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

Three hours later, with help from Ellis, Todd had grasped the basic idea behind mixing colors, at least in theory. “But I have to do it for reals and I don’t have the right paints.”


“For reals, huh? Okay, tell you what. I’ll pick up a basic acrylic starter set for you on my way here tomorrow and we’ll spend some time letting you practice.”


“Honest. For right now though, we need to eat and then you’re supposed to nap.”


“No, but you’re still recovering from your surgery. You don’t want to have a relapse.” Ellis wondered if Todd knew what that meant. He found out a second later when Todd complained, “That’s what Dad keeps telling me. ‘Rest or you’ll relapse and end up back in the hospital’. As if. Jeez.”


“It could happen. So on your feet and into the kitchen.”


“I thought I was supposed to rest.”


Chapter 28