Comment from jmdg1954

Exceptional

Well, here's a side of Debi I would not have thought existed!
What a great story. As I'm reading it, I kept visualizing from the movie American Graffiti, with Harrison Ford's piss yellow roadster.

I'm glad you had the sense not to race the Nova because of your pregnancy.

This is a sure contest contender.

Have a great Sunday.
John

 Comment Written 30-Apr-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Apr-2023

Lol, yes John I was a bit of a wild child. Now Glen and I will be celebrating 50 years of marriage next May. I was only 18 when we married and the odds were against it, but amazing what happens when we allow Jesus to take over those materialistic needs and wants! When we realized that God was trusting us with a child we were never supposed to have, our lives changed for the better! We never missed it, never looked back, But it was great fun to relive it for the sake of the story. Thanks so much for your kind comments, and your incredible gift of extra stars, my very dear friend! Debi,

Comment from Carol Clark2

Excellent

Great story, and a nice entry for the contest. I'm glad you promised never to race that car. I'm sure it was tempting, but I'm guessing it was much more enjoyable to wave to the guy whom you chose not to race, just as he was being arrested. Best wishes in the contest.

 Comment Written 30-Apr-2023

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reply by the author on 03-May-2023

Hi Carol, I thank you so much for you awesome review and kind words that you honor me with. I still don't feel too bad about the wave to the guy since he shouldn't have tried to coerce a woman into racing, especially back in those days. Thanks again dear friend. You can't possibly know how much it means to me.

reply by Carol Clark2 on 03-May-2023

It seems like he knew the consequences and chose to race anyway. It was a good choice to remain strong, on your part.

Comment from nomi338

Exceptional

What an awesome story. I would love to see this as a video. You showed an amazing amount of restraint in not getting caught up. Until I read that part, I was very much afraid that you were going to give in to your more basic instinct and indulge in at least one race. I am very proud of your showing restraint.

 Comment Written 30-Apr-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Apr-2023

Lol, yes Nomi, I was a bit of a wild child. Now Glen and I will be celebrating 50 years of marriage next May. I was only 18 when we married and the odds were against it, but amazing what happens when we allow Jesus to take over those materialistic needs and wants! When we realized that God was trusting us with a child we were never supposed to have, our lives changed for the better! We never missed it, never looked back, But it was great fun to relive it for the sake of the story. Thanks so much for your kind comments, my sweet bb & dear friend! Debi

reply by nomi338 on 01-May-2023

To quote one of my faves, the fabulous Tina Turner, you are "Simply the best."

Comment from barbara.wilkey

Excellent

Thank you for sharing this contest entry with us. I enjoyed reading. My first car had a 440 engine in it. It wasn't a muscle car, just a car. My dad bought two cars at the same time. I gave me that one and my brother the other, because of the engine. He felt my brother would get in trouble. LOL It was fun to drive. LOL Good luck with the contest.

I knew that Glen preferred to race at Minnesota (omit 'that')

I concluded that they preferred to catch me on the road. (omit 'that')

We could see that the lights were about to change, (omit 'that')

 Comment Written 30-Apr-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Apr-2023

Lol, Barb I have been using that filler word for so long that I don't even realize that it has been that long. Hahahaha! Girl, I appreciate that. See how bad it is that I can't stop myself.

Seriously Barb, I have to watch myself so close. I never realized how much I said the word until now, and when I used it correctly, I even find myself saying oops. So please know how much I appreciate your kind feedback.
And I appreciate the fun story of your own too. Thanks so much!!

reply by barbara.wilkey on 30-Apr-2023

I put 'that' in my find thingy and search for the unnecessary ones. I had an editor make me go through an entire manuscript. That's why when I see them I cringe.

reply by the author on 30-Apr-2023

Hahahahaha! Barb you are a saint too. After all tho, as I always reference, your ability to raise all boys gives you 'that' title. LOL

Comment from Wayne Fowler

Excellent

Almost arrested, indeed! Good job.
Very nicely written. Good work.
I'm glad Glen impressed you not to race. Way too dangerous.
And I'm glad you didn't let temptation rule.
Best wishes.

 Comment Written 30-Apr-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Apr-2023

Lol, yes Wayne, I was a bit of a wild child. Now Glen and I will be celebrating 50 years of marriage next May. I was only 18 when we married and the odds were against it, but amazing what happens when we allow Jesus to take over those materialistic needs and wants! When we realized that God was trusting us with a child we were never supposed to have, our lives changed for the better! We never missed it, never looked back, But it was great fun to relive it for the sake of the story. Thanks so much for your kind comments, dear friend! Debi

Comment from GWHARGIS

Excellent

Debi the daredevil. My mom owned a baby blue with a black hard top gran torino. She used to give high school boys a run for their money. Then they would tell my older sister about racing her. This was a unique love story. Sorry about the crash. Gretchen

 Comment Written 30-Apr-2023

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reply by the author on 03-May-2023

Hi Gretchen, I was a bit of a wild child, wasn't I?? Hahaha! I love your story about your mom. That is one that I would love to read if you ever write it. Let me know if you ever do, ok?
I thank you so much for you awesome review and kind words that you honor me with. You can't possibly know how much it means to me. Thanks again dear friend.

Comment from Terry Broxson

Exceptional

LOL, what a great story! People of a certain age, and I am can relate to this wonderfully crafted story. The Wile E. reference is a very funny visual. The picture of the car is outstanding.

My best friend from high school father owned the Pontiac dealership in Midland, Texas. In 1963 and 64, Jimmy drove a "Demonstator GTO" to high school as his car. His dad sold a few GTOs as a result.

We never told Jimmy's dad how Jimmy also demonstrated the car! Thank you for entering the contest, and good luck. Terry.

 Comment Written 30-Apr-2023

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reply by the author on 01-May-2023

Thanks so much Terry and I so appreciate you being there with advice if needed. Love the story about Jimmy. Thanks again Terry and not sure if you visited your profile in the last few days, but I left you a congrats on there a couple days ago. I just wanted to make sure you didn't think I didn't recognize the awesome win. And thank you for the six stars. So appreciated it my dear friend.

reply by Terry Broxson on 01-May-2023

I saw your note on the profile. You know, the thing that makes your prose stand out is your ability to take a story and add a personal touch that brings your reader into the story so they feel a connection to you.

The reader feels they are with you in the car...trying to decide if they too want to floor it and race the dude, while also going through the mental process...better not, might be with child...

reply by the author on 01-May-2023

Thank you! I appreciate hearing that. I really do. 😃

Comment from Annmuma

Excellent

Youth - Thank God it is temporary and, even so, I am sometimes amazed so many of us survive it!! lol.

I remember the drag races of my youth - we went to an abandoned army base - Camp Livingston - and, though no one had a car of their dreams, we were happy to race in our parents' jalopies whatever they happened to be. In my case, a Henry J and, later, a Studebaker Lark. You can imagine, my wins were rare, but OH the fun!!

Good story, well told. Good luck in the contest. ann

 Comment Written 30-Apr-2023

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reply by the author on 03-May-2023

Hi there Ann. I thank you so much for you awesome review and kind words that you honor me with for my story. I still don't feel too bad about the wave to the guy since he shouldn't have tried to coerce a woman into racing, especially back in those days. Thanks again dear friend.

Comment from Pam Lonsdale

Excellent

fastest car around). Add the period after parenthesis.

Either Glen was a fanatic about his car, or guys, in general, don't change their underwear nearly enough, lol!

You have Road Runner written as two words, then two paragraphs later as Roadrunner, then back to Road Runner again. I usually Google to find out what the manufacturer does.

Debi, you mention a rape at the beginning of the story, and then never again. I understand you were saying that you weren't ready for a relationship, but I don't think it should be in the story unless it has a place in it, which it really doesn't. And after saying you aren't interested in meeting someone, you tell us that you married Glen 18 months later. I just found that part of the story confusing.

I do get that you love cars, and you loved that one in particular. I felt like I was reading a scene out of "American Graffiti" with you other there starting races with your flag. Didn't women use their scarf or bandana for that?

Thanks for sharing your wild youth with us:-)

Pam

 Comment Written 30-Apr-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Apr-2023

They say not to defend our work, but I feel the need to in a couple spots here, my dear. First tho, I do thank you for catching a few of my errors.

I do think that you were just having some fun with me and not being critical about the reference to changing of the underwear. Lol

The reason why I brought up the rape at all is because I wanted to keep my story short enough that people would actually read it. However it was important for me to tell how it all started and yet tell how I was hell bent on no dating for a while. I used that and my dreaming about his car as ways to show how I had no interest in the man whatsoever, not even mentioning that we met, but depending on the intelligence of the reader to figure out why I did it that way, so that it would make the fast forward to after the wedding a little more intriguing. Like one person told me, it needed that little bit of drama that hinted towards a sad story, to a hope of happiness in one paragraph. That obviously I had a change of heart and that he was someone I could trust. Again depending on reader... Without mentioning the rape, the idea of me wishing he'd pass out by the bonfire only seemed cruel. There would be no significance of mentioning any of the beginning, just to fast forward. And also that by the year 1971, to realize that the style no longer was for a girl to have a scarf in her hair or on her body, like in the 50s. So it was much easier just keeping the racing flag in the trunk.
Thanks for the read and review Pam. I do appreciate it.

reply by Pam Lonsdale on 30-Apr-2023

Debi, you don't need to defend your writing with me - it's your story and I was just giving my point of view. Of course the underwear was a joke:-) I guess not that funny.

reply by the author on 01-May-2023

Hey Sweetie! I always try to relook at my work fairly thru the eyes of others even when I have tried it every way before posting. My end result usually going by my vibes. With that in mind, I also look at how much I trust and respect the reviewer. There are few I put into that category as high as I do you. So I made a few changes & hopefully it still works. Thanks for the help! 😘

Comment from LJbutterfly

Excellent

I especially liked the details and vivid descriptions in this story. It was easy to envision each scene as the suspense built. Your well chosen words allowed the reader to feel the same excitement you felt about the Road Runner and racing. Fortunately you kept a level head despite the excitement, and avoided being arrested. Great story. Best wishes in the contest.

 Comment Written 30-Apr-2023

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reply by the author on 03-May-2023

Hi Lorraine, I thank you so much for you awesome review and kind words that you honor me with for my story. Lol, I still don't feel too bad about the wave to the guy since he shouldn't have tried to coerce a woman into racing, especially back in those days. Thanks again dear friend. You can't possibly know how much it means to me.