Well-known artist Ellis Williams is in a slump and feeling all his fifty-three years. He's lost the joy which used to permeate his painting and despairs of ever regaining it. It doesn't help when he runs into a young man who comes on to him to win a bet, thus destroying more of Ellis's confidence.<br><br>Then, at a party, Ellis meets Martin Lovell, a man his age whose partner died soon after they adopted their son. Will these two middle-aged men learn they should never let go of hope? Or is it too late for men their age to open themselves to the possibility of love and being loved?

Never Let Go of Hope

He did just that, ending up at Goodfriends where he was able to grab a newly vacated seat at the end of the bar and order a beer. Even though it was only late afternoon the place was crowded, the majority of the people being gay men. Some were paired off, while others were fairly obviously looking to make a connection. There were also the unmistakable tourists who might have wondered what they’d wandered in on. At least Ellis thought that was the case from the looks on some of their faces. This is New Orleans, and Bourbon Street, not Main Street in small town Nebraska. What did you expect?


Chapter 5