David D'EttoreUser

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Oct, 2019

Stories (30)

30 Stories

523 karma pts

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“THE MAGIC GIFT” by David D'EttoreUser

Submitted to Contest #121

THE MAGIC GIFT The first snowfall was always a magic time for Noelle. Sun-bathed summer blues, greens, and yellows had drifted into the oranges and reds of autumn that ultimately faded to the drab canvas of grays and browns of early winter. She waited with eager anticipation for that wonderland of white that would erase the drabness and fulfill the joyous anticipation of Christmas. ...

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“THE WRONG SIDE OF NOWHERE” by David D'EttoreUser

Submitted to Contest #110

THE WRONG SIDE OF NOWHERE It was a lazy afternoon, one of those hot and humid days when people look for a cool place and a cold drink, and dogs seek out the shade to lie down and not move unless they have to. Danny Weston pushed open the tavern door and scanned the premises as he headed to the end of the bar. Not many people he observed. Two people were at the bar. Two others were playing pool. A third group sat in a nearb...

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“A LOST FRIEND” by David D'EttoreUser

Submitted to Contest #103

A LOST FRIEND The last time I saw Marise was in Paris during the spring of 1971. Something happened then that is still not clear in my mind, or at least what I have left of my mind. Something that, to this day, I cannot forget. Winter stayed long that year, reaching well into May, leaving mounds of dirty snow in shaded areas of the city. A chill even pervaded sunny ...

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“ANGEL” by David D'EttoreUser

Submitted to Contest #92

ANGEL Every spring bringss with it an aura of promise. The newness can be seen in the tree blossoms, the crocuses lifting their heads above the ground to breathe new air, and the melodic chirping of birds whose song had been stifled by the cold winter. None of this is new, but rather a renaissance of what had occurred many times before. I looked forward to springtime. &nbsp...

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“2099” by David D'EttoreUser

Submitted to Contest #60

2099 There was an eerie silence enveloping the decrepit building that was one of many in the compound that had been ravaged by Millenial forces. It was like the still before a storm, or the final moment as one waits to die. I can’t fathom being 150 years old. I feel better now than when I was 80. Science and technology have come a long way but it is exactly that technology, manipulated by forces of evil, that made longevity a life sentence rather than a...

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“STANDING ON TRADITION” by David D'EttoreUser

Submitted to Contest #55

STANDING ON TRADITION “Why are you standing on your head?” I tried to look up and focus on the person asking the question. He was a small man with a thin mustache that appeared to be painted above his lip. He had a squeaky voice, the kind that reminds one of the little whiners back in grade school who used to wipe their noses with their sleeves and then touch everything within touching distance with their slimy, germ-ridden paws and say th...

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“THE ROAD TO NOWHERE” by David D'EttoreUser

Submitted to Contest #49

1 The holding cell in the 45th Precinct was cluttered with the day’s trash who didn’t make bail. Being rudely deposited in the space was not unusual but tonight Pete Tomasso and Larry Alessi felt like they had been tossed into a dumpster behind a store that specialized in dead animals. One of the denizens, covered with a ratty gray overcoat, lay in the fetal position on one of the three benches lining the cell, his head propped on a bedpan. The other, a bearded, older man smiled a toothless grin in welc...

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“ANGEL” by David D'EttoreUser

Submitted to Contest #46

Every spring carries with it an aura of promise. The newness can be seen in the tree blossoms, the crocuses lifting their heads above the ground to breathe new air, and the melodic chirping of birds whose song had been stifled by the cold winter. None of this is new, but rather a renaissance of what had occurred many times before. I looked forward to springtime. &nbsp...

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“ANGEL” by David D'EttoreUser

Submitted to Contest #40

ANGEL Every spring carries with it an aura of promise. The newness can be seen in the tree blossoms, the crocuses lifting their heads above the ground to breathe new air, and the melodic chirping of birds whose song had been stifled by the cold winter. None of this is new, but rather a renaissance of what has occurred many times before. I looked forward to springtime. &...

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“THE WRONG SIDE OF NOWHERE” by David D'EttoreUser

Submitted to Contest #27

THE WRONG SIDE OF NOWHERE It was a lazy afternoon, one of those hot and humid days when people look for a cool place and a cold drink, and dogs seek out the shade to lie down and not move unless they have to. Danny Weston pushed open the tavern door and scanned the premises as he headed to the end of the bar. Not many people he observed. He liked it that way…no witnesses. &nbs...

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“STANDING ON TRADITION” by David D'EttoreUser

Submitted to Contest #22

STANDING ON TRADITION “Why are you standing on your head?” I tried to look up and focus on the person asking the question. He was small man with a thin mustache that appeared to be painted above his lip. He had a squeaky voice, the kind that reminds one of the little whiners back in grade school who used to wipe their noses with their sleeves and then touch everything with...

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“THE ALIENS” by David D'EttoreUser

Submitted to Contest #20

THE ALIENS It was pitch black that night so the lights we saw from our campsite glared brightly. At first, we thought they could be aliens since a beacon formed each head of the three bodies that stood atop the mountain, divining rods held tightly in their hands to feel their way and perhaps paralyze their prey. It brought to mind what my mother used to tell me. Don’t go into the woods after dark… &...

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“LAST STAND” by David D'EttoreUser

Submitted to Contest #20

LAST STAND I hear the muffled groans coming from Lt. Alvarez. The medic assigned to us as we advance toward enemy lines is working feverishly to stop the bleeding to make the lieutenant stable enough to transport. “Doesn’t look good, Doc,” I say with one eye on the horizon. “I’ve got to get him back to MASH pronto or your...

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“ONCE UPON XANARUS” by David D'EttoreUser

Submitted to Contest #16

ONCE UPON XANARUS The sun was warm as Jaymel left home and started his daily trek to school. A sweet melody from nearby birds added to the pleasure already derived from the sun’s greeting and he slowed his pace to savor the moment since he was early and should have no problem arriving on time for the Premier Quadrant. Today will be a happy day he thought while finding a comfortable posi...

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“THE MAGIC GIFT” by David D'EttoreUser

Submitted to Contest #16

THE MAGIC GIFT The first snowfall was always a magic time for Noelle. Sun-bathed summer blues, greens, and yellows had drifted into the oranges and reds of autumn that ultimately faded to the drab canvas of grays and browns of early winter. She waited with eager anticipation for that wonderland of white that would erase the drabness and fulfill the joyous anticipation of Christmas. &nbs...

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Author bio

David D’Ettore was born in Rochester, NY and graduated from the University of Notre Dame. He studied as part of the university’s international program in Angers, France and returned to live in Paris, France where he nurtured his writing avocation. He has had his poems and a short story published. An abridged version of a short story, “Fallen Leaves” was published by Not Your Mother’s Breast Milk (NYMBM). NYMBM also published two of his poems, “The Salvation Armoire”, and As the Line Moves Along.” Coffin Bell Journal published his poem, “A Leper’s Lament” in its The Immortals edition. In addition, the author has written two novels; a parody; a short story collection; a poetry collection; two memoirs; and a multitude of essays. His short story collection, Moments of Our Lives, includes both “Fallen Leaves” and “The Last Time I Saw My Father,” a story which received Honorable Mention in a Glimmer Train contest. He writes a blog, DD’s Blog Universe at www.domingnd71.wordpress.com. He participated in James Patterson’s Master Class which generated a short story collection that includes “Fallen Leaves” and the Writer’s Digest Writing to Sell Fiction course. He is a member of the local chapter of Writers and Books as well.