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Mary Bendickson

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Feb, 2023

Stories (149)
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149 Stories

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When Will We Ever Learn

Submitted to Contest #242

When Will We Ever Learn?“Careful. That whitewash may still be wet.”“What are you talkin' 'bout? How would you know?”“Helpin' paint picket fences is one of ma many talents. Used ta spend hours doin' it just fer fun.”“Just fer fun? Sounds like work to me.”“Then ya'll haven't ever met my good ol' pal Tom Sawyer. He'd talk ya inta it alright. But then agin, ya'll pretty little. Maybe ya couldn't handle the big ol' brush, anyways.”“I'm plenty big enough to use a brush. Ya gots one on ya? I'll prove it to ya.”“Na, they's got fancy maintenance peop...

46 likes 57 comments 57
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A Fable: The Gardener and the Potter

Submitted to Contest #241

A Fable: The Gardener and the Potter Samuel, a slightly stooped, aging gentleman of humble means in a humble village, visited with his eldest daughter. “Is all well with you and your new husband?”“All is wonderfully well. He treats me like a precious flower. Seeing to my every want and need. Gordon is such a hard worker. He works from sun-up to sun-down in our fields growing the best crops any gardener would be proud of.” Marigold marveled.“Is there anything you need from me, My Dear?”“Well, the only thing I could request is that you pray f...

47 likes 45 comments 45
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Flooded Out of 17th Floor

Submitted to Contest #240

Flooded Out of 17th Floor September 12, 2008 approximately 4PM:My husband and I walked along the fourth floor upper deck of our apartment parking garage persistently caressed by promising breezes ruffling our hair and cooling our humidity heated cheeks. Above us circled gray outer bands of clouds in perfect spiral formation interspersed with stripes of blue sky sporting sunshine between them. As beautiful as the effect appeared the atmospheric phenomenon was an ominous reminder of the approaching weather forecast. A monstrosity of a hurrican...

36 likes 23 comments 23
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Blessings Tree

Submitted to Contest #239

Blessings TreeI pick up a golden leaf. On it is written in flowing script 'Peace'. On the next one is 'Hope'. Three more: 'Joy', 'Love', 'Patience'. More leaves rain down on me from my backyard blessings tree. 'Kindness', 'Self-Control', 'Gentleness'. So many to choose from. I want them all. Please, help me decide. 'Wisdom', 'Knowledge', 'Health', 'Prosperity', 'Abundance', 'Talent'. How is one to figure it all out? Is there a limit? I shouldn't be greedy. 'Generosity', 'Unselfishness', 'Common Sense', 'Grace', 'Mercy', 'Foresight', 'Discern...

47 likes 50 comments 50
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Hammer Down

Submitted to Contest #238

Warning: Sex, sex and more sexMay want to read "Alyce's Restaurant" firstUnabashed likeness to well-known plotHammer Down“Damn, that woman is pretty...”Drifter thought as he sipped his strong coffee and nibbled at his buttered toast. “Well, more like runway gorgeous...”He was hungrier but opted not to eat any of the fare offered at pudgy Alyce's greasy spoon after seeing his grimy apron. “No, much more wholesome and natural than that.” The coy waitress, Cassie, he was watching side-eyed him as she waited on another table. He sneaked a quick ...

42 likes 36 comments 36
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Alyce's Restaurant

Submitted to Contest #237

Alyce's RestaurantHigh Plains Drifter drifted through the high plains looking for a comfortable corner. The zipper zipped beside him on the left. The fog line to his right. The easy double nickles he was maintaining was lulling him to the point of shutter trouble. His hours were nearly expired. It was time to back it down and pull off ramp. According to his Qualcom a small place should be within five miles. It would have to do even if he wasn't familiar with it. Next place would be too far and run him out of hours.Rules, rules. Every which w...

44 likes 46 comments 46
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Sixties Teen

Submitted to Contest #236

Sixties Teen My husband, star of my epic love life, “Hey, Hon. Let's get Sirius.” “Let's see. We have been married going on twenty-eight years. We've combined our retirement benefits. We have been looking into purchasing adjoining cemetery plots. How much more serious can we get?” He who claims to love me, “No, I mean the XM streaming service 'Sirius'. Might save us overall on our entertainment package.” “I can barely operate the TV now. Change it again and I'll never be able to run the remote control. What happened to the good old days of c...

39 likes 48 comments 48
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Another Brick in the Wall

Submitted to Contest #235

Another Brick in the Wall “Miss Chandler, Miss Chandler. The boys are at it again.” Third-grader Tali Grumble hurried over to her teacher at recess. “What are they doing now?” Miss Chandler inquired. “Playing baseball and running the bases.” “Not again? How many times must I remind them? Guess I'll have to report them to the principal this time. He will not be happy about it and will probably give them detention. Thank you for letting me know.” !o!o!o! “Mr. Carr, I am sorry to report I am having trouble with the boys at recess again. They ...

40 likes 59 comments 59
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All For Science

Submitted to Contest #234

All For ScienceIt's a jungle out here. I'd been warned. Predators and prey of every size and description around every corner. Anywhere can be breathtakingly beautiful and equally breathtakingly deadly. Stay alert to stay alive.Even with safeguards in place I find myself in terrifying peril. Time's running out. The end is near. I fear no help is in the offering. I am on my own...no hope left. It's getting more... and more difficult...to breathe. Humidity so thick it's like...sucking a wet sponge. But I can't give up... yet. I...I see my short...

37 likes 44 comments 44
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Where's the Can Opener

Submitted to Contest #233

Where's the Can Opener? Time is ticking down. The end is near. Grandma rechecks her list for the umpteenth time. Candles with lighters and matches Radio / Ham radio Flashlights; lanterns; batteries, all sizes Tool box / sewing kit Generator ready Bottled water, for eight people for 30 days Canned goods, dried fruit, ready to eat meals Plates, utensils, pots Blankets, pillows First aid kits Medications / vitamins Reading material, especially Bible and survival magazines Warm clothing Air purifiers; gas masks; emergency oxygen; Geiger count...

34 likes 35 comments 35
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Too-Cute Magic

Submitted to Contest #232

Too-Cute MagicChrissy Merriman stepped out onto the small balcony off her upstairs bedroom in the stately Victorian home she shared with her grandmother. She hugged her warm, cozy bathrobe around herself as she gazed into the dark winter sky searching for the peace eluding her this starless, cloudy night that held promise for more snow to grant a white Christmas. Chrissy felt lighter than air unsure if she would ever come down to earth again after the unexpected embrace and out of this world kiss from Mr. Kool himself.A brief time before she...

32 likes 34 comments 34
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Too-Cute Match-Up

Submitted to Contest #231

Too-Cute Match-UpFor the second night Chrissy tucked in the visiting five-year-old, Carlson. He should sleep happier now that the Barbie dream room had been transformed into a space odyssey. The fifth-grade teacher went downstairs in the large Victorian home she shared with her Nana.“Any success locating his parents?” Chrissy asked Nana as she joined her in front of the fireplace.Upon a chance meeting with Carlson and his Grandfather two evenings ago at a local restaurant the grandfather suffered a fatal heart attack without being able to gi...

33 likes 33 comments 33
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Too-Cute Mix-Up

Submitted to Contest #230

Too-Cute Mix-Up Chrissy tucked Carlson under a multi-colored quilt before he said his prayers. “What story do you want me to read to you? 'Frosty, the Snowman' or 'Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer'.” “'Frosty', please.” Sleepy-eyed Carlson responded. The visiting five-year-old was sound asleep before 'Frosty' melted away to return another year. And it was no wonder. Chrissy reflected on what their day had been like. *** Hard to believe it was only last evening when the two of them had met at the Harbor House Restaurant. Chrissy, having had ...

22 likes 13 comments 13
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Too-Cute Meet

Submitted to Contest #229

Too-Cute MeetThe explosive excitement of Chrissy's fifth grade class was peaking as the much anticipated holiday party approached. The final afternoon before the traditional winter two-week break was officially kicked off with festivities pointing to Christmas Day. But, of course, no one could call it Christmas Vacation. It just happened to coincide with the religious reason for the season.The coming of Jesus or the coming of Santa rivaled each other but if she was a betting person the ten-year-olds in her classroom were hyped-up on thoughts...

30 likes 36 comments 36
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Words

Submitted to Contest #228

Words Once upon a time, a long, long time ago in a land far away there lived a band of brothers. Well, some of them were actually brothers by birth, the others all brothers by beliefs. The group started out very small but eventually grew to thirteen plus others that were like-minded but didn't necessarily travel with the core company constantly. Mostly they traveled together but sometimes they broke away and ventured out separately or in twos or threes. They were a peace-loving lot, however, out of necessity, some would still keep a weapon...

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