J. D. Lair

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jan, 2023

Stories (13)

13 Stories

849 karma pts

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“Not Worthless, Nor Forgotten” by J. D. Lair

Submitted to Contest #241

A stern-looking woman came to our house today with some policemen. She is in a pinstriped long skirt, a white top with frills, and black heels. Her silver hoop earrings reflect the sunlight and make my eyes water. Being the eldest of three boys, I am striving to be strong after the policemen took away Mama. Hanson is holding little Charlie on the brown futon across the room and they are both weeping. It is clear Charlie has wet himself.“It’s Luke, correct?” Pinstripe addressed him while staring down at some paperwork. “Luke Reid, age 12. Tho...

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“Nicotine” by J. D. Lair

Submitted to Contest #233

12.20.2022 - TuesdayWell, California officially banned flavored nicotine. The gas station I would get my disposable vapes from was clearing its shelves today, so I guess now’s a perfect time to try quitting again. I would rather not switch over to regular ol’ cigarettes at this point. It’s not as easy hiding the habit that way haha. Plus, I never cared for them in the first place—too harsh and gross tasting. At least vapes tasted good and didn’t make me smell bad.I remember one time I tried quitting by tossing my vape into some bushes at the...

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“The Perfect Birthday” by J. D. Lair

Submitted to Contest #230

Oh boy, today’s gonna be great! Mama and Papa planned a nice trip for us to the big city of San Fracisco. I know there’s an “n” in there somewhere, but I always forget where. Anyways, it’s for my birthday. I’m gonna be four! One, two, fwee, now four. See my fingers?Jack from preschool told me his family went and it was awesome! He said it was just like in the movie Inside Out, which we both love and have watched lots of times. My Auntie Mel lives down there and she promised to show us all the cool spots. We live in Oregon where it rains a lo...

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“The Arborist” by J. D. Lair

Submitted to Contest #227

Oaks shed many an acorn when heavy rains are on the horizon. Edward knew this and should have seen the signs with this particular oak late last fall. Torrential rains indeed came in the early spring, ending a decade-long drought. The storms created havoc with fallen branches and mudslides across the valley. He thought his oak would weather the storm, with its deep roots and strong trunk. His late wife Susan had even helped him take great care of maintaining its canopy. Once it got a taste of bountiful water though, it did not care to stop dr...

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“For Grandma” by J. D. Lair

Submitted to Contest #211

A fire crackled in the hearth as snow fell in flurries outside. Melanie sat in her easy chair nearby and rocked while listening to an old sermon tape. The sermon was on the Fatherhood of God, an attribute she struggled to find relatable. As she listened with her Bible open on her lap, the back door flew open to little Simon standing in the cold. He wore a blue stocking cap with a white ball on top and white tassels hanging from the ear flaps. After taking his damp coat and shoes off by the door, he came into the living room to warm himself u...

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“On the Plains of Venusia” by J. D. Lair

Submitted to Contest #204

*Brief violence and some minor gruesome details* The thunk of a hatchet into dry wood was the loudest sound Astor wanted to make in the wilderness tonight. He hesitated making a fire in the first place, but it was frigid out here and he needed to eat. A rabbit he caught earlier in the day hung from a makeshift spit. One side of the stick rested in a crevice on a large boulder. The other side sat tied to the wooden pole holding up the sun-bleached canvas he called a tent. Astor hoped the boulder and tent would provide enough cover from pr...

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“Daydreaming” by J. D. Lair

Submitted to Contest #203

Eggs are frying in a pan—scrambled with cheddar, and seasoned with black pepper and garlic powder. Sneezing is inevitable. Apple slices are softening in the steam pot on the burner next door. Our twins like them with sprinkled cinnamon. There are some soft tugs at the hem of my gray robe. I see they have joined me in the kitchen. You are still resting on the couch, waiting for the coffee to finish brewing.“Just a minute kiddos. Papa’s getting your breakfast ready,” I say to the twins.They are cramming their little arms into cracked-open cupb...

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“Descendants of Esau” by J. D. Lair

Submitted to Contest #199

All five senses come alive in the wilderness. Hearing and smell tend to be the most sensitive though. Tonight, I hear an orchestra of frogs and crickets backed by a babbling brook. As I take deep breaths, the smells of pine smoke and lake water take hold of my nostrils. It occurs to me how closely smell and taste are linked when I also recognize both of those smells as flavors on my tongue while eating the fried trout I made for dinner tonight. Though sight can be hindered by firelight, the full moon casting its heavy glow across the lake he...

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“The Lighthouse Keeper” by J. D. Lair

Submitted to Contest #197

Another body washed ashore today, hand-delivered by the sea, just like me. There was no wreckage nearby, but it is normal for broken vessels to get buried in the depths. Survivors are few out here near the Island of Abyss. When their initial lifelines sink, there is no driftwood nor buoys to cling to; not even the birds flew out this far. Most often, they sank into the deep darkness exhausted from trying to keep their head above water. Sometimes a fortunate beast happened upon them and swallowed them whole. Some would say the latter is a gre...

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“Simon Says, "Stop!"” by J. D. Lair

Submitted to Contest #192

Simon Bricher woke up with his face stuck to a couch cushion. It was not a gentle waking either, but one he had grown used to with his heart racing and body slick with sweat. Usually, he awoke in one of the twin beds in his bedroom. Tonight he must have only managed to make it across the living room from the recliner to the couch. Fortunately, he kept a spare blanket and pillow out here, though both had ended up on the ground. After pulling his face free from the leather, he reached for the blanket and pulled it over himself. It was mid-Octo...

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“Scarlet Snow” by J. D. Lair

Submitted to Contest #189

Warning: Contains scenes of death.It was so terribly cold. Snow was falling, and it was almost dark. John continued shoveling hardened earth into the unmarked grave. The silence surrounding him accentuated the sickening sounds of the task at hand. This was his least favorite part of it all. There was always such finality attached to the burying of a body.***Jonathan Tearse had taken over the family trade with his father’s passing. Tearse Ranch of Evergreen Valley. He had always loved the small mountain town where he was raised, but wished he...

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“Transmeowtation” by J. D. Lair

Submitted to Contest #187

I was staring out my office window again. The sun was shining through the oak leaves of the tree out back. The various birds of the yard created a euphony of song. The little brown ground squirrels ran up, down and around the lawn like they had too much caffeine this morning. Part of me wanted to join them, leave this world behind with all its responsibilities, but I would have to settle for taking my lunch out at the picnic table. A knock at my door caused my daydream to evaporate. “Come in!” I shouted at the intruder. “Andy, looks like...

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“The Man Life Happened To” by J. D. Lair

Submitted to Contest #186

The bases were loaded and they were down by one point. It was the bottom of the ninth and little Joey was up to bat. The other parents groaned in the stands wishing anyone else stood at home plate, a kid who could actually hit the ball. The first two pitches whizzed by without him really noticing, both strikes according to the umpire. Little Joey knew he had to be ready for this next one and swing with all his might. He tightened his grip, adjusted his stance and forced his eyes to stay on the ball. Big swing! He spun and fell to the ground....

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Author bio

J. D. is currently working on some longer-form stories. He may return to Reedsy in the near future. Email for critiques or inquiries: josiahlair@gmail.com Copyright © 2025 J. D. Lair - All Rights Reserved. Using content without written permission is prohibited.