Colm Lawlor

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Mar, 2020

Stories (8)

8 Stories

126 karma pts

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“Something Old, Something New” by Colm Lawlor

Submitted to Contest #101

“Do you have everything?” “I think so.” I peer into the car, then mime the sign of the cross as I pat down my pockets, “Spectacles, testicles, wallet and watch.” Mom grimaces, knowing as well as I do that I only have one of those things on me. After a moment, she says “Are you absolutely sure?” She speaks slowly, giving each word its own space to breathe. She is not just asking about my absent-mindedness. “I’m sure” I breathe through gritted teeth. Before she can give me another meaningful look, I open the door and get into the car, throw...

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“The Kitchen Window” by Colm Lawlor

Submitted to Contest #97

It’s my first time in the house since my mother died. It feels the same as it always has, and yet it feels different. The physical house is the same, but it feels like the soul has been sucked out of it. I can see dust motes hanging in the air. I can feel her absence. There is no life here anymore. It’s only been a week since the funeral. I’m surprised I’m already back here. I have the impulse to clean, but I know I’d only strain myself for no reason. We haven’t figured out what we’re even doing with this place yet. No one wants to move in...

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“A Very Important Date” by Colm Lawlor

Submitted to Contest #47

Suitcase in hand, you head to the station. You keep stealing glances at your watch. You don’t want to be late. You can’t be late again. Of course, you can be late. It’s not unforgivable to be a minute or five minutes or even ten minutes late. But you made a solemn promise to yourself that you fully intend to keep. Which is why it’s such a shame that your boss decided to keep you just that little bit longer than usual. Not even for anything important either, he just wanted to chat about nothing for a bit. You wanted to excuse yourself right...

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“Do You Remember?” by Colm Lawlor

Submitted to Contest #40

Do you remember the first time we met? Twelve years old, first day of secondary school. You sat beside me in Irish class, then talked to me to kill the boredom. But that’s not actually the first time we met, is it? When I was seven, I went to a park with my mum. While she was playing with my sister on one of the slides, a little girl with curly hair appeared beside me and said “You look lonely.” I thought that was a very rude thing to be saying to a complete stranger so all I did was give her a quick glare and then looked away. I didn’t r...

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“From The Balcony” by Colm Lawlor

Submitted to Contest #38

There was a girl sitting on the balcony opposite ours. She was wearing a purple dress and purple glasses, with purple hair to match. In her lap sat a purple cat. This person was far more interesting than the homework I was supposed to be doing, so I walked out onto our balcony. See, I’d never seen a purple cat before. And I really really like cats so I thought I’d seen them all. But here was a purple one right in front of me. I had to investigate. I slid open the sliding door and walked up to the railing. She hadn’t noticed me yet, still scr...

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“A Pile Of Dirt” by Colm Lawlor

Submitted to Contest #37

I’ve taken to long walks through the woods recently, and they often lead me to strange and wonderful places. I’ve found sheltered areas with bowing branches that would be perfect for a clandestine romantic meeting. I’ve found little circles of grass where the sunlight hits just right for a lovely bread and wine picnic. But last week, across a pit bridge of particle board and planks, into an open grassy area that could once have been a field, in the slight shade of a hazel tree, I found it. A pile of dirt and grass and bricks. Like someone ha...

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“Her Name Is Alice” by Colm Lawlor

Submitted to Contest #36

May 22nd 2010 My mother got me this diary for my birthday. I don’t know what she expects. I’m not exactly a diary keeping person.May 23rd 2010 Okay, I guess I should try to use this thing. At least give at a go. So where am I in my life right now? Well, I’m 16, as of yesterday. I live in a house, a very big house in the country. With my mother, as mentioned, and my older sister, Síobhán. I have my Junior Cert coming up, which is of course terrible. But oh well, I’ll get through it. I’m actually not as worried about it as some of my classmate...

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“I Am A Happy Dog Today” by Colm Lawlor

Submitted to Contest #34

Friend has been away now for what feels like days, but I know it hasn’t been. I’m sitting at the door, patiently awaiting his return. Click, bang, that’s the car door! He’s home! I jump to my feet and let out an excited bark or three as the door opens. He looms in the sunlight, face masked and hands gloved. He’s carrying several stuffed shopping bags. He shuts the door behind him with his booted foot and looks down at me with the usual kindness in his eyes. He’s happy to be home. “Hey boy.” he intones lightly. I think he wants to pet me, but...

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Author bio

Irish - 27 - any pronouns Slice of life/romance/quiet drama Short stories/poetry