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Kristy Schnabel

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Feb, 2024

Stories (21)

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37 Followers

29 Following

21 Stories

614 karma pts

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The Unfriending

Kristy Schnabel

Submitted to Contest #287

"I can't be your friend anymore." I stood next to Helen's red front door as her facial muscles migrated from a forced smile to shock. She didn't like surprise visits, even from her best friend."What's wrong?" said she."It's cold. May I come in?""Of course. I have the kettle on. Would you like a cup of tea? You see, I'm being gracious despite what you said.""No tea." I stared at my feet."Well, would you like to sit down?""No. I need to stay standing." We faced each other in her foyer."What do you think I've done?"I thrust the one-page governm...

24 likes

The Choice

Kristy Schnabel

Submitted to Contest #286

(This story is about a fire evacuation.) The air filter machine whirred in competition with the TV anchor's urgent plea for viewers to follow local authorities' edicts. My phone showed "Evacuation Zone Level 2," meaning "Be set to depart on a moment's notice." John and I had been through this before but never had to leave. Usually, I liked the expansive view from the east window, but today, the emerging tsunami of red and brown toxic smoke felt apocalyptic. Deep inhale. Breathing is still okay. Asthma medicine holding up. Still staring...

15 likes

Eleventh-Hour Greeting Card

Kristy Schnabel

Submitted to Contest #285

It's Saturday, June 12, 1993, and I'm the pink princess phone in Melody's bedroom. Since it's nearly 9:00 a.m., I will ring at any moment when her friend Sheila customarily calls. Here I go. "Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding." Melody never answers on the first round, even if she's close by. "Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding." "Hello?" asks Melody, as she lies on her bed's comforter with pillows propped up behind her back. "Hi, Mel," says Sheila. "Hi. How was work last night?" "Not bad. I got a big tip near the end of my shift, but I had ...

16 likes

The Labyrinth Realization

Kristy Schnabel

Submitted to Contest #282

As Vera stood at the threshold of the labyrinth in the hospital courtyard, she recalled when she first met Charles thirty years before. In 1990, "It's Only Lunch" had just launched as a way for singles to meet over a meal. When Vera asked her date about the hobby on his profile, the bearded, lanky, serious-looking man shared his passion."A labyrinth is not the same as a maze," said Charles. By design, mazes confuse and have more than one pathway. You can actually get lost." His deep voice resonated as if we were giving one of his math lectur...

11 likes

The Airport Connection

Kristy Schnabel

Submitted to Contest #280

(This story has an inadvertent racial slur that gets corrected.)I hope he doesn't want the lemon one.I'll have the lemon old-fashioned and a coffee, please.Rats! Oh…Oh, you wanted it, too?It's the only vegetarian donut…unless…do you have more in the back?Sorry ma'am. It's the last one.I'll change my order. I'll have the chocolate cruller and the lemon one for the lady. That's so kind, thank you, but—I insist. I'm excited about my trip and feeling generous. Can I get you a coffee, too?It's easier to just agree—there are so many people be...

20 likes

The Unraveling

Kristy Schnabel

Submitted to Contest #278

Everything would have been different had Brooke and Andy Tyler called before picking up their daughter early when their event got cancelled. Their Honda Civic sedan weaved through the Portland neighborhood in which Brooke had grown up, and the windshield wipers squeaked without enough rain to make them glide smoothly. The sun peeked out, accentuating the red rhododendrons and pink azaleas adorning ranch homes one after another. “Now the sun comes out,” said Brooke, leaning into the windshield and looking up. “Predictable,” said Andy, simulta...

16 likes

The Heroine Who Got Thrown Under the Bus

Kristy Schnabel

Submitted to Contest #277

So you know the 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz, right? You’ve probably seen it more than once. Are you one of those who thinks that Dorothy is the heroine? Well, let me set you straight because I starred in that movie, and you’re wrong. Dead wrong. If this reminds you of the musical Wicked and reimagining a character you thought you knew, you’re on the right track. Let’s begin with my first scene when I bit Miss Gulch on the leg. That scene inspired me to take the part. Even Dorothy Gale called Miss Gulch an old witch, so it was my pleasur...

24 likes

Call From The Vestibule

Kristy Schnabel

Submitted to Contest #276

On January 3, 1984, I started a new job, which I hoped would completely change my life. No pressure. At 7:55 a.m., with butterflies dancing in my stomach because this new role would challenge me, I opened the door to the office building’s vestibule. The cold, spartan room contained two plastic chairs and a small table with a beige push-button phone. I pressed the buttons for my supervisor’s extension, and the phone rang and rang and rang. Even if it wasn’t my fault, I absolutely, positively couldn’t be late for my first day on the job. ...

16 likes

The Year of What If

Kristy Schnabel

Submitted to Contest #273

Monday, October 16, 2024 Dear Diary,Today, the local news announced that someone here in Oregon won the Powerball lottery worth $1.3 billion dollars. A crazy amount of money, right?! That gave me the idea for my senior thesis. I'll be asking people what they would do if they won that much cash and then analyze their answers from a psychological perspective. Cool topic, right? I may as well start with myself. I don't play the lottery and don't gamble in general. When I learned in statistics class the chances of winning, it just seemed li...

26 likes

Deadly Confessions

Kristy Schnabel

Submitted to Contest #271

(Sensitive themes: alcohol, DUI, murder, mental health)Ruby Marshall grew weary of listening to people's problems, which was unfortunate because, as a psychotherapist, that was her job. On a late October afternoon, she ushered a new client into her office, painted light blue, a color that bored her. Ruby hoped her mysterious client, calling himself John Doe, would be interesting. Still, she'd poured herself another cup of coffee just in case. "Have a seat." Ruby pointed to the beige sofa. When John entered the room, a serene golden...

14 likes

The Egg Substitution

Kristy Schnabel

Submitted to Contest #270

Fiona Wesley dreaded having the conversation she needed to have. Driving to Goldie's apartment, she devised ways to break the shocking news. She trod carefully up the unlit stairs. By the time Fiona knocked on the door, she had no idea how she'd broach the difficult subject, but time was of the essence."Hi, Fiona." They embraced. "Come on in," said Goldie. "I hope you don't mind. I'm baking." Goldie led the way to the small kitchen. Goldie stood in the kitchen near the mixing bowl and measuring cup on the counter. Fiona took a seat on the ba...

22 likes

The Locket with Four R’s

Kristy Schnabel

Submitted to Contest #269

A UPS truck driver knocked three times on Olivia Martin's apartment door on Saturday morning with a mysterious package. It was from her aunt, and since they weren’t close, Olivia was curious. When she opened the box, she immediately knew these were mementos from her recently deceased Granny. The box contained a Christmas brooch, a miniature glass bunny, and a locket necklace. Olivia placed her hand on her heart and whispered, “Granny.” The granddaughter had admired these items through the years. They weren’t of equal value because Granny wor...

17 likes

Double Betrayal

Kristy Schnabel

Submitted to Contest #268

Tap. Tap. Tap. Maggie heard the rapping on the front door of her apartment. She glanced at her nightstand clock and saw 7:25 a.m. What day is it? Saturday. Not wanting the knocking to disturb the neighbors, she arose quickly, grabbed her robe for warmth and coverage, and darted for the door. Maggie stood on her tip-toes to look through the peephole. Uh oh. Billy. She cracked open the door. Billy had disheveled hair and beard stubble as if he just rolled out of bed. “I came to apologize, babe.” Maggie hadn’t opened the door wide enough ...

13 likes

The Heirloom Rift

Kristy Schnabel

Submitted to Contest #267

My niece's bridal shower guests weren't due for two hours, but I could only think about how to ask my sister for Gran's bracelet. Gran died six months ago, but Clara had yet to mention the 18-carat gold bracelet with robin's egg blue turquoise in-lay, which I had coveted my whole life. Gran promised it to me, and having this precious heirloom on my wrist would connect me to my beloved grandmother in a visceral way. I'd recently discovered by accident via DNA testing that my sister and I were only half-sisters. Did Gran already have a b...

4 likes

The Murderer Next Door

Kristy Schnabel

Submitted to Contest #266

(This story indirectly hints at alcoholism and physical abuse.)I’ve been a member of an online writer’s group for three years, and tonight, I’ll be mixin’ the agenda up in a way they couldn’t imagine. We critique each other’s writing to make it better. First, we offer praise such as “good characterization,” “Nice pacin’,” or “Great descriptions.” Then, we go in for the kill: “The story bored me in the middle,” “The character lacks emotion and depth,” or “I didn’t get the endin’.” It can be brutal, but if we can survive the criticism, we end ...

9 likes

Author bio

The pandemic drove me back to school post-retirement. After obtaining that English degree that earlier eluded me, I tried a creative writing class. Now, I’m obsessed with writing and can’t stop. It keeps me sane in an insane world.

My best ideas come when I’m long-distance swimming, walking in the forest near our home, and in the shower. Two of my short stories were published in the Portland Community College literary magazines (Letter & Line and The Pointed Circle).

Goals: Figuring out my writing genre and getting short-listed on Reedsy. The quality of writing here is impressive, and I’ve done the math (chances: 0.3%), but I keep plugging away, learning as I go.

Addictions: Political/legal podcasts, Law & Order TV show, British detective shows, football, and popcorn.

Favorite authors: Jane Austen, William Shakespeare, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Kazuo Ishiguro, E.M. Forster, Curtis Sittenfeld, & Gabrielle Zevin.

My favorite season is fall, and although I started life in Southern California, I’ve grown to love overcast days, rain, and snow. My Husband Larry and I live in Oregon. We recently sent our 16-year-old dog, Aubrey, over the rainbow bridge, so my stories may feature lots of dogs because we’re missing ours.