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Author on Reedsy Prompts since Apr, 2020
Submitted to Contest #69
Julie made her way slowly round the table, plonking down silverware, unaware of her brother’s approach. She shrieked as he sneaked up behind and whirled her off her feet, knives and forks clattering as they fell. “You nearly gave me a heart attack,” she said, trying to look angry as he laughed, but grinning despite herself. Their mother Ethel appeared in the doorway, looking harried. “What happened? Did something break?” she said, pushing her hair back from her sweaty ...
Submitted to Contest #67
Janey jogged aimlessly until her face was red, her nose was dripping, and her fingers were throbbing with cold in the late November afternoon. Skippy, a collie-mix with a shaggy coat who was usually impervious to the weather, trotted beside her with his head down and his tail between his legs. Janey noticed his miserable demeanor with a pang of remorse. It was almost dark now and she looked around the deserted park uneasily, glad to see they were near the entrance gates. She had been oblivious, absorbed in the misery ...
Submitted to Contest #65
Malinda took a deep breath as she surveyed the scene. It was the first time she’d been elected to organize the annual Hallowe’en witches’ convention, the one time of year when witches can meet, living and dead, across time and distance. She took the responsibility extremely seriously. She’d found the perfect location, a ruined, desolate and remote mansion. It was situated high on a bleak hillside, making it easy to spot from the air. Perfect for landing a broomstick. The weather was ideal, frosty and clear except for t...
Submitted to Contest #64
I sighed with relief as we got home. Ray helped me out of the car. I am always stiff and sore after sitting for hours for my chemo treatment. I pulled off my wig as soon as we were in the door. It’s hot and scratchy. I’d go bald all the time, but I get tired of people staring. He settled me in the recliner, phone and remote at hand, a tray of drinks and snacks beside me. I married a good man. He paused, looking at me searchingly. “What’s wrong?” I said. He shrugged, then grinned sheepishly. “I do...
Submitted to Contest #63
By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire. The setting sun picked out the brilliant autumn colors, which rapidly dimmed as the light faded. Despite the illusion of fiery radiance from the oranges, reds and yellows of the leaves, the air was crisp and cold. I cautiously opened the glass doors which led onto the terrace. I could say I was watching the sunset if anyone asked. As the night crept closer, the trees became lacy black silhouettes against the sapphire blue sky, punctuated by glittering specks of s...
Submitted to Contest #59
“Hi, honey, I’m home. Where are you?” “Out here on the back porch. Bring a glass if you want some wine.” “You’re out there with the bottle already?” “What do you mean by that? It’s after five and I’m of legal drinking age.” “Okay, okay, no need to be snarky. Let me put my briefcase down and change and I’ll be there. Did you know the stove is on? Is that sauce supposed to be boiling like that?” “Damn. I forgot it. Let me see. It hasn’t...
Submitted to Contest #58
Delia sat in the front passenger seat of the car, practicing her nonchalant expression. She felt her shoulders creeping up to her ears and her jaw stiffening as her muscles clenched. Her fingers curled into fists. She shook her head, closed her eyes and tried some deep breathing exercises. “In, one, two, three, through the nose, out, one, two, three, through the mouth,” she intoned silently to herself. She was just starting to relax a fraction when the driver’s door slammed. She immediately recoiled into a spring of tension....
Submitted to Contest #57
Fortunately, since she could hardly see through the rain, Ellen could have found her way to the house blindfolded after her many years of employment. She gave up on the battle to keep her umbrella from turning inside out. She turned up her collar, tried to ignore her squelching shoes and hurried on. Old Lady Dorothea had been irascible, demanding and hard to please. Ellen had been her housekeeper, companion, cook... she really didn’t know exactly what her position was, but she’d lived there for years. Ther...
Submitted to Contest #56
Mollie trailed up the steps of the town house behind her great aunt Susie, gritting her teeth and wishing she were anywhere else, as Susie pressed the doorbell. She winced as Auntie Susie began to rap on the door with the imposing brass knocker almost immediately. “Give it a moment,” she protested. “They haven’t had a chance to come to the door yet.” “No time like the present,” said Auntie Susie, her little black button eyes gleaming in her soft, wrinkled face. “At my age, there’s no time to waste.” Molli...
Submitted to Contest #55
The room’s subtle palette of white decor glowed in the soft light of the discreetly hidden lamps, making a wonderful backdrop for Diane’s clinging burgundy dress Her diamond wedding ring glittered as she swept her glossy blonde-streaked hair back, smiling sweetly. “Please make yourself comfortable. Will you take care of the drinks, Gerald, darling? I’ll have a gin and tonic.”Moira plumped herself down into an overstuffed armchair and patted her grey bob back into place. “Gerry, you kn...
Submitted to Contest #54
Ruby approached the book shop nervously. She had never attended an event like this. Her favorite author Marybelle Mortimer was here today to sign copies of her newly released romantic novel, “Passion and Power”. The line already stretched around the corner. Ruby fished her copy out of her handbag. Marybelle’s immaculately made up face smiled at her in soft focus from the back cover, her chin propped on her perfectly manicured hand. The heroine stared defiantly from the front cover, emerald green eyes sparkling under a sweep of blond tresses....
Submitted to Contest #48
Doris opened the door and welcomed her guests, waving at Mr. Hodges, her neighbor, who was trimming his hedge. He blushed and averted his gaze as Hortense, an ample Jamaican lady, blew him a kiss. Doris covered her smile.“Nosy old coot. He’s out there chopping that hedge every time we come. It’s going to be down to a nub soon,” said Hortense.She settled herself on the couch next to Judith and Maude. Lillian sat down primly in the armchair. Doris wheeled in the hostess trolley and began to distribute teacups and pour tea. Doris was famous for...
Submitted to Contest #47
You wanted to make a grand entrance to keep him waiting, but all you did was shoot yourself in the foot by allowing her the opportunity to make the first move. She was already fawning all over him when you got there. That’s what you get for spending all that time dithering in front of the mirror. The red dress or the blue? These earrings or those? Hair up, hair down? As if any of it disguises the fact that she's young enough to be your daughter. You did find a plastic surgeon’s card lying on the dressing table the other day. Was that a hint ...
You opened my letter? You are my daughter and that was a very disrespectful thing to do. You are trying to deny me this correspondence with a friend, one of the few pleasures left? You might be concerned, but it’s not necessary for you to get involved in things that are none of your business. You wouldn't like it if I opened your mail and butted into your life. If you must know, Nicholas is a good friend of ours from our youth. He, your father and I all went to college together. He got in touch to offer condolences after your father died. I...
Submitted to Contest #46
Millicent had always wanted to write. She had never confided this to anyone but her cat Mortimer. He was an uncritical listener unless she was late feeding him because of her daydreaming, but quick to forgive once his plate was full. Millicent had received a few good grades for essays in high school English a hundred years ago and some compliments on reports she’d had to write for her job. She could picture the ridicule, or worse still, the embarrassed silence that would ensue if she told anyone she knew that she wanted to ...
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