John k Adams

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Aug, 2019

Stories (53)

53 Stories

956 karma pts

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“ More to the Story” by John k Adams

Submitted on 08/08/2020

Craig stood back, under a tree and watched the interment. A lot of people stood, all dressed up. He rejoiced he hadn’t time to put on a black suit. These people must be suffocating in this heat. He’d missed the funeral due to work. He hated being late. The dead man, Bill, Craig’s little league coach, taught him punctuality. He taught him everything. Now Craig had missed their last work-out. It had been years, but ...

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“The Clock” by John k Adams

Submitted on 07/30/2020

Iris always heard the dead lay down their burdens. Nobody mentions those left behind who must attend to the clean-up. Now that both her parents were gone, the rest could go too. Everything her mother, Mabel, collected over the decades now covered the driveway and front lawn of her house. Iris priced it to sell in this one-day garage sale. No more knick-knacks. She couldn’t shoe-horn one more end table into her ho...

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“The Past Pulled Forward ” by John k Adams

Submitted on 07/23/2020

“When do you want to go in?” Mark asked. Zane peered through the gloom at their target. “In a few minutes. Let it get darker. Check our gear.” “I did.” “Do it again. This is one and done. No redo’s.” Mark listed his inventory. They were traveling light – shovel, flashlight, map and duffle bag.  “All here, bro.” Zane looked at his younger brother. “You ever been back?”

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“Imaginary Friend” by John k Adams

Submitted on 07/18/2020

Daisy’s step-father, Gene, kept close tabs on her. He walked up to her as she hosted a tea party in the shade of the big tree at the back of the yard. Her guests were two dolls and a stuffed toy rabbit. “Is that a bug on you?” Gene pointed at Daisy’s shirt. “That’s a pin my Daddy gave me. He called them ‘grown up gifts’.” “You don’t want a bug on your shirt. No mat...

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“The Verdict” by John k Adams

Submitted on 07/09/2020

“You’re a star.” “I’m not a star.” “Of course you are. Those red snakeskin boots say it all.” The kid ignored the older man sitting across from him. He shuffled through the magazines on the waiting room table. Us. Cosmopolitan. Family Circle. “You here for test results?” The man watched the kid roll his eyes. He rummaged through the worn monthlies on the table. “They never have anything good. ...

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“The Leopard ” by John k Adams

Submitted on 07/01/2020

The superhero known as Leopard stepped carefully through the undergrowth. With no path to follow he looked through the misty air for broken branches or the acrid smell of scorched bark. Tracking a dragon took experience. Not that hard, once you’ve survived a few, he thought. How do you track something that flies? The question struck him as silly but he didn’t laugh. Too much at stake...

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“You” by John k Adams

Submitted on 06/25/2020

“You hummed as you retrieved the mail. Part of a normal day’s routine. Or not. You shuffled through the junk and an odd envelope caught your eye. A letter. No one writes anymore. Except me. “Caught you! “Think of me as that song you can’t get out of your head. Can you remember a time when I wasn’t there, simmering in the background? I’m always with you. Even in your sleep. How long has it been? “You...

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“Altared States” by John k Adams

Submitted on 06/17/2020

Bert went over his book notes. This would be the first interview of a series his agent scheduled for Bert for him to promote his magnum opus. This would be Bert’s big break. Or so Manny, his agent, insisted. The travel expenses came out of his advance so he needed a successful tour. Bert couldn’t believe it played out this way. Writing this memoir had been like drawing his own blood every day for six weeks. Exposi...

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“You Use What Lens?” by John k Adams

Submitted on 06/11/2020

Gil entered the photography gallery and smiled at the good turn-out. An unknown entity, no one noticed him. That suited Gil perfectly.He drifted, avoiding eye contact. He wanted to suss out the crowd, to observe unseen. It is what photographers do. At last he could call himself that.Besides Gil, the photographic exhibit featured the work of several local talents. But the photography at this popular semi-annual event, set the scene all the types, the fashionistas, the hipsters, the suits, artistes, the curious and hangers-on....

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“Aloha, Good-bye” by John k Adams

Submitted on 06/03/2020

Abigail took one last look in the mirror. She saw the person she always knew.Making a little wave with her left hand she said, “Aloha.”The taxi driver honked his horn. Abigail turned and left.Ten minutes before, her Aunt Maryann saw her looking in the mirror.“Abby! Stop staring at yourself. You look fabulous!”Abigail turned to her. “Thanks Auntie. I know. I love this dress.”“It’s your wedding day, Abby. You look worried.”Abigail looked down. “I see a person in that mirror who I’ve known all...

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“The Ten Year Window” by John k Adams

Submitted on 05/29/2020

Chuck felt his pockets as he approached their front door with his nine-year old son, Sammy. Chuck swore under his breath.He turned to Sammy, “Sorry, kid.”“What happened, Dad?”“My keys. I don’t know. I had them. I’m sure I had them… I thought I had them.”They looked at the imposing door as if it held the answer. It stood impervious to all questions.“Why don’t we keep a spare under the mat?”“Or I could leave it unlocked and save the cost of cutting the key,” Chuck said. “Everyone looks under the mat...

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“Closing the Circle” by John k Adams

Submitted on 05/21/2020

They were at it again. Don felt like running a marathon on a treadmill would be more productive. He never knew what the arguments were about. They went round and round with no finish line in sight.He said, “I don’t care about winning, Joyce. Can’t we resolve this? I don’t even know what this is about.”Joyce sensed Don’s change in attitude. “It’s always the same, Don. You don’t get it.”“That tells me nothing.”Joyce busied herself about the kitchen. “Why don’t you go then? Just go.”Don shook his hea...

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“Werewolf Tells All ” by John k Adams

Submitted on 05/13/2020

I’m writing this to dispel the many ugly stereotypes about so-called werewolves. Mercenary hacks promote salacious rumors without regard for who gets their tail stepped on. Anyone desiring the truth, please read on.I wish to clarify that what is popularly known as the werewolf actually exists. I prefer the French term Loups-Garous which has a lyrical sound to it, more in keeping with my sense of self. Yes, we exist. And  no, this isn’t a shaggy dog story. The negative popular image from over-wrought novels and ...

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“Polygraph” by John k Adams

Submitted on 05/06/2020

Harrison, the perp, rode in the passenger seat next to Jake as they drove west to Sioux Falls. for the scheduled polygraph test. It wasn’t a good cop/bad cop thing. His human cargo wasn’t under arrest. He dug his heels in to buy time and won a trip to Sioux Falls. Flight risk didn’t enter in to it. They’d be in South Dakota. Where would he run?They pretty much rode in silence. Jake let him stew. He told the kid he could save everyone time by confessing. But Harrison’s lawyer suggested this trip on the department’s dime. ...

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“One of Those Mornings” by John k Adams

Submitted on 04/30/2020

Perry got up from the wrong side of the bed. On a Saturday, no less.He muttered, “No wonder people get grouchy.” How did it happen? He distinctly remembered being on his side of the bed when he turned out the light.He made his way to the far side, his side, to get his slippers. Perry slid his feet into them without awakening Jane, his wife. She continued in her slumber. Peering out through the closed blinds, he thought, ‘There’s something wrong.’ But he couldn’t quite grasp it.That awakening started a very...

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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.