Bettina Karpathian

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Apr, 2020

Stories (71)

71 Stories

1276 karma pts

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“The World According to Cats” by Bettina Karpathian

You would like to interview me about life with my people? A guide for young cats on how to co-exist with humans? I must be getting old. Hmm. I really do have better things to do with my time, but this might be an interesting opportunity to educate humans as well as young cats. First, for full disclosure, I would like to say that my own life is quite tolerable. It took a while, but I now have my folks trained to an acceptable level. I came into their home at a very young age which helped. All kittens are cute, but I’d say I was in the extr...

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“The Troll” by Bettina Karpathian

Annette pulled up outside Doug’s place and beeped her horn. He hurried out, pulling on his jacket and folded his lanky frame into her little car. Beaming, he leaned over for a kiss. Annette reciprocated eagerly, then pushed him away.“No more for now. You’re going to have to decide if you still want to be engaged to me after you’ve met the troll.”“What are you talking about?” Doug said, puzzled. “You said you need my help on a mission? All very mysterious and intriguing.”Annette laughed as she merged into traffic.<...

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“It Takes a Village” by Bettina Karpathian

Diana surveyed the scene with a critical eye, enjoying the lull before the evening rush started. After two years of blood, sweat and toil, Java Music Cafe was finally making a profit and had a steady group of patrons. She allowed herself a moment of satisfaction. The walls were decorated with paintings by local artists and colorful posters, illuminated by strings of soft lights. Melodious music played in the background. A few customers were working on their laptops or chatting over coffee, ensconced in the comfortable armchairs and couche...

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“The Four-Leaf Clover” by Bettina Karpathian

My daddy was a lucky man. I know this because I saved special things to give him luck. Sometimes I found pretty stones or a penny when we went for a walk. Once I found a four-leaf clover. I always went to old Mrs. Pike’s house next door after school because Mom worked until late. She showed me how to press the leaf between the pages of a book until it was dry and pretty. We glued it onto a card which I decorated with glitter and magic marker for Daddy. I showed it proudly to Mom when she came to get me, still wearing her waitress top, her...

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“Stand and Deliver” by Bettina Karpathian

I collapse gratefully into my armchair in front of the fire. I can’t feel my feet. The missus hands me a mug of hot chocolate which I cradle in my frozen hands.“Bah, humbug to Christmas,” I say.“I think that’s already been said,” she says mildly. “The season is supposed be about peace and goodwill, not grumpiness.”“Really? When you are responsible for a delivery service, as I am, it’s your least favorite time of year. You’d be grumpy too. A small family-run business trying to compete with Amazon and the like. The ware...

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“Puppy Love” by Bettina Karpathian

Kate looked around in appreciation. The pub was a historic building with a dark beamed ceiling and uneven walls. She scanned the crowd, almost missing Louis until she realized he was in a snug alcove where the conversation of the other patrons and the Christmas music were a pleasant background noise. He jumped to his feet as she approached, rocking the table, a delighted smile spreading over his face. Kate smiled back. He reminded her of a goofy puppy, tall and lanky with a mop of dark curls.“This is a lovely place,” she said. "Gre...

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“Exchanging Secrets” by Bettina Karpathian

Harriet paced her living room floor, pausing every so often to glare at the glossy department store carrier bag sitting on her dining table. It contained the dullest, frumpiest sweater that she had ever seen, a birthday gift from her son Edgar and his wife, the prissy church-going Madeline. She wondered what had possessed them to pick it. Goodness knows but she wouldn't put it past them to choose it for her burial outfit. She made a mental note to specify her funeral wishes. Harriet wanted to take it back to the store and exchange it for ...

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“The Seer's Vision” by Bettina Karpathian

Gaila shivered as she materialized. The palace corridors were as cold and draughty as she remembered. Winter had well and truly come. The distant mountains were outlined in glistening white snow against the ink dark sky. Pulling her fur-lined cloak around her, Gaila glided forward silently, frowning as she noticed how quiet the hallways were. Usually there were servants bustling, self-important young men strutting, well-dressed ladies preening, and at night, couples taking advantage of the dark nooks and crannies to steal gropes and kisse...

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“The Dream Job” by Bettina Karpathian

Mindy had known what to expect. It was always the same formula, three people sitting around a conference room table with her resume and a script in their hands. After introductions and a few pleasantries about the weather, the director opened the interview with her question. What did Mindy consider her strengths? Mindy cleared her throat, smiled pleasantly and began speaking fluently in a calm, confident voice.“Poise and confidence are two of my greatest strengths. I can handle any situation with aplomb and keep those around me cal...

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“It's Just Money” by Bettina Karpathian

Ellen closed her eyes and massaged her temples. When she looked at her desk again, she had to resist the urge to laugh hysterically. The mountain of paperwork had not gone away. Staff evaluations to do, three meetings on the calendar for today, one nurse out sick and another due to go on maternity leave any day… She shook her head and took a swig of coffee. Taking a deep breath, she counted to ten, gazing at the serene landscape picture that her mother had advised her to hang in the office. Feeling slightly better, she turned on her compu...

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“The Home Wrecker” by Bettina Karpathian

The college was started back in the day when educational opportunities for women were limited. It had grown over almost a century into a venerable institution with a Gothic style campus dotted with majestic oaks. Several buildings on campus were named after Ellie’s wealthy family who were prominent donors. Ellie was a large, short-sighted girl who wore this inheritance awkwardly. She was self-conscious about her weight, not particularly academically gifted, her innate kindness hidden under shyness. Lily and I were scholarship girls. My fa...

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“The Beach House” by Bettina Karpathian

Maggie sighed and tossed her home renovation magazine aside. The glossy pages of beautifully decorated rooms seemed to mock the idea that she would ever get the beach house that she longed for. She was doomed to listen to Audrey and Maude burble on at the book club about their beach properties for ever. It was not for want of trying to convince her husband Tom that it would be a great investment for their retirement. She pushed the magazines under his nose, made him sit through hours of reality television about flipping houses and buying ...

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“Memories” by Bettina Karpathian

“Don’t you remember?” said Gerald as the family sat down to dinner. “Remember what?” said Rosie, returning for the umpteenth time to the kitchen, this time to take off her apron. “The way my mother used to make macaroni and cheese,” said Gerald. “When most people make it, it’s a stodgy, gluey mess. She used to get it just right, with a nice crusty top.” Marie winced as she heard plates clattering...

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“The Goose and the Gander” by Bettina Karpathian

The monthly book club meeting was always run efficiently when it was Mrs. Cameron’s turn to host, which might have been why the gatherings were small on those evenings. She was a perfectly friendly lady but as a retired English teacher had retained the ability to silence a rowdy class with a glance The discussion never lapsed into gossip or doings of husbands and children under Mrs. Cameron’s supervision but stayed on the topic of the current book. This month they were discussing a psychological thriller which had been on the New York Tim...

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“Peace Breaks Out” by Bettina Karpathian

Lisa dropped her bags on the floor and hugged her mother.“Hey, sweetie,” said her mother with a smile. “Ready for summer?”"Finals were brutal and I think I've sprained my brain, but it's good to be done for a while. Wow, your famous chocolate chip cookies! I'm starving."Her mother smiled indulgently as Lisa piled a plate with cookies and grabbed a glass of milk. It wasn't until the plate was empty and she was wiping crumbs off her mouth that Lisa looked properly at her mother.“What’s up, Mom? You look worn out....

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Author bio

I am a retired nurse, originally from Scotland. My husband is Greek and we divide our time between the USA, Greece and Scotland. I like reading, writing, drawing, travel and animals.

Shortlisted 2 stories ⭐️

Contest #134
Green Gremlins – read story
Contest #114
The Bake Sale – read story