Betty Gilgoff

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jun, 2022

Stories (4)

4 Stories

158 karma pts

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“What Matters Most” by Betty Gilgoff

Submitted to Contest #154

“It isn’t going to happen Miche, so just drop it.” Barry slams his phone down on the table.Charlene’s eyes are wide with concern, “What did mom want?” He just looks at her, considering whether or not to answer.“It’s about Gran’s birthday party, isn’t it?” She persists.“Yes Charlie, if you must know.” Already he’s picking up his phone again, starting to scroll.“You sounded mad,” Charlene pries cautiously.He glances up from his phone and sighs. “They’ve changed it to my night with you, so it isn’t going to work.” Scrolling again, he’s mut...

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“Viviana” by Betty Gilgoff

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #152

Holding both of the young woman’s hands, Viviana focuses on slowing her breathing with the hope that Claire’s too will calm. She keeps her eyes closed, her head erect. She can feel Claire’s pain radiating up her arms as she breathes deeply, forcing herself to stay steady.  “You’re going to be okay,” she assures Claire, “but you need somewhere you can go. You can’t continue on like this.” “But the girls?” Claire’s eyes fly open and she yanks her hands away, the heat of Viviana’s touch suddenly too much, breaking the trance. She mops ...

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“Déjà Vu” by Betty Gilgoff

Submitted to Contest #151

“It isn’t important,” she tells herself as she reworks the measurements she’s just taken. It’s the mantra he’s taught her to use whenever she stressed. Having the numbers not quite right is definitely a stress.  A fleeting sense of déjà vu interrupts her work. She sits down on the edge of the stool, letting the feeling pass. She knows better than to pin down the moment. She’s a scientist and won’t attribute it to more than the neuron misfire that it is. But still, she does. The little imaginary checklist in her brain that forever coun...

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“Failed Promise” by Betty Gilgoff

Submitted to Contest #150

I need to be ready and I haven’t been sure of my decision. “Until now,” I tell myself firmly sitting up just a little straighter to feel the surety I need. So much money is involved, or just possibly some hope for humanity. “This is long overdue.” I speak the words out loud to the empty office as I put away the remains of my leftover lunch, the bits I saved for this dinner that I knew I’d be eating at my desk, too stressed to eat much anyways as I prepared for tonight’s Board Meeting. Then that other voice creeps in. “Why am I kidding m...

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Author bio

How to sum up all that I am and that I want to be in a few sentences? Such is the power of story. I’m new here where I’m practicing my writing, trying to write what is real to me. I expect that as my stories get posted, my passions, my foibles as well as my struggles will be laid bare. I welcome your feedback as a way of helping me on my journey.

Shortlisted 1 story ⭐️

Contest #152
Viviana – read story