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

After thanking him for the offer, Martin said he’d call in the morning and they hung up.


I hope I’m not getting in over my head. I haven’t had anything to do with kids since…well, since I was one. He shook his head, glancing at Jive who was lying on the floor beside the bed. “I don’t think the fact I can handle you is considered a qualification for knowing what to do with Todd.”


Jive cocked his head, yawned, and curled up to go to sleep. Laughing, because he figured that was the perfect comment to his concerns, Ellis turned out the light. I have to stop getting worked up about things until I have all the facts. You’d think, after all these years I’d know that. Older? Yes. Wiser? Debatable. 9


“This is the living room,” Martin said. “Although I guess you could have figured it out for yourself.”


It was Monday morning and Ellis was getting a tour of the house before Martin left for work.


Chapter 27