When Byron Randall -- in his mid-fifties, single and alone -- moves into a new condo complex, he meets another resident, fifty-five year old realtor Jonah Hyland -- also single since his breakup with his much younger lover. The two middle-aged men become friends, sharing common interests in gardening and hiking.<br><br>As their friendship deepens, each man wonders if he has found someone he could learn to care for. Then Jonah's ex reappears in his life, much to Byron's dismay. Will this end Byron and Jonah's budding romance? Or will they discover that, together, they can let go of loneliness?

Let Go of Loneliness

“You’re new, aren’t you?” she asked after pushing to button for the ground floor.


“I could say I was just visiting someone,” he replied with a smile. “But I wasn’t. I own 1001, or I guess the bank does until I’ve finished paying the mortgage.”


“Tell me about it,” she said. “I’ll be almost seventy before I really own my place.”


“A very lovely seventy, I’m sure.”


She preened, thanking him for the compliment, and introduced herself as Margie Winters. By then the elevator reached the fourth floor and another woman got on.


After greeting Margie, she eyed Byron. “And you are who?”


“Well hello, Byron Randell. I’m Kathy James. I live in 405.” She eyed him, nodding. “You’ll fit in well here.”


“Oh?” he asked, a bit puzzled about how she had come to that conclusion.


“You’re not some youngster. We have a pair on the second floor, and a young woman on five. She does like to throw parties.”


Byron smiled. “Didn’t we all, when we were in our twenties?”


Chapter 3