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Carol Keefer

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jan, 2020

Stories (37)

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37 Stories

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Two Peas in a Pod

Carol Keefer

Submitted to Contest #104

The sweltering heat of mid-May’s temperatures has reached the low 90’s. I can feel tiny beads of sweat on my forehead, and as I started changing the thermostat, I stop when I saw Ms. Blackledge’s sinister stare. I left it to go and went back to my workstation or a sweatshop, as I call it. Still, it is quiet, back here, away from interacting with the public, and I prefer it this way, surrounded by pictures hanging on the clotheslines, stretching from one side of the room to the other. Here I am at home, just me and th...

8 likes

Along the Muddy Mississippi

Carol Keefer

Submitted to Contest #102

It’s a dry summer day, shuffling my feet through the dirt, creating dust clouds as I headed toward the apple tree with its sun-drenched leaves clinging to the branches and some of its fruit rotting away. I hear mama cry, “You'll be careful now, ye hear?’ Drops of sweat stinging my grey eyes, deep like the buttons of a flute, my tomboyish red hair sticking to the back of my neck exposing the birthmark, the color like the muddy waters of the Mississippi. When I was younger, I asked mama about the mark. She said, “Honey, child, you a...

6 likes

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

Carol Keefer

Submitted to Contest #101

A lustrous glass reflecting one’s soul frozen in time”The mirror, polished glass encase with a frame entirely with gold leaf paint, hangs on the wall in my mothers’ room, a testimony to the many years adorning its place here in our home. A gift she told me when I was too small to imagine my mother involved with anyone else besides my father. Yet, as I recall, it was a troubled time for me, the youngest in our family. My older siblings, Marlene and Derrick, appear to understand the ‘grown up’ things, ‘You’re too young,’ Marlene...

7 likes

A Birthday Party

Carol Keefer

Submitted to Contest #100

“A Birthday Party”The lightning flashes, and the thunder echoes across the river, the afternoon waxes away, a typical day except it is my ninetieth birthday. I guess I should be grateful that God above blessed me with a long life. But there are moments when I want to leave these old bones behind and cross over the “Jordon” onto the other side. At this moment, reality reminds me that there is still life to live and enjoy what I have yet to discover.Deep down, however, there’s a part of me where memories of children dance i...

8 likes

Three Companions

Carol Keefer

Submitted to Contest #98

The river bends and turns in the forest, lush green leaves touching the water, a gentle breeze, as the boat sails effortlessly with three companions aboard—the tranquility of a summer's day.Reggie guides the boat, with the aid of the oars, an easy task except that this time is different. His thoughts drift towards another time, a carefree day spent here, but that was a long ago. Reggie should not have such feelings. He's not a natural person, but an android, with threads connected to a computer for a brain. Still, there is no ...

7 likes

From the Ashes comes a New Life

Carol Keefer

Submitted to Contest #97

The fire alarm buzzes at an increasing rate at 3 a.m. Sunday. Janneke throws a coat around her shoulders, scrambling from their room, closely following the rest of the guests hustling down the seven flights of metal steps. Sobbing and wailing from small children echoing as everyone descends the steps to the main floor. Janneke’s jaw aches, droplets of sweat start to sting her eyes, fingers clutching the smooth railing to keep her from tumbling into the person in front. A man behind Janneke lost his balance, fell he...

7 likes

Once in a Blue Moon

Carol Keefer

Submitted to Contest #94

Franks soothing baritone voice started to spin a web of lies on the last night we had spent together. I remember the outside temperature reaching “90’ degrees, the tiny beads of sweat glistening on my forehand. I try to conceal feeling uncomfortable sitting in the smoke-filled Biker’s Bar. Our bodies are close together, Franks’ warm breath as he tenderly whispers in my ear. His right hand was massaging my thigh, the tingling sensation surging through my veins as I took a sip of his beer.Amidst the noise, I leaned in close...

7 likes

Shadows

Carol Keefer

Submitted to Contest #92

As the shadows of the trees stretch over the house, devouring the last remnant of light from the sun—a chilling reminder of why I am here, a request by a friend asking me to come. A favor that I had owned and one that I chose to answer, though it would be easier to ignore simply by forgetting the promise ‘You can’t do that, I thought to myself, fumbling for the key in my coat pocket, unlocking the door. It creaks as I push it open. Sitting on a table, the light from the lantern flickers from the night's air as I walk inside, ...

11 likes

An Adventure

Carol Keefer

Submitted to Contest #90

A light glimmers on the leaves, casting shadows on the lush lawns as I seek my adventure, traveling across this great land. I capriciously took the quickest and nearest seat to the front on the overcrowded train ride. “All aboard,” the conductor bellowed, ambling down the aisle, beads of sweat on his brow with nimble fingers punch star shapes validating our tickets. A disingenuous dark-hair woman sat next to me, apologetic about her large overstuff carpetbag seated on the floor between us.She continued to chat as the active bu...

13 likes

The Journeys ' End

Carol Keefer

Submitted to Contest #89

Bells, flashing lights, as the nurse with their polished white shoes scurry down the sterile hallways, curbing their steps outside my mom’s room. As they glimpse through the door offering a polite smile or a nod, then continuing down the hall, a sea of faces blending into one. An agonizing turn of events, I began to wring my hands in appreciation of the realization that I will be alone for the first time since my childhood. And the painstaking task that lies before me, weighing the pros and cons of what the next step should ...

6 likes

Daydream

Carol Keefer

Submitted to Contest #86

The bubbling brook weaves its way through the meadow, the lush green branches from a Weeping Willow dip into the crystal-clear waters, frogs sing their morning songs. Golden rays of light shimmer and dance on the bubbles as they burst, as fish push their way up through the stream. Sweet fragrances caught in a soft breeze brush against my flush cheek, the warmth from the sun, the dew of the grass soaks through my clothes to my pale skin. I find myself being drawn to the earth and all its creatures. This is one place tha...

10 likes

Forgotten

Carol Keefer

Submitted to Contest #85

“That’s the thing about this city, a place where people never sleep,” I muse, catching a local bus, escaping the chill of the night air, vanishing among people with their lifeless eyes and deaf ears. Hush tones, breaking the sheer silence, drawing the attention of a few watchful glances that flicker with interest. I lean my head against the cold window, and though it does not offer any comfort, it at least gives me rest as my eyes flutter shut. ‘The nightlife, with all of its enchantment, comes with a price.’ It comes withou...

9 likes

Deja vu

Carol Keefer

Submitted to Contest #84

Monday morning, the 15th, Becky cross’ the date off with a red marker, keeping track of the days of the week. ‘Monday, Tuesday, yeah, that’s it, today is Monday, right?” Becky muses to herself, gulping down the coffee before grabbing her keys from the bathroom counter. “Simple,” Becky said to herself, trudging down the steps from her one-room flat to the hotel’s lobby. ‘Hope, there has to be hope,’ seeing the clientele that’s now calling the hotel their home as more people lost their jobs because of the pandemic. Becky, her e...

12 likes

Artificial Intelligence - The Path Forward

Carol Keefer

Submitted to Contest #82

Today marks Samantha’s first anniversary working for a technology company, which challenges her belief that all life is sacred. As she makes an underhanded remark about the slogan on the wall above her desk, and said, “Artificial life, what about the human touch.?” “What?” Amy asks. “Never mind.” Samantha partially said out loud and to herself. “Yeah, whatever.” “I guess that you—” Samantha said, biting her lower lip, glancing up at the security camera rotating from the opposite wall. “Huh? “This is how you make the world better,” say...

10 likes

Cherish the Memories

Carol Keefer

Submitted to Contest #81

Cherish the memories.”Ms.Rossie shuffles across the tile floor, still dressed in her nightgown. The aroma of an apple blossoms air freshener lingers throughout the kitchen. Simultaneously, the rays from the late morning sun spread into the corners, illuminating her table. Ms. Rossie takes a dishcloth and cleans up the crumbs left from her breakfast.Ms. Rossies’ nimble fingers trace the rims of her fine bone china, a gift from Emmitt. ‘Perfect,’ as she sets the table for their romantic dinner tonight. ‘Oh, I’ve almost forgotte...

8 likes