Mancunian

This is almost like a memory worth having, such a wonderful story of youthful passion and discovery. I love this story.

Thank you @Mrsgnomie, not just for the comments but also for your help in making this story what it is. As you say sometimes it's the small things that make the memories. In my mind I can picture Maxie and Charlie being taken on picnics by John and Steve with the picnic basket in the boot of the old car.

Thank you @Bill W for taking the time to comment, it's appreciated. I wanted to convey the love that John and Steve had for each other, and the important role that the car played in their lives. The survival of the car is like a testament of their love.

Wow. I'm not one for poetry usually but this gripped me and didn't let go. I don't know what to say except, this is brilliant.

A unique and beautifully told story. The main character learns of acceptance, not just of those around him but most importantly of himself. The ending is sad but fits in with the story and how society behaves, it is a natural and fitting way to end the story. If your reading this then read the story you will enjoy it as I did.

A unique and beautifully told story, it totally drew me in and I loved it.

Thank you @astone2292 for your valuable comments, the helpful editing of @Mrsgnomie helped to make this story what it is. I'm really happy that you enjoyed the story, I know I enjoyed writing it. The car featured was a popular production line model of the time, and as any Harry Potter fan will tell you is the same as Ron Weasley drove in the films, that is until they smashed it, lol. All of the locations are real and do exist in Birmingham Uk, so if you happen to live in the area you could follow the journey and watch the sun set on Beacon Hill in the Lickey Hills National Park as John and Steve did in the story.

John loved his car. It was his pride and joy, the first car bought with his own money that he saved. One hundred and fifty pounds may not sound like much today, but back in 1977, it was equal to six weeks of wages. The powder blue Ford Anglia 105e wasn't his first choice, but it was all he could afford. When he went to view it, he felt drawn to it as though he was meant to have this car and no other. The bodywork was in remarkably good condition, its smooth, streamlined, and almost 'Americanised

Many people believe that before you die your life flashes before your eyes, does it? Or is it just a part of our life, you know like special memories, I think that's possible. John is lying in hospital, he is at the end of a long life. As he sleeps he dreams for one last time of some of his special memories. About his car, the perfect car, and how it played a part in a long and beautiful relationship.

I love the twist on an age old story, maybe if its told often enough we will all believe lol

There's just one question to ask, when will the first batch be live?

I couldn't agree more. Anthology time must be hard work at any time and if we have hit or exceeded the target set it will have made a harder task than usual, with the server cache issues making it even more difficult it must have felt like an impossible task at times. I take my hat off to all of the team involved you are awesome I'm looking forward to reading all of the entries for this anthology.

That sounds like another couple of short dips into the CJverse, or am I being too presumptuous.

Loved this and discovering that this is the start of CJ's political career, I thought it would be further off in the future. Owen's plans will no doubt fit better into their plans remaining as a full-time permanent employee. But I have a complaint, It's over too soon I wanted more, I hope you have something else up your sleeve as I'm not the only one who's going to complain lol. Thanks @Carlos Hazday for another glimpse into CJ and Owen's lives.

Good luck in your new venture and this new chapter in your life, I wish you every success. This may even act as your muse for new stories in the future, it's possible.

This is a story of two broken men, not physically, but emotionally. Their stories are different, they both have a past, one has been abused, the other has been hiding his sexuality. Then when they are both at a low point in there lives becoming room-mates and it's hate at first sight, but you know what they say about love and hate. Once crusty exteriors are broken through things take a different path. This is a story to read and savour, I enjoyed it and I'm sure others will too. A good recommended read.

This looks like it's going to be an enjoyably bumpy ride with CJ doing his thing by not avoiding those controversial issues. The world could benefit from a real life CJ now.

Jacob knew that roadworks would cause delays and prepared for them, the usual two hour journey was taking much longer than expected. When the twins became irritable due to being cooped up, he opened the box of games and DVD's. With Joseph's encouragement they settled in reclined seats to watch Disney's Pocahontas on DVD. They arrived at the house as the film ended, nearly four hours after they had set off. Shamira watched the twins run off some steam while Joseph helped the men unload the l

I'm sorry to hear the news of your cancer, I hope your current treatment is successful. What I do pick up on is your courage and determination to carry on and not be beaten, I'm heartened to see this. I sincerely hope that your courage and determination, along with the love and support of all who know you, will help you in these trying times. Do what brings you peace and happiness, I look forward to seeing you around for a long time to come. Your writing brings joy to many around you.

If anyone is still considering submitting their first ever anthology entry but have concerns about doing it, please do as I did and take the plunge. I can say, from experience, that @Valkyrie and @Cia will give you all the advice, help, support and encouragement that they can. If you need an editor you can ask for help in The Writer's Circle, if you haven't signed up to it just follow the link below it's quick and easy. You will find a lot of help and support there as well as a lot of useful hints and tips.

2 - 1 to United

I've been looking forward to this since you announced it. I had to wait for my new keyboard to arrive before I could comment (I wore out the last one, lol). I love the way CJ put down the reporter, he's not losing his touch lol. I think the Biden's are impressed with CJ's plans to better his education so that he can aim for the position he wants, he wants it based on what he knows not who he knows which is admirable (but who he knows will also come in handy). Owen's proving that he is no slouch either, that earns respect all round. Turning down White House invitations, what a shock! Not really that's typical CJ family comes first. I think that Joe Biden would understand and respect that after all he is a family man himself and understands good family values, unlike the previous incumbent who has no values at all. Thanks for the first of many chapters that I'm sure will all be first class.

Behind the scenes at Associated Executive Car Services men and women were working hard on their computers. Background checks were being carried out on city employees and tentative plans were being made for meetings. Specialists wearing latex gloves in another room were poring over and scrutinizing documents, they spoke in murmurs and hushed whispers. All of them were working to a plan laid out on a storyboard. This is typical of all of the covert operations they worked on. *****

This is a very thought provoking blog entry, it describes how 'conversion therapy' can play with a persons mind. Some conversion therapies can be very severe in form, both physical and mental, but all have the same effect, they screw with a persons mind so that they cannot think clearly and can make some very dependent on the organisation carrying it out taking away free thought and independence. Some people that have undergone these 'processes' have become suicidal, some have been able to draw strength from it and fight for their own sanity with varying degrees of success, but most have have been very badly emotionally and mentally affected that they are unable to live a life where they reach their full potential. As a blog entry that speaks out against any form of conversion therapy this is memorable and successful. I sincerely hope that neither the writer, @Drew Payne, or anyone else on GA has been subjected to anything like this.

I agree that there was a tech fail, I use Open Office, but that didn't mean that I couldn't compare with or go back to the original text it was just a bit more involved. When I did compare, taking into account your notes, I found it easy and did not feel as though you were being pushy. I always keep copies of the original text as I find it useful. Your help made think and consider, a lot of your suggestions were accepted, although some only in part, what you did was help me write the story better. I've also kept your notes as there some valuable lessons in them for me to learn from.