Beth Jackson

Author on Reedsy Prompts since May, 2021

Stories (21)

21 Stories

1596 karma pts

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“The Hallowed Ground” by Beth Jackson

🏆 Winner of Contest #114

“Karl told me about a playgroup in Maraetai. Why don’t you take her there?” My partner stares at me in the bathroom mirror.I look away, the unspoken words prickling. “They’re not really my cup of tea.”The baby stirs, sucking on her hand. She’ll need feeding soon.“How do you know? You’ve never been.”I watch my partner shaving, each pass exposing fresh, pink skin in a sea of white, and a stab of jealousy twists in my stomach.“They’re for older children...

129 comments 129
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“The Sum Total of a Legacy ” by Beth Jackson

Submitted to Contest #111

TW: Sexual ViolenceNo Divided by Yes“Don’t be rude, Kimmy. Give him a kiss.” Mum puts her hands on her hips and makes an angry-parent noise.Uncle Brian looms in the doorway, his bulky frame blocking the sunlight. His gut sags over his belt and wriggling chest hairs escape from under his shirt.“A kiss, Kimmy,” he says. “You heard your mother, don’t be rude.” He smells of sausages and shame.He puckers his lips. They’re thick and fat, like...

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“Always Check the Dryer for Crayons” by Beth Jackson

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #109

CW: miscarriage “It doesn’t hurt,” the radiographer says, her voice light and cheery. Youthful. She shakes the gel, it slaps against the ends of the bottle, the vulgar noise harsh in the softness of the dim room."It did last time.” The words escape. Their weight settles on my chest, and each wretched syllable wraps around my throat and squeezes, forcing bitter tears from my eyes.The transducer is cold as it skims the barren expanse above my pubic hair. She pushes hard on my bladder, and I sq...

34 comments 34
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“Inevitability” by Beth Jackson

Submitted to Contest #108

Travis and Ethan watched the house burn, with a brazen enthusiasm undignified for middle-aged men. Josh stared at the ground, scouting for potential hazards, lest he suffer a similar fate to the house.A glowing ember drifted through the night sky and nestled on Matt’s shirt. He smothered it and glanced at his friends.Just four friends, standing on the side of the road, watching a stranger’s house burn.Matt lifted his hand. A charred hole peeked from under his fingers. He closed his eye...

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“Redemption ” by Beth Jackson

Submitted to Contest #93

 “Are you sure you want to do this?” Pete said, leaning on the bathroom door and picking at his nails. “Everyone would understand if you gave it a miss.” Claire perched in front of the mirror, scrutinising her make up. “My bloody lipstick’s bled. Doesn’t that only happen to old people?” “Just blot it with a tissue. You look fine.” Pete crossed the bathroom and put his hands on Claire’s sho...

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“Bats to Butterflies ” by Beth Jackson

Submitted to Contest #92

“For the love of God, Brian, why can’t you just get out of the flaming car?” Doreen put her hands on her hips and glared at Brian. She didn’t understand. No one did. Not really. “It burns.” The words sounded stronger than he anticipated, growing wings and roaring into life as they left his mouth, like wet-winged bats escaping a cave. Doreen sighed and looke...

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Author bio

Cat lover. Cake lover. Mother of four. Writer.

Winning 1 story 🏆

Contest #114
The Hallowed Ground – read story

Shortlisted 3 stories ⭐️

Contest #183
Self-Discovery – read story
Contest #116
The Price of Life – read story
Contest #109
Always Check the Dryer for Crayons – read story