A Little Life Novels & Stories

**A Glimpse of Hope** The morning light filtered through the thin curtains of their small room, casting a gentle glow over the worn furniture and wooden floors. Lillian awoke to the soft sounds of the town outside—footsteps on the cobblestone streets, the distant murmur of voices, the faint clinking of dishes from a café nearby. It was a comforting contrast to the chaos of the last few days, a reminder that the world could still be quiet and ordinary.

“You’re close, aren't you? If I dipped my hand down there, I just know I’d find you soaked.” More moans spilled from my lips, shameful and sweet. “Do you want me to make you cum?” I wanted to scream yes. I wanted to beg him for it. The orgasm was approaching like a freight train, and I knew it would be earth-shattering. And then his words struck me. ‘Little Hunter’. The fog snapped. I shoved off him with a burst of hysterical strength, my heart stuttering as I spun around to face the male who’d almost brought me to climax.

"You were the one who found him and brought him back to me. In return, I'll let you film me." … [In the Next Life — Dec. 31, 2023, 9:00 PM — I Hope You Live a Long Life, Part One] "Where'd you get that?" I looked at the videotape William was holding and frowned. He gave it a little shake and smiled. "A good documentarian should know their subject." Then he popped the tape into the camcorder. The screen—an old TV left behind by the previous tenant—lit up. A girl in a pink dress with long hair leaned toward the camera.

Priscilla agreed. “You and Milan are the only insane women among us.” Lillian asserted. “No woman in law is sane.” Fatima chimed in, and everyone laughed. The laughter faded into softer conversation after that. Work gossip. Courtroom disasters. Wedding planning stress. Lillian complaining about American coffee while living in America voluntarily. For the first time since returning to Italy, Milan felt something loosen slightly inside her chest. Before ending the call, Fatima’s voice softened again. “Just be careful over there, okay?”

"Thank Ms. Ellison for her kindness on my behalf, but my life isn't meant to clean up after her." I hung up and looked out at the busy traffic below. The collapse of that project had come even faster than I expected. A faint smile spread across my lips.

I look from couple to couple my envy of their ordinary lives growing. I stop on Noah and Mia as I watch their movements. They are different from everyone else, their movements are slower and more meaningful as he takes the time to gently run his hand up and down her back, every now and then he steps back and says something and they both laugh and embrace as she rests her head on his chest and sways slowly to their own music. And then it hits me. If they are still here, so is Faith. I have to find her.

Hunter says and I gave him a glare. "I don't know what that word means," I lied. "How about we all get some coffee? And get to talking?" Logan asks, I love the coffee, I know it's mostly milk but it tastes good. "Okay," I say with a giant pout on my face. We took a seat in the living room, and they made me sit facing them, I looked at them with the same pouting face. "As William has explained being a little means being a lot younger than what you are now, it's a new way to live your childhood all over again, and it's a good chance to have a better life," Hunter starts.