Jennifer Luckett

“The Last Day” by Jennifer Luckett

The bedside clock read 6:02, and Jenny knew she’d be late on this long day. Her eyes adjusted to the shaft of light cast onto her white sheets, and winced when her wrist dragged across her forehead. She stepped over the sweaters and hoodies littering the carpet, and passed the unpacked suitcases to dress in her slacks and button down for work. The day unfolded slowly, and she felt grateful for the low hum of her 4th grade class as they composed letters of thanks for their families and created placemat crafts for the upcoming holiday.&nb...

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“The Story” by Jennifer Luckett

“What have you done?!” Allison’s whiskey colored eyes blazed, and she mopped her damp brow from her sprint across the practice field. “I didn’t use any of our names, Allie. No one really knows.” The entire soccer team had ceased their drill to stare at us, heads together, no doubt spreading about Allie and me after they read my story in the latest Cardinal Collectanea. “Why even write the story, Genie?”’ I’d never seen her like this, blinking back tears, her perpetual grin twisted into a scowl.  “It was just a story, I never thought Joh...

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“The Competition” by Jennifer Luckett

Submitted to Contest #249

Peter wove through a maze of stations to reach his slightly larger corner space to the staccato beat of whirring mixers and rattling trays. The bakers spent hours flitting about the spacious kitchen perfecting their mise en place, measuring, sifting and creaming high-quality ingredients to create their (hopefully) prize-winning baked goods for the competition.  The intoxicating aroma of butter, vanilla and chocolate wafted through the kitchen, as their deadline approached like a bullet train. Peter used his sleeve to mopped his brow a...

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“The Wind in the Willows” by Jennifer Luckett

Aurora Martin needed to decompress, so she took a walk. Thankfully, the weather had finally warmed enough for her baby blue cardigan, more than adequate for such a lovely April afternoon. The breeze cooled the flush on her skin, a result of little sleep and way too much caffeine, her way of life with the end of the semester looming.Aurora’s latest article would be published in the fall, but the book she’d begun in the fall was no closer to completion this month. She produced three articles and a novella each year, prior to her illness; with ...

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“Desperate Remedies” by Jennifer Luckett

Submitted to Contest #248

I wanted to stop, but a voice in my head shouted, Don’t stop. Every part of my body ached. Throbbing temples, stiffness traveling from my neck, with its destination my lower back, raging flames in my throat, needles piercing my calves and feet begged me to end this torture. My mind wanted the pain, needed the pain to cure the weakness.         I had been running for three hours, ignoring the intense early morning heat to finish the ten mile loop I began in darkness. This was day 5...

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“Into the Unknown” by Jennifer Luckett

Submitted to Contest #247

From the Field Journal of Dr. Alexandra MasonMarch 2224Field Traveler, SITE for Exploration CommissionMarch 3, 2224Day 1I’ve always hated first days. Whether it’s training days, or trips, it’s so difficult to begin with nothing and face the unknown. And nothing really helps-no mantras, or prayers, or whatever. I’m always scared to face things, but now, it seems, I have no choice but to finish what I've begun.I’ve never seen such a blue sky. The clouds seemed wispy, like fragile stretched cotton, so whisper soft. Good thing my eye shades had ...

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“A Journey” by Jennifer Luckett

     Ellie hated to travel at night, but she needed the safety darkness provided. Howls of some predatory beast echoed through the valley, and a whistling wind created a dreary soundtrack. She ignored the sinking feeling in her core and continued on her way.    When she reached the Dip, the junction of the main road and the mountain pass highway, acrid smoke wrinkled Ellie’s nose, and charcoal gray plumes curled above the path. Hunched figures in hoodies and jackets huddled around an open fla...

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“Letting Go” by Jennifer Luckett

Submitted to Contest #246

I dabbed the blood dribbling from a gash on my calf, thanks to exposed wood on the battered seesaw. Once, the playground beckoned us on lazy afternoons, its sharp, sweet freshly mowed grass, the promise of freedom to play during the endless stretch of days made Summer my favorite season.   Now, those placid days existed in my memory; this abandoned space looked worse for wear. Weeds outnumbered blades of manicured grass, warped and scarred structures, relics well past their prime, remained here, not unlike at least one of its ...

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“Eclipse Day” by Jennifer Luckett

Submitted to Contest #245

  “Hasn’t it started already?” Randall teetered on the makeshift stand, and the protective glasses slid down his tiny nose.  “Don’t think so, Randy,” his older sister Jessie said, water dribbling from her watering can as she headed toward their mother’s vegetable garden. Intense sunlight dotted her forehead and neck with beads of perspiration. Jessie had abandoned her eyewear for the solar eclipse, dressing in a hurry to begin the morning chores, after their angry voices interrupted her sleep.  “Look, Randy, the...

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“The Photo” by Jennifer Luckett

Submitted to Contest #244

(This story deals with illness and death.)The Photoby Jennifer LuckettI rearranged the pillow under my head, and the battle for comfort began. No nurses responded when I pressed the call button for something to help me sleep, though nothing eases the discomfort of my terminal cancer. Now, it’s maintaining a balance, but pain means I’m still here. I’ve been catching up on a stack of unread mysteries and unfinished writing. I’ve settled all my other affairs, and Jenny will take care of anything I've left undone. Chaplain visits have given me c...

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“The Shot” by Jennifer Luckett

Submitted to Contest #243

The Shotby Jennifer Luckett   Mari staggered home, bruised and swollen with orbs of anger to expel and hurl at her attacker until his wounds exceeded hers. Rocks and stones littered the park, but she lacked what she needed to weaponize them. After Mari cleaned her wounds and swallowed a handful of pills, she discarded her clothes and changed, tying a scarf around her neck to hide the fingerprints.   “Mari, I need you!”  “Coming, Dad!” Mari rushed to his side.   “It hurts so much everywhere,” David...

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“Restoration” by Jennifer Luckett

Submitted to Contest #242

Restorationby Jennifer Luckett    The balled-up pages blanketed the carpet below like melting snowballs, useless for the masterpiece of a snowman I wanted to build. I really needed inspiration to end this Writer’s Block that all the long walks or journal writing couldn’t fix. I’d loved Science museums since grade school, always fascinated by displays of obsolete machines and extinct creatures. I was considering an overdue museum visit when my best (and only) buddy Jenny suggested I visit the Fine Art collection.  “I’...

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“Either/Or” by Jennifer Luckett

Submitted to Contest #241

Either/Orby Jennifer Luckett     Usually the choice is easy. Sleep so I can function the next day, or scroll my feed all night and drag myself up the following morning. Throw off the covers and face another day, or crawl under again and hide from the world. Store the shears in the craft drawer, or use them and bandage the bloody wounds after. Have the salad and run five miles, or eat more sugar and watch the numbers on the scale climb as I dive further into regret about how I look. Return the call and say yes, or ignore h...

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“The Strongest Force” by Jennifer Luckett

Submitted to Contest #240

The Strongest Force     Shivering against an icy breeze stippling her skin with goosebumps, Joanna Wilson rewrapped her slender neck in her favorite red knit scarf. She usually avoided walks in temperatures below 30 degrees, but she needed a respite from home. The frigid air allowed her to breathe again, dialing down the boiling below the surface of her consciousness to restore peace within her. Remaining in the presence of Pauline, demanding she shop for additional items for dinner and giving unsolicited advice abou...

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“The Climb” by Jennifer Luckett

Submitted to Contest #239

The Climb Jennifer L. Luckett     Aurora Martin laced the boot strap and wiggled her left toe. After a few steps, she was ready to go, ignoring the discomfort of her 30 pound pack.  Before good sense prevailed to change her mind, she departed into the darkness of a brisk, windless April morning. In an hour, she would reach the foothills, and if she made good time, she’d arrive atop the mountain before early afternoon. The practice climbs helped to acclimate her to atmospheric changes, but they didn’t topple Aurora’...

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