Della Killeen

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Nov, 2021

Stories (4)

4 Stories

85 karma pts

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“The Thrasher's Spot” by Della Killeen

Submitted to Contest #137

Driving on the I10, with black storm clouds billowing above, made her wonder if this was such a good idea. She had a meet up arranged for 7 am at a gas station off the I10 with some birders. It was barely bright enough to see the exit. When she turned in to the parking lot, she realized with horror that she needed to use the bathroom. The sticky floor, the harsh fluorescent lights and the grime on the door handle left a queasy feeling; like the revulsion she felt that time she had walked at night barefoot where the cat had thrown up. She hur...

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“The Alfalfa Men” by Della Killeen

Submitted to Contest #132

She was kneeling, repairing the damage to the front flower beds when she saw the first one. He was on the far side of the field, to the east of the house, up against the hedge. He was walking slowly across the field, arms straight down by his sides. He was wearing a red cap, but she couldn’t make out much more about him. One of Bill’s crew, no doubt. Bill owned the land that surrounded their house. It had once belonged to them, a small farm where they raised chickens and goats. They sold eggs and goat milk, made cheese and hand lotion and so...

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“The Black Rabid” by Della Killeen

Submitted to Contest #127

The black rabbit showed up in their back yard the same week that the family of Gambel’s Quail started their tentative outings from the back gate to the lavender bush and from there to the safety of the wall on the west side. The Quail’s plumage, bobbing upright on their heads, like an ornate legionnaire’s plume or that of a Swiss Guard, gave them a slightly pompous look. Gambel’s Quail spend most of their time foraging on the dry ground leaving them especially vulnerable to cats, coyotes and raptors. They are amongst the first to call out ea...

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“White Crown” by Della Killeen

Submitted to Contest #120

White Crown 2022 was the first year they didn’t return. It was the second year in to the pandemic and she had been too distracted to notice their absences. When finally, after her third vaccine shot, she turned her mind back to enjoying some of her past activities did she begin to wonder why she hadn’t heard one. At first she thought they must just be late, got derailed by smoke or storms and that they would eventually show up. As September became October and October rolled in to November she felt a sick feeling inside. She didn’t really hav...

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Author bio

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