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Author on Reedsy Prompts since Feb, 2020
Submitted to Contest #81
Imani lingered in the shower for hours, lamenting over Keyshawn’s unexpected break up with her last night. A three-year relationship she believed was heading towards a marriage proposal ended without warning. Still in shock, the idea hadn’t wholly sunk in. Imani imagined Keyshawn’s words were part of a bad dream that she would wake up from and be glad it was only a dream. But her aching heart told her differently. As the warm, soothing water hugged her body, she realized Keyshawn was never coming b...
Submitted to Contest #80
On Saturday morning, I entered the Brooklyn Museum, never thinking I’d be calling my father to come and get me out of jail six hours later. You know, I shouldn’t have been at the museum at all that morning. A month earlier, Professor Clark, who taught Literature and Art at Brooklyn College, posted a list of topics for our mid-term research papers. I chose literature of the African Diaspora. Her instructions were simple: research and write the report and submit it by the first Monday of next month—no excep...
Submitted to Contest #72
Dr. Penelope Davis gasped when she approached her Urgent Care Center. She clutched her sister’s arm. “Liv, the door is open. Someone broke in last night.” The women stared at each other. “Penelope, what are we going to do?” Penelope’s eyes widened. Her body tightened, and she took quick breaths. “Penelope! Penelope! Don’t go near there.” Stepping into the doorway, she peeked inside. Penelope glanced back at her sister. “Liv, call 9-1-1.” Cautiously, Penelope used her foot to push the door wider. ...
Submitted to Contest #71
Imani Taylor, the owner of the Pink Cupcake Bakery, held an emergency meeting with her staff. “Thank you, everyone, for staying after work. I know you all concerned about the future of your job at the shop. True, we’re going through some financial difficulties, but I have a plan. Next week the Holiday Festival begins. As most of you know, it’s the biggest Winter festival in New England. People travel from all over the region to attend. They look forward to t...
Submitted to Contest #70
It is twelve midnight when someone kicks in the front door of the slave quarters. The slaves cower in their pallets. The brave ones peek over their covers. The others pull the covers over their heads and pray. Wee Willie hid in the shadows of the rafters. “Get up, niggers.” In the pitch-black, windowless cabin, the voice of Overseer Higgins echoes off the log cabin walls. “Get up, I said!” A crack of his bullwhip emphasizes his command. The slaves leap to their feet and stand next to their bedding. Sweat streaks down t...
Submitted to Contest #69
My mom, Dad, and I sit around the dining room table, enjoying our after dinner apple pie la modes when my father pulls out a pistol and points it at my mother. My mother sighs as she shakes her head. "Robert! You're pointing that thing at me." "Oh, I'm sorry, my dear." Beaming, he continues, "I want to show James the newest prototype of the 4XP from the pistol line of our J. S Williams Arms, Company. Our marketing department predicts this pistol will be our company's all-time best-seller, Son. It'll go on sale when we celebrate our centennia...
Submitted to Contest #68
It had been twenty-four years since she’d last seen it, but the place looked exactly the same. There wasn’t a need or desire to return to her hometown, but Jessica’s curiosity to see what a town looked like when it was dying. She wondered if this was a town worth saving. As her limousine drove down Main Street, the dark tinted windows allowed her to reacquaint the area without being recognized. Jessica watched her transition team jotted down notes while exchanging information. The account looked up from her notes and asked, “Empy...
Submitted to Contest #67
Ellen Hayes is the one love forgot. With her square face and homely looks, guys never thought of her romantically. The men she dated only wanted sex or money from her. As a result, Ellen became the best friend, sidekick, and wing-woman. As she sat waiting for her best friend and college roommate. Janet. Ellen wondered if she was insane. Since college, the statement accredited to Einstein has applied to their relationship. “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different resul...
Submitted to Contest #52
Plodding footsteps on the creaking wooden stairs tells Ruth they’re here to fetch her. Her heart flutters when the steps stop at her door. Hardly breathing, standing still in the darkness, she stares at the door. A knock on startles her. A commanding, monotone female voice calls out. “Ms. Tummley. We’re sure you’re in there. You’ve been under surveillance since you received your notification two days ago. The assigned agent states you haven’t left your apartment. Please let us in. It’s time to get ready for your trip.” Ruth...
Submitted to Contest #50
One August day in Brooklyn, three men stand outside the entrance to the mall, whispering. "A reliable source said Corey Weaver's in this mall. We must kill him before he can get to the police and tell them we have counterfeit food stamps. Mr. Daniels will pay 100,000 dollars for those stamps. Get Corey Weaver. Understand?" "We understand, Boss." One by one, they enter the mall. They search the crowd. The Boss points to the second floor. "There's Corey." Corey sees the Boss and runs. "Sal, you take the left stairs, Paulie, you tak...
Submitted to Contest #49
George Thomas sat in the Long Island Rail Road New York Penn Station waiting room feeling vacant, spent, and emotionally exhausted. He’d come to the compulsory retirement age for his work. Although he knew this time was coming, it still took him by surprise. Work became his reason for living after God called his wife, Mary, home five years ago. There was nobody to live for now. Every day for the past thirty years, he waited for the 6:18 to Ronkonkoma to take him home to Mary. Today, he’d jump in front of 6:18 and go hom...
Submitted to Contest #48
DaQuan Jones lived in a project in Brooklyn, New York, with his identical twin brother, Amari, and his mom, Marquita and dad, Lamar. Family and friends called Amari, Mari, and DaQuan, Quan. The family-owned and operated a successful soul food restaurant in the neighborhood. Marquita cooked in the kitchen and managed the books. Lamar served as the host and greeter. Quan and Mari would wash dishes and sweep up after school. Lamar and Marquita feed the homeless. They called one of their steady customers the Professor. He nev...
Submitted to Contest #47
You've lied, connived, deceived your way into becoming the Chief Executive Officer, and claiming the covered Corner Office, The ceiling to floor windows affords you a spectacular view of lower Manhattan, parts of Brooklyn, and on a clear day, Secaucus New Jersey. You stand, hands-on-hips, a smirk on lips admiring the panoramic view. If you had a conscious or soul, Jeff, your methods of gaining the promotion would bother you. But you reason the ends justify the means. A sense of ultimate power fills y...
Submitted to Contest #45
Forty-eight hours. That's all it took for me to ruin my life. Forty-eight hours ago, I climbed the steps of the 1-9-3 Precinct, ready and eager to work the 8 x 4 tour of duty. Recently transferred to the Command, as is customary, I checked in with the Lieutenant at the front desk. I stood by while she finished writing in the Precinct's Log. After a few interruptions and distractions, she finally noticed me. The Lieutenant frowned as she gazed down at me. "Who the Hell are you?"“Police Officer Kenneth Nelson, Lieu...
Submitted to Contest #44
Mrs. Evans watched as Max, the cat slinked out of the darkness and hopped onto Mr. Evan's favorite recliner. He circled twice, and then curled up in the corner of the armchair and stared at her. After giving her a short meow, he nestled against the chair arm and the cushion. Mrs. Evans chuckled as she thought. "I've never seen you sit in Mr. Evans's chair unless you were in his lap." Max hissed. "Don't let look at me like that, Max. I had to get rid of him." Mrs. Evans glanced down at her knitting, avoiding his piercing striking yello...
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