John K Adams

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Aug, 2019

Stories (175)

175 Stories

5342 karma pts

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“Golden Thread” by John K Adams

Harry didn’t wait for his first art class to begin painting. He completed his first canvas before the instructor, Mr. Ambrose arrived. Several blanks leaned against the back of his chair. Mr. Ambrose described his expectations. He required but one complete canvas by semester’s end. But he would decide what ‘complete’ meant. “Paint what you like. Put your heart into it. Fill the canvas. This is Painting 101...

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“Alarming” by John K Adams

Megan jerked awake to the blast of the house alarm. It didn’t stop. She turned to her husband, Cameron. She couldn’t believe he lay snoozing when she felt her head about to explode. “Cam! Wake up! Fix this!” She rolled him back and forth until he stirred. “What?” “The alarm! Burglar! I can’t stand it! Why is it shrieking?!” Uncomprehending, he peered through the gloom. “It’s ...

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“The Tao of Loud Sue” by John K Adams

The spiritual seeker named Victor climbed the rocky path up the mountain. He stopped several times, doubting the directions he’d been given. He thought he’d lost his way and doubled back more than once on the ill-marked path. ‘Is it too much to expect a sign? Or an arrow? Work with me…’ Thirst nagged at him. Hours passed, without results. Entering a clearing, a thatch roofed hut came into ...

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“Tilt-a-Whirl” by John K Adams

CW: Wrestling with mortality. Flipping a coin in zero gravity is useless. Floating, it will spin until stopped. Classic indecision. The Commander knew that. No time to waste. Protocols demanded he bring his crew to safety. No time to think or debate. Sounding alarms roused us and all hands jumped to. Redundant systems were failing. The station was shutting down. No one knew why. Meteorite dam...

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“Trigger Warning” by John K Adams

CW: References to substance abuse, violence, child endangerment, promiscuity, racial slurs, fat shaming, candy canes and gum drops. Bob lit his cigarette while loading his pistol. He kept dropping bullets in the process. ‘Better than dropping the smoke,’ he mused. ‘No fires.’ The shells bounced and rolled. Some went over the edge. Their staccato rattling attracted Bob’s granddaught...

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“The Tracker Tracked” by John K Adams

Eager to start, I scanned the trail through the trees and up the mountain. The weather was cool, but clear. Over years, I learned to plan my hikes meticulously. Somehow, I forget the single, essential item. Everyone insists I should never travel solo. Too many things can go wrong. A misstep can be deadly. Hiking with a buddy only makes sense. But solitude draws me. I love it. A buddy is an iffy variable. ...

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“Liquid Courage” by John K Adams

CW: mentions of date rape“Here you go, sis. S’later.”Julian pulled over and stopped at the café where Shelby worked.“Aurora’s my friend, Jules. Get real. We could hang out. Get acquainted. See if you like her.”“I’m already in love with her, Shel.”She grinned. “So, you love her cute little mole…?”He gasped. “Wait. She has a mole? Like a pet?”Selby stared in disbelief. “No idiot. She has a whole flock of them. On a ranch up north.”“What?”“On her lip. The mole on her lip. A beaut...

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“A Squirrel’s Tale (Based on a true story)” by John K Adams

‘Furry tailed rat.’ He called me that. To my face. The nerve. Doesn’t know me from a rat? Rats aren’t even the same genus. What a dope. What a tailless freak. He should be so lucky. I showed him. Yes, I did. Look! A squirrel! Oh, that’s Squiggy. What a name. My nephew. Next tree over. Missus and I’ve got babies. Up our tree top home. Always hungry. Feed ‘em. Up in the nest. Hid...

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“Eye of the Beholder” by John K Adams

They looked like mugshots. And those were the best. Others looked like morgue post-mortems. June Tandy pointed to her first-grade daughter’s school portrait. In it, the girl looked like a refugee from a carnival freak show. “She’s six. What were you thinking? How do you do that to a six-year-old?” She stared darts at Carter Lee, the photographer. “The camera doesn’t lie…” Exasperated, June lo...

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“Haven’t Lived…” by John K Adams

“As far as the laws of mathematics refer to reality, they are not certain; and as far as they are certain, they do not refer to reality.” ― Albert Einstein Artie Fischer began his day convinced he was on the cusp of something big. The theoretical physicist had focused on his pet research project for months. A breakthrough so close, it lay in tasting range. Those months pas...

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“Dust Collectors” by John K Adams

“You don’t get it, Fie. I don’t want anything.” Shoppers pushed by. Oblivious to his surroundings, Owen stood between shelves stacked high with Christmas décor. Looking exasperated, Fiona pointed to their surroundings. “Wake up!” He mimicked her and ended with an exaggerated yawn. “I have what I need.” He shook his head. “Look at this crap. Kitsch, kitsch, kitsch… Could have cornered the gli...

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“Cinderella – the Untold Story” by John K Adams

“Not bad, Cindy… Actually, pretty good.” Cinderella hummed while admiring her reflection in the mirror. Preparing for the ball, she turned to see the dress from every angle. She’d filched it, piecemeal, from her stepsisters, and Eve, her stepmother. The outfit came together like something from a catalogue. She looked great. An advantage to being at everyone’s peck and scratch, free access to cl...

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“Have You Met Me? ” by John K Adams

Between gigs, I found myself in a foreign country, free to discover what I’d never seen. Enjoying the sounds and smells of an urban marketplace, I sampled exotic food at different stalls. The people were friendly. They smiled while describing their wares. But I didn’t know the language. It sounded like chatter. I spotted a fellow American approaching. His head bobbed over the sea of humanity. I ofte...

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“You’re Kidding” by John K Adams

“I have a plan.” Roach looked up when Martin spoke. The din of shouting men echoed constantly off the prison’s concrete and metal surfaces. Whispers would be lost. “To escape?” “You crazy? I’m getting out in an hour. Why escape?” Roach sighed. “I hope you don’t mind my saying, but you can get impatient…” Martin paused. He didn’t want to feed his friend’s delusion. “Urgency deman...

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“The Monster Under the Bed” by John K Adams

On entering the kitchen, Josh sniffed the air and began to dance. “Are those my favorites?” His mother, Sarah, smiled. “Are chocolate chip cookies your favorite?” “You know they are. Yes!” He punched up in victory. “But not now. They’re for your party at school.” Josh pouted. “By the way, you pick a costume?” “Not yet…” She sang, “I have some ideas…” Exhibiting tremendous noncha...

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Author bio

I enjoy seeing how words and memory wrestle with reality. Please check out the podcast interview of me with Deidra Lovegren, and Russell Norman on Read lots Write Lots: https://www.readlotswritelots.com/wp/podcast/episode-21-john-k-adams/ Three stories of mine were recently included in the '2021 Indie Authors' Short Story Anthology.' 'Dust Collectors' and 'Eye of the Beholder' are two recent favorites. 'Eat What you Kill' and 'Billy Jack to the Rescue' are loosely autobiographical. I have two grown children and a beautiful, loving wife. Please read and comment, even if you don't like.