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Renee Yancey

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Aug, 2023

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18 Followers
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63 Stories

372 karma pts

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Tornado!

It is weird the things you remember. Being only five, you wouldn't think she would remember anything. Though such an event leaves an impression. Mid afternoon, they, her brother and herself, lay on the living room floor, eyes glued to Sesame Street. It was a strange still day, hot for April. Their dad had a friend over. The adults were talking in the dining room. It had a big picture window looking out over a backyard big enough to be called a field. The suburb was full of families, with the older kids just arriving home from school, a ...

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The Last Hill

Weekly Contest #239

It is pleasant, the drive. With the warm spring air, the windows are partially open allowing the sweet warm air in. They aren't heading anywhere in particular, just a relaxing Sunday afternoon drive.  They decided to take a road they haven't traveled before. “Live a little,” he jokes,” while I can.” Gallows humor. Her husband of fifty years is dying of pancreatic cancer. This may be their last drive together.  Her smile is strained. They are blessed, she knows. Fifty years is a long time, just not long enough. “Yes,” she wipe...

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Grief, The Final Act of Love

Last Words “Listen,” her voice is but a whisper and her children lean closer to hear her, “this is important. Look in the…” Her eyes grow blank and her hand in her daughter’s, slack. “Mom?” Her cry is disbelieving. The hospice nurse shakes her head.  “I’m sorry.” “No!” Her brother takes her in his arms and they both weep.  The cancer had been aggressive. It came in hard and despite treatment, they all knew it would take her life. A month previous, they were called into the oncologist’s office. “It is time for hospice. I’m sorry.” ...

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The Cynic

The Cynic She can't figure out how she ended up here. No way did she consent to this. Blind dates aren't something she does.  “Love,” a humorless laugh, “that is just something they use to sell flowers and cards. It isn't real.”  “Romeo and Juliet.” Her friend countered. “Right, look how that turned out.”  “Might as well give up, Zoe. Abby doesn't believe in love. Period.” Her sister knows her. While Beth was mooning over the boys, Abby was studying. She had great ambitions. Pre-med at Georgia State and then medica...

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The 80's Called

Weekly Contest #236

She was dreaming. She has to be. There is no way this can be real. Just a dream about a time her parents lived in. That's it! She saw them earlier and they were talking about their high school days. She sighs in relief.  Might as well lean into it. She will wake up soon enough. Her eyes take in the high hair, the leg warmers, the puffy jackets, and blue eyeshadow.  “Girl,” she makes it two syllables, “what in heaven are you wearing?” Everyone looks. Unfortunately, the jukebox fell between songs right that moment.  She lo...

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Greyhound

The bus is crowded. The crush of people was comforting. She could more easily be lost in the crowd. She slips in the seat, holding her bump against the intrusion of the elbow of the person beside her. “Excuse me.” the man mumbles. She simply nods before turning her face to the window. The bus starts and she watches, with relief, as her hometown starts to fade away. Never could she have ever imagined that she would be on a Greyhound bus, eight months pregnant. Then again, she couldn't imagine having to run away from her husband either. ...

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Polar Night

Weekly Contest #234

It wasn't obvious, not at first. The winter is always harsh, the night endless during the polar night. So, the fact that time had stopped wasn't known, not until the sun didn't rise.  They came out of their homes and searched for it. It was a date long marked on their mental calendar. After months of darkness, the raising again of the sun was a day of celebration. Usually. But it didn't come. “We must be off a day.” The mayor of the little village says. His people grumble. “Yah know that ain't true. It has been March 1st since for...

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The Month of January

January 1st It begins. Not just a new year but a new me. Yes journal, this is the month I finally start writing that book. You know the one, the one that has lived, rent free, in my head for years. Yes, that one. It is time to put pen to paper and get it out. I will write every day. You, dear friend, will help keep me on track. You will remind me of what I am to be doing. Yes, each day, I will record my progress with you. Accountability, that is your job. Mine is simply to write. Let us begin. January 2nd Good morning journal. I have g...

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Dying Sun

Weekly Contest #232

It hasn't always been this way. The old ones talk about a time where the sun shone bright, warning the earth so it was hot a quarter of the year. They speak of a time where the grass was green and the plants grew outside. All this is unimaginable now. As long as anyone except the oldest among us, can remember, the plants have been grown in growing pods, lit by growing lamps. Natural light is rare. All are encouraged to be in it at least a half hour a day. Announcements are broadcast reminders of the importance of Vitamin D. Stepping out ...

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Homeless to Homeowners

It didn't start out hopeful, or should I say, ended. Let me start at the beginning, with the fire. Mid December, a peaceful night interrupted by a banging on the door. The smell of smoke reached us at the same time. “Fire, there is a fire!” Our neighbor stands at the door in just his boxers. Behind him, on his side of the porch, flames shoot up from his open door. I have my phone in my hand. “Is everyone out?” I don't know where the unnatural calm comes from. “Yes.” The flames shoot higher. The sound they make, that hungry, growli...

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The Cat

“She really isn't a cat.” He says it like he would say the weather is sunny. His wife stares at him. “Are you alright?” Tim is staring at their cat, who lays cleaning herself, ignoring her strange furless owners. “She is an alien.” Nora’s laughs, uneasily. He has to be joking, right? “Good one, Tim.” “I am serious. Her eyes glow. I have seen it.” “Tim,” she touches his arm and feels how tight it is, “it is called night vision. Cats are predators. That is why.” He knows this. He has to know this. “Of course, that is part of her di...

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Carol of the Bells

Weekly Contest #227

“You will be going nowhere today,” He leans against her door as the heavy snow covers the brown of his uniform, “the snow will be good for the festivities though.” She lets out a long sigh. The festivities are what she is trying to escape. “The highway should be clear.” “I reckon it is. The problem is that the mountain pass isn't. It is completely snow bound. Heck, not even the snow plows can get through.” He spits out a wad of tobacco. The broi stain mars the purity of the snow.  She sighs. There is nothing to do but return home....

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Mary's Imaginary Friend

She has always been aware of the unseen world around her. From her earliest memories, she recalls reaching out for things unseen by her parents. "She sees angels." Her mommy said. Her daddy scoffed. "Huh, there are no such things." He is wrong.  "Who are you talking to, sweetie?" She sits at her little table, her dolls and stuffed animals in the seats beside her. One seat is left open.  "Gabe, mommy. He is funny."  Her mommy smiles. "Which one is Gabe?" She can't recall her child naming any of her toys that name. "...

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Daisy's Creek

Her steps are slow as she approaches the creek. The bubbling of the water and the smell of wet moss takes her back to her childhood. Back then, anything and everything seemed possible. They played in the water, her pants rolled up, Daisy's dress held up. The cool water helped to cool them on hot summer days. Their laughter echoed through the trees with only the birds and squirrels to hear. The Creek is where they could be themselves. There they are freed from her drunk dad and Daisy 's fundamentalist religious  rules. They are just ...

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The Birth

A sweet, salty smell, like the ocean, fills the room. A feel of giving away, tearing, letting go. A splash against the kitchen linoleum as the waters hit it. It is time. "Is that?" he stutters out staring at the growing puddle under his wife. She smiles and nods. "Yes. My waters have broken." Chaos and panic from the father. Peace and acceptance from the mom. Their child is coming. Grabbing the hospital bag and keys, before remembering his wife. He turns on a dime, utters a laugh, and takes her hand, guiding her to the car. "I am k...

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