Why dont we start our own story/novel. I'll start with the first paragraph then someone else can join in and write the next and so on.

Here we go......

For the past two years Michael had been feuding with his family. His mother had constantly shown favouritism towards his two elder brothers, and in a fit of rage he had a blazing row with them all, accusing his father of being a coward and letting his mother control the rest of the family by making them feel guilty about her alleged 'poor health'. Michael hasn't spoken to any member of his family since the argument but has just received news of his fathers fall into ill health and the probability that he will not last the rest of the year. As it is December, Michael has to make a decision whether or not to make a contact with his family.

Somebody else needs to write the next paragraph...

Ooh this looks interesting!!

He was tortured by what would be considered socially expected of him and how he truly felt on the inside. The trouble was he couldn't half do things. He had thought about going to visit his dad when no-one else was about, however that would not be likely to happen and in any case his dad didn't keep secrets, so he would tell the others. He felt deeply wounded about the falling out and also by the fact that none of them had contacted him to try and make amends. His only ally was Maxine his sister-in-law, but if his brother found out that she was in touch with Michael, it would cause problems for her.

Michael had just set up home with his new partner, Gemma, and her family had accepted him like one of their own. He couldn't even contemplate introducing Gemma to his family they way that things were. Things between them were so special he wouldn't let his family spoil it and he was sure that they would.......

Michael discussed the situation with Gemma. She told Michael that she would be behind him whatever he chose. Michael did a lot of soul searching and was about to come to a decision when his mother came into his work place. She calmly told Michael that his father would not last the week, and that as he had not bothered to contact or visit, then the family had washed their hands of him and Gemma. Rather than being devestated, Michael felt relieved that the decision had been taken away from him and that he could start shaping the rest of his life as he wanted it.

As michael walked out into the chill night air he took a deep breath... thrust his tired aching hands into his overcoat pockets and absent mindedly rolled the pocketwatch which nestled there around in his fingers... his mind drifted back to happier times, and he found himself smiling for the first time since his mother had unexpectedly and dramaticlly appeared earlier that day. The smile faded as he recalled her words and the relief he had initally felt receeded... guilt took its place... michael loved his father... michael remembered the good times... michael remembered vividly the look on his fathers face, the smiling eyes, the smell of pipe tobacco and the firm but gentle touch of his fathers large calloused hands as he gave him a pocketwatch... the pocketwatch which michael was now gripping so tightly it hurt. Michael opened his coat, delved into the inside pocket, took out his mobile and dialled the number... 'HELLO'... said the voice at the other end.

Hello Dad it's Michael... there was silence from the phone then he heard his dad crying and trying to talk to him at the same time. When his dad had calmed down a bit, he told Michael how much he missed and loved him. He told Michael that his time was short and that his last wish was to see him, he asked Michael to come round straight away, Michael asked if the rest of the family would be there, his dad said that it did not matter who was there, he wanted to see him. Michael walked slowly to his family home. He had mixed feelings about the visit. As he walked up to the door he was looking forward to seeing his dad, but wondered what reception he would receive from the others. He knocked on the door....

His mother opened the door and gave him a disapproving look as she stood back to let him in. He was overcome by the familiar smell of home. Looking around the sitting room everything looked exactly the same, except the photos of him as a boy and his graduation ceremony that used to sit on the dresser along with the other family photos were missing. "He's upstairs" said his mother, breaking his thoughts. He nodded and headed up to his parents bedroom. He wasn't really prepared for what he saw and the shock momentarily took his breath away. What was left of his father's hair was as white as snow and the thin body enveloped by a thin sheet and blanket could not have belonged to his big strong father.

His father opened his eyes and croaked "Hello son".............