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

“Not so soon,” Martin said. “Besides which, next Saturday is John’s birthday party, isn’t it?”


“Yeah. I guess. Can we eat at Slice’s? Please, please?”


“I don’t know. What do you think, Ellis? It has pretty good pizza.”


“Sounds fine to me,” Ellis said, earning him a fast and very surprising hug from Todd.


“All right. We’ll meet you there.” They separated, going to their respective cars, and five minutes later were parking at the pizzeria. There was an empty table outside, which they co-opted, and while Ellis waited, Martin and Todd went inside to order their dinner. When they came back, Todd informed Ellis that they were having a D-Luxe and a Meat Lover’s. “And they’re for Dad and me,” he added teasingly. “You didn’t say what you wanted.”


“I think we can let him share,” Martin said with a laugh.


They did, and an hour later, stuffed to the gills, they returned to their cars.


Chapter 19