Karen Hope

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jan, 2024

Stories (13)

13 Stories

459 karma pts

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“Dangerous Article” by Karen Hope

Submitted to Contest #260

This story contains references to cybercrimes and kidnapping. “Okay, team, here’s what we’ve got for this week.” Marcus Simpson, Editor of  The Scoop, an online gossip magazine with over 3 million readers, took the cigarette out of his mouth and blew the smoke out slowly. His reporters sat with note pads and phones in hand, waiting to jot down their new assignments. Nobody moved as they each waited and hoped for a big story. Most of them would be disappointed. “Maya,” he said. She raised her hand meekly. “We got a guy who...

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“Weekend in Maine” by Karen Hope

Submitted to Contest #259

“Who’s picking us up from dance, your dad or my mom,” Jillian asked.Riley put her tap shoes into her dance bag and zipped it up. “I think it’s my dad. Didn’t your mom have a work meeting tonight?“Yeah, that’s right. Do you think your dad will take us out for pizza?”“It’s Thursday night, so probably yes. But it won’t be as good as your mom’s homemade veggie lasagna or turkey chili,” Riley said.“I know, but who doesn’t love going out for pizza.” “Someone who eats pizza every Thursday.” Riley grumbled.Jillian shrugged. “I guess it’s differ...

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“A Life Well Lived” by Karen Hope

Submitted to Contest #258

Sophie had moved many times during her life: as a child, twice as a young adult, as a newlywed, and later as a new mother purchasing a forever home with her husband and young family. But there was no such thing as forever, and she was now making what would certainly be her final move. They called it an adult living community, with classes and activities and a cozy apartment that was clean and bright and perfect for one person. But it was attached to what they called a skilled nursing facility, and Sophie was keenly aware that this move was t...

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“Top of the Class” by Karen Hope

Submitted to Contest #257

Marcia looks at her watch for the 10th time that morning. The carpool will be here soon, and Josh wasn’t anywhere near ready for school. So typical. That boy lives in his own world. Janie, her pride and joy, Sat eating her fruit and yogurt at the kitchen table as she reviewed the notes for her history exam.“You ready for your test?” Marcia doesn’t even need to ask. Janie is always prepared, and consistently earns straight A’s .“I think so,” she sighs. “This class has been really hard.”She walks over and squeezes her daughter’s shoulder. Jani...

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“The Good Dancer” by Karen Hope

Submitted to Contest #255

“I understand”, I say as I watch my boyfriend get up from the table where we’ve just shared our favorite Italian take out. “I know you have a lot of work to do.” He blows a kiss before disappearing into his office. When we signed the lease on this apartment 17 months ago, it was supposed to be our office, but Will is the one who sits there just about every night, usually while I watch TV or scroll mindlessly on my phone. I know being a lawyer is a lot of work, but if you already work 12 hours a day, how much more work can there be?  I l...

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“A Liar and a Cheat” by Karen Hope

Submitted to Contest #254

“I can’t believe he’s here.” My back stiffens and I whisper into my husband’s ear as we walk into the party, onion dip in hand.“Just relax Mary,” Jim says. His hand slides up my arm and moves over to my back. He rubs in slow circles, pulling me close. I resist his gentle touch, but then try to relax. I need a distraction from the philanderer who is standing on the other side of the room. How dare he come to our neighborhood potluck after what I just learned about him.  I smile over at Jim, feeling grateful that I’m not married to a liar...

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“Stop and Smell the Roses” by Karen Hope

Submitted to Contest #253

Kate turned from her comfy spot on the couch and looked at the rain falling in sheets outside her living room window. What a perfect night to stay inside. She popped a few kernels of popcorn into her mouth before picking up her glass of wine and taking a sip. The liquid seemed to go straight from her throat to her head and she relaxed back into the cushion. All day she had rushed around, first to finish a project at work, then to run errands and finally to get her son ready for his late sports practice. All she could think about was enjoying...

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“A Walk in the Park” by Karen Hope

Submitted to Contest #240

I tie the laces on my sneakers, making double knots and pulling hard to secure them. I reach up and grab my fleece jacket, zipping it halfway up and reaching up the sleeves to pull down the shirt sleeves underneath. I grab my keys off the hall table, open the front door. I take the step down onto my front porch, turn around and lock the door,  placing the key securely in the pocket of my jeans. I take the next three steps down to my driveway and then begin to count. It’s 26 steps to the end of my driveway, where I turn right and ta...

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“An Army of Cats” by Karen Hope

Submitted to Contest #239

Mavis looked around her makeshift art studio – the place where she would isolate herself from the world for the next month. Stacks of clean canvases waited to be transformed. Brand new paints, pastels and brushes her parents gave her at college graduation last month were neatly arranged in clear plastic bins. Her easel was angled just right to catch the morning sun that streamed in through the large picture window.  In exchange for house sitting for her aunt and caring for her two cats, Mavis had been gifted th...

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“Undying Devotion” by Karen Hope

Submitted to Contest #238

Lori plopped down in her desk chair, looking around at the walls of her cubicle. She remembered when she was first assigned this space three years ago. How excited she was to be hired as an investigative journalist at The Herald. Fresh out of journalism school, she’d had visions of solving great mysteries, changing the world, but that’s not how it worked. Much of her work was mundane stuff like investigating why a store was inflating its prices or why so many kids were suddenly absent from a school. Viral outbreak or something more sini...

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“Puppy Love” by Karen Hope

Submitted to Contest #237

To: Mr. Bradley TapperFrom: Lydia HanniganSubject: Beagle puppiesDate: Friday, February 9, 2024, 9:15 AMDear Mr. Tapper,I am writing in response to the beagle puppies you advertised. I know you said they would be perfect for a big family, but I live alone and have long wanted a pet in my life. My husband Howard passed away in September, and my kids, well, they’re all on their own now. But I raised three of them, plus dealt with their assortment of fish, turtles and guinea pigs over the years. I think I can handle a puppy. I have a dog park r...

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“Running Against The Wind” by Karen Hope

Submitted to Contest #235

Twenty-eight years ago, my life was swept up into a tornado. The winds came on almost without warning, blowing around everything in my predictable world. I knew it was coming. I had seen the forecast. But I had no idea how dramatic its impact would be. It was weeks away from the birth of my first child, but I thought I had it all under control. The baby’s room, painted a serene shade of yellow to accommod...

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“Mirror Image” by Karen Hope

Submitted to Contest #234

Hope felt good in her sensible blank pumps. Their 2-inch heel gave her a graceful lift without torturing her feet. Her slim-fitting black pants showed off her shapely legs, while her blue flared shirt hid the slight bulge in her middle-aged belly.             She pushed aside the discarded dresses and tops that were strewn across her bed. She had practically emptied her whole closet searching for the per...

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Author bio

I work in Massachusetts politics, primarily as a communications and campaign person. Over the years, I’ve drafted several young adult novels, and taken more writing courses than I can count. I love the Reedsy writing community!