Grace Lynn

“Quarantine Christmas Baking Blues” by Grace Lynn

Submitted to Contest #71

“Christmas isn’t the same without Gramma with us,” Dana complained, her little fists pounding the couch cushions. “Your foot is touching me!”  Mia said. She sat up and promptly whacked Dana in the face with a pillow. The sisters engaged in an impromptu pillow fight, shouting and giggling until things got too rough and little Dana began to cry. “Stop the fighting,” Zoe demanded, pushing the two apart and comforting Dana. When her crying ceased, Zoe continued. “Mom should be home in an hour, and we don’t want her to see the house like t...

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“Papa Petey's Pizza Place” by Grace Lynn

Submitted to Contest #69

“Yes, Mom. I’ll be there. I’m excited to see you, too! Yeah. Alright, Mom. I will. Love you, too. Goodbye.” Ari hung up the phone with a sigh. “Jon, we’re meeting my mother for dinner, alright? At the new pizza place in town.” “Alright, honey,” Jon said, giving Ari a kiss on the forehead. “Have you told her yet?” “Not yet,” Ari responded. “I can’t bring myself to do it.” “You’ll have to at some point, dear.” Jon lectured.  “I know, Jon. But not tonight. Let’s just enjoy ourselves tonight. Come on, I’ll drive.” The couple made their ...

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“Bella” by Grace Lynn

Submitted to Contest #68

This was a fill in the middle story, beginning with “This was supposed to be the happiest day of their lives....” and end with “By then it was too late.” I hope you enjoyed my interpretation of the prompt. Thank you! This was supposed to be the happiest day of their lives. Everything had led up to that moment, from bumping into each other in the hallways, to the first date, to the wedding, to all the paperwork.. Max looked Jeremy right in the eyes and squeezed his hands tightly. Then he turned to the adoption agent.  “There’s nothing ...

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“Tomato, Basil, and What?” by Grace Lynn

Submitted to Contest #65

Hazelle was at the small town’s farmers market, picking the perfect produce for the beautiful tomato and basil soup she was preparing for supper the next night. She checked her basket, making sure she had everything that she would need. Basil, thyme, tomatoes, yellow onion-she had every ingredient that she would require to make her soup just right. Striding out of the square, she approached her favorite local coffee shop, The Brew. Several people were occupying the small tables, but fortunately there was no line at the counter. Hazelle stopp...

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“Letting My Butterfly Soar” by Grace Lynn

Submitted to Contest #65

I was reluctant to let Anna trick-or-treat, to say the least. It had taken me until she was five to even consider enrolling her at school. Preschool. I knew she was smart. I knew she could handle it. I guess that I just wasn’t ready for it. For the storms of teasing, and questions, and curious looks, and insults. For my baby not to be sheltered in my nest her whole life.  Anna was born with congenital limb deficiency of the legs-she was born without legs, nothing below where the top of the knee wou;d be.  I felt like I had failed ...

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“The First Day of Autumn” by Grace Lynn

Submitted to Contest #63

Mrs. Clark stood at the door, welcoming each young student with a warm smile and a high-five. We are missing two students, she thought. Almost as soon as the thought passed through her mind, she saw young Julia skipping down the hallway, her backpack dangling off her shoulder.  “Hello, Julia!” Mrs. Clark said, stepping into the classroom after her. “Good morning, boys and girls! Today is Tuesday, September 22nd. Does anyone know what is special about today? Ben?” “It’s my daddy’s birthday,” Ben said, his blue eyes sparkling.  “H...

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“To the Amazing Future Ellie Rose Lynn...” by Grace Lynn

Submitted to Contest #62

“Here seems right,” Mom said, pushing her shovel into the soft dirt under the large tree. “I think it was over here.”  “Sounds good.” I responded, putting down the digging tools in the grass next to the tree. We began digging into the soil, stopping when our shovels clinked against something hard.  “Just what I thought. Ellie, come see.” Mom has taken the hand trowel and started to uncover the small aluminum box. Once it’s out, she places it on the grass and brushes the dirt back into the small hole in the ground. I pack it down fi...

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“Fifties' Fever” by Grace Lynn

Prompt: Write About a Character Who Is Obsessed With an Era They Never Lived Through Disclaimer-Everything in this story is a work of my imagination. Any reference to any person, alive or dead is coincidental and I apologize if that does occurs.  I, Deborah Sawyer, have fifties’ fever. The fiftie were the happiest times and I really wish I was born then instead of the eighties. Everyday, my outfit and choices reflect my 1950’s lifestyle. My clothes are all dresses with big skirts and fun colors and patterns. My favorite is yellow, wi...

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“Patches” by Grace Lynn

Submitted to Contest #61

“How about these plates?” Allison asked.  “Sure, honey.” I say. “I haven’t used these in years.” I was in my parent’s attic with my daughter, Allison. We were looking for old stuff we could sell at our garage sale this week. After a whole hour, we only had some figurines. Oh, and some plates.  “Oooh!” Allison said. “What’s in here?” She looked up at me with her eyes shining, and handed me a box labelled “Eva’s Wonderful Things” in big, childish letters. I smile and take the box from her outstretched hands. “These,” I say. “Were...

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“Jansen Murders” by Grace Lynn

Submitted to Contest #59

The moving truck sat in the driveway, with Dad behind the wheel. Our entire life was in boxes in the back. My fingertips cling to the doorknob, not quite willing to let go, to leave behind my past. It’s silly, I know. I’m fourteen-I’m old enough to realize that I have to go, that I can’t just stay here. But my entire life up to this point was contained to those four walls, to that small yellow house on Wildflower Avenue on the outskirts of Chicago. Inside we have the most beautiful kitchen, a comfortable family room, and a bright sunroom wi...

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“Isn't It Wonderful?” by Grace Lynn

Submitted to Contest #59

Disclosure: All ideas in this short story are of my own strange imagination. I am not trying to reference any real area or landmark (apart from the U.S. states of Maine and California). “Isn’t it wonderful?” Anna’s face glowed as she looked at the modest home with a “FOR SALE” sign perched in its small yard. “This would be the perfect place for the baby to grow up.” She gives me a soft smile as she gently rubs her abdomen, reminding me that our first daughter is due in just a short week. “It’s not too small?” I say, my mind scrambling, se...

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“The Old Hickory Tree” by Grace Lynn

Submitted to Contest #58

    I am doing everything in my power to keep the kids calm during the storm. I rock Emma and sing lullabies to Jason. My husband, Peter, reads to Tyler and Kenzie as they lay on the carpet with their feet kicking in the air. I knew Tyler and Emma would be fine-Tyler is fascinated by weather and storms, and Emma is just eight months old. But Kenzie and Jason are obviously petrified, and they flinch with every crash of thunder.     Just as Peter is turning the page, a bolt of lightning strikes the old ...

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“Mount Rushmore, A Newspaper Article, and a 100 lbs of Butter” by Grace Lynn

Submitted to Contest #57

      “Butterball!” Kenzie sneers at me as I pass her in the crowded hallway. I hold my breath and walk quicker. I hear snickering from around me and do everything in my power not to start crying.            When I reach my locker, my best friend Adelyn is waiting for me. She looks me up and down, from my sweatshirt to my combat boots.            “What?” I say.        ...

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