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John K Adams

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Aug, 2019

Stories (285)
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936 Followers
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285 Stories

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You Use What Lens?

Submitted to Contest #45

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. People came to s...

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Aloha, Good-bye

Submitted to Contest #44

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 my life. I don’t know when I’ll see her again. Or i...

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The Ten Year Window

Submitted to Contest #43

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.”“But…”Chuck gave Sammy a look that shut him...

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Closing the Circle

Submitted to Contest #42

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 head. “That’s it? That’s your solution? I should...

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Werewolf Tells All

Submitted to Contest #41

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 movies is exaggerated beyo...

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Polygraph

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. Jake thought about th...

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One of Those Mornings

Submitted to Contest #39

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 odd day for Perry. But it didn...

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Romeo’s Visit Revisited

Submitted to Contest #38

“But hark! What shards fall from yonder window’s breaking?”Mac put his hands to his ears as he walked beside his friend. “No! What are you on about, Romeo?”Romeo protested, “Don’t you get it? I’m doing lines. Re-her-sing.”Mac laughed, “Without the song. Save in your dreams.” He pulled his friend to a stop. Romeo turned. “What do you know about dreams?”“That dreamers often lie.”“Oh! In bed asleep, while they dream true things.”Mac shook his head. “You have the right play… Oh, close enough. Honestly, Romeo, you think this is a good plan?”“The ...

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My Stranger

Submitted to Contest #37

This has been going on for years. The first time I saw him, I stood in one of those pharmacy cum general stores which every town had. When he first saw me, I don’t know. I became aware of him just as I planned to slip a magazine into my inner pocket and duck out. They never expected magazines to get shoplifted so I felt pretty safe. No one bought anything there. The whole store was crammed with stuff no one wanted.But then there’s this guy watching me, but not looking at me. He didn’t look like plain clothes, or what they call a ‘secret shop...

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Found Diary

Submitted to Contest #36

Warning:            If you find this and you care about me – destroy this immediately. Do not read. Thank you in advance.I may be better or I may be worse. I am not who you think I am. If you knew me as I really am, you would not love me.Monday                              Dear Diary. Is this how you do it? It seems so awkward. I never...

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Brushstrokes

Submitted to Contest #35

Charlotte couldn’t believe it, but why should today be any different than every day of her married life?Bob, her husband of six (was it only six?) interminable years had left his miserable coffee cup in the sink for her to wash.Washing it was no big deal. It took only a moment to rinse. But why did she have to do it? And why this beat-up old cup? There were so many dents she was surprised it held coffee anymore. The enamel had chipped off in places exposing the toxic metallic wonders beneath.But it was Bob’s cup. It was a memento of some cam...

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Game Day Rules

Submitted to Contest #34

Dan kicked his son Mark’s bed. Mark barely moved.“Come on Sluggo. Rise and shine. You know it’s four o’clock? I thought you were out.”Mark turned toward the wall and pulled his blanket over his head. “I can’t go out.”“Are you sick? Get up. The day’s wasting. Did you forget it’s game day?”Mark mumbled through the covers, “Oh boy! Video games!”“Actually, we’re going low tech tonight. Board games. Try it. You’ll like it. And clean up your room. I’ll be in my office.”A while later, Mark shuffled into the kitchen where his mother, Miriam bustled ...

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…By a Thousand Cuts

Submitted to Contest #33

Gretchen recognized her husband’s mistress as soon as she entered the salon. ‘Those Medusa curls!’ She thought it pretty gutsy coming to her for a cut. “Don’t tempt me,” she thought. The woman approached her and offered her hand. “I’m Samantha,” she said with a smile. “But you can call me Sam.”‘I could call you lots of things… Does she not know who I am? This is going to be weird.’Gretchen had Samantha sit. She spread a sheet over her to protect her from clippings.  “Not over my face, please. I’m not a corpse,” Samantha laughed.‘Not yet...

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Cage Match

Submitted to Contest #32

“You’ve got to spring us, man…You’ve got to spring us …”Jake looked up from his cleaning. “What?”“You heard me. Your boss is trying to kill us.” It was the parrot talking. Jake took this in. For what he knew of Loomer, this smelled true. “How do you know this?”“You are the first human to come back here… for a long time.”The canary chimed in. “Forgotten…”The parrot continued, “I’m Senor Sur. But you can call me Sur. The far cage holds Keets…”The parakeet looked up. “Nyuk, nyuk…” “…and Harry Canary.”Harry spoke up, “I prefer ‘Harry the Ca...

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In the Garden

Submitted to Contest #31

 Penny munched her filet o’ fish sandwich and scanned her shady backyard. Birds chirped in the stillness of the early evening. A dog barked a few yards over. The new garden ran around the perimeter of the yard. Flowers grew in profusion.Two ancient citrus trees, a lemon and an orange dominated the back yard. They grew there long before Penny arrived on the scene. Glorious Hummingbirds nested in them and would dart about all summer.The sun had already passed behind the big tree in front. Hours of light remained but she had a lot to do. K...

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