Chris Culpepper

“Slippery When Wet” by Chris Culpepper

Foreword For all the truckers out there… Preface Write about a character driving in the rain… Start of the trip Harvey loved his job. Driving got him out of the office and out in the world. He couldn’t stand being tied to a desk. He’d tried that for a few years. Now he was free again. Many drivers felt the same way about being on the road. But Harvey was different. He loved driving…especially in the rain. For many, hazardous driving conditions were the worst part of the job. But not for Harvey, that was his favorite time to be out. The rai...

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“The Train Ride” by Chris Culpepper

Submitted to Contest #105

Chapter 1 Her 1st Train Ride I can’t believe it! Grandma actually said yes! We’re going to New York! Oh, my stars, I didn’t see you standing there. I’m just so surprised that my grandma is letting me take the train all the way to New York by myself! Since Ma died, she took me in and raised me like her own daughter. I love her to pieces, but I don’t think she realizes that times have changed since she raised my mom! My name’s MaryBelle Duncan, by the way. Pleased to make your acquaintance. Anywho, if Grandma had her way, I’d still be u...

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“Time is a Trip! Volume I” by Chris Culpepper

“Where do you want to go to eat?” This wasn’t the first time my wife asked me this question. And if you’re married, it’s not the first time you’ve heard it. It’s been said that’s what marriage is really all about, two people who know how to answer that question each and every night. Sharing food is what binds people together. It’s often the first date, later an engagement dinner, and what’s a wedding reception without food! Say what you want, cake and punch just don’t get it! Interestingly, many have found the simple act of enjoying m...

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“The Milky Way Learns a New Way” by Chris Culpepper

Submitted to Contest #97

The man looked out the window at the nightly parade of celestial bodies. Living outside the city saved him from much of the light pollution. And the sky was especially clear tonight. He felt like he could reach out and touch the distant pins of light. He always loved the stars; he could lose himself while considering their timeless beauty. He was an amateur stargazer, but even he could recognize a change as drastic as this. There seemed to be an extra star in the belt of Orion! Orion is a prominent constellation and visible throughou...

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“The Umbrella Decision” by Chris Culpepper

Submitted to Contest #95

John sat in the car watching the wipers swish back and forth to their own rhythm. He had helped the last of his family to enter the building without getting wet. His mother and aunts appreciated his chivalry. Good thing he'd remembered his umbrella. He always kept it in his car now. It hadn't always been that way. He'd made plenty of "rain runs" as he called them. You know the type. You try to dodge the downpour because you didn't expect the sudden storm that came out of nowhere. He was never prepared before...before her. This...

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“The Library” by Chris Culpepper

Submitted to Contest #91

Little Macy loved going to the library. Exploring all the shelves of books both fiction and nonfiction could easily occupy an entire afternoon. But today's trip would be different. Today's trip would change her life. Looking back, she should have recognized this trip would be different. Normally, she and her mother would end their Wednesday errands by stopping at the library. Her mother enjoyed coffee and a good book while Macy went from shelf to shelf picking her favorites. "Remember, Macy," her mother would remind her, "only 3 boo...

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“The Passing of the Quill” by Chris Culpepper

Submitted to Contest #88

No one is gonna believe this story, but I'll write it anyway. I was in the library doing some research for a story I was writing. My internet was down so I went there for the free Wi-Fi. Hadn't been inside of a brick-and-mortar library since the pandemic started. The first night I was there, I saw the ancient character hunched over in the corner and thought he was a homeless guy just getting in out of the cold. Boy, was I mistaken! Each night for the next several weeks, I'd see him there scribbling in an old notebook. That book looked abou...

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“Awake!” by Chris Culpepper

Submitted to Contest #86

"Five more minutes," I say as the loud horn rattles me out of the darkness of slumber. My eyes flutter open to the brightness of day. I know it will take some time to get used to this. It always does. Each year, I sleep through the coldest part of the winter. You see, I am a bear, a Grizzly Bear to be specific. Now before you take off running, allow me to introduce myself. My full name is Ursus Arctos Horribilis. The ladies call me "Horrible Arc," and when I first wake up, I gotta tell ya, that description is right on the money. You t...

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“The Tour” by Chris Culpepper

Submitted to Contest #85

Welcome, welcome! Hope you've been enjoying your New York tour. I'm sure everything’s been great so far, but in the words of Al Jolson, "You ain't heard nothing yet!" Join me as we take a bite out of this big old apple by examining one of its hallmarks, the Empire State bldg. I know, it's not the tallest in town anymore. But since it opened in 1931, the Empire State Building has remained a beloved New York City landmark. And it's a favorite setting for storytellers. Why, this Art Deco skyscraper is a symbol of romance, danger, and the city...

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“The Calendar” by Chris Culpepper

Submitted to Contest #84

Well, my life is over. I knew this day was coming but never expected to end up in a wastebasket with a whole year of nothing to show for it. Allow me to explain. You see, I'm a calendar. And not just any calendar, I'm an official Desk Calendar. And before you throw this away like the daily page on a calendar after the day is done, hear my side of the story. See, we calendars are all excited when we're first brought home. Coming to life on the desk when that plastic is torn off of us-ahh the breath of fresh air! I was laid on a larg...

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“The Special Dinner” by Chris Culpepper

Submitted to Contest #81

The wine bottles seemed to stare at John as if daring him to pick the wrong one. Choosing the right wine was always a challenge for him. That's why he normally left this chore for his wife, Claire. But it was tricky when he was preparing a meal for her. Then it was left to him to make the choice. But John was prepared this time. He knew what wines Claire liked and he just needed to see which ones matched the meal he was preparing. He heard the liquor store door chime as another customer came in. This was a busy store, that irritating "ding...

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“The Diary of Anna (Rahab's Niece)” by Chris Culpepper

Submitted to Contest #80

The Countdown- Day 8 I started my day as she always had, drawing water from the communal well to help my mother prepare the morning meal. The two buckets seem heavier today. I could feel them pulling down on the opposite ends of the beam that was balanced on my shoulders.  Why do I always have to get the water? I'm thirteen now, I've got my whole life in front of me. But little did I know at the time, that my young life was about to change. I hurry past the other girls hauling water. There was no time for chit chat today. I can he...

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“Work Has Its Ups and Downs” by Chris Culpepper

Submitted to Contest #79

Fridays were always busy at Acme, but no one expected how this one would end. Especially not Stan Hoyt, or as he was known around Acme, "Stan the Man." He came back from a late lunch because he let the rest of the team go before him. "How are coming with those reports, Sheryl? Think we can have done by end of the day?" He asked the administrative assistant he shared with the rest of the sales team. "Sure thing, Mr. Hoyt," she replied, "thanks for completing them before you left." That's just the kind of guy he was, always looking out for...

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“The Habitual Hobbyist” by Chris Culpepper

Submitted to Contest #78

I knew this interview was going to be rough when the grumpy, old man blurted out, "I'm glad you're here. I started to do it myself, but it got too dang boring!" I'd barely entered the cluttered little house before he lit into me. "Well, don't stand there, gawking like a tourist, pull out your laptop and let's make some magic!" He said as he rubbed his wrinkled hands together. Allow me to give you some background information. I'm the comedy writer for Bobby Bilachek. Yeah, that Bobby Bilachek, the funniest guy on late night. The guy with al...

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“The Cabin” by Chris Culpepper

Submitted to Contest #77

Macy was excited for the weekend! Weekends are always exciting. A couple of days away from the drudgery of teachers and lame students who didn't understand her. She had no time for school. She knew what she wanted to do with her life, she'd known that since she was 10yrs old. Her art was her life. She could draw or paint anything just by looking at it. She enjoyed art throughout middle school, learning about the early artists and style. But it wasn't long before she surpassed anything her teachers should show her. Her parents constantly...

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