Michael was ahead of the curve.
He lived in a great house, owned a pair of luxury cars, married a beautiful and intelligent wife, had two examplary kids. He has it all. All before the age of 40.
One January afternoon, he received the news that his closest friend and neighbor of 10 years was moving to the other side of the country.
Instead of feeling sadness at the impending lose of a friend, Michael is overwhelmed by apathy. He realizes that losing his friend does not affect his precious utopian lifestyle at all. He has the perfect life.
That is, until the new neighbors arrive.
They seem like nice people, but there is something strange, something extraordinary, about the man living next door.
Soon after meeting the man, Michael's perfect world begins to crumble. He finds that what once fulfilled him satisfies him no more. Michael discovers that this man has something HE could never have.
And he WANTS it.
And he NEEDS what this strange man has.
Michael's life spiraling out of control, he embarks on a one way journey into the unknown, looking for that which will satisfy his soul. His journey will test just how far he is willing to sacrifice his humanity in the pursuit of Happiness.
In the end, Michael will finally discover the truth about the human condition: We covet those things we know were never meant for us.
Elliot's partner was his whole world, but after Allan's death, his ghost haunts Elliot's dreams. Everyone tells Elliot to move on, but he isn't sure he can.
*****
It's been a year since the love of Elliot's life, Allan, passed away. Everyone thinks he should have recovered after that much time, but Allan still haunts Elliot every night. He struggles to maintain relationships with his family, and despite a coworkers interest he can't summon up the courage to date. Elliot is living for the past, because to live for the present means he'll have to live with a hole in his heart. But the question Elliot has to face chases him through his monotonous days: is mourning Allan with everything he has truly living?
[[word count: 40,000-50,000 words]]