Kristy Schnabel

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Feb, 2024

Stories (17)

17 Stories

468 karma pts

?

“The Airport Connection” by 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...

Read story

“The Unraveling” by 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...

Read story

“The Heroine Who Got Thrown Under the Bus” by 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...

Read story

“Call From The Vestibule” by 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. ...

Read story

“The Year of What If” by 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...

Read story

“Deadly Confessions” by 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...

Read story

“The Egg Substitution” by 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...

Read story

“The Locket with Four R’s” by 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...

Read story

“Double Betrayal” by 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 ...

Read story

“The Heirloom Rift” by 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...

Read story

“The Murderer Next Door” by 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 ...

Read story

“My Jane Day” by Kristy Schnabel

Submitted to Contest #265

"Are you traveling alone to London?" asked the middle-aged woman sitting beside me in the international boarding area."Yes, yes, I am. I'm calling this trip my 'Jane Austen's Literary London' excursion. I'm paying homage to my favorite author as a reward to myself for recently obtaining my English degree. That's how I spent my pandemic years, righting a wrong from years ago."The woman eyed my shoulder-length gray hair and aging neck, undoubtedly putting me in the senior category. "Bravo! Righting a wrong, you say?" She looked surprised and d...

Read story

“Wedding Llamas” by Kristy Schnabel

Submitted to Contest #264

It took all my strength not to roll my eyes as Heather ambled into our family room, juggling three overfilled binders, which she flung onto the coffee table. Dad bristled at the thudding sound. Heather had been planning her perfect wedding for more than a decade. With her groom ensnared, she just needed Dad's bank account to realize her dream. Dad looked at Heather, "Don't we need David here for this discussion?" Dad sat rigidly, and his hands tightly grasped his Chicago Cubs coffee mug. I feared the cup would crack from the strain. Heather ...

Read story

“Julius Caesar: Portia’s Jab Leads to Brutus’s Stab” by Kristy Schnabel

Submitted to Contest #257

Julius Caesar: Portia’s Jab Leads to Brutus’s Stab March 2023 When I entered our kitchen, I saw Brett hunched over his coffee cup with a worried look. “You’re up early. Are you okay?” “No.” I'd never seen him look so defeated. “Your Mom?” “Yes. What am I going to do?” asked Brett. He looked tired and disheveled, and the bags under his eyes were more pronounced than usual. “I’m so sorry, hon.” “She wants to die. She’s in such pain. They won’t give her any more pain medication because they’re afraid it’ll kill her. Ironic, right?” “No li...

Read story

“Why Are You Here?” by Kristy Schnabel

Submitted to Contest #255

Week 1:As Neal entered the room, she said, "Please sit wherever you are most comfortable. The chair or the sofa." He chose the chair. "Why are you here?"Neal responded with an attitude. "You tell me." "That's not my role. Answer the question, please.""The City put me on leave.""For…""They say I need," he made air quotes, 'anger management.' I had a bad moment."She got up and walked to the desk. She grabbed an envelope with the return address 'City of Springfield, Department of Human Resources.' According to this, you threw coffee a...

Read story

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.