Barbara Nosek

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Feb, 2023

Stories (16)

16 Stories

270 karma pts

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“Let's Send This One to An Ancestry Site” by Barbara Nosek

Submitted to Contest #274

Oblique reference to sexual activityDaddy! Daddy!! Daddy!!!I think I’m breaking the land speed record getting to Teddy’s bedroom, where I find him plastered against the wall, unmoving, seemingly paralyzed with fear. Walking toward him I say, “Son, come here, what’s the matter?”“No!” he screams. “If I move it will attack me!”“What will attack you?”His arm slowly raises and a shaky finger points to the open window. And there on the sill is a small lizard, clearly having squeezed through the narrow space where the screen doesn’t quite fit again...

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“Scraps of Light” by Barbara Nosek

Submitted to Contest #268

Scraps of Light I’ve never had to grapple with a problem of this magnitude in all my 64 years. And I see no way out. Nothing in my experience has prepared me for solving anything like this. Friends, siblings, children, have about as much chance of getting me out of this as does my beautiful Himalayan cat Dulcy. I know they would try if I told them what was threatening to tear my life apart. But I haven’t. The truth is I’m more than a little ashamed of letting myself even get into this awful mess. It’s noon now and the bright sunshine invadin...

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“Next!” by Barbara Nosek

Submitted to Contest #253

I could feel him staring at me from behind. But is the stare friendly, appreciative, leering?The promise of an answer starts with an “Excuse me?” I turn around and come face to face with soulful blue eyes shining forth from a very handsome face. Wavy black hair, tanned face, and toned physique complete a most welcome picture.“I don’t mean to seem forward,” he says, “but I noticed the Big Paul's Resort logo on your jacket and wondered if you’d been there or maybe it was a gift.” Ah geez, add in a deep baritone voice.“...

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“You Never Know What Might Pop Up” by Barbara Nosek

Submitted to Contest #243

Mild swearing, suggestion of adulteryEverybody wanted toast this morning! I am worn out.Love these guys a lot really but, geez, my insides are still burning. Plus, Jason was so rambunctious about getting his English muffin out when it didn’t pop up he actually knocked me over. Wish I could see if I have a dent now. I do feel a bit bruised.And worst, nobody had time to clean my tray. How would you like to go all day with crumbs on your bottom???At least now I can rest, hopefully till tomorrow morning. Nobody with bright ideas about eggs or ch...

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“Sometimes You Just Gotta Make Your Own Rules” by Barbara Nosek

Submitted to Contest #238

Language, plus implied violence, physical abuse and substance abuse“But wouldn’t this be very dangerous if . . .”“Yes, Chrissy, it could go bad, disastrously bad. But I have to do this.”“This is really scary, Alex. I’m going to be so worried about you.”“Well, we just have to hope the plan on paper holds true for the plan in action.”“Believe me, I’ll be hoping that with all my heart until your mission is over.”* * *Born and raised in this city, and yet in all my 43 years I’d never set foot in this part of town. Even law enforcement didn’t wan...

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“Scraps of Light” by Barbara Nosek

Submitted to Contest #232

Suggestions of swear wordsI’ve never had to grapple with a problem of this magnitude in all my 64 years. And I see no way out. Nothing in my experience has prepared me for solving anything like this.Friends, siblings, children, have about as much chance of getting me out of this as does my beautiful Himalayan cat Dulcy. I know they would try if I told them what was threatening to tear my life apart. But I haven’t. The truth is I’m more than a little ashamed of letting myself even get into this awful mess.It’s noon now and the bright sunshine...

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“The Heart Always Knows” by Barbara Nosek

Submitted to Contest #229

My best friend Lorelei and I are both writers, for me food editor of a city magazine, for her contributor of short stories to many outlets. We always have lots of writerly things to share but for this get-together, as always at Pearlie’s Corner Pub, I had something entirely different to tell her.“Well I got some news today, actually in the form of an invitation,” I said as we slid into our usual booth. “My little friend Tanya back home has gotten married. And here I am already married and divorced. "It was just a small ceremony at the courth...

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“Tradition's in the eye of the beholder - sometimes along with a little gravy” by Barbara Nosek

Submitted to Contest #226

Sensitive content - languageTradition's in the eye of the beholder – sometimes along with a bit of gravyWould we have had a chance this year if Rory and Darla hadn’t been invited to our Thanksgiving Day table? We’ll never know. Because the vows we solemnly took last year are now right down the commode, and the mashed potatoes clinging precariously to the wall put quite an exclamation point on our failure.To be clear, every year this holiday gathering in our home sees arguments, confrontations, accusations, and more, fueled no doubt by our tr...

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“Never Too Old . . . For?” by Barbara Nosek

Submitted to Contest #220

{Some reference to drugs}She took a closer look. “Oh no! Oh no, no, no!”***Whenever his beloved grandmother suggested a baking day for the two of them, 10-year-old Jeremy could hardly wait till it was time. He couldn’t think of a better way to spend a Saturday morning.And he knew his Grammie enjoyed these times together as much as he did. And he also knew they had everything to do with his plans to be a pastry chef when he grew up. When he shared this dream with her she even offered to pay his way through culinary school, though his mom sort...

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“You Slay Me” by Barbara Nosek

Submitted to Contest #217

Daddy! Daddy!! Daddy!!!I think I’m breaking the land speed record getting to Teddy’s bedroom, where I find him plastered against the wall, unmoving, seemingly paralyzed with fear. Walking toward him I say, “Son, come here, what’s the matter?”“No!” he screams. “If I move it will attack me!”“What will attack you?”His arm slowly raises and a shaky finger points to the open window. And there on the sill is a small lizard, clearly having squeezed through the narrow space where the screen doesn’t quite fit against the frame. Had been meaning for m...

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“Dear Diary . . . Help” by Barbara Nosek

Submitted to Contest #215

Day 1 – Sooooo, excited. We’re now settled in at the haunted house, more of mansion really, an anniversary present from my brother Joe and his wife Tricia. And thanks to its fully stocked fridge and pantry we just finished a nice lunch of tomato soup and grilled cheese and bacon sandwiches with chips and beer. Beer! But what the heck, we’re on vacation. And now Tony and I are ready to explore the entire house A little scared. Back soon, Diary – I hope!Made it back safe and sound, nothing scary yet. Actually this place is quite elegant. Are h...

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“Me & Thee & She” by Barbara Nosek

Submitted to Contest #214

{Adult language}Well that lasted exactly two minutes. One mile.My beautiful dream becoming reality – now apparently over. This was going to be our chance to re-connect, away from our busy work lives, away from our community commitments, away from our household responsibilities. A romantic getaway, just the two of us in a cozy cabin, looking forward to ten days of all the fun places and scenic splendors of central Wisconsin. But then, oh so close to the freeway and freedom, it all started turning bad.On the side street that leads across the m...

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“Genes & T-Shirts” by Barbara Nosek

Submitted to Contest #211

Genes and T-Shirts Barbara J Nosek Her looks are alluring, disarming, the textbook definition of adorable – and totally deceiving. This kitty is able to hide her true nature behind her ragdoll mother’s contribution, china blue eyes in a perfect cool gray triangle with matching soft plump paws and showpiece tail, surrounding a fluffy cloud of snow white fur. But of course that's only half the gene story, and as experience proved, not the dominant half. Nope. That’s the province of her daddy, feral and full Bengal, a breed born in the 70s ...

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“The Revelation, Twice” by Barbara Nosek

Submitted to Contest #207

Barbara J Nosek The Revelation, Squared Something is going to have to change. And drastically. He’d seen firsthand, and more than once, what can happen when the zest for life is fading away. And there is a good chance that’s exactly what’s happening right here. He’d just returned from his 500th performance as Lord Darkley, Master of Mystery. A milestone, for sure. But not one molecule of his being feels like celebrating. Nor can an atom be found cheering the fact that in a few days he’ll be gearing up for Number 501. Still in full dr...

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“All a Dream - Or?” by Barbara Nosek

Submitted to Contest #206

All a Dream – Or? By Lori Madigan Purse over my shoulder, phone in my pocket, sunglasses on my face. Off to work, and what is sure to be a sweets-laden morning break in celebration of my 30th birthday. I go out the door. And step into my past. Well, what the . . . I should be seeing a street lined with beautiful oaks, deep green lawns, and vinyl-clad two stories. Instead, I’m looking over sun-scarred grass, tropical flowers, and a swamp beyond. This is the scene I saw every day growing up in rural Louisiana. This makes no sense, al...

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Author bio

I'm a long time non-fiction writer, specializing mostly in food. I've written for local, national, and international magazines and online publications. I've also served as an editor for magazines and independent projects. Now trying to see if I possibly could have a fiction gene. Any comments on my stories are more than welcome.