Paul Crehan

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Sep, 2023

Stories (10)

10 Stories

420 karma pts

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“Drawing Together” by Paul Crehan

Submitted to Contest #242

Drawing Together By Paul Crehan “Do you think things work out for the best?” “Sorry?” she said, removing an earbud and turning his way. “People say that,” he continued, “but I wonder if it’s true. Maybe it’s just some comforting thing we tell ourselves.” If he were hitting on her, this was the weirdest hitting-on she’d ever encountered. But maybe he wasn’t talking to her, but to someone in his ear? Unless—was he crazy and talking to himself? He turned to look at her directly. He looked…benign—but crazy people often did. He was waiting pati...

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“Engagement” by Paul Crehan

Submitted to Contest #237

                                       Engagement by Paul CrehanTeddy helped a confused fellow named Joe find his way home. Home was the Maria Prima Senior Center. Once there, strengthened by relief, old Joe haled his fugitive reason back from the margin of his mind. He invite...

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“Why Is Jake Always So Lucky?” by Paul Crehan

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #227

Why Is Jake Always So Lucky?A short story by Paul CrehanAs a kid, he was the one who found quarters on the sidewalk—and a lot of times he’d get two Hershey Bars out of the vending machine when he’d just paid for one. Two or three times, when he wasn’t ready for a test, the teacher wouldn't show up. Test cancelled. Stuff like that. His whole life.And look at this now, today—the first snowfall of the season, coming down like God had emptied the bin of his pape...

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“Lan McHugh Lived a Good Life” by Paul Crehan

Submitted to Contest #225

[NOTE: Burn victim imagery]                                  Lan McHugh Lived a Good Life                            ...

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“Lurch” by Paul Crehan

Submitted to Contest #224

LurchA Short Story by Paul CrehanNOTE: There are two brief but possibly upsetting images of gruesome death in war. Popping a zit, Laurens thought, I’m pretty philosophical about everything. He had hoisted his feet up onto the desk and crossed his ankles. He had clasped his hands at that area where people usually had a belly but where Laurens had a concavity. When he took his Marine Corps physical at 18, the doctors ran tests because there was no way a kid who was 6’3” should onl...

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“(to write down messages in the night)” by Paul Crehan

Submitted to Contest #224

(to write down messages in the night)                               A short story by Paul Crehan “I can’t sleep,” he said. Francoise looked up from her book and over the top of her reading glasses. “Maybe take another gummie?” she suggested. George’s brow knit. Francoise said, “Don’t worry. I won’t let you throw yourself in the oven thinking you’re ...

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“Dr. Chad Finds a Kid Bleeding in the Ivy” by Paul Crehan

Submitted to Contest #223

Dr. Chad Finds a Kid Bleeding in the Ivyby Paul Crehan***PLEASE NOTE: This story contains references to and imagery of sexual assault and carnage.The Chancellor told the two-hundred gathered in the banquet hall that Dr. Chad had arrived in Paris with nothing but the clothes on his back. This wasn’t hyperbole, the Chancellor told them. This was fact. Dr. Chad had arrived without shoes. A greedy river bottom had pulled them from his feet thirty miles from the city. So, he had arrived barefoot, and ...

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“A Ghost's Story” by Paul Crehan

Submitted to Contest #221

A Ghost’s Story                                 by Paul Crehan “So, Mr. Simmons, I see from your chart that you believe you’re a ghost.” “Because I am one,” I said. Dr. Teague wrote something down on the legal pad in his lap. “I see,” he said. “But that’s the thing,” I said. “You do see. You see

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“A Story for the Ages” by Paul Crehan

Submitted to Contest #220

i. I came because Dr. O’Meara wouldn’t tell me over the phone what she had discovered. “You won’t believe it,” she said. “I don’t.” “I’ll believe it,” I said. “You won’t. And I’m afraid you might think the desert has gotten to me, and maybe it has. The locals tell me they see it, too, but I can’t be sure they’re not humoring ...

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“Who Are We to Judge the Music of an Octopus?” by Paul Crehan

🏆 Winner of Contest #217

               Who Are We to Judge the Music of an Octopus?                                A short story by Paul Crehan The octopus swam up the aquarium like an arpeggio up staff paper. Bob listened as he watched. What did he hear? I’ll be damned, he thought. Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring. With a discordant note here; ...

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Author bio

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Winning 1 story 🏆

Contest #217
Who Are We to Judge the Music of an Octopus? – read story

Shortlisted 1 story ⭐️

Contest #227
Why Is Jake Always So Lucky? – read story