Kenneth Kendall

“He Said, She Said” by Kenneth Kendall

Submitted to Contest #186

“What the hell is wrong with you?” “What’s wrong with me? How about what’s wrong with you?” “You’re the one slamming doors and banging pots and pans. If you don’t want to make dinner, don’t do it. But stop with the theatrics.” “Theatrics! Theatrics! That’s what you think this is. This is not theatrics. This is pissed off.” “Well, if you're pissed off, and it somehow relates to me, then I guess it would be more productive to tell me why you're pissed off rather than slamming and banging things. But that’s just me.” “You are so condescending. ...

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“Colored Decisions” by Kenneth Kendall

Submitted to Contest #184

As the behemoth released her onto the cold, smooth surface under foot, Melody felt a sense of relief to be free from the captor that had ripped her from her home and family, yet by no means comfortable. This space wasn’t new to her, yet, it wasn’t familiar. Her body shook as she took in her surroundings; everything was white, shiny, and frigid. She backed into a corner and flattened to the plane that rose behind her. The walls, too, held no warmth, mirroring the sensation below her feet. There was nowhere to hide. The view from her station y...

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“Good Morning Goth” by Kenneth Kendall

Franklin walked through the door, flipping pages on the chart in his hand, not looking up until he reached the side of the bed. With his chart review was complete, he looked at the bed and saw it was empty. His eyebrows lifted, his mouth opened, and he turned to find out what had happened to the patient he had operated on thirty-six hours before.When his eyes found the girl lacing up thigh-high black boots, he cleared his throat, “Um, where is Brielle Banders?”Standing to her full height, with four-inch heels, she was almost eye to...

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“Social Conscious” by Kenneth Kendall

Submitted to Contest #182

Sharon’s gut wrenched when the thought bubble appeared on her screen, “Would you like to reconsider your search request?” She typed, “I have a code.” “Enter code.” “8836473b74” “The Premier has personally selected the following resources for your learning.” Nine articles about euthanasia appeared on the screen. Before the title of each was the crisscrossed infinity logo of The Premier. Sharon reviewed all the titles and clicked on “The Premier chooses Grisentia over self.” Once on the landing page, she saw that it was an article from The Yum...

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“No Where To Hide” by Kenneth Kendall

Submitted to Contest #181

Brady gripped the steering wheel a little harder as he hit the apex of the two-hundred-and-seventy-degree transition from the 101 to the 405 freeway. Unsure why he was speeding to the last place he wanted to go. No, the second to last. Home would claim the top spot. It was the stress driving every part of him, including the car. As he released the pressure on the gas pedal, the car slowed to a manageable speed. He looked up and thought, ‘One mile. Make a decision. Face it or flee it.’ Looking over his left shoulder, pulling the left indicato...

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“Take a Gamble?” by Kenneth Kendall

Submitted to Contest #180

Malory awoke and turned towards Benjamin. Her outstretched hand moved without impediment and dropped atop the comforter. Rolling back, removing the eye mask that blocked the lights of the Las Vegas strip, the clock read 3:17.It was too much. She rolled out of bed and went to the drawers, where hours before, she had unpacked before she and Benjamin had joined his entire family for dinner. She hadn’t wanted to come on the trip at all. Benjamin pretended it was all fun and games for him with his family, but Malory knew that it was different for...

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“Something Old. Something New.” by Kenneth Kendall

Submitted to Contest #178

Kandiss looked around the apartment. It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas. As she threaded the garland around and through the bannister, thinking of the years she had done the same with her mom, she couldn’t help but mourn for David’s traditionless upbringing. At the bottom of the spiral stair that led to their bedroom, she looked at the tiny living area and felt nothing but joy. A micro version of the Christmas splendor that she had basked in growing up with her family in Bloomfield Hills. A suburb of Detroit. R...

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“A New Day” by Kenneth Kendall

Submitted to Contest #177

I can do it! I am in control! I am everything I believe I am! I make the decisions that determine my future! Today is the first day of the rest of my life! Chase woke up with the same affirmations playing aloud that were his lullaby just seven hours prior. And each of the night-lighted nights before. Lip syncing, hoping the confidence would somehow permeate his core, that he might one day be able to shout them from the mountain top. But today did not require climbing any mountains. Thinking back to yesterday’s session with Dr. Kelcheck,...

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