John K Adams

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Aug, 2019

Stories (141)

141 Stories

4326 karma pts

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“Get Well Soon” by John K Adams

Dylan lay in the hospital bed, semi-conscious and in pain. The memory of the purse with a brass clasp hurtling into his face kept flashing in his mind’s eye. ‘Brick? No brick? You decide…’ He still had his teeth. They would release him today. A nurse came to check his vitals. She handed him an envelope from the bedside tray. “This is yours.” “What is it?” ...

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“Lost or Found” by John K Adams

Susan sat across from Gavin, her date from Plenty of Fish. The waiter poured their wine. Gavin spoke at length and with authority on many topics. Having little knowledge and fewer opinions, she took him at his word. ‘How did I agree to meet?’ Tuning in, she realized he’d begun another chapter on the Speed Dating event he attended. “You’ve been to one, right?” She nodded. “They’re amusing i...

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“Photographic Memories” by John K Adams

So much stuff. Did Leo have nothing better to do than collect stuff? ‘What was he trying to tell me?’ “Gabe?” Sophie called down the stair well. “Down here, babe.” She descended a few steps and peeked into the basement. Gabe stood amidst the labyrinth of newspapers and boxes his father had left behind. “Wow…!” “Leo wasn’t a hoarder, but you can see it from here...

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“Tony’s Picnic - Another Tony Adventure” by John K Adams

Tony, Antonia’s stuffed panda, tried to control his excitement. He watched the commotion of prepping for a family excursion to the woods. Anticipation made him quiver with excitement. Not wanting to be left behind, he sat amidst the chaos. Tony always wanted to go on a picnic and ‘Get back to the land,’ as the song said. Only Tony heard, ‘get back to bamboo.’ Either way, he wanted to reconnect with his roots. Esp...

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“Shhhhh!” by John K Adams

Shhhhh! They called it spring. Intellectual crocuses sent shoots peeking through encrusted snow. After years of unrest followed by martial law, curfews began to be relaxed. The generation who came of age during the darkness began to explore the potential offered by their rediscovered liberties. The young man known as ‘Roach’ entered the library. Though warm outside, he wore a hoody pulled o...

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“One Man’s Opinion” by John K Adams

Gerald went into his favorite coffee shop to write his theater reviews. Some cafés are about the food. Gerald went for the coffee. Coffee was his thing. He really liked coffee. Black. No. You don’t understand. He lived for coffee. Let me put it this way. Gerald was a caffeine addict. Gerald was how caffeine got around each day. He wrote poems about coffee. No one read his poems. They were a labor of...

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“Prom Blight” by John K Adams

Prom Blight “I remember my prom. What a night… Changed my life… Never forget it.” Lisa’s mother fussed over Lisa’s hair and reminisced. Tonight was Lisa’s prom. Expecting another pointless story, Lisa tuned her mother out. Recent conversations with friends carried more weight. Matthew, her date, would be there soon. ‘This is prom night! Why so gloomy?’ She had too ma...

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“Deadline ” by John K Adams

“Grow up.” “No, you grow up.” Sebastian paused. ‘Maybe…’ he thought, Pen to paper, he wrote. Nancy said, “Shut up!” “No, you shut up.” Melissa stood her ground. ‘Better…’ Sebastian then shook his head, slashed a line through the second dialogue and circled the first. ‘First drafts always suck,’ he thought. ‘I’d rather be working at home.’ ...

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“Shedding Light” by John K Adams

The warm glow from the fiber-place filled the large room. Since the abolishment of fossil fuels, many innovations were necessary. This appliance had glowing fibers dancing in an updraft to create the illusion of fire. It didn’t warm the air, but kindled the heart. The family sat facing the fiber-place. But each stared at the device glowing in their hands. Depending on its use they were called torches, or smarphs. ...

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“That Love” by John K Adams

Jammed with glasses and bottles, the bar table barely had room for Maureen’s ashtray. The crowd gathered to celebrate Dan’s recent divorce. Some knew him their whole lives. People circulated in loose orbits from table to bar . Many toasts were made to his third ‘post mortem.’ Dan’s friend Gabe held his glass up and spoke. “Cats have nine. You’ve completed three. Dan, time you break the habit and quit while you’re...

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“Love at First Slight” by John K Adams

Dennis opened the front door to see his senior classmate, Dakota, standing on the porch. “Dakota? What do you want?” Not awaiting an answer, but leaving the door open, he returned to the kitchen. She entered, shut the door and followed. On her way, she sniffed the air. The odor of stale cigarette smoke being absent, the house smelled unexpectedly fresh. Walking by the living room and seeing well pl...

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“Pay Back” by John K Adams

Standing in the cafeteria line to pay, Sally Little hid her face when she saw the young man standing nearby. She couldn’t chance his recognizing her. She had no doubt who he was, though she hadn’t seen him for over a decade. The panic attacks had finally subsided, but she’d never forgotten Creech. Now, her nightmare stood almost in reach of her. There was no mistaking his hulking physique, and the same red...

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“Twinkle, Twinkle” by John K Adams

Sterling put the finishing touches on his gift for Astrid.‘Truly cosmic,’ he thought. ‘She won’t believe it…’She would arrive at any moment and he wanted everything to be perfect.Hearing the doorbell spurred him to stow scraps of wrapping paper and ribbon. He poured wine into the crystal glasses, and placed them on the table next to her gift.He faced the door, and said, “Yes!” He opened the door to the love of his life, looking beautiful as ever.She said, “Hi! I now have non-binary, pre...

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“Froggie and Toad ” by John K Adams

Who can truly know their parents, beyond the superficial aspects they share? ‘She was a good cook.’ ‘…Tidy.’ ‘Faithful.’ Can we know more than stock phrases? Do we want to? What key events ruled their lives? How did they see themselves? What wounds did they nurse? How did they connect with others? Parents are like mountains. You might scale their heights. But who can penetrate th...

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“Freedom” by John K Adams

Paula met Stephen outside the ER on his release. “Hey Sis…” He walked stiffly and groaned when they embraced. “You okay?” “Fine. A little sore from the fall, but… nothing broken…” They walked to her car. His clothes hung loosely. “You’re too skinny, Stephen. Don’t you eat?” “All the time. You cook for me. My metabolism’s efficient. So sue me.” “You can’t...

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Author bio

I enjoy seeing how words and memory wrestle with reality. Three stories of mine were recently included in the '2021 Indie Authors' Short Story Anthology.' 'Summoned' and 'Good to the Last Drop' are two recent favorites. 'Midnight Hunger' and 'Hobos and Stuff' are loosely autobiographical. Listen to my interview on the Read Lots Write Lots podcast here: https://www.readlotswritelots.com/wp/podcast/episode-21-john-k-adams/ I have two grown children and a beautiful, loving wife. Please read and comment, even if you don't like.