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Nancy Dalle

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Feb, 2023

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17 Followers
6 Following

11 Stories

188 karma pts

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My Life, My Decision

Weekly Contest #345

They had an ultimatum: follow their instructions or get out. I decided to go. I’d come to the conclusion that I loved my parents but the painful truth is I didn’t actually like them. Did that make me a bad son, a bad person? My parents predetermined my life for me since the day I was born. They made sure I had everything I needed and sent me to the top finishing schools, but for some reason, none of it was what I really wanted. They never asked me what I saw as my future, they never asked what classes I wanted to take, they made all the deci...

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Brothers

Weekly Contest #342

Words are rarely understood as meant; they are filtered through the personal history and context of the speaker and the listener. Kipling called them a powerful drug, and Hawthorne, a force for good or evil. Never underestimate their impact. My brother and I drifted apart a long time ago because of the things we said—and the things we didn't. Our parents used to say that 'words are all we have,' but I was too young and stubborn to understand what they were trying to say. I’d lash out at my brother and say horrible things, convinced he wasn't...

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Lily's Place

Weekly Contest #341

Lily never felt like she belonged. She walked through life one day at a time, never giving much thought to anyone or anything. Oh, how she hated her parents; every time she thought about them, her posture would stiffen, her brows would furrow, and angry tears would fly. She did what she needed to get by in life. She was polite, always smiled, but never gave more than what was asked for or required. This so-called life had been cruel to her since the day she came screaming into the world; she was what was known as a Safe Haven baby. On a cold...

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Grandmother's Will

Weekly Contest #339

I ordered a cup of Iced peppermint tea. I come to this same café and order this tea whenever I am feeling down or sorry for myself. Today was different, however, because as I sat here, this man in a three-piece ill-fitted business suit approached me. He had an envelope for me which I had to sign for.The envelope held a letter, a plane ticket for tomorrow morning, and $500.00 in cash. After the gentleman left, I sat there reading the letter from the attorney. The letter said that my grandmother had passed and I was her only living heir. I d...

8 likes 6 comments 6
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The stranger

Weekly Contest #335

The Stranger As the evening sun cast its shadows on the ground, a small red Audi A5 pulled up to the driveway of a large colonial house on Thorn Street. The man wearing a Perkins Pea Coat exited the car. He walked from the car to the front door, but before he turned the key, he took another glance both to the right and then to the left, verified that no one had followed him. After he entered the home, he punched in his alarm code and checked his surveillance system. Before proceedings, he reengaged his alarm and surveillance system. H...

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Nana's Story

Weekly Contest #334

“Once upon a time, in a land far far away.” my Nana always began her stories this way. My Nana is not just a loving and wise elder; she played an essential role in shaping my childhood memories and provided unconditional support when I needed it. Grandparents should always be nurturing, kind-hearted, patient, and full of wisdom; mine sure was. She would yell, “Story Time,” and my siblings and I would come running, settling eagerly at her feet. Her Storytime was legendary to our family members; she been telling her children and grandchildr...

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It began with a goodbye

Weekly Contest #330

Our college day room was loud, congested, and brimming with numerous conversations all occurring simultaneously. Mine was one of those conversations. I had recently ended my relationship with Paul. After just a few brief weeks of dating, I came to the conclusion that we shared very few interests, and quite frankly, I realized he was boring. The girls and I sat in the back corner on one of the overstuffed sofas as we did most Friday nights. We sat there commenting and observing an intense dart match in the left corner, a poker game on the ri...

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Familiar's Soulmate

Weekly Contest #327

WRITE A STORY FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF A WITCH, A PET OR A WITCH’S FAMILIAR. I stretch my paws out towards my brothers as far as I can, as I push my body weight against my mother’s chest. To myself, I think, this is the life, this is perfect, this is the best feeling ever, I’m in the 11th week of my life, and I’m happy. I snuggle against my mother, and I ask her, “Again, mama, again, tell us the story again.” She licks my fur to settle me down and glares over all her babies before she begins. “We will only be together for a few months ...

9 likes 6 comments 6
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Protectors of the Light

Weekly Contest #232

As she sat on the rock looking out to the water’s edge, she was not sure if she was able to complete her task. She, like many before her, was sent on this quest, a quest to decide if she carried the magic which would make her worthy of the light. She was born on the island of Niue, a tiny island, miles off the coast of New Zealand. Her clan was a subset of the Māori, the indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand. She was iwi, one of the oldest hapu groups from the islands. Many moons ago her people were given the responsibility for the lig...

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The Final List

Shortlisted for Contest #231 ⭐️

I yawn, trying not to close my eyes. It’s three thirty in the morning, I’m tired, I’m sick, this job was a bad one, this one did not go as planned. Now here I am, driving down this obscure, dark, bleak road, in the middle of nowhere USA, trying to find a place where I can clean up. As I turn the curve, I see this old, dilapidated building a little way down on the right. Pulling into the gravel lot, I look around and of course no one is out currently. I’ll take a chance.&nb...

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The Bet

“I don’t see him anywhere” “ “What did you expect, it’s a Tuesday Night.”” “Slowest night of the week, he’s always late.” “A little bet Cassey” “Starting to think you have a gambling problem Mary.” “Know I just like betting on stupid stuff.” “What do you think Paul, how late is Frank going to be.” “10 Minutes” “Mary” “23 Minutes.” “I’ll go with 15 minutes.” “He’s due in at 8, it’s 755 right now, so let’s see who wins, $10 each right”? “Here’s my 10 Cassey, where’s yours Paul.” “Here’s my 10.” “And here’s mine, now we just wait.” “And wait, a...

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