Hope

After Todd's mother dies from cancer, he moves back to his hometown in the foothills of the Appalachians from Chicago. It's 1997 and he's just been given a death sentence -- an HIV-positive diagnosis. Todd expects his remaining time on earth to be spent alone. But Cal, his handsome next-door neighbor, has other ideas. Cal is not the only surprise in Todd's new life. Todd begins having visions of an older woman, Essie, when he dims the lights. Is she just a figment of his imagination? Or is she a truth teller? When she talks to Todd, she's smart and hopeful. When Todd tells Cal about the ghost, Cal knows her already because Todd's mother spoke with her before her death. Essie was a godsend when Todd's mom was in so much pain. And now, Essie urges Todd to live ... for himself ... for new love. But is she too late?

Rick R. Reed · LGBT+

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11 Chs

Chapter 8

The upshot of their conversation was what resulted in Todd’s getting the three prescriptions filled. He had been surprised the country health center was able, after cutting through some red tape and a small mountain of paperwork, to fill the prescriptions for him for free. Todd had been stunned to learn that, if he had paid for them himself, the cost for only a month would have run into more than a thousand dollars.

So he was grateful.

And hopeful.

He had only one other bridge to cross.

Todd had never been to Cal’s house. He hadn’t even spoken to him since the night he had sent him away from the back porch.

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