterdam, true love, forgiveness, redemption, and saxophony.

Al Basha's main character is hardly Franco Minasian. His Amsterdam experiences, the important words and inspiring ways of so many others are Al Basha's quintessence.

Recounting life-changing events-both Umair's and his- from long-ago to the present, proves cathartic and healing.