Cindy Strube

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Nov, 2021

Stories (51)

51 Stories

1560 karma pts

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“The Longest Day” by Cindy Strube

Submitted to Contest #138

The Longest Day “OK, honey, time for bed.” Jack’s eyelids are drooping. He sits in the big chair, idly stroking the velvety upholstery. Up the arms, skimming with his fingertips; down the arms, grazing with his knuckles. Toward him, it is prickly and rough. Away, it is soft and smooth. “Jack, let’s get your pajamas on you. You’re falling asleep!” The voice doesn’t sound quite right. He opens his eyes wide and stares at the woman. She isn’t Mama. She doesn’t look familiar at all. What is she doing here? Where is Mama? An...

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“Fair Game ” by Cindy Strube

Submitted to Contest #136

It’s hot. I’m out here at the edge of a sunbaked baseball diamond, letting my eyes go unfocused so I can distance myself from the game. Sweat is dripping into my eyes, and they’re stinging, so I can’t see anyway. I’m waaay outfield, as far away from the action as I can be. No one bothers me out here; they don’t actually want me to participate, and the feeling is mutual. I was, as always, the last one chosen for a team. I say “chosen” with big, fat air quotes. Really, I was the only one who didn’t get chosen. PE teachers are the wor...

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“Employee of the Month” by Cindy Strube

Submitted to Contest #136

Employee of the Month “Thanks a lot!”, Brad muttered, dropping the receiver back on the cradle. “BZZZZZZ…” retorted the instrument, announcing that he hadn’t aligned it just right. He clicked it into place.“Oodle-oodle-oo, oodle-” Cutting it off in mid-crow, Brad answered, “HR, Brad speaking.”“a three-night stay for the price of two in our luxurious-”… He hung up on the shrill, poorly enunciated, nasal recording. How had that call reached his direct line? Must’ve been a fluke. A fluke was a type of flounder. He felt like ...

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“Bittersweet Legacy” by Cindy Strube

Submitted to Contest #135

This story contains some references to the following: alcohol abuse, anger, marital discord, deathMarch 1894 - Watertown, NY“Are you expecting another child?… Answer me! ANSWER ME!”“Sshhh… Leo - please…”“NO! Get rid of it!”“Shh! The children will hear! I won’t! Leo - what’s happening? If you would just… we had a good marriage, at first - but your drinking has changed -”“I’m leaving!” The door slammed, punctuating Leo’s angry words. Jane, left standing in the kitchen, felt the developing baby flinch - the first detectable movement. She ...

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“Small Town Talk” by Cindy Strube

Submitted to Contest #131

Small Town TalkTime was, you could'a fired a shotgun down Main Street at high noon on a Sunday, and not hit a soul. Nowadays, you'd get hauled in just for havin’ a gun - not to mention, you’d be likely to hit somebody even if you's a poor shot.Progress, they call it. Town's gotta grow to stay alive, they say. (Hrhmm!) Fact is, this town was mighty lively some years back… ‘Course, it was a while before my time, but I know plenty about it. Most of us older folks do - we just don't talk about it. Plenty of talk went on back then.You see th...

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“Chicken Scratch” by Cindy Strube

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #130

Chicken Scratch Squinting in the bright sunlight, a small boy scanned the yard. He watched the chickens doing their left/right kick-kick, kick-kick dance, sending up little puffs of fine dust as they scratched for edibles. He liked watching them, and he also knew that their antics occasionally turned up interesting swag. Once, a long time ago - when he was four - he’d picked up a tiny soldier. Grandma took it away because she was afraid it could poison him, which he didn’t understand. Later, she gave it back to him all shiny and told...

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Author bio

I really have no business trying to write stories from prompts! There are so many characters and story ideas bumping around in my head already, so many stories begun, and begging to be completed - and so little time to give them. But - when there’s a spark of imagination that turns into a fire, it must be contained somehow… so here we are!

Shortlisted 2 stories ⭐️

Contest #186

Glass Beach – read story

Contest #130

Chicken Scratch – read story