John Steckley

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Aug, 2019

Stories (218)

218 Stories

4702 karma pts

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“A Message from More Than Just a Fan” by John Steckley

A Message From More Than Just a Fan            Well, last night’s concert of the Wholly Tearers is now over, and it is the morning after.  It is time for me to clean up the mess left by the roaring fans. And because it was a loud rock band, and alcohol was sold by the plastic cup, I have to do a lot of cleaning. The big broom and I will be doing a lot of dancing together this morning. I shouldn’t r...

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“Links of a Chain” by John Steckley

Jeremy Forms a Link on a Gossip Chain            I was the last one on the chain of gossip. I knew that as I had been present for the first link, and, if the truth be known, I had carelessly foolishly fashioned the second link myself, the one that got the ball rolling, to mix my metaphors. I had to put it to a stop. Eventually I did.            It all began when I was in a long, slow line at...

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“The Past Becomes Present” by John Steckley

The Past Becomes Present            I’d better hurry or I’ll be late for work. I pick up my pace to nearly running. It’s not like I can drive faster, as I’m taking the bus as my usually reliable old car is in the shop, having a long overdue repair job according to the mechanic.            Good, there’s someone in the bus shelter. That tells me that the bus has not been there recently. I’m surprised ...

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“A Meeting at the Principal's Office” by John Steckley

A Meeting at the Principal’s Office The Tale of a Teenager of the 1960s            I’ve walked this ill-destined path before. “John, go to the principal’s office right now!” The teacher said that just as soon as I walked into his classroom. I knew what it was about. I have long hair and I had neglected to grease it down, so it didn’t look as long as it actually was. I also had the shaggy begin...

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“A School Trip and a Sighting” by John Steckley

           The school trip to the local observatory did not begin well. It was the first such trip I, as a newly minted high school science teacher, had ever taken my students on. Now when I was a high school student (my classes hate it when I say stuff like that), school trips had students full of energy and sound. We talked and laughed, but at least we exhibited some enthusiasm on the bus ride to our eventual educational destination. This school trip h...

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“The Dream Weaver and Choice” by John Steckley

The Dream Weaver and ChoiceBob           “I had the weirdest dream Millie. I saw myself at work, and I could see my unhappiness clearly on my face. It went much deeper than if I were merely having just a ‘bad day at work’. I could not deny what I was seeing – truth with a vengeance. Then everything went blank. When my dream vision returned I saw myself standing a step or two outside our front door like...

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“My Alternate Self and His Advice” by John Steckley

My Alternate Self and His Advice            This is the third time now that I have seen this fellow. He looks a lot like me, and he smiles at me when I look at him. I didn’t have the nerve to go up to talk to him before, but this time I feel that I must. I simply have to do it.            When I walk up to him, he says to me, “Say, you are certainly a handsome fellow.” My obvious repl...

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“Heh Wild Bill” by John Steckley

Heh Wild Bill            In every generation since the advent of radio, the movies, and television, some children would get cursed by their parents in the form of being named after stars of the shows or the characters played by those stars. This was certainly true for me and my best pal. We were destined to become best friends as we grew up as next door neighbours, and we both received names provided by the...

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“The Short End of the Stick” by John Steckley

           Benny has just handed his lottery ticket to the cashier of the local grocery store, hoping that he will hear the magic word ‘gagnant’ signifying that he has won. Instead he hears the more usual and woeful ‘pas de cadeau,’ telling him that he has lost yet again..            I am standing behind him in line, and when he turns to face me, I know what I am going to hear. “No surprise. Again I have ...

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“A Deep, Darkish Secret” by John Steckley

A Deep Darkish Secret            Burt was more drunk than any of his best bar buddies had ever seen him before. But he appeared to be a happy drunk. And they were more than a little startled when he said that he was celebrating on this night something he had committed (the actual word that he had used) that was rather nasty, something decidedly awful, something he had done just the previous night. ...

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“Looking Back” by John Steckley

Looking Back            I had long felt during my working years that when I finally retired I would write the ‘Great Canadian Novel.’ But alas that seems now not to be a realistic possibility. I like to put the blame on computers for that failing. They are bullies, with their constant ‘upgrades’ which I like to call downgrades, taking me down from what I was becoming somewhat comfortable with to a Brave New...

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“Of Hasty Conclusions and the Gift of Flowers” by John Steckley

Of Hasty Conclusions and The Gift of Flowers            I was in such a bad mood on that day, for a number of reasons, some serious, some just plain foolish. I should have kept my sarcasm and nasty attitude to myself, where they belonged. But no, I had to let all the nastiness spill out. I even shocked myself somewhat, with what I said, which is saying something. If I had heard someone else saying the words...

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“Vengeance Kicking” by John Steckley

Vengeance Kicking            It is time for me to wreak vengeance. I thought that was something that I would never say or think. But it is something I simply have to do, given the situation. I just can’t let things be. I have to strike back, not just accept that I am a helpless victim. Life had been going so smoothly for me. The job paid well, and it wasn’t boring, as I like calculating numbers. Then...

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“Speak Now” by John Steckley

Speak Now “Speak now…” “I will.”            The old preacher stopped speaking, not following his first two words with the finishing ancient but familiar line that ended with “or forever hold your peace…”  The young man who had shouted out his two words from the back had silenced him.            Not many ministers say these words these days, but the preacher was very old fashioned and wa...

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“Keep the story coming” by John Steckley

Keep the Story Coming            I was sitting on my couch, wondering whether I should give her a call when I hear a sudden loud noise. There was a bang, bang, bang on the door of my apartment. I knew that it would be Dwayne. His apartment is right beside mine, and when he gets angry he often knocks on my door forcing me to listen to the story of why he is angry. I had a dark thought about what he might be ...

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Author bio

I am a retired college professor who researches and writes about Indigenous languages and cultures. My specialty is the Wendat/Wyandot language.