Karen Kinley

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Sep, 2019

Stories (12)

12 Stories

487 karma pts

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“Resolution(s)” by Karen Kinley

Submitted to Contest #231

Like most people, a new year is a good time to take stock of one’s life and make some necessary changes. My dream is simple: to find a little peace amid the chaos. But if the world has taught me anything, it’s that dreams often come true in ways we could never imagine.1.  GET ORGANIZED.I spend the morning going through my belongings. Like most women, I have a closet full of shoes and various styles of clothing, many of which I haven’t touched in a while. Clearly, I have a hard time throwing things away. But since I can only take es...

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“The Grapevine is Broken” by Karen Kinley

Submitted to Contest #200

April 23, 2023, 1:07 PM On the sidelines at a soccer game ALEXIS: Don’t tell anybody I told you this, but I overheard Nicole talking on her cell just a few minutes ago, and she said something about being “unhappy” and “looking at options.” I don’t know about you, but it kinda sounded like she was talking about getting a divorce. Or at least separated. I hate to gossip, but do you know anything about her and Tim being unhappy? BROOKE: No! News to me. But now that you mention it, they were both invited to the barbecue Melissa had for her s...

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“Sighting” by Karen Kinley

Submitted to Contest #182

“Follow that car,” Mitch barked to the cab driver after hurriedly climbing into the back seat. His pointing finger indicated a green sedan that was already maneuvering its way to the outer lane that offered a fast exit from the airport.He leaned as far forward as the plexiglass divider would allow and watched the sedan weave in and out of traffic along I-95. The cabbie stayed right behind it in the middle lane. Mitch could only make out the silhouette of a man in the passenger seat. It appeared that he was having a conversation with whomever...

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“Goodnight, Leopold Andrews” by Karen Kinley

Submitted to Contest #130

“Leopold Andrews.” The name drenches my lips like a fine wine, rich and sophisticated. It conveys someone of great importance. Someone to be both respected and adored. It is a name fit for a king. “Leopold Andrews,” I say again.He inherited the name from his father, but he goes simply by Leo.The name Leopold comes from Old German and means “brave people.” And brave is exactly what Leo is. He has been through some big changes recently and has overcome so much just to be here with me now. But that’s another story for another time.Leo...

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“Skyboys” by Karen Kinley

Submitted to Contest #102

A selfish man protects himself; a selfless man protects himself so he can protect those he loves.The gusty wind and dizzying views found 1,100 feet above the ground would make most men nervous. But the Skyboys were used to it. To them, working with and walking on steel girders nearly a quarter mile up in the air was child’s play. In fact, the Skyboys, as they later became known, made light of the danger they were in 12 hours a day. There were no safety harnesses. There were no hard hats. There were no guarantees. All there was was the job.In...

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“Collateral Damage” by Karen Kinley

Submitted to Contest #101

“I can’t stay with you anymore.”The words stung Jeremy’s ears even though he’d heard them many times before. He quietly closed the door behind him and scooted across his bed, knocking a tattered stuffed animal to the floor in the process. He pulled his legs up to his chest, wrapped his arms around them, and ducked his head, a turtle retreating into his shell. “Who the hell is beggin’ you to stay?” The voice from the next room was gruff and slowed by bourbon. “There’s the goddamn door.”Jeremy heard his mother respond but couldn’t quite m...

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“Commitment” by Karen Kinley

Submitted to Contest #75

My trembling legs nearly gave away my attack of nerves. Thankfully, they were hidden under many layers of organza and tulle making up the lower half of my wedding gown. I pressed my knees together to quell the shaking.The priest had already turned to me, waiting for me to recite the vows I had memorized and practiced countless times. Although his countenance was relaxed, his eyes flashed, revealing his impatience.The man I was about to marry faced me, a small smile playing on his lips. My hands were placed in his upturned palms, and he gentl...

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“Key To Happiness” by Karen Kinley

Submitted to Contest #66

Sheri stepped into the foyer of her house, the front door making a muted click as she pulled it closed. Well, that’s that, she said almost aloud. Thirty years of marriage dissolved with the swipe of a pen. Not that she really could call what they had a marriage. At least not for the last dozen years or so. She dropped her keys in the crystal bowl on the entry table, a wedding gift all those years ago. But now her keys would sit alone in a spot that once overflowed. Not just Len’s keys, but the kids’ too. Each one, in turn, getting their...

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“Bad Romance” by Karen Kinley

Submitted to Contest #47

You’d dated lots of women before, but this time was different. Tessa was different. She wasn’t one to swoon and bat her eyelashes (yes, you’d been with that type before). She wasn’t possessive and demanding, spitting out passive-aggressive remarks under her breath about what you did or didn’t do. She wasn’t heavy, but she wasn’t too thin either and seemed perfectly at ease in her own skin. (Unlike your ex, Maddie, who whined incessantly about how hungry she was but practically starved herself to stay a size 4.) No, Tessa wasn’t a lot of th...

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“A Life for Garrett” by Karen Kinley

Submitted to Contest #42

No one expected much from Carly. She was a screw-up from the beginning, the "accident" baby who was routinely ignored by her family. She did poorly in school despite her best efforts and private tutoring by the teacher. And even then she barely graduated high school. This was due to not only her grades (marginal) but also her pregnancy (knocked up by the drum major of the marching band). When she did graduate and subsequently delivered her baby (a little boy she named Garrett), she moved out of her parents' home and rented a garage apartment...

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“Distractions” by Karen Kinley

Submitted to Contest #38

Shit, another conference call, I think as I see the notification in my inbox. My boss is such an asshole. Why can't he just send an email?I close the laptop and move into the kitchen for a snack. My third snack since breakfast. This working from home sucks. Well, not really. But it's what I'm supposed to think. If I am being honest with myself, I actually love it. I can sleep in until 8, get a quick shower, put on my sweats and a sensible blouse, and I'm all set. I check my Instagram feed and drink my coffee in peace instead of traffic, and ...

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“An Afternoon Alone” by Karen Kinley

Submitted to Contest #37

The woman behind the counter gave me a weak smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Here you go,” she said and handed me my bag. As I turned to leave the deli, I nearly bumped into the customer behind me in line. The young man’s hands were jammed into the front pockets of his jeans. His cap, turned backward, sported a small tiger paw.I mumbled “I’m sorry” and kept going. Outside, the brisk air felt good on my skin. I crossed Madison Avenue, the traffic thick as usual. A nice long walk was what I needed, so I kept walking and headed for the par...

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Author bio

Teacher, writer, OCD-er. In a close relationship with my laptop. Getting a little thesaurus action on the side. Chasing down that elusive perfect line. www.karenkinley.com