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Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jun, 2022
Submitted to Contest #322
Within a week of my arrival home, I happened upon a television film, “Kids Like These”. Although now it would appear extremely outdated, back then – more than thirty-five years ago - it was extraordinary, a first, and to me an absolute inspiration, I was bowled over by it! But the coincidence of it was overwhelming! Was it an answer to my prayers? I’d certainly done a lot of that in the previous three weeks! How often had I sent my sister to the library to look for books showing photos of these children? How could I have never even seen one ...
Submitted to Contest #315
“Have you managed to get Alice brought out to France yet?” “Oh, Kate, I’ve tried to contact the farmer, left so many messages, but he never rings me back. I’ve not heard a word from him since we left two years ago. I think she must have died and he doesn’t dare tell me!” “Right,” she replied “What’s his number? I’ll give him a call now!” “It won’t do any good you’ll just get the answerphone and he never rings back.” I told her despondently. She gave me a wicked grin, “Yes, but I haven’t rung him yet, have I?” Her call went straight to answe...
Submitted to Contest #280
*NB Ben has Down Syndrome, so I have written his voice as close as possible to how he actually speaks. “Hi James, good to see you. Ben’s upstairs beautifying himself in front of the mirror, he’s been up there for hours trying on so many different outfits the floor’s just littered with clothes! He could probably do with your help in making his final decision.” “Oh yes, he’d said he wanted to go to the wine-bar tonight. No worries I’ll go up and speed him along a bit.” “Ben! James has arrived! He’s on his way up now up to give you a han...
Submitted to Contest #277
Swear words. Sexual abuse.Ben’s dreams were small, to have friends and for children to call round to play. But this never happened. He was, instead, the butt of their jokes and the innocent recipient of their brutal bullying. He was fourteen, with Downs Syndrome.As I stacked the final pieces of washing-up the doorbell rang and, quickly drying my hands, I opened the door to discover a group of seven girls, aged ten or eleven, standing outside. I’d spotted Ben hovering at the top of the stairs, waiting to see who the caller was.“Is Ben ‘ere?” ...
Submitted to Contest #276
They originated from India, the lowest caste, the untouchables even there when they left a thousand years ago to begin their search for a better world, a world of acceptance and integration. Though nothing for them has changed, not even here in France where the motto ‘Liberty, Equality, Fraternity’ supposedly exists. Not a single one of those numerous countries they travelled through on their way ever learnt who they were or who they could be. And I wonder how many people have really tried to understand their ways, to see them as beautiful p...
Submitted to Contest #198
“Monsieur Audin! The principal wishes to speak to you in his office, right now!” A disembodied voice shrilled across the sea of heads. Monsieur Audin, or Louis as we better knew him, had been Ben’s teacher and our close friend for the last five years. It looked like he was in trouble, and it was all my fault! I glanced over at Sylvie, his wife, who was still holding her banner high in the air, ‘School for everyone!’ it boldly stated. She didn’t look overly concerned over Louis being summoned and continued to shout, “All children have th...
Submitted to Contest #155
The mask made the room unreal and my eyes roll upwards into my head - although it removed no pain, it did help me to forget it in-between.“Just a couple more big pushes now, then it’ll all be over.”“I can’t.” It was eleven hours since I’d entered that hospital.The knifing pain began its build up yet again, I breathed in more forgetting gas, panting through my pain and fear and, as the pain intensified from a turning knife to tight, crippling cramps, enveloping and savage, I pushed - I had no choice.“It’s a boy!” The midwife cheerily declared...
Submitted to Contest #153
Contains references of physical abuse.Contains mild sexual references.She’d never attended an Anne Summers party before, never even entered one of the shops. She would have found it way too embarrassing to be seen entering or exiting or, worse still, be caught perusing rows of lacy underwear, leather whips and vibrators. But here she was at Jo’s hen party, with three days of freedom, watching the Anne Summers rep unveil a vast array of sex toys, crutch-less panties and incredibly revealing lingerie, and Suzy vowed she’d enjoy her respite to ...
Submitted to Contest #152
For Ben, birthdays were always wonderful, Easter just too delicious, Halloween gloriously scary, but Christmas? Christmas was the highlight of his year! It always had been and probably always will be. His belief in Santa real and his long-held dream as one of Santa’s elves, remained ever true – but he was now 21!“You need to tell him Charlotte. He’s an adult now.” Ryan’s eyes were almost accusing as he spoke those words.His knowledge of leaning disability and judgement of their needs was far superior to my own and my belief in him had always...
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