James Spurlock

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Aug, 2024

Stories (7)

7 Stories

116 karma pts

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“Her Glock” by James Spurlock

Submitted to Contest #269

She thought it was ugly. But she liked it and it was what she wanted. The thing felt comfortable in her hands, yet cold and hard, and it was as black as a raisin. She knew it would have cost her over $600 if she had bought it at a local store; instead, she had bravely bought it for less than half that much on a street corner near a city-owned housing project. It weighed less than two pounds and had a four-inch barrel, small enough to be concealed in her handbag. Jayla Murphy had wanted the Glock 19 semiautomatic pistol after she saw a photo ...

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“Autumn under the Maples” by James Spurlock

Submitted to Contest #268

English 1010 might have been a very boring course for a physics major if not for an exceptional instructor named Raymond Walker. He was determined to make it interesting for all of his students. The Composition I class that he taught was generally about writing a variety of essays. He wanted to take it further than that. He hoped it would be a challenge. “This is an opportunity for extra credit,” he told them during the first week. “I’ll add points to your final grade if you do it. Just write a short story. The only requirement is that it is...

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“Mabel and Hayden” by James Spurlock

Submitted to Contest #267

Hayden stood looking outside through the large glass doors as they were driving away. It was if his two children could not get away from there fast enough. When he could no longer see the taillights of their car, he turned around and walked down the hall and into the large room where dozens of people, like himself, were gathered. Even though he was not alone, he felt very alone. He walked around the room, stopping occasionally and watching two men shooting a game of eight ball at a pool table, a man who was unmindful of the others playing an...

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“Nashville” by James Spurlock

Submitted to Contest #266

Interstate 24 heading toward downtown even at midday was like a race track. Six lanes of traffic were speeding toward the tall buildings on the famous skyline. Barbara Jo’s radio was tuned to the local country music station, WSIX-FM, and she was singing along to all the songs. Six months ago, she had moved here from a small town named Waycross in southern Georgia, where there was never a problem with traffic. She called Nashville her home now, and she realized this was an everyday problem.The traffic stopped! Barbara Jo thought she knew what...

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“The Stranger” by James Spurlock

Submitted to Contest #265

“Your daughter?” Those were the last words I heard her say to me before she shut the door of her cabin. Now I was sure she was not going to talk to me. So I made plans to leave. There was no reason to stay around the small town of Cosby. In my mind, I made plans to drive my rented car back to the airport, get on a plane, and return home. Hours before, without thinking before deciding what to do, I had left Cincinnati on an early American Airlines flight and arrived two hours late at McGhee Tyson Airport outside Knoxville and rented a compact...

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“Vows” by James Spurlock

Submitted to Contest #264

Promises are suppose to last a long time, like the sky, the earth, and the ocean that most of us assume will last a long time.Sometimes, though, a wedding vow does not last very long, much like an ice-cold beer, a vacation in the tropical islands, or a blooming red rose given on Valentine’s Day.It seems to be forgotten after a short while.“When did this begin?” she asks, sitting on their couch with him.He looks at her as if he knows she wants to start a fight.“I don’t know.”“What do you mean, you don’t know?”“It was probably last year.”...

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“Don't Mess with Barbara Taylor” by James Spurlock

Submitted to Contest #263

I think this is the worst place to be in. There are no calendars; I don’t know what today is. No clocks; what time is it? There are no menus; I’ve been eating the same food since I got here. I can’t sleep; the lights are on all of the time. There is no privacy; anybody can see what I am doing. This place is really driving me mad. “I hate this place! Jail sucks!” “What are you in for?” asks John, the other guy in my cell. “I’m not sure why I’m here. It started out because I was hungry and went out to get something to eat.” “And they arrested ...

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