Linda Brodsky

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Aug, 2020

Stories (23)

23 Stories

470 karma pts

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“Home Fires” by Linda Brodsky

Submitted to Contest #63

“By the time I stepped outside, the leaves were on fire, and the wind had picked up,” Annie Arthur said. “Catherine and Blake Bevins lived in that house you know. They moved in here in November, nineteen eighty-seven…no, eighty-eight.  It was raining the day the Bevins family moved into our little community. I baked them a welcome cake as soon as I saw the moving van pull into the drive. It was one of my famous chocolate cakes, with buttercream icing. I have never met anyone who didn’t enjoy one of my homem...

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“Forced Retirement” by Linda Brodsky

Submitted to Contest #62

Jane’s heart lurched as she gazed around the kitchen; the room she loved most in this house, the place where all her happiest memories were made.   This would all be Nola’s now. Nola the spoiler. Nola, the woman twenty years younger and forty pounds lighter, chosen as her replacement.  Decades of memories crowed together, vying for Jane’s attention.She could recall, so easily, those early happy days.   She, young, trim, and cheerful, cooking an...

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“Haunting Happiness” by Linda Brodsky

Submitted to Contest #61

Suzanne drifted through the door of Jinks’ Skating Rink and was enveloped in memories so intense she had to pause and wait for the waves of emotions to recede a bit. Being in this place, once the center of her teen universe, often filled her with unspeakable sadness, yet she remained a participant in this journey of the mind. Knowing nothing could return her to those carefree days of her youth did not keep her away from the repository housing her happiest memories and the moment that haunted her still. Leaving it, and the memorie...

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“Aftermath” by Linda Brodsky

Submitted to Contest #60

Elouise and Arnold Fletcher moved at a steady pace, carried on a current of humanity, Arnold traveling with the impatient, stiff legged gait of a general suddenly and unexpectedly relieved of duty, Elouise limping on one broken shoe.  Arnold clutched his “Go” bag, in one hand and kept the other planted in the small of Elouise’s back, not so much to support, as to propel her. She limped along, clutching her large, pink cosmetic bag.   Some people ran past them, some sat staring blankly, a few stood forming human b...

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“Safe or Sorry” by Linda Brodsky

Submitted to Contest #59

The sentry stood at full attention, eyes darting, ears straining.  He was sure…well, almost sure he had seen movement in thedistance, still a long way out, not near enough yet to qualify as a threat to the community.   He blinked and strained against sunlight and shadows. A shudder ripped through him. He was new to the job and riddled with indecision he was trying desperately to hide, if only from himself. The day was hot, and he was tired. Had there been movement out there, or had he imagined the threat?&...

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“Outage Limits” by Linda Brodsky

Submitted to Contest #58

Hour One Dear Diary, Amanda here. Bored. The power went out about fifteen minutes ago. My tablet and phone are fully charged, but I’m conserving power, just in case.   It’s still light outside so I thought I’d go old school.  I found this pad of paper and a pen in the junk drawer in the kitchen. I thought I’d amuse myself, while I wait for the lights to come back on and record my thoughts, the way I used to do when I was a kid.      I can’t remember ever losing power h...

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“Family Reunion” by Linda Brodsky

Submitted to Contest #57

Family Reunion By: Linda Brodsky      You have got to call the brat and make it clear that nobody in this family, nobody, skips the annual family reunion.      Sorry but this urgent.     Fine.  No. Scratch that. I’m not fine.  I was fine. I was having a good day until a few minutes ago when I got the shock of my life.     I am not being melodramatic. You didn’t hear those words spoken aloud.    &n...

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“Right To Remain Silent” by Linda Brodsky

Submitted to Contest #56

I don’t know why, but when Officer Daniels said, ‘Amanda, this is Richard, have you two met?’, I shook my head and utter the word, “No.” Without hesitation, Richard gave me a curt nod, extended his right hand, and said, “Richard Graves.   Pleased to meet you, Amanda…?” I stood there for a beat too long, brow furrowed, hands at my sides, staring into Richard Graves’ dark eyes.  Officer Daniels’ expression remained neutral and she kept her eyes fixed on the door behind us, making it seem that her attention had drifted away, l...

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