Keila Aartila

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Aug, 2022

Stories (21)

21 Stories

396 karma pts

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“Doing My Best - Ramblings from a Conflicted Mind” by Keila Aartila

Submitted to Contest #165

Doing My Best - Ramblings From A Conflicted Mind“Did anyone ever tell you, you have a hyperactive sense of responsibility?” - Probably not an exact qoute, but one of my favorites from the Jesse Stone movies. It struck me. I don’t want to be a mind reader. In fact, I try very hard not to be, but - It’s all my fault. This is all my fault. Everything is all my fault. At least, that’s how I felt about everything and anything that ever happened. It’s not like anyone ran around, pointing fingers and saying, ”It’s all your fault!”I just k...

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“The Wisdom of Magic” by Keila Aartila

Submitted to Contest #164

“Where I come from, the land is magical because everyone believes. That’s why I am a unicorn. Mystical, mythological.” I gestured to the horn on top of my head. I knew he was only one of the very few who could see it. He believed.I glanced across the room and caught the reflection of myself in the mirror opposite. I could see my horn shimmering like a mirage.“Tonight, I will tell you the legend of the Tooth Fairy.”My beautiful little boy, curled up under the blankets and nested into his pillow now, turned his big, blue eyes toward me while c...

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“Flowing Content” by Keila Aartila

Submitted to Contest #163

You’ll never be content, taunts one of the unwanted voices echoing in my head. What does that even mean? My brow wrinkles in contemplation and remembrance. I’ve been called a lot of things throughout my fifty plus years - intense, bossy, independent, but never content. (Usually with a “too” added in front.) Funny - I am a lot of those. I actually find them empowering, even though they’re usually tossed at me negatively. Am I discontent? I don’t think so. I was also called enigmatic once. I determined that suitable. Though, co...

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“Meal Plan” by Keila Aartila

Submitted to Contest #162

“Get out. Get out of my house,” she spoke the order in a neutral, nearly conversational fashion, surprising even herself.The man shrugged on his coat, finished the last gulp of his wine and contemplated her glare. He turned to leave. As he grabbed the door knob, he shot back,”I’ll call you tomorrow, then, okay?”“Whatever,” she stated as she closed the door after him.She poured herself another glass of wine before checking the oven. Gosh, it smelled so good! What's wrong with that guy? She had made this over-the-top dinner for him, to ce...

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“Insidious” by Keila Aartila

Submitted to Contest #161

The old man claimed her innocence when she was a small child, and gave her the gifts of blame and shame in exchange. I, the selfish secret, was planted. A well-hidden whisper that dictated the choices and beliefs of a young girl growing up, and she didn’t even know it. I hid in in the back of that girl’s mind, quietly, for a long time under the guise of protection. She was a good girl. She wanted to protect her family, so I was buried deep. Then she unexpectedly found her voice. Dug me up. Now, I’m vulnerable to the world. This is a...

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“Allusive Oasis” by Keila Aartila

Submitted to Contest #160

I look around the desert for a drop of humanity to quench this undeniable thirst. An oasis of empathy to soothe my unrelenting heart. Am I lost? My parched soul keeps searching for refreshment, fulfillment. Nothing interrupts the dusty beige view before me. My aching feet continue travel over the shifting sand, moved along beneath the blazing sun by willpower alone, seeking solace, not death. Death may offer a seductive reprieve, but the allusive idea of solace is more intrigueing. My newly embraced mantra: Keep moving so as not to get mir...

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Author bio

A mom of one teenage daughter and a happy wife in the far north woods of Wisconsin with a bunch of horses, chickens, Guinea Fowl, cats and a German Shepherd dog.