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

“How is it going?” Janice asked when Ellis came into the kitchen.


“It will be different,” he replied, lifting the lid of the casserole dish to see what was on the menu. “Shepherd’s pie? One of my favorites.”


Janice chuckled. “After all these years don’t you think I know?” Jive, of course, was standing right there with them, looking hopefully at Janice. She opened the fridge, took out a bowl of meat scraps, and dumped them into his food dish. Ellis took the casserole into the dining room for her, poured them each a glass of wine, and they sat down to eat.


“You should invite your friend out here for dinner some evening,” Janice said slyly when they had made inroads into the meal.


“Martin?” He’d mentioned him to her a few times, telling her about meeting him at the party and then about their night at the theater.


“Unless,” she winked at him, “you’ve met someone else you’ve been keeping secret from me.”


Chapter 16