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Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jul, 2023
Submitted to Contest #331
BALLERINAS IN THE MOONLIGHT “Go back to bed, Miss Amelia darling. You know the rules.”“Who are you?”“You know who I am.”“Tell me.” “I’m Denise, your aide,” the stranger said. “Now let’s get you back into bed under your blanket. It’s going to be freezing tonight. Do you have your woolen socks on?”I looked down at my feet. Such ugly socks I had on. Why?“These socks are ugly,” I told the strange lady while getting into bed.She laughed, “Are you going out tonight? Perhaps dancing? The socks are fine. You’ll be nice and warm.” She pulled ...
Submitted to Contest #325
DID YOU FEEL THAT? Part One – Ida“Did you feel that?” Ida placed her hand on her cheek while turning away from the open window.“Feel what, love?” Hank looked up from the newspaper he had opened on the kitchen table.“That breeze.”“I wish. It’s hotter than blue blazes in here.”Ida knew her husband’s answer was true. Her damp blouse sticking to her back was proof enough. But yet, there was that breeze she had felt on her cheek just for an instant. Then it was gone.“You’re right. Would you like some iced tea? We can sit outside for a while, watc...
Submitted to Contest #322
Dedicated to Trudy Jas - You would have read my story and left me feedback filling me with love and laughter. I miss you, my friend! Hebrew School Dropout “Pumpkin spice latte?” the waitress asked. I slid my notepad to the side and smiled in response.My agent looked at me over her glasses, her expression one of exasperation.I ignored her as our mugs were placed in front of us followed by apple cinnamon muffins. I pulled one close to me, breathing in the fragrance. “Yum,” I closed my eyes as nostalgia swirled around me. Instantly I was transp...
Submitted to Contest #321
Dancing With Her Daughter The gentle waves lapped against the ship as it slowly pulled away from the port of Livorno. Holding the stem of her delicate wineglass, she watched the sunlight’s reflection shimmer and swirl on the surface of the wine and the sea simultaneously. She reminded herself to be grateful for their recent harvest. The years of hard work had finally restored their vineyard back to the successful business it had been for generations. That knowledge made her first sip of the fruity wine that much sweeter.Looking out over the ...
Submitted to Contest #316
Shadows in the Classroom Looking at the box of crayons on the coffee table, I knew it was time to have the conversation."Come, Sarah, I have a story to tell you." I cleared the back-to-school shopping bags off the couch, making room for my granddaughter to sit next to me.“Mom! We talked about this. We agreed not to,” my daughter said, a hint of anxiety creeping into her voice.“Abigail, don’t interrupt your mother,” I reprimanded. “Come, little one, let your grandmother tell you the story.” Sarah abandoned her bag of art supplies and joined m...
Submitted to Contest #314
RED HOT “Come on, buddy, let’s get you to a shelter.”They peered into my box, shining a beam of light into my eyes.“Fuck off,” I wanted to say, but I knew better. Best not to antagonize the public, especially the cops. They would haul you out and shove you into their car quicker than you can shake your ass at them.I held my tongue and said nothing, waiting for them to move along.The sweat was collecting on my forehead, dripping sideways down my face, stinging my eyes. I felt sick, nauseous, and disgusted. When was the last time I had somethi...
Submitted to Contest #310
Loophole to Heaven I’ve often wondered about the reunion at The Pearly Gates. Are loved ones there upon your arrival to greet you, or do you have to wait around for them? Perhaps it’s like the airport where a guy is holding up a tattered sign displaying your name written with a Sharpie.What if no one shows up for you? While couples run to each other in slow motion, do you stand by and watch? You could take out your phone and idly scroll, pretending not to notice. Worse yet, what if your loved ones are actually terrible people? Are you stuck ...
Submitted to Contest #309
BALLOONS “Hey babe, you’re home early.”“Yeah, summer Fridays! We leave at 3:00 instead of 5:00. I’m psyched to be home!”I looked at the back of my husband’s head as he stood at the sink rinsing the cat bowl. “What’s up,” he mumbled in lieu of the fantasy conversation that just played in my mind.I watched him click open a can of cat food, scoop out a generous portion, and walk out the back door. I stood in the middle of the empty kitchen, the air beginning to escape my anticipation of the weekend balloon. Pffffssst. The clock glowed on the m...
“Rebecca, would you like to join the others in a card game?”Her gaze shifted from the blue sky through the window to the lady standing over her. Card game? What was she talking about?“Rebecca? What do you think? Want to play some rummy?” she asked a second time.“No.” She returned her gaze to the bluest of skies letting the voice float away. It was the perfect color, reminding her of that day so long ago. Where was she? Leaning back, legs outstretched holding onto those chains she saw that same blue sky, heard the laughter, felt the joy. She ...
Submitted to Contest #308
When I Was Nine “Are you watching?” I bounced up and down weightlessly in the cold water.“Watch me!” I shouted again for good measure before diving under to do a handstand. My fingertips touched the rough bottom as I thrust my legs up into the air. I held the position for as long as my lungs would allow before righting myself, gasping for air. Blinking and rubbing my eyes, I looked for my mother. “Did you see me? Did you?” I called out among the ruckus of screaming children.My mother, relaxing on the lounge chair, wiggled her fingers and smi...
Submitted to Contest #307
Walking down the empty hallway, I wondered if I had the right information. Slipping the flyer out of my pocket, I read for the millionth time “Salem meeting in Mahogany Hall”. I looked at the dark heavy door in front of me, took a deep breath, and pushed it open. I felt some trepidation but mostly excitement about pulling the trigger on my trip to Salem, my long-awaited graduation gift to myself. Having been to Boston a few years back, I wished I had taken the extra time to travel to Salem to pay my respects. The townsfolk who had been vicio...
Shortlisted for Contest #305 ⭐️
June 12, 2024 ~ Cagliari, Sardinia“Angel in a Yellow Dress” The charcuterie board was pushed across the counter to my husband’s surprise. He had gestured to the meats and cheeses through the glass counter but perhaps should have googled the Italian word for sandwich. “What’s this?” he demanded. “Just eat it,” I hissed at him hoping he wouldn’t refuse to pay or, worse yet, make a scene. “Okay, okay,” he grumbled, taking the tray and heading for the orange couch tucked behind a mahogany coffee table. Surrounded by floor-to-ceiling wine bott...
Submitted to Contest #304
There it was just as expected, on time as if set with an alarm clock. The 3:00 AM door opened after being closed and bolted all day while she sat at her writing desk. She wasn’t surprised in the least.Trying to gain access between chores and appointments had proven to be impossible. Changing gears, new perspectives and fresh starts were all futile efforts. That massive door was held shut with an invisible combination lock with the right sequence of numbers unknown to her.At 3:00 AM it slid open, but more than slid open, if she was being real...
Submitted to Contest #298
Depression is real. It’s not something that anyone wants or chooses, and a simple “snap out of it” is never the answer. In fact, that kind of flippant advice only makes one feel more isolated and misunderstood.She had tried multiple forms of therapy, changed her diet, exercised, and experimented with prescription meds. There were occasional good results, some feelings of relief, but nothing ever lasted. Inevitably, the downward spiral always returned to drag her into its pit of despair.Again and again, she saw the catch phrase while scro...
Submitted to Contest #297
I wasn’t chosen to pull the trigger but would do so had my number been called. Surprisingly, after all the years of despair and decline we had kept the tradition of the weekly lottery. The country tuned in to hear the cheery voice announce the winning numbers. Unknown to the public, the first number called last week determined who would do the deed. If no one had an exact match, whoever was closest was tagged to be the one who must assassinate the dictator.We had little time to waste and a lot of moving pieces as the country slept ignorantly...
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