Joyce Schook

Author on Reedsy Prompts since May, 2020

Stories (25)

25 Stories

443 karma pts

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“Look At The Flowers” by Joyce Schook

Submitted to Contest #86

They greet you at the local café. They are the first things you notice as you enter your supermarket. Their beautiful hues of fuchsia, violet, orange, gold and emerald greens await you before you make it to the check out line. This is exactly what you needed on this cool and windy first day of spring. They smell just as amazing as they look. You breathe in their fragrant scent and try to chose just one. But each one is lovelier than the next. You have made your decision. You reach down and lift two bundles from the green plastic cones in whi...

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“Stranger in Room 316” by Joyce Schook

Submitted to Contest #83

I never saw this trip as anything more than a chance to catch up and reconnect with my younger sister. But what I didn't realize was a complete stranger would change my life in ways I had yet to realize. *** I'm beyond tired. Utterly exhausted is how I would describe my current state of mind. I just want to get off the highway before I fall asleep behind the wheel. After an excruciatingly long drive all I want is a hot shower and a nice warm bed. I'm excited to be here in Virginia. Its been six months and I really miss my sister. I think thi...

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“The Weekend” by Joyce Schook

Submitted to Contest #81

We need this time to connect again. I have to believe that if we get away from our responsibilities it'll be just what our marriage needs. Kevin rented this cabin on his own and its perfect. The view of the lake is magnificent and I'm settled on a white wicker bench on the back porch taking it all in. Two whole days for us to do nothing. No laundry, no dishes and hopefully no cooking. I drink red wine and I wait for him to emerge from the shower. I keep hoping this will work. I was against therapy for our marriage, but this trip was our doct...

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“A Family Affair” by Joyce Schook

Submitted to Contest #79

He did it again. Showed up to another family affair loaded off pills and booze. My parents were mortified, my sister cried and I had all I could do not to knock him out right in front of everyone. How much more of this am I suppose to take? I have had it with my brother. He just cant seem to stay out of trouble. Its drawn to him like a magnet or is it the other way around? I just cant tell anymore. This was supposed to be a glorious day. After all a wedding is about two lives joining as one. My sister Emma was head over heels in love with ...

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“Forget Me Not” by Joyce Schook

Submitted to Contest #75

It was just another Tuesday. Nothing to do, no where to be, just stay here and leave it alone. Hard to feel anything but confused. No name, no memories, no friends (if they do exist) no past. Someone must be looking for me. Everyone belongs to someone don't they? I stare out the window. Its a beautiful day. The leaves are many brilliant shades of reds, orange and yellows. Its the type of day when people long to be outside. The perfect day to sit and watch the leaves drifting off the trees or to take a brisk walk before the winter comes to st...

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“Inheritance or not?” by Joyce Schook

Submitted to Contest #72

"Earth to Henry." Marion cut into my thoughts. She waved her hand in front of my face. I clearly was someplace else. I blinked a few times and returned to the moment. I caught the look she was giving me. "What? So I had to think, you never just do that?" She smiled at me. I smiled right back. "Sure I guess sometimes, there's never a dull moment with you. More coffee?" She inquired. "Yes, please. I think I'm going to need it today. Did you cancel my ten thirty?" Marion was already at the door, she faced me. "I took care of it already. Try and...

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“ Break-In at The Sweet Shop” by Joyce Schook

Submitted to Contest #71

Abby emerged from the warmth of her SUV and hustled across the sidewalk to the Sweet Shop bakery. The door was heavy and icy cold to the touch. Abby struggled to hang on to the handle against the fierce wind. Once inside the bakery her nose was met with the most intoxicating scents. Everything from sugary donuts to fresh baked breads. Each one smelt better than next. Abby stepped toward the glass display cases. The aroma was heavenly. A tall slender girl appeared from the back room holding a long metal tray full of gigantic cookies. She wor...

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“Murder On High Street” by Joyce Schook

Submitted to Contest #67

I know what I saw. It had happened it wasn't a dream. Maybe I always should have suspected this.They had always been strange people. I still remember the day that the movers arrived. I had been writing in my office and the squeal of the brakes had prompted me to look out the front window. Nothing unusual at first. A sea of different faces hauling the contents of the two large trucks into the house across the street. I sighed loudly. I felt relieved that at last the place would no longer sit empty. It was much later in the day, I had started ...

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“ The Bright Red Envelope” by Joyce Schook

Submitted to Contest #47

The letter was unexpected. It sat at the bottom of the enormous pile of mail you stood sifting through.The bright red envelope was hard to miss.You turned it over in your hands and read the return address. You froze in place. You clearly didn't expect this today.Then you remove it along with the rest of the contents from your mailbox. The return trip up the driveway all that you could think of was why it had arrived and what did it say. After setting the pile on top of the granite counter in your kitchen, you retrieve the red envelope and br...

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“The Long Way Home” by Joyce Schook

Submitted to Contest #44

We were up bright and early. Today was the day. My sister was coming back home to stay. It felt like forever since I heard the sound of her voice or witnessed the warmth of her smile. She lit up rooms with her glorious face. I miss her so badly that its hurting my heart.I never realized just how much until she was taken out of my life. I just want to hug her and tell her how special she is to all of us.Mother put me in charge of setting the two tables. I polished our best silver early this morning and washed and dried our most beautiful chin...

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Author bio

I have been writing most of my life. It started in my journals when I was eleven years old. That soon lead to writing poems and short stories. I took creative writing my senior year of high school. But it wasn't until I took a writing course with the Long Ridge Writers Group that it felt like my stories finally came to life. I am grateful for this opportunity to submit my short stories. Writing is what I live for and its as easy for me as breathing.