"Our Souls at Night"

"Our Souls At Night" is Kent Haruf's last book and that makes me sad.  It is a beautiful, short story and I now want to read all his previous works!

Addie Moore and Louis Waters live on the same street in Holt, CO, with only one house separating them.  Both of their spouses died many years ago.  Although they don't know each other well, Addie knew Louis' wife and they know a lot about each other just because Holt is a small town.

Addie surprises Louis one day by showing up on his doorstep and asking him if he'd like to come over and sleep with her.  She's looking for someone to share her bed with at night with no strings attached -- companionship and conversation.  Being a small town it is not a secret for long and word gets back to Louis' daughter and Addie's son and neither are too happy about it.

Addie's son is separated from his wife and his business is failing so he has his hands full.  Addie agrees to keep her grandson until he can get his life back on track.  Thus it is that Louis, Addie, and her grandson, Jamie, begin having adventures together that include getting Jamie a dog.

All goes well until Addie's son and his wife get back together and Jamie moves home.  It is then that her son tells her she has to stop seeing Louis if she wants to see her grandson.  This is a moving story about families and the choices we make.  pazt