What Happened To The Baxter Boys 4. Lost Soul The Boot

Full disclosure!  As editor and beta, I am biased.  However, I assure readers that this is a wonderful story of survival, love, and hope.  It is filled with delightful characters, including many from prior Boot stories.  I loved working with @Mancunian who has given life to these wonderful, funny and sometimes outrageous characters.  The plot is a slight departure from prior stories because it focuses less on The Boot, and more on an exceptional family that grows and evolves as they face challenges together.  

This story has something for everyone.  The setting and dialogue are authentic. Searching the net to see pictures of the places was so fun for me.  There are also some great insights into the gay culture, history and architecture of Manchester, England.  I honestly believe readers will love this story.  Enjoy!  

Thank you @raven1 for the kind comments. I try to make my characters as real as possible and place them in appropriate settings. The Boot and The Old Shoe factory are fictitious but all other locations are real and in Manchester. Alan Turing's statue, China Town and Canal Street can all be googled, as can other locations, photos and other pictures may be posted in the comments.

If any reader wants to talk about this or any other story in The Boot World, or any of the issues relating to subjects raised in the stories they can do that in The Boot Forum, just click on the link below.

I came back to look at the cover picture and suddenly thought of this song.  I dare readers to look at the picture while listening to this song.  Have the tissues ready.

6 hours ago, raven1 said:

I came back to look at the cover picture and suddenly thought of this song.  I dare readers to look at the picture while listening to this song.  Have the tissues ready.

 

 

I never thought of a song that could fit the story, but this is inspired thinking. I couldn't have thought of a better song myself. Thank you @raven1. 

Thank you for this amazing collaborative effort, @Mancunian, and @raven1.

I'm loving getting to know these incredibly loving and beautiful characters. You two work extremely well together. 

5 hours ago, Ajbt2001 said:

Thank you for this amazing collaborative effort, @Mancunian, and @raven1.

I'm loving getting to know these incredibly loving and beautiful characters. You two work extremely well together. 

Thank you for the wonderful compliment. 😊

I am enjoying working with @raven1, his help is invaluable, he brings out the best in me helping to bring this story to everyone. 

19 hours ago, Ajbt2001 said:

Thank you for this amazing collaborative effort, @Mancunian, and @raven1.

I'm loving getting to know these incredibly loving and beautiful characters. You two work extremely well together. 

Thank you.  I'm glad to see you here, and looking forward to reading your comments @Ajbt2001.

13 hours ago, Mancunian said:

Thank you for the wonderful compliment. 😊

I am enjoying working with @raven1, his help is invaluable, he brings out the best in me helping to bring this story to everyone. 

Just know that I enjoy working with you too.  It's both fun and exciting for me.

I'd just like to add my two-cents for any readers that haven't started this series.  I found it truly intriguing and it made me laugh at times, and at other times it brought a few tears, or more, to my eyes.  The story is about a unique family that is filled with love and I highly recommend to anyone's who isn't sure if they want to tackle this series. 

6 hours ago, Bill W said:

I'd just like to add my two-cents for any readers that haven't started this series.  I found it truly intriguing and it made me laugh at times, and at other times it brought a few tears, or more, to my eyes.  The story is about a unique family that is filled with love and I highly recommend to anyone's who isn't sure if they want to tackle this series. 

Thank you @Bill W for these wonderful comments. They are appreciated my friend. 

Homelessness in the UK is on the rise and has been for a number of years. Theres no easy fix. The number of families in poor temporary accommodation is also on the rise and has been in the news many times in 2023. There are many many reasons this occurs and each person or each family can tell you a tale that will break your heart! To read about two devoted brothers living rough on the streets of Manchester  and their chance  meeting with a giant of a man with a heart of gold and his amazing husband their "chosen  family" and their amazing circle of friends  that run & volunteer at a centre  called  the "New Boot" is more than uplifting! Read it and say  you never shed a tear and I'll call you a liar! But in a jocular friendly and conversational  way!! How you react and how you might be enticed into helping some small way in your own community will be this collaborative endeavours real world legacy and it deserves a real world legacy!!!!!

Read on and keep the tissues to hand!!

My own story in a nutshell is I had my home repossessed in July 2017. I'd had to close my business in late 2016 and I just  couldnt keep the plates spinning any longer. I'm disabled & I still don't have a home to call "my own" but I have a safe roof over my head whilst I act as a parents  unpaid 24/7 carer. After 11years of being single I have a great partner (were in our 6th year!) that I love so my life is definitely on the upward  swing!

So no matter how bleak things look never give up!! Help and hope can shine from the most unlikely of places! 

16 minutes ago, Freemantleman said:

Homelessness in the UK is on the rise and has been for a number of years. Theres no easy fix. The number of families in poor temporary accommodation is also on the rise and has been in the news many times in 2023. There are many many reasons this occurs and each person or each family can tell you a tale that will break your heart! To read about two devoted brothers living rough on the streets of Manchester  and their chance  meeting with a giant of a man with a heart of gold and his amazing husband their "chosen  family" and their amazing circle of friends  that run & volunteer at a centre  called  the "New Boot" is more than uplifting! Read it and say  you never shed a tear and I'll call you a liar! But in a jocular friendly and conversational  way!! How you react and how you might be enticed into helping some small way in your own community will be this collaborative endeavours real world legacy and it deserves a real world legacy!!!!!

Read on and keep the tissues to hand!!

 

 

My own story in a nutshell is I had my home repossessed in July 2017. I'd had to close my business in late 2016 and I just  couldnt keep the plates spinning any longer. I'm disabled & I still don't have a home to call "my own" but I have a safe roof over my head whilst I act as a parents  unpaid 24/7 carer. After 11years of being single I have a great partner (were in our 6th year!) that I love so my life is definitely on the upward  swing!

So no matter how bleak things look never give up!! Help and hope can shine from the most unlikely of places! 

 

What you said is beautiful.  I like not only what you said, but your attitude in life.  Thanks for sharing, @Freemantleman!

3 minutes ago, raven1 said:

What you said is beautiful.  I like not only what you said, but your attitude in life.  Thanks for sharing, @Freemantleman!

I totally agree with raven1’s comment on Freemantleman’s generous sharing of their story.   Tonight I’m counting my blessings. 🤗

24 minutes ago, Freemantleman said:

Homelessness in the UK is on the rise and has been for a number of years. Theres no easy fix. The number of families in poor temporary accommodation is also on the rise and has been in the news many times in 2023. There are many many reasons this occurs and each person or each family can tell you a tale that will break your heart! To read about two devoted brothers living rough on the streets of Manchester  and their chance  meeting with a giant of a man with a heart of gold and his amazing husband their "chosen  family" and their amazing circle of friends  that run & volunteer at a centre  called  the "New Boot" is more than uplifting! Read it and say  you never shed a tear and I'll call you a liar! But in a jocular friendly and conversational  way!! How you react and how you might be enticed into helping some small way in your own community will be this collaborative endeavours real world legacy and it deserves a real world legacy!!!!!

Read on and keep the tissues to hand!!

 

 

My own story in a nutshell is I had my home repossessed in July 2017. I'd had to close my business in late 2016 and I just  couldnt keep the plates spinning any longer. I'm disabled & I still don't have a home to call "my own" but I have a safe roof over my head whilst I act as a parents  unpaid 24/7 carer. After 11years of being single I have a great partner (were in our 6th year!) that I love so my life is definitely on the upward  swing!

So no matter how bleak things look never give up!! Help and hope can shine from the most unlikely of places! 

 

One of the best reactions and comments I have read in a long while.  Thank you so much.  I hope the new year brings you many blessings,

garyl

9 hours ago, Freemantleman said:

Homelessness in the UK is on the rise and has been for a number of years. Theres no easy fix. The number of families in poor temporary accommodation is also on the rise and has been in the news many times in 2023. There are many many reasons this occurs and each person or each family can tell you a tale that will break your heart! To read about two devoted brothers living rough on the streets of Manchester  and their chance  meeting with a giant of a man with a heart of gold and his amazing husband their "chosen  family" and their amazing circle of friends  that run & volunteer at a centre  called  the "New Boot" is more than uplifting! Read it and say  you never shed a tear and I'll call you a liar! But in a jocular friendly and conversational  way!! How you react and how you might be enticed into helping some small way in your own community will be this collaborative endeavours real world legacy and it deserves a real world legacy!!!!!

Read on and keep the tissues to hand!!

 

 

My own story in a nutshell is I had my home repossessed in July 2017. I'd had to close my business in late 2016 and I just  couldnt keep the plates spinning any longer. I'm disabled & I still don't have a home to call "my own" but I have a safe roof over my head whilst I act as a parents  unpaid 24/7 carer. After 11years of being single I have a great partner (were in our 6th year!) that I love so my life is definitely on the upward  swing!

So no matter how bleak things look never give up!! Help and hope can shine from the most unlikely of places! 

 

Homelessness is a social disease that has many root causes and needs to be tackled on two fronts. One is to treat the root causes, the other is to provide more social housing at affordable rents. Then we can reduce it, I'm not sure that we can eliminate it but that must be the goal. The Boot World stories mainly show what can happen when help and support is given to those who need it, this is another of those stories. There are stories of homelessness that are much darker, some of those stories will also be told in time. We can all help by supporting organisations that are local to us and trying to help those in need.

Your story reminds us that this is a problem that can, and does, affect anyone. You have a good positive attitude that I am sure has helped and kept you going in the darkest of times. I hope you are getting the help and support that you need and your situation improves in the coming year. Your partner and your positivity will be of immense help to you. Thank you for sharing your story.

Thank you @Freemantleman for leaving your valuable comments, they are welcome and appreciated.