Sweet Hope: a novella

Judson Hout, now a semi-retired medical doctor, settled into a practice in Camden, Arkansas after early medical assignments on military bases in Oklahoma and Arkansas.

"Memory is strange. Memory of good times, running barefoot in cool spring grass, swimming with friends in a stream, first date, first kiss, and other pleasant events and happiness persists even into old age. Bad memories, unhappy memories tend to slowly go away, either by conscious effort or unconscious repression. Not so for the memory of lost love. Unlike brief love affairs or mutually ended relationships, the memory of lost love persists forever. The sadness of it remains stored in some obscure cerebral vault to reappear at the most inappropriate moments. It pops up in dreams, during sleepless nights, and in familiar places or events shared with the lost loves. One wants to forget but cannot." © Judson Hout

“A sweet story told by a wonderful storyteller. This story leads the reader along the ups and downs of life paths in a way that keeps us guessing about what might happen next and hoping that things will turn out OK.”
 

“This beautiful story about growing up, growing apart, and the sweet hope that can bring people back together is a satisfying read.”