Menu

More apps built by Reedsy

Assemble a team of professionals

The writing app for authors

Writing courses, events and memberships

Get your book reviewed

Weekly writing prompts and contests

Menu
Prompts
Contests
Stories
Blog

Susan Catucci

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jul, 2022

Stories
Comments
Library
149 Followers
90 Following

74 Stories

2726 karma pts

?

When the Night Wind Howls

Weekly Contest #373

“Rose, does this young man of yours know how to tell time?” Rose swallowed the panic threatening to take over her voice. Thankfully, it was her mother who spoke. “Arthur, it’s only ten minutes. And he is meeting us for the first time. You probably don’t remember what that’s like, dear, but I think we can cut him a little slack, under the circumstances.” Rose breathed easier when her mother gave her a wink and her father resumed his reading. “I think I’ll wait for Roderick outside.” As Rose made her exit, her parents exchanged amused expre...

11 likes 3 comments 3
Read story

Lost In Place

Weekly Contest #371

It was the giant raindrop that plunked squarely on Carey’s head that made her stop walking and really take in her surroundings. She had been moving nonstop since leaving her home, or what she’d considered home until earlier that day. She couldn’t stop replaying the scene in her head. She wasn’t sure how many times she’d have to go over it before she would fully grasp what had happened and what she should do. “It didn’t mean anything. I made a stupid mistake.” Carey held the credit card receipt by her fingertips. It was dripping with tuna...

12 likes 6 comments 6
Read story

Sweets For the Sweet

Weekly Contest #370

Gwendolyn sat alone at the corner table of the Pit Stop Coffee Shop. She was concentrating deeply so as to not disturb the caramel design atop the whipped cream that adorned her mocha supreme grande. She deliberately sipped steadily through the peppermint candy straw and resisted the urge to bite down. Restraint was the key, she knew, if she wanted to save the best for last. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched as Marcie and Virginia Baker enter the shop. She quickly looked away as Marcie joined the line to order while Virginia surveyed...

10 likes 6 comments 6
Read story

Pack Up All Your Cares

Weekly Contest #369

Leila drove cautiously, looking out for the waves of pedestrian traffic carting luggage across from the pickup area of the airport. She spotted her brother Evan exiting the baggage claim just as the car in front of her pulled out. She could feel her heart swell. Evan had a way of making things better when he was around, and Leila felt her load lighten just looking at him. Evan saw her and waved. Before Leila could put the car in park, the rear passenger door opened and Evan tossed his backpack and duffle bag onto the back seat. He quick...

3 likes 0 comments 0
Read story

Anything is Possible

Weekly Contest #368

“Yes, of course, anything’s possible, but we’re talking probabilities here. This is a court of law, a place where answers are found based on common sense and tangible evidence. The fact of the matter is your case, on its face, is not winnable. You're looking at a lost cause, a long walk off a short pier. I just can’t put it any plainer than that.” Lily Vallee nodded once toward the officer standing guard just outside the steel door. The tiny, sweet-faced prisoner, swallowed up by the regulation beige jumpsuit, politely stood and complac...

21 likes 6 comments 6
Read story

Balloon Boy

Weekly Contest #330

This is the stuff life is made of. Hello, Heartache. Jasper set his phone down and crossed the living room to a large picture window. The maple trees in the yard were at their autumnal peak, vibrant reds, oranges and golds. The rich green carpet of the Engstrom’s well-tended lawn completed the picture-perfect exterior of the day. Jasper’s mind was elsewhere. He was grappling with how to best manage the call he’d just received from his daughter. “Jasper? Who were you talking to?” Cindy Engstrom entered the living room, wiping her hands with...

8 likes 3 comments 3
Read story

R.A.T.S.

Weekly Contest #329

It was, as they say, a dark and stormy night. A full moon always marked the first night of preschool at the Regional Academy of Terror and the Supernatural. Despite relentless cloud cover, this year’s moon stood sentry as lightning rumbled throughout the evening sky. This was traditionally a time of raised spirits, and the anthem howl of resident werewolves was fitting welcome as families made their way up Ghoul Hill. The school grounds boasted a monstrous haunted oak where vampire children could hang for nightly naps. Fledgling ghosts and g...

11 likes 3 comments 3
Read story

The Girl that Wandered

Weekly Contest #327

Susie lagged behind her parents and wished to be invisible. What she suspected had begun the night before was in full force this morning. She’d first noticed when her parents had given lukewarm kisses before bed. She’d become concerned when she saw nothing pass between them during the rest of the evening, no words, not even a look. The hotel room was tight quarters and Susie couldn’t escape the discord if she tried. “Susie, catch up!” Her mother gestured with a stern hand. They were touring a national park, the second in under a week, and Su...

4 likes 0 comments 0
Read story

Baby Be Mine

Weekly Contest #326

Our first child was well past Beverly’s due date. My paternal instincts had been on high alert for so long, I could run through “the plan” we had to get to the hospital in my sleep. Did I say sleep? I meant when I’m up at all hours warming milk and grilling cheese and pickle sandwiches. Not to brag, but I even learned I had a gift for massage. At one point, mid-Shiatsu, I swear I heard my wife sigh that she forgave me for everything, whatever that might mean. At another, I’m convinced she forgave me for anything I may ever do. I thought this...

8 likes 5 comments 5
Read story

Her Remains

Weekly Contest #325

Hey. Your phone is buzzing. “I’m asleep.” Wake up, Isla. It might be important. “No. Go away.” You should answer it. “You’re not there.” Nice try. You answered me, right? So answer the phone. “You . . . are . . . not . . . there.” C’mon. Remember that game we played on our wedding night? “What? Wait . . . what?” Here we are at the Honeymoon Arcade. Look at that, your arm’s a toy-claw and you’re going after the biggest prize . . . “Oh my . . . stop!” Find the phone, pick up the phone and answer the phone. “I know you’re not real. You’re not t...

19 likes 7 comments 7
Read story

Love Among the Spoils

Weekly Contest #280

Caution***References to sexual behavior*** * * * * * Chester! I am so sorry! How long have you been waiting! Hey, Becca! Relax, catch your breath. You’re well within limits. There was a major accident on I-91 that GPS failed to warn me about in time. I think it’s time to retire the bossy old windbag, typical government contraption. Anyway, so it would have been inadvertent and unforeseen, right, my being late? Breathe, Becca. I try but I can’t get used to how much of my life is determined by things utterly out of my control. Don’t y...

7 likes 5 comments 5
Read story

We Are All Mad Here

Weekly Contest #279

**WARNING: Touches on themes of abuse and mental illness** “And so she sat on, with closed eyes, and half-believed herself in Wonderland, though she knew she had only to open them again, and all would change to dull reality.” * * * * “911, what’s your emergency?” “Hi, I’m calling from Dodgson’s Beach. A group of us came to catch some morning waves. There’s a lady locked in a car out here, looks like she’s asleep with this sick grin on her face.” “Did you try waking her up?” “Doesn’t feel right. Threw a couple pebbles at the windo...

8 likes 8 comments 8
Read story

FAMILY OF MAN FEUD

Weekly Contest #278

**WARNING: Religious themes** Angel and Devil Messengers had spread word throughout Heaven and Hell of an upcoming event that had been designed to determine, once and for all, the fate of the world. People on Planet Earth had been left to their own devices for long enough. The present polarization of life forms had proved disastrous. God and Satan had observed from their respective vantages and reached the same conclusion. Mortals simply could not figure things out on their own and it was time for drastic measures before Planet Earth was b...

11 likes 4 comments 4
Read story

The Day the Rabbit Died

Weekly Contest #276

Mom and Dad: I have been thinking about what you said and I want to present my argument to you in writing so I don’t miss any of the points I think are really important. I know I’m only 12 but I believe what I’m arguing is right and I hope you see that. I am the youngest in this family and I’ve only had 12 years of Easter baskets. That means that Rob and Scott will have more years of Easter baskets than I will. It’s not fair to just cut off Easter baskets and I get gypped because Dad thinks we’re too old. I’m not. No one asked me what I th...

14 likes 6 comments 6
Read story

FRANKIE'S WILD RIDE

Weekly Contest #220

Francine ran up the porch steps, then tried stomping her Keds hard enough to make an impression. She learned quickly that sneaker soles had no impression-making ability whatsoever, especially on old, worn out carpet made a zillion years ago. It seemed the only thing Francine had accomplished was to release clouds of dormant dust from another era. Francine covered her nose and moved to the window seat a little quicker. She heard voices coming from the driveway just outside the big bay window. Francine concentrated on keeping her tears in an...

10 likes 5 comments 5
Read story