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John K Adams

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Aug, 2019

Stories (316)
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978 Followers
1188 Following

316 Stories

9375 karma pts

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Cold Feet

Submitted to Contest #221

I watched Helen, my wife, my widow, drift through the house each day, like smoke wafting from an extinguished candle. I could relate. But what could I do? I was the ‘dearly departed’ whose passing sapped the juice from Helen’s life. That’s right. What could I do? How do I explain my being here at all? Neither here nor there, in or out… A presence within the absence. It’s admittedly hard to describe. Those poor souls who think they’re taking the short cut out… They arrive when the party’s just starting.  Who knew? Even thinking you’re ...

13 likes 13 comments 13
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What Glitters

Submitted to Contest #219

“I feel like I’m living in a goldfish bowl,” said Sharky, the goldfish. He looked anxiously about. “You are living in a goldfish bowl.” Marina, the mermaid, suppressed her cute smile. They’d had this conversation before. She was Sharky’s beautiful best friend. He always found her lolling on the rock in the shipwreck’s shadow. Sharky gave her a look. “I don’t get it… What is a goldfish bowl, anyway? I thought it was a figure of speech.” “It’s like… well, you know…” She shrugged her bare shoulders and smoothed her hair. She thought she knew ...

13 likes 6 comments 6
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Should I Ever Forget

Submitted to Contest #218

Ray thought ‘fanciful’ would impress Willow for their first date. Set up by a friend, they’d only spoken by phone. Once in the restaurant, he reconsidered. Willow was visibly uncomfortable in the whimsical surroundings. Playing it safe would have been better strategy. The waiter dressed as the Mad Hatter took it too far. Unless the trajectory made a radical shift, it would be their last date. Though they raced through dinner, neither had other plans. Presenting their best faces, and keeping vulnerabilities well disguised, they became carica...

7 likes 8 comments 8
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Speak Now

Submitted to Contest #216

Anticipation swirled about the church. No one remembered the last time it had filled to capacity. This would be no ordinary wedding, if there ever is such a thing. Not merely a gathering of family and friends, this was a major social event for the town and the state. People came from all over. Half the church contained people hoping to see the celebrities, whom they had never met. Local news trucks had parked outside. Two hometown luminaries were planning to wed. Tommy Carlson, the groom, was this year’s L.A. Dodgers’ number one draft pick....

12 likes 10 comments 10
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Haunted

Submitted to Contest #215

They had her kneel on the bare floor. Allie pulled the hood off her head and looked around. Three shadowy figures stood before her in the dimly lit room.Jason said, “Boo!”“Of course, Jason. I knew you had to be part of it. Where’s your goalie mask?”Diego pointed at him. “He forgot!”The three boys standing over her burst into laughter.Allie said, “Not wearing it doesn’t help you. Don’t leave home without it.”She and Jason dated briefly in their junior year. But his insecurity and immaturity formed a toxic gumbo.When they first led her in she ...

16 likes 11 comments 11
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The Barter

Submitted to Contest #215

‘Moby is dead.’ Jacob stared at his goldfish floating in its bowl. Tears streamed down his face. He was six. He’d heard the word ‘death’ mentioned on TV, but this was real. Searing pain cut through his world. ‘How can this be?’ His mother, Joanna, came to his bedroom door. She understood his sorrow and tried to console her young son. “But why, Mom? Why?” “I’m sorry Jake. Some things can’t be explained.” She thought, ‘Especially when you don’t understand.’ Joanna stroked Jacob’s hair, cooed loving phrases and offered to help lay Moby to r...

13 likes 6 comments 6
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What You Wish For

Submitted to Contest #214

Jack lugged the picnic basket up the path toward the overlook. He called back to Melody, his girlfriend, “Hurry, Jill! The sun’ll be setting…” “Jack, please don’t call me Jill. How many times…?” Melody sighed.   They found level ground. Jack spread the blanket, placed the basket and stepped over to look at the valley lit by the late summer sun. Leaves would soon turn. Melody stepped beside him and took his hand. They caught their breath while enjoying the view. “What a magnificent day.” “I’m sorry it’s our last together. The perfect e...

15 likes 8 comments 8
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Are You For Real?

Submitted to Contest #213

TW: People in conflict over mistakes made.Arne entered the meet up club where he planned to meet Gloria. Her text said she’d be wearing a white Gardenia to more easily identify her. ‘Meet ups’ are an informal version of the blind date. They allow singles to get acquainted and pursue deeper connections.Almost immediately, Arne saw a problem. Across the dimly lit room, he saw two women with Gardenias. Either would make him look good. One wore a Gardenia in her hair. She had a model’s figure, but was too slim for Arne’s tastes.She stood near th...

8 likes 6 comments 6
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Fan Mail Flames

Submitted to Contest #212

Ira Stanford told his assistant, “Seen it all.” He’d glanced at the fan letter for about five seconds. “A rubber stamp would suffice to answer most of these scribbles.” He tossed the letter onto the stack. “Yes. Answer them, but you’re not Miss Lonely-hearts, Shane. More important things on your plate.” Shane Delacroix was relieved he needn’t answer each fan letter in depth. Ira said. “Did you book those flights next week? And hotels? How about the press? Anyone meeting me at the airport? Any talk shows? Radio? TV? Cable?” Shane answered ea...

8 likes 6 comments 6
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Burning

Submitted to Contest #211

Larry smelled pine smoke. He smiled at the thought of Andre, his brother, ‘Sipping brandy before the fire. What a life. Finally settled into his niche…’ Walking toward the study, warm, shifting light shone off the walls. He stepped into the doorway to see Andre sitting on the hearth, feeding papers into rising flames. Stacks of paper leaned against each other. Larry said, “What’s up? Andre looked haunted. “You’ve got to help me, man.” “You want a sandwich?” Larry worked in catering. Andre fed the fire. “No. I can’t do this anymore. I’ll go...

20 likes 23 comments 23
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Daily, Except in Hurricanes

Submitted to Contest #210

Ramone looked out his window at the ‘SOLD’ sign in the front yard across the street. He shook his head.   Now retired, he’d lived his whole life in this house. He made mud pies at the foot of the driveway before they paved the street. He went to school with the boy who fathered the man who just sold his house. Ybor City, in Tampa, Florida, was once filled with people Ramon had known forever. So many lifelong friends had moved away or passed on. Ramon’s neighborhood was gentrifying. He’d only just learned the term. Now it was happening ...

13 likes 10 comments 10
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Elvis Has Left the Planet

Submitted to Contest #210

Dean staggered into the kitchen rubbing his bleary eyes. “Coffee. Gotta have coffee. My kingdom for a cup!” His kids, Lucy and Rex, looking at the morning paper, barely reacted. They’d heard it many times. Rex focused on the sports section. Lucy commandeered the calendar page. “Where’s your mother?” He began making coffee. Monica, still in her robe and slippers, stood at the kitchen door. “Here. What a night! Dogs barking. Lights flashing…” Dean rolled his eyes. “You too?” “Like the good old days, huh?” She smiled wanly. “Ready for school, ...

18 likes 14 comments 14
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His Sign Read ‘WEST’

Submitted to Contest #209

His Sign Read ‘WEST’ Warning: Characters in conflict. Mentions of violence. In the pre-dawn light, Mason threw his duffel bag into the pickup truck bed. Muttering under his breath, he slammed the driver’s door and the engine roared to life. Jamming it into gear and barely tapping the brakes, Mason squealed into the street. He gunned the engine into the entrance ramp. This was no joy ride. About to merge, he spotted a hitchhiker standing in the gloom. His sign read ‘West.’ “Perfect…” Mason pulled over and honked. The hitchhiker ran. He open...

10 likes 14 comments 14
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Behind the Door

Shortlisted for Contest #208 ⭐️

Duncan pulled his reins as his horse emerged from the copse of trees. The castle Camelot stood dreamlike atop a distant hill. Campfire smoke spread beneath the haze lingering from morning. Bucephalus, his steed, stamped restlessly after the long ride. It knew their destination. A covey of quail scurried across the path and into the underbrush. A hawk circled. He dismounted and let the stallion graze. It felt good to stretch. He drank from the stream. Soon Duncan would join others in Arthur’s great hall. Guinevere would return his smile and ...

23 likes 26 comments 26
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Proof Positive

Submitted to Contest #207

Howard Marks drove onto the Sequentrix Industries’ lot. He’d successfully passed the security gate. The sun had dipped behind the mountain. It felt like he’d driven forever up endless winding roads. ‘Thank God for GPS.’ The unassuming low-rise building built into the hillside was a former Buddhist monastery. He’d been called there but not informed of his purpose. He had lots of questions. Not sci-fi, Sequentrix was the most secure research lab in the world. Most didn’t know it existed. Fewer knew its purpose. Hardly anyone knew its locati...

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