John K Adams

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Aug, 2019

Stories (148)

148 Stories

4492 karma pts

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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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“Magic Shoebox ” by John K Adams

Paul rang the doorbell and said , “Follow my lead. It’ll be fine.” His mother opened the door and cried out, “Paul! It’s so good to see you!” Ada embraced him. “Too long, Ma. Too long.” He introduced his girlfriend, Abigail. Ada sized her up and smiled. “Wonderful! Come in! Meet my Dad, and the others. You’re right on time. We’re about to sit.” “Something sm...

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“What She Held” by John K Adams

Justin always admired the stained glass window high in the church wall. A true work of art, but old. No one remembered who designed it. Rumor held he was probably a contemporary of Tiffany or one of the other geniuses of a century ago. Maybe Tiffany himself. He grew up attending church with his mother. Each Sunday, he studied its colorful scene. His childish imagination had him believing it studied him back. ...

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“Noggin’s Lair” by John K Adams

Stealing through the pre-dawn forest, Leaf sensed the dragon before seeing it. He’d never smelled brimstone before but the ungodly stench fit the name. Dressed in an ill-fitting suit of armor, he moved as quietly as he could.A low howl filled his ears from beyond the copse of trees. The mixture of pain and rage and an unnatural timbre made him shudder. It joined discordant chorus with the plaintive cries of the princess. What unspeakable acts could reduce her to such undignified pleading?Roaring a challenge, he burst from th...

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“Danish Modern” by John K Adams

Maggie found Knut rummaging in the kitchen. She often found him scrounging a snack, though breakfast was hours away. If he couldn’t sleep, she couldn’t sleep. Compared to their daily lapses in communication, midnight snacks were of little note. An immigrant from Denmark, Knut spoke English pretty well. Though it often seemed the piece lost in translation was meaning. He noticed her watching from the shadow...

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“Burned” by John K Adams

James looked at Linda, “That’s not only absurd. It’s ridiculous.” “Oh, really?” He nodded with a finality she had learned to challenge only with the best arguments. He would stand his ground to the very end. And perhaps beyond it. She thought, ‘This is so much fun…’ They were finishing their Friday night dinner at their favorite restaurant. ‘Maybe I should have skipped that secon...

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“Real Trouble” by John K Adams

Henry looked into the dusky night. Fireflies flashed. His eyes tracked one, then another. Mysteriously there and gone. There and gone. ‘Could soon be me,’ he thought. He knew his deep trouble. Could be life and death. Frenchie, in the driver’s seat didn’t care. No one understands when you lose your mind. You’re expected to keep tabs on such things. Not like telling your Mom you lost your sw...

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“Out of Darkness” by John K Adams

Bing and Wing first met in the waiting room of the Vision Center. They each happened to have an appointment. A great friendship began that day.Bing heard her talking with her driver. He recognized her voice.“Excuse me, aren’t you Wing?”She turned to the sound. “Yes. Who are you?”“Your voice is familiar. You read at the Poetry Jam, last month. I’d know your voice anywhere. I love your poetry.”She paused and said, “You sound familiar too. Do I know you? Are you a singer?”“I sing. Yes.”She smi...

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“Ariadne’s Thread ” by John K Adams

Alan’s friends could not believe him. They wanted more. They wanted proof. “You met him?” “Merlo exists?” “You spoke?” “What did he say?” “What’s he like?” “He signed it?” “He stole your book?” “His book?” “Why take his own book?” “It’s my copy of his latest, ‘Ariadne’s Thread’.” Everyone envied Alan’s good fortune. Fe...

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“ Everything is Poison, Everything is Medicine” by John K Adams

“How beautiful!” Karen exclaimed, looking over the valley stretched before them. The sun topped distant mountains. Layers of mist still settled in the hollows. She looked at her children, Tim and Amy, straddling their bikes.“This is why I wanted to get out today. You can’t see this on a phone screen.”Tim nodded, though his expression betrayed doubt.“Looks like there’s a meadow there. Let’s ride down and check it out. Maybe picnic there.”Karen rode down the fire road trailed by ...

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“Money Shot” by John K Adams

Anna’s eyes fluttered as she lay cradled in Trent’s arms. “I‘m cold… Is it cold?” Trent pulled off his jacket and tucked it around her. The wrecked car lay on its side. Smoke drifted. “Hang on, Anna. We’ll get through this.” “I’m sorry.” “No, I’m sorry. You saved my life… you took a bullet meant for me.” “Guess I learned. I’ll never do that again… ” She tried to smile. “Quiet now...

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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.