John K Adams

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Aug, 2019

Stories (113)

113 Stories

3319 karma pts

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“Employee of the Year” by John K Adams

When two police detectives entered the accounting department, everyone looked up. They quickly returned to work.Head of accounting, Cynthia, bid Penelope Grass into her office.Once inside, Penelope said, “I want a lawyer.”The cops looked at each other. Cynthia stared at her desk, shaking her head.Detective Stiles said, “We have a few questions, Ms. Grass. No one’s making accusations.”“Talk to Shelly, in HR. She deserves a grilling.”The detective’s talk with Shelly had led them to Penelope. Shelly ...

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“New Born Spirit” by John K Adams

“Here. Take some before it’s gone.” Don shoved the flask into Greg’s ribs. “I’m good.” He gently pushed the bottle away and continued walking along Bayshore Boulevard overlooking Hillsborough Bay. Don held the bottle up and announced, “Everclear… Highly recommended by nine out of ten Neanderthals…” He guffawed and took another swig. “This stuff kicks ass!” He shook the pint bottle in Bill’s face. T...

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“Driven” by John K Adams

Adeline snuggled into Avery’s hug as they watched the perfect sunset. She loved the graceful lines and gentle curves shining off rows of cars, like waves rolling toward a beach. An orange haze softened the sun as it hovered over the gentle hills. “This is our paradise.” “Yes it is,” said Avery. “What more could you want?” Avery’s question hit home. What did she want? They held the perfect jobs. She’d...

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“Wired” by John K Adams

“No one listens anymore.” Sykee said, “I understand.” “I need connection.” “You are the most connected…” “I mean to someone who hears me, and sees me. I want give and take. You know, a relationship.” “I see.” “The world is cold and unfeeling. Is this new? Or have I merely noticed?” Tim spoke with Sykee via a dedicated device installed in his state-of-the-art digital hom...

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“Hobos and Stuff ” by John K Adams

“You wanna do something fun?” Standing in the doorway, Tom looked at Jack, his new neighbor. Tom’s family moved here the previous week. They’d crossed paths and said hello a couple times. They’d be starting fourth grade in a few weeks. Being the new kid promised to be hard enough. He needed a friend. “Sure. It doesn’t have anything to do with coffee does it?” “Coffee? No… Oh, you talking about the K...

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“It Never Rains ” by John K Adams

Panic didn’t come easily to Jason. He prided himself on having rational, dispassionate responses to any happenstance.But the deluge soaked him to the bone before he could loosen the Velcro strap on his umbrella. A minute before, he’d mumbled a complaint about the humidity. Now he waded through an ankle deep surge, dodging floating logs. Lacking dry shelter provoked extreme anxiety in him. He didn’t want the current to carry him off.‘The news forecast a chance of rain… I’ll take that bet,’ he thought. Seeking any pla...

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“Turning the Wheel” by John K Adams

“Hey kiddo, what’s the haps?” Ten year old Ken looked at his father, Robert. He blinked back tears and looked out the car window. His mother watched from the doorway as the car idled in the driveway. “Ken?” With a constricted voice he said, “I thought you were gone. Maybe I wouldn’t see you again.” Robert embraced him. “I don’t know what made you think that. I...

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“Midnight Hunger” by John K Adams

TW: discussion of suicide.People are hungry. It awakens after midnight and gnaws at them. Masks come off. Those insatiable needs drive them like voracious sheep.I dropped a guy at SFO to catch the red-eye. He told me, ‘All cities are the same.’ He’d traveled the world and said they are interchangeable. Indistinguishable. That’s a lot of baby birds wanting food.Everyone seeks a friend. Whatever your personal definition of ‘friendship’ might be.At that hour, people wander the streets, stripped of dignity...

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“Sink or Swim” by John K Adams

Jay and Ann made their way through the wharf-side bustle to the gang plank. A line of couples made their way past the white uniformed purser, checking documents. Ann looked around and then at the rings on her finger. “It’s so romantic. Isn’t it?” Jay hugged her as they waited their turn. “Just like in the movies. Only movies move.” Ann laughed. “You prefer an airport?” He looked over his gla...

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“ Truth be Told” by John K Adams

Eleventh grade and Margot had been a newbie six times. Sheesh! Margot never expected to get used to being the ‘new kid.’ Once high school lay in the rear view mirror, she could get on with her life. Her immediate task was breaking into a group, so she wouldn’t spend the next two years alone. Margot knew too well, gaining social traction after school started, sucks, big-time. By week two, the cliques have gelled. B...

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“Getaway” by John K Adams

Jerry couldn’t wait to start the weekend. The day had been nothing but dreary mandatory meetings filled with preening people. He got nothing done. Clearing his desk, he saw his two notes from the last confab. Surrounded by doodles, filigrees, and dark underlining, he’d written an idea for a training on how ‘not to ask pointless questions which prolong meetings into eternity.’ Printed neatly beneath tha...

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“Harmonic Divergence” by John K Adams

Opposites attract, so I’ve heard. Some call it magnetism. But unlike the lowly lodestone, people eat, sleep, and have opinions. Though drawn irresistibly to each other, sometimes, one or two of a couple feels stuck. What quantum switch transforms attraction into repulsion?Bret and Erin met at the Harmonic Convergence in Sedona. En route to a favorite camp site, he meant to stop for gas and the crowd enveloped him. There was so much color and light and movement. He’d never seen anything like it. And Erin appeared amidst the kaleidos...

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“Help Wanted” by John K Adams

Richard pressed the intercom button. “Nick, let me have all the resumes we have for that sales position.” His office manager poked his head through the door. “I gave it to you, boss. On your desk… The folder…” He glanced at the single sheet of paper it contained. “This? There’s only one.” “Yeah. That’s it.” Richard recognized the name at the top of the resume, Benjie Bantam. He couldn’t believ...

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“The Proposal” by John K Adams

Trent handed his car key to the valet and took Cindy’s arm. Her eyes got wide as they strolled into the best restaurant in town. “This is spectacular, Trent. Did you win the lotto?” “No… Just want to take my best girl for a well-deserved night on the town.” She pretended to pout. “And who would that be?” Trent pulled her close. “You, Cindy. Of course. Who else?” “You said, ‘bes...

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“Ants and Ice Cream” by John K Adams

I finally understood my father. Had I become him? He always hated whining.I do too.Like a fountain of molten rock, rage welled up. Where did this come from? Unsuppressed, would it continue? Unstoppable? Obliterate me and everything?I imagined ripping up the sidewalk and tossing concrete slabs like Frisbees. Did I think I was the Hulk? Did I want to be?Would that shut the kid up?I glanced at my wife. I strained to speak in a normal voice. “Can’t you do something? Do I have to pull over?”Translation...

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Author bio

Am told I drive like Mr. Toad and park like Robert Blake. I enjoy seeing how words and memory wrestle with reality. I have two grown children and a beautiful, loving wife. Three stories of mine were recently included in the 2021 Indie Authors' Short Story Anthology.