Andromeda Ripley

“The Big Rewind” by Andromeda Ripley

Submitted to Contest #291

TW: Strong language, addictionTime travel is a bitch. Strike that. Time travel itself is really quite fun. It’s the entitled pricks that hire me to jump them decades into the future that grinds my gears. Trust me, I would know. I’ve been a pilot for the past 5 years. Or the past 500. It’s a matter of perspective, I suppose.But Lilly, you ask, how can you say that it’s been 500 years if you’re only in your thirties? First of all, fuck you. I’m a ripe 29 and will remain that way until…until always. That’s how my contract works. In exchange for...

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“Unbalanced” by Andromeda Ripley

Submitted to Contest #289

June 21st 217 Honeycutt DriveCome alone Folding and refolding the paper, I stared at the cabin before me for a few excruciatingly long moments and tried to summon my courage. Tried to convince myself this was a good idea, showing up to a mysterious summons. I finally took my first step toward the cabin when the door swung open to reveal a battle axe of a woman, and a thoughtful look crossed her face as she ushered me in. I almost thought she was pretty, but a long, raging scar cut across her face, pulling the side of her mouth into...

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“How I Met My Dad” by Andromeda Ripley

TW: Derogatory and strong language, physical violenceI remember the day I met my dad well. My therapist likes to remind me that memories, especially ones from childhood, are like Swiss cheese. Parts of what we can recall are accurate, and our brain tries to plug up the holes however it wants. Of course, that begs the question: can you have no accurate memories and only made-up parts? I’ll let you ponder that bit of existentialism in your own time. I wasn’t very old, maybe around eight or nine? It was summer; school had let out a few weeks ea...

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“The Man from the TV” by Andromeda Ripley

Submitted to Contest #287

TW: Derogatory languageMomma used to have a lot of visitors, but I wasn’t allowed to talk to them. She would send me out into the yard when her visitors came by. But she was nice about it. She’d make me breakfast and tell me I needed to go outside while she talked to her visitors. Sometimes, the visits were really fast, and other times, I’d be outside until my belly started talking. Momma always said she was sorry when that happened. Momma was always really nice, so I guess that was why people liked to visit so much. But that was before, and...

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“Tougher Stuff” by Andromeda Ripley

Submitted to Contest #286

TW: Violence, gore, ableist speech, strong languageWe’d been driving for ten minutes before the old man spoke in a voice that screamed of a lifetime of chain-smoking, “Where we headed, boy?” I’d been asking myself that same question for days, and the answer remained elusive, but I had to respond, “As far as you’re willing to take me.”“Well, that don’t really tell me nothin'. How long were you waitin' for someone to stop for you, anyway?”“Um, not too long. Some cars drove by me without stopping. I had better luck hitching with truckers.”...

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“How to Save a Life (Not Your Own)” by Andromeda Ripley

Submitted to Contest #284

You are born on Christmas Day. There is a light layer of snow on the ground. Your parents say you’re the most incredible gift they’ve ever received. You are a happy baby. Look at that smile!  A few years later, your mother is diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She turns out to be fine after everything, but you will be an only child.  When you are six, you break your arm. Your father cries more than you do. At eleven, you wake with blood in your panties. Your mother shows you what to do. We’ll start with pads and liners, ok?  At t...

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