Courtney Haynes

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Aug, 2019

Stories (39)

39 Stories

1240 karma pts

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“Whitening” by Courtney Haynes

Submitted to Contest #69

I’m standing in front of an oak door about to go into battle. That’s what it was every time I saw Mister Rhodes. All out psychological warfare. And, sure enough, he always won. But on this day, I am bringing reinforcements. The most badass lawyer ever to come out of Spelman University.Latonya Wilkins, Esquire. She made a name for herself fighting for the citizens of Flint Michigan in a highly publicized class-action lawsuit. Ever since then, she has worked with organizations like Black Lives Matter to find instances of police corruption and ...

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“Den of Iniquity” by Courtney Haynes

Submitted to Contest #69

Stephanie slinks in the chair kicking her legs in the air as You Can Leave Your Hat On by Joe Cocker plays. She has been trying to get this routine down all day. All month, it seems like, but her legs seem like barely attached appendages rather than her own legs. On her back now, she points her toes and tries to do a roll all the way to the other side, but she over rolls landing on the other side and face down on the ground, an external force causing her to lose concentration. That force? Her father's eyes.  "What in the Sam Hill is g...

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“Trio of Secrets” by Courtney Haynes

Submitted to Contest #69

I check to see that everything is in place. I pulled out items I’ve never used and positioned them so that they will be in the background and no feelings will be hurt. I mean, who can find use for a figurine of Mel Brooks? It doesn’t go perfectly with the ambiance, but I have just enough of an artful eye to figure it out.  Aunt Clarice's golden bowl is a bit more of a task so I drape it with cloths. There is an air of excitement as I check my makeup in the mirror.  Like being in charge of TV production and was designing the set a...

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“The Step Not Taken” by Courtney Haynes

Submitted to Contest #69

In the quaint, antique-ridden dining room, Greg sits at the head of the table, squirming in his chair trying to find a comfortable position. Playing with his glasses as if that could make him seem less dorky to his new family. To his right is Blanche, hair high as the sky. Done up like an ice cream cone with too many toppings, Kevin thinks. Kevin is to his father's left. Slicked back hair, feigning a toughness he heard about somewhere in an alt-right podcast. Blanche's twins are on either side of him. They stare across the table like those l...

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“The Absurd World of Mandy Rose” by Courtney Haynes

Submitted to Contest #68

MANDYUsually, a sexy hot thing making demands would be the highlight of my day. This, however, is not the highlight I expected.To start things off, for most of the week I was pretty damned sure I had just failed all four of my exams, putting the nail in the coffin of my lackluster college career. Everything was floating around in my mind a mishmash of questions. Please write out the quadratic equation. Locate the Pyloric Sphincter on the pig. Explain how Jean-Paul Sartre’s belief in the absurdity of the world connects to his concept of ...

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“The Next Kill” by Courtney Haynes

Submitted to Contest #68

Rambo, a wild-eyed kid in his late twenties stands facing the horizon. To his left stands a stern-faced fifty-year-old named Octavius, still donning his signature jet black hair even in his advanced age. Both dapper in their fitting, yet nondescript suits, they are smoking cigarettes, looking out at the sunrise. Octavius, just because he’s trying to keep the time. Rambo, because he is genuinely in awe. "You know, I'm as atheist as fuck,” Rambo says, “but it's shit like this that makes me believe maybe there is a god. Like he painte...

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“Just Politics” by Courtney Haynes

Submitted to Contest #68

This was supposed to be the happiest day of their lives. But somehow, as Frida and her daughter Molina stepped out of the holding facility, hopelessness still ravaged their souls. Frida stared into the horizon trying to suppress the horrors of before. Six-years-old with the weather look of an ancient woman, Molina grasped her mother's hand which she hadn’t touched for what seemed like an eternity.  She searched for some type of affirmation in her mother’s grip, but it was not there. Her words fared no better.  "Your aunt will b...

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“Possession” by Courtney Haynes

Submitted to Contest #67

As I stand back to the mainmast, hands tied behind me, clothing purposely ripped in obscene places, I get the suspicion that this will not go well. I am presented as a whore -- an offering to this king of the sea that beckons whilst shiphands and one hidden lover surround me hanging on a final vestige of hope.  You see, we are on a voyage for the most blessed treasure of all, but halfway to the destination, we ran into a turbulent storm only for the ship to become worthless and adrift at sea. Sails ripped to shreds. The foremast, crac...

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“Perestrelo Day” by Courtney Haynes

Submitted to Contest #64

Filipa cursed the way her insides twisted into knots. The bastard didn't deserve so human a response. Still, holding up her candle at eye height, she inched along the stone corridor, lifting the hem of her skirt from the ground. Easing toward the commotion.The foyer was just around the corner and the sound was getting nearer. It must be her husband (she grasped the item in her bosom). As she came closer to the noise, she realized it wasn't just her husband, but two husbands -- no three, and a wife. All seemingly speaking the king's Engl...

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“When The Chosen Fall” by Courtney Haynes

Submitted to Contest #63

By the time I stepped out, the leaves were on fire. Just as the mysterious caller had told me. Rising to the sky with a brilliant blue roaring like tigers. Thoroughly convinced of the apocalypse she warned me of, I gingerly stepped back inside and picked up the phone. "OK, I'm convinced," I say. "Now what?" "Now you listen to and do everything I say."  I'm a stubborn sort, so this isn't an appealing option. I don't even let my boss boss me around let alone random strangers telling me I hold the key to ending the apocalyps...

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“Beneath the Picking Tree” by Courtney Haynes

Submitted to Contest #63

DAVIDI stand in attention before the Colonel as he goes down the list. "Rule number ten," he commandingly says."Don't be a jackass,” I answer. “Focus on her and her alone." "Rule number eleven." "Don't be a pansy,” I say. “Project power. Women like power no matter what Oprah told them." "Rule number twelve." I don't know if it's the nervousness from finally getting my time at bat, but I freeze on this one. The Colonel's hand comes down to rest firmly on my shoulder, "Don't pop The Question until you're one hundr...

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“All the Colored Leaves” by Courtney Haynes

Submitted to Contest #63

Trouble. It was a word that followed me from birth. That echoed in the halls of school. That seemed to exude from my dark black skin and the way kids would look at me like I were an enigma. A problem. Trouble. It was the inexorable weight placed on a young black girl’s shoulders by a society of expectations. A Georgetown study calls this the adultifaction of young black girls finding that “girls as young as 5 need less protection and nurturing than their white peers” which itself is linked to higher standards and harsher treatment. In a ...

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“Four Lights” by Courtney Haynes

Submitted to Contest #62

T/W: racial violence, abuse   “Class, I am so proud of the enthusiasm with which you all have jumped at this Great American Time Capsule project. You have put maximum effort in both the item you plan to put in the capsule and the presentation for why you chose this item. You have all taken very seriously the preservation of our history to future generations.”   His tone changes slightly as he comes to stand right in front of me.   “You all have done well with the exception of one person.”   He looks down at me expectantly...

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“Stasis” by Courtney Haynes

Submitted to Contest #62

"Didn't you hear what I just said?" I heard but was not listening. A normal daughter would have cringed in shock but I was no normal daughter. So when my father said he was going into cryogenic storage for one hundred years it just bounced right off me barely leaving a mark.  "Are you paying attention, Tatum?" "I'm paying attention, father,” I lied, sitting in the living room of my childhood, staring at the furniture trying to rekindle memories of my mother. Memories her stole from me.“So you heard me when I said once I go int...

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“Nuclear Family” by Courtney Haynes

Submitted to Contest #60

Fine, you big-headed little runt. You bothered me long enough. I’ll tell you the damned story.So, this was just a little bit after the nuclear holocaust. And I was at the Graveyard Comedy Club doin' my regular set. So I start with my openin' schtick.“Yeah, this is usually the part where I say. ‘My name as Garrett Barnes and I’m so happy to be here, but after bein' stuck here for three damned years, we know that ain’t true.”I get a little burst of laughter from the crowd. My confidence is up, so I go on.“I could have gotten stuck in a nice pl...

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Author bio

I am a Texas Native and Winner of the 2020 Wingless Dreamer Overcoming Fear Short Story Contest. I appreciate all feedback on any story and will try to return the favor. My Best Received Short Stories: 1. The Sound of Sunset 2. The Escape 3. Moonflowers and Morning Glories My personal favorites: 1. The Girlfriend Paradox 2. I Am Janie Quinn 3. Virtual Ballet With Laci Evergreen The rest of my work is probably hot garbage, but I won't tell if you don't.