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Ruth Porritt

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Apr, 2020

Stories (24)
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313 Followers
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24 Stories

1079 karma pts

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1884

"Pull tighter," I said to my maid, Emily. I particularly wanted the strings to be tight in back of the corset. It was my first season as a debutante, and I would be damned if I would allow Lizzie Winters to have the smallest waist."I'm trying," said Emily. We heard a 'pop' and realized the corset had broken."Fetch another," I said.Emily sighed."If it is a problem, there are many girls who would love to be hired as my personal servant."My lady's maid bowed her head. "I am sorry Miss Clara," she said. "I will quickly bring you a new corset."I ...

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The nanny

Submitted to Contest #335

I was completely broke. I pushed my card into the ATM again, just to make sure. Yep, I had a grand total of 25 dollars."Sorry buddy," I said to my dog, Scotty. "It looks like you'll be getting the cheap dog food again."Scotty put his paws on my knee, which meant he wanted to be picked up and cradled like a baby. He was a tiny rescue dog that I bought in more prosperous times. As I was carrying him home, I saw an ad nailed to a telephone poll. "Part-time nanny needed for two children," it read. "Possible live-in position. If interested, call ...

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Clara's diary

Dear Diary,There is a new guy that moved in next door. He is super cute. Nice hair, sparkly blue eyes, and large biceps. As you know, I am currently single. My last boyfriend was obsessed with amps, and his guitar. When Bobby would talk about the amps and guitars he had purchased, I would nod politely. I do a lot of nodding politely. Mrs. Meyer, across the way from me, enjoys telling me about her various health ailments. Anything from dandruff to sciatica--that lady is always suffering from something.Anyway, Bobby is ancient history. It was ...

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Hungry every day

I am hungry every day. I don't want to get fat. My mother is fat, and I am disgusted when I look at her. I eat three apples a day. I try to make sure that the apples are as small as possible. One trick I learned, to feel full, is to drink hot water. I always carry around a bottle that is filled to the brim with hot water. Sometimes, to feel full, I will eat bananas. However, bananas have more calories than apples. I try to limit the number of bananas I eat.At mealtimes, I hide how little I am eating. It is easy to do. You just take a couple ...

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There are some crazy ones out there

Submitted to Contest #333

"Is something burning?"My mom was blow-drying her hair in the back bedroom. "What?" she said."I think your pie is burning," I shouted."Oh crap!" I heard the hair dryer click off and my mom ran into the kitchen. "It's not too bad," she said, surveying the edges of the apple pie. I think I can scrape the black parts off.""Umm...we're running late. Do you want me to do that?""No," said my mom. "You can turn on the car, though, to keep it warm. Would you put the presents in the trunk, too?"I sighed. "Yes." Mom tossed me her keys, and I slowly wa...

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You aren't alone

Submitted to Contest #332

I was sick as a dog. The thermometer said I had a fever of one hundred. I sat on my couch and slumped against a cushion. Earlier, I had attempted to make myself a cup of tea. I turned on the kettle and carefully poured a bit of milk into the bottom of the first mug I found. As I dropped in a tea bag, the kettle stopped working. I guessed that the water was hot enough. By that time, I was so ill I didn't care. I poured lukewarm water into the sugar jar, instead of my mug. Mortified, I was grateful no one was around to see. I opened the refrig...

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After midnight

Submitted to Contest #331

I was having the dream again. My college crush, Jack Roberts, was saying something that I couldn't quite decipher. Suddenly, I heard clang, clang, clang. Someone was using my door's outdated knocker. I stumbled out of bed and down the stairs. I opened the door and my mouth dropped open. It was Jack, standing at the door with a black suitcase and a small smile."Did I surprise you?" he said."Well, yes," I said. "I wasn't expecting you for another week, and it's after midnight.""Sorry," Jack said. "I just got so excited to see you. You look goo...

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Henry and Jane

I lit a cigarette and pulled my coat around me. The wind blew and snow swirled through the sky, slowly covering the cars on the street. Colder than a witch's tit, I thought. Where had I heard that expression? Probably in a Stephen King novel.The door to the bar swung open."Have you got a light?" asked a man with a British accent."Yes!" I shouted."No need to shout," said the man. "I already know you're American.""Is that supposed to be some kind of insult?" I whispered."Touche," said the man. He smiled and I noticed he had light blue eyes and...

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The race

"You cannot run." The doctor spoke with finality, and Joan did not like his tone. Still, she had discovered that one should never contradict male doctors because they became more convinced that they were right and the patient was wrong. "Can you tell me why?" she asked. It was better to ask a question. Male doctors loved answering questions. "Osteogenesis Imperfecta", said the doctor, without looking up from his clipboard. "In English please," said Joan. "Alright," said the doctor. "You have bones that break easily. If you run, there...

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Wild Wellness

Dear sir or madam: In answer to your ad in 'Psych!' magazine, I am an "angry woman". I am also over the age of 40, and would like to "shed excess pounds". Next, I am physically fit, and able to do most kinds of exercise.  Last, but not least, I have felt "shackled by fears of failure" and would like to break free of those weight loss fears. Thank you for your considering my program application, and have a great day, Rachel Pearson p.s. As requested, I have enclosed the results of my physical. Dear Rachel, Thank you so much for your emai...

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Love and hate

Submitted to Contest #163

Hello everyone, This story is the sequel to 'Blue Bates bed and breakfast'. (You can find 'Blue Bates bed and breakfast' in my previously published Reedsy contest stories. Thank you.) In this story, 'Love and hate' Weston and Miss Daniels return. Will they fall in love, and can they admit their feelings for each other? Next, can they avoid violent acts, or will they cause mayhem? Last, but not least, this story is dedicated to Liz Redt. Thank you for requesting this sequel. (I hope you enjoy reading it, as much as I enjoyed writing it...

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The Christmas dinner

Submitted to Contest #125

Note: This story is a funny, Christmas-themed horror tale. Trigger warning: Self-harm, and mental health. However, these themes are not the primary themes in this tale. Story rating: PG-13 until the end of the story, which I give an 'R'.*****"I honestly don't know what takes you so long, sometimes," said Brian. "It took fifteen minutes for you to put the goose in the oven.""Really?" said Naomi. "You were counting? Don't you have anything better to do?""Why don't you let me help you?" said Brian, as he started to get up from the dining room t...

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Reverend Bartlett

Submitted to Contest #122

Important content note: Hello everyone, this story contains my particular mix of horror, humor, and religious elements. Also, there are some sexual elements in this story, and the devil shows up.If any of the aforementioned things are triggering for you, you have my sincerest apologies, and I ask that you find a different story on Reedsy. (I know that there are many good stories on this platform, especially during the holiday season.)Sincerely yours,Ruth*****It was cold and snowy. The wind howled through the parking lot, and the Reverend Bar...

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I was blind, but now I see

Submitted to Contest #103

I can hear the ice cubes crack in the glass as I pour myself a large measure of whiskey. I take a moment to savor the sting of the alcohol on my tongue, and press the record button on my handy-dandy tape player. “Barbara Robinson speaking,” I say. “The date is July 9th, 1976, and the time is 9 AM. I glance at the generous measure of scotch I’ve just poured and think: What the hell, it’s 5 o’ clock somewhere. There is a loud knock at the door and I sigh. "Please God," I say. "Don't let it be an asshole." “Why, hello Barbie,” says my ex, Fra...

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Him

Submitted to Contest #97

When I first met my husband, I thought: Him. He is the one that I want.We met at an after-school English program in Asia. It was my first day of my new job and I fell in love as soon as the elevator doors opened. He was nothing much to look at--at 23, he was already balding and his stomach was a bit soft--but as George shook my hand and looked directly into my eyes, I just knew. In the beginning of our relationship, it was his confidence that attracted me to him. Also, it didn't hurt one bit that he had a perfect, neatly-clipped British acce...

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