Amanda Lieser

“Ice Cream” by Amanda Lieser

Submitted to Contest #164

“Baby, where I come from, we don’t eat ice cream like that,” Derek leans in real close so I watch every word float from his perfect Cupid’s bow shaped lips.I think about kissing them.They’d be cool and I might just run my tongue over them, tasting the hint of peanut butter from his dessert. My mind is racing over the last 90 days with him as I play back all of our dates like a movie. There was our walk around the park when the sprinkler system went off so we had to run like crazy back to his car. It turned out alright because he gave me...

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“Reunion ” by Amanda Lieser

Submitted to Contest #163

CW: allusions to an affairValerie and Sarah walked into the cafeteria which was glittering, lit up by cafe lights in the shape of mini light bulbs with a soft, yellow glow. Ten tables, with numbers on little gold stands written on thick card stock in a flowing black in calligraphy, were arranged around the stone statue of the knight in the center of the room. A huge banner hung above the sign-in station bearing the knight in shining armor read “WELCOME CLASS OF 2017.” Soft pop music played over the speaker. “I’m so glad you came ou...

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“Dream A Little Dream Of Me” by Amanda Lieser

Submitted to Contest #161

CW: allusions to death  The airport was bright and busy with holiday traffic. I tapped my foot anxiously on the 80s blue carpet of the plane. The seatbelt light remained glowing in a dingy yellow. Sighs of exasperation were punctured by cries of the baby at the back. I contemplated popping my earbuds back in, at the risk of missing the all important announcement that we could finally deboard. For the fiftieth time on this flight, I opened social media, scrolled through the headlines I’d read a million times, and closed it with frustration.&...

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“Rabbit Hole” by Amanda Lieser

Submitted to Contest #158

On August 20th, 2013, Lena walked into the classroom of the Queen. She taught junior and senior AP English. She had long blonde curls and piercing blue eyes. As always, she dressed with a retro air, choosing a fitted navy skirt, red heels, and a white blouse. The Queen was also the Debate coach. Which is why a fourteen year old Lena walked into her classroom at 2:05pm because she would join the debate team, just like the cool and confident girl on her TV. That girl was involved in lots of extracurriculars which is why she was so popular. The...

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“Midnight Snack” by Amanda Lieser

Submitted to Contest #156

CW PREGNANCY LOSS For my little sister, who makes me laugh more than anyone else. Cheyenne has round toes. Very round toes. With round, little nails. It’s not something I noticed until we were sitting in the car, riding home from Denver International Airport. My husband is driving, her long term boyfriend is sitting in the passenger seat next to him. She’s typing furiously on her phone. “Sorry,” she breaks the silence, “An emergency with a patient.” Cheyenne sets her phone face down on the leather seat triumphantly, “Ok, I’m done.” S...

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“Dinner On Tuesday At 5:30” by Amanda Lieser

Submitted to Contest #154

CW: Alzheimer’s Carter Olson’s fingers tremble as they grip the silver handle of the door. The cab driver tips his hat as Carter says to no one in particular, “We’re running out of time. Annie and me…we’re running out of time.” He doesn’t notice the string of Christmas lights adorning the shopping complex's many windows filled with the latest video games and displays of the hot new toy for Christmas 2021. He simply wraps himself in a bear hug and remarks, “It’s rather nippy for September.” His breath dissipates into the cold air. He leave...

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“Near Death Experience” by Amanda Lieser

Submitted to Contest #150

Trigger warning: this piece discusses death and is my attempt to dive into the issue of the right to choose to die.The sun bathed Lilac’s face in hope. Her white sneaker squeaked on the marble steps before the glass automatic doors embossed with an angel. The doors opened silently and a rush of crisp air overwhelmed Lilac, pulling her into the pure white lobby where bustling men and women in matching white polos, white linen pants, and white shoes hurried to their destinations. A young woman with dyed blonde hair, perfectly plaited, sat behi...

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“Never Mine” by Amanda Lieser

Submitted to Contest #147

It was a superhero film. I never liked super heroes, but Matt did. At the end when they dropped hints for a sequel before the screen went black, I stood on wobbly, cold legs. My pink flip flop sticking to the black ooze of the floor. But I felt his warm hand on my arm because Matt insisted on us sitting through the credits.“The franchise is well known for an ‘after credits scene,’” he told me as I reached for my bag. I sat back down. We, along with a handful of other patrons, sat silently watching names roll by to deafening music. I found my...

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“Carolina” by Amanda Lieser

Submitted to Contest #144

The first time I meet her is in a photo, behind a beautiful pane of glass, outlined by the curves of an oak frame. I imagine that the crowds of graduates, friends, and family were bustling loudly around them. Tears of pride and joy streaked down their faces as bear hugs were handed out like penny candy at a birthday party. The sky behind them is blue, cloudless. Perfect. I’m so certain her mother pushed them together for the photo. Pulled out her phone and shot five or six of the same exact moment. This girl has her arms wrapped around his n...

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“I Love You” by Amanda Lieser

That Saturday air was thick with humidity and I spent my morning finishing my chores as fast as possible so I could be released from the prison of my mother’s supervision and into the open arms of my best friend Andrea for our sleepover.  On our way back from the park, we stopped by the fast food joint I was never allowed to go to in the park. Our legs felt itchy from the prickly, smooth skin of the green grass. When we arrived back at the house, Andrea’s mother, Mindy and her boyfriend, Rob were arguing in the kitchen. “He’s been dri...

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“Summer Loving” by Amanda Lieser

Submitted to Contest #139

A note to the reader: This is a love story. Specifically, it’s about two people falling in love for the very first time. But it’s also a story that I hope opens the conversation surrounding consent and intimacy for our youths. Please be advised that the final scene of this story contains content surrounding that conversation. “Oh grow up,” Amelia scoffs at my big, black, puppy eyes staring at you and your best friend, Jacob. The two of you are known as Jacob and Carson, the two youngest black belts in the history of the Studio. Your nam...

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“Coffee” by Amanda Lieser

Submitted to Contest #136

“You’ll never know unless you try,” Tom places a wet kiss on my forehead. I feel my protests lodged in my throat, held back by the guilt of this brand new engagement ring that glitters in the sunlight and fills me with butterflies. “You could love her…” he trails off as he wanders into our kitchen and prepares his morning cup of coffee, “Or learn to.” His voice grows louder as he enters the room again. He chuckles when he sees me, poking—no, stabbing—no, annihilating—my pile of fluffy scrambled eggs. “That’s not Sam’s face,” he jokes and tak...

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“The Tumbleweed” by Amanda Lieser

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #134

This story deals with homelessness and death. The Tumbleweed had blown into the bar. It was a busy Friday night because the “somewhere” in the phrase, “it’s five o'clock somewhere” was finally here. Men in fancy button downs with watches the size of their fists approached the women with bright, red, glossy lips who flipped their hair extensions over their shoulders lazily at them. Music blared loudly. But not as loudly as some of the women attempting to laugh at lame pick up lines. This modern saloon was an oasis for all gathered. The ...

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“First Love” by Amanda Lieser

Submitted to Contest #132

Mia’s forehead was sore from where it hit the cool, glass pane of the window as her mother weaved through the single roadway up into the mountains. Their destination: Estes Park, Colorado. The bright, June sun cascaded into their car warming Mia from the black tank top she had donned for the occasion. Her thighs pinked up with every passing minute. She gazed at the rows and rows of evergreen trees with a forlorn expression. Her fingers moved rapidly in her lap and she counted the days, hours, minutes that she had left in these mountains.“Tak...

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“Something Domestic” by Amanda Lieser

Submitted to Contest #130

AFREDThe blonde receptionist sitting behind the looming black marble desk is typing furiously. Alfred stares down at the questionnaire on the tablet. Sweat drips down his forehead and pools in the small of his back. He clears his throat while nervously glancing at Angel. She doesn’t look up from her work and casually answers the phone after two melodic tones play, “Seven Year Itch, Angel speaking, how may I help you?” Alfred crosses and uncrosses his legs. He clenches his jaw and unclenches his jaw as he reads through the questions. He finis...

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