Ellen Talboom

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Oct, 2019

Stories (17)

17 Stories

250 karma pts

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“Sammie” by Ellen Talboom

Submitted to Contest #290

coyotes and pets There is that cat, again, hiding behind the bushes. I don't want a pet. I don't need a pet. Cleaning out a litter box every day is not my idea of fun. And litter boxes have to be cleaned out at least twice a day. If not, bad. The smell, awful. My friend's home has that smell. And better yet, an uncleaned litter box will have the feline using the whole house as their private privy. Not in my home. Why is that cat here? In my back yard. I have no cat food to give it. Any I hear from my cat owner friends, do not feed a c...

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“The Reunion ” by Ellen Talboom

Submitted to Contest #289

"Snowing. I hope the rest of the family arrives safely," Mindy's mom said, looking out of the Resort's hotel window. Mindy was unpacking. "I'm sure they will," Mindy replied. "I do want to make a run or two on the slopes before we have to do the reunion meetup thing." Mom nodded, still looking out of the window. About an hour later, mom and Mindy with her skis and boots in hand, walked into the lounge. Mindy stored her ski stuff at the wall stands. "Hey, hey, look who's here?" Smiles and laughter ensued. Mindy and her mom min...

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“Tea Cup” by Ellen Talboom

Submitted to Contest #286

There it sat on the end table by the front window. That old tin, dusted right along with the hundreds of figurines, Knick knacks, plates, tea pots and cups. Some of the cups have chips. But one teacup had a few nicks. A fear of picking it up. It could crumble into many pieces. Even looking at it could cause a crack. And if it did, my mother would have a meltdown, Jamie thought. "Time to dust, mom," Jamie yelled. "Sure, not that teacup." Jamie rolled her eyes. "Of course." Jamie heard a little about that precious teacup. Don't thin...

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“Phone Call” by Ellen Talboom

Submitted to Contest #285

"Hi Jody, how's the family? I heard your mom picked up a bug." "We are doing well Margret. Yes, she does not know where. How are you and your family?" "Doing well, thank you. Who do I connect you with today?" "Bonnie James please." "Sure. You are in that spelling bee, right?" "Yes." "Well, good luck." "Whoops, line is busy. Give it ten minutes or so and try back." "Ok, bye." Ten minutes later. "Hi Margret, Bonnie please." "Ten minutes already? Ok. Good, the line is clear." "Thank you." "Hello?" "Hello...

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“Toy Store” by Ellen Talboom

Submitted to Contest #284

A hint of past violence A Torti cat ran out in front of Martha. She watched as kitty ran up the tree and crouched down on a branch. Kitty has done this before she thought. Kitty stared down. "I think I had a cat like that, once," Martha said to her husband. Kris and Martha were walking arm and arm along the tree lined street. "Yes. We have four cats," Kris said. "Hmm, I kind of remember," Martha replied. She looked around the street, the trees, parked cars, children running around. "Do you know where we are going," Kris ask...

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“Delayed Celebration” by Ellen Talboom

Submitted to Contest #283

A minor character falls but recovers. Kent stepped outside from his rock-built home. Clouds are rolling in. The Celebration is tomorrow. Everything is getting the final planning check. So much fun and food, and especially drinks. Eimear followed her son outside. "It will be a great Celebration. Children given to us out of love and duty. This will be you and your sister's 15th season." She hooked arms with her son, who now stood taller than her. She wondered how that happened. "It will be a day. The sacred tree is growing nicely. Th...

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“A Beach in New England” by Ellen Talboom

Submitted to Contest #282

"This is how I want to spend my life. On a beach, waves rolling in, good food, great wine, best ever friends. Yup, I'm good". The three others in the group smiled at each other. Their eyes then looked to the stars. "Yes, summers off. Better get a job as a teacher", Tony said. "Not sure I want to teach for twenty plus years. Summers off though. Hmm". Tony and his girlfriend, Ari, started dating as college freshmen. "I want to travel the world", Cloe said, "so much to experience on this planet. Sooo many beaches to experience". C...

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“Holiday Time” by Ellen Talboom

Submitted to Contest #281

That time of year. The decorations start covering almost every part of open blank space on the ground floor of the office building. Humans climb up on ladders, attach green looking leaves along the walls. Odd, no one waters them, yet they stay the same color, bright and shiny. Then the leaves are taken down. Every year, same thing. Humans talk a different language from during the year. Interesting concept. "How ya doing Laura", a guest said, walking past the information desk? "Doing well, you, Mr. Jenkins"? "Great. I love the holi...

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“Coffee Chat” by Ellen Talboom

Submitted to Contest #280

Implying death of a pet"Great coffee here, right"?"Yup. Glad you chose this place"."The gluten free muffins taste good as well"."Ok, I don't eat gluten free foods. But the regular muffins are great"."Have you read the current posts on the neighborhood text chat"?"Second think I do every morning"."Second"?"Feed the pets. That is always first on the to do list"."Right"."Speaking about pets, did you read about the woman who lets her cats out during the day? And then she posts that if anyone has seen her cats because they did not come home a few...

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“What If...” by Ellen Talboom

Submitted to Contest #279

implied death of animals Torhan and Erine were caught up in the mob, headed to the border crossing. Upon arrival, the crossing was closed. Yelling, barking dogs and screams filled the air. The couple made sure they had a tight grip on each other. "This is not doing us, or anyone else any good", Torhan whispered to Erine. "Stay close to me". She nodded. Slowly but aggressively, Torhan guided them away from the pushing mob. There was a bombed out first floor apartment wall. Room with a view! He grinned. Some view. The couple cuddled t...

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“Love Sting” by Ellen Talboom

Submitted to Contest #278

"You are correct. This coffee is much better tasting", Amy said. "Told you. This place isn't as popular, but the coffee is not bitter", Beth replied. "Agree. And the muffins, healthy". They laughed. The friends chatted, ate and sipped their coffees. Just then, an older couple walked in. Beth looked up. Her eyes widened. She gave a glance at Amy, who looked up. "Holy cow, there he is. He's back", Beth whispered. "Don't stare, just look". Amy peeked over her coffee cup. "That's the guy? Are you sure? What's he doing here", A...

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“The 4th Clan” by Ellen Talboom

Submitted to Contest #277

The passing of a pet friend Elfton, leader of the 4th Clan of the Forest Tribe, stood at the head of the Monument Mound. His head lowered; fingers clasped together. The moment has come. The gathered Forest Tribe noticing, stopped chatting and stood around the Mound. All were settled in. Elfton nodded. the gong sounded. All were quiet. The Story of Life begins. Elfton stood silent. Then took a deep breath. "Elfcat belonged to no one. She came to us from nowhere. A friend to all". The Tribe nodded. Silence. "Remember the storm of...

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“Eyes in the Bushes” by Ellen Talboom

Submitted to Contest #275

death of a pet "We are being watched". "I see that", I replied to my son Jace as I was sipping coffee on the patio. "Neighbor's peeking from the hedges", Jace asked? "That would be really creepy", I said. Jace is 12 with a very vivid imagination. Since his husky Em went to dog heaven about three months ago, he sees eyes looking at him from the bushes or from the tall hedges. They used to play catch me and hide in the bushes. They would chase each other all around the back yard for hours. Jace said he doesn't want another pet, at...

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“The Haunted Trip” by Ellen Talboom

Submitted to Contest #274

So here we are, the three of us, buddies since freshman high school days, standing on the porch of a house, early in the morning drinking coffee and tea. This house is registered on the haunted house list, located in a famous haunted town in the Southwest. "Can't believe we are here. And we have you to thank for this Erin", Sam said, leaning on the porch railing. "Second the motion", Jamie replied. "Third", I said. Sam and Jamie are my besties. Sam now has distinctive green hair. If she were 250 pounds heavier and wearing orange, s...

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“The Surprise Birthday Party” by Ellen Talboom

Submitted to Contest #273

Day 14 Sat I think you are a genius. To keep this birthday party a total surprise. This is the way, by writing as a journal entry in the notebook and no talking about this at school. Total surprise. So, 14 days to plan this. Signing off. I put on my hoodie, grabbed the notebook, leashed up Clarice, who was ready to go for her walk, and out we went. I checked my pockets, whoops... back home. Clarice was confused. She didn't get to do anything. I grabbed the doggie bags off the porch table. Ok, now for your walk. Clarice and I walke...

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