Love the beginning. The scene with him kissing the photo and then touching it again after he's set it in the drawer is so poignant.

Can't wait for the update. Glad that things are going better for you.

Is the "old friend" Red John? I can't wait to find out who it is! Great writing. I prefer more dialog but I wasn't tired at all reading through your descriptives...it was too intriguing to figure out what would happen and who the friend might be.