Mary Bendickson

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Feb, 2023

Stories (117)

117 Stories

9119 karma pts

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“Is Anybody Down There” by Mary Bendickson

Submitted to Contest #210

Is Anybody Down ThereThe pilot aimed her craft toward the ocean surface at near mach one speed and effortlessly splashed through the rolling waves. Quickly passing all the scenic routes of coral reefs and colorful marine life within minutes the ship was cruising in the bleak abyss at about 16,000 feet below the deep blue sea.“Hey, watch out for that whale! How long have you had your license?”“Since before you were born, Petty Officer Pretty Boy. And what is a whale doing down this far, anyway?”“Probably dead and drifting downward.”“Good. Mor...

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“Are We There Yet?” by Mary Bendickson

Submitted to Contest #209

Are We There Yet?Caution: Not intended as a horror story though circumstances may be horrible.Circa: 1963Conveyance: Puke-green V-8 Oldsmobile sized more like yacht rather that roller coaster; built before seat belts were ever discovered or children's safety devices were devised. Still questionable whether it would hold all the proposed cargo.Occupants: 6 children ages 5-15 including two 'big girls',Thelma 'n Bette; Bruce, aka 'Bruiser', 'the little ones' Robert, aka 'Chopper' (something cute he said when he was two) and Debbie; plus one ext...

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“Don't Mean Nuthin'” by Mary Bendickson

Submitted to Contest #208

Don't Mean Nuthin*Tribute to Unsung Heroes: the Veterans of Vietnam War Thanks for your service.(* Coined by G.I.’s in Vietnam. A reverse coping expression indicating that it means everything and I’m about to lose it. Usually used to dismiss witnessing or experiencing something so horrific that it can’t be comprehended by the psyche. Alternately used as an expression of relief that one has avoided being killed even if they are injured or maimed.)The fighting man of action opened his eyes. And saw nothing. What's happening?“Why can't I see?” ...

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“Me, Myself And I Mayhem” by Mary Bendickson

Submitted to Contest #207

Me, Myself and I Mayhem I am a facade. I am pretending to be something I am not. Look at me, posing as something I will probable never become. I continue to put on a show believing others believe in me. How can I believe I can accomplish what I can not do? I go through all the right motions putting on the charade. I create a semblance of what I think I could be but I must face the truth sometime. It is all only window dressing to pose the masquerade. It's a simple guise to hide the lies. Am I hurting anyone by putting on this pretext? Wha...

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“Public Speaking... In Fuzzy Bedroom Slippers” by Mary Bendickson

Submitted to Contest #206

Public Speaking...In Fuzzy Bedroom SlippersAnd the honor goes to...“Why? How? That's what I want to know. Who's great idea was it to make me the emcee.“I, I c-can't do it. I, I can't stand in front of a large room of people and, and t-talk. No way, no freakin' way. I w-would freak out. I, I w-would st-stumble all over the w-words. I, I w-would m-make a f-fool of myself. Who, who would want to listen to me. I c-can't w-write a speech. I, I'm not witty or f-funny. I'll only embarrass myself and ruin the whole affair for everyone. D-don't make ...

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“But First...Tacos!” by Mary Bendickson

Submitted to Contest #205

But First...Tacos! Warning: Mentions slicing, chopping, dicing and multiple other abuses to vegetables for the expressed intent of masticating and devouring them. (P.S. by author M.B. Added this warning because in my very first story posted on this site I admit I chopped down a personified tree for the purpose of building something else. The powers that be tagged the entry as containing abuse in an otherwise peaceful tale that I thought was suitable for children;) A hazy smoke filtered throughout the kitchen and permeated the entire house ...

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“Fancy Ranch” by Mary Bendickson

Submitted to Contest #204

Fancy RanchThe stalker couldn't believe his luck. Like a fragile black butterfly, his quest was sipping tea at the cafe having finished her morning errands. Finally alone!“Ah, My Dear, so nice to see you again. You look as lovely as ever even though you are still wearing that dreary black gown which doesn't fit your vibrant personality. Are you still mourning that long dead husband?” The man sat next to her without an invitation. “Allow me just a moment. You must grace my dinner table this evening. I insist. You will be the most mouth wateri...

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“The Hour-Glass Figure” by Mary Bendickson

Submitted to Contest #203

The Hour-Glass FigureHer eyes popped open. Someone had their lips on her mouth. Kissing her. Oka-ay. Kissing... She let her eyes drift shut to enjoy the sensation. It must be her mate. What? Wait. No! It can't be...She had the overwhelming need to cough. She couldn't help it. She coughed. Turned her head to the side and coughed and… Eww. That had to be a turn off! She spewed out even more. Poor fellow trying his best to make passionate love to her coming in again to close his mouth around hers just got spit on instead.He turned her towards h...

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“Into the Nineties” by Mary Bendickson

Submitted to Contest #202

Into the NinetiesMarie and Gertie grew up within miles of each other but never knew one another until they were in their teens.Marie was what someone may call 'white trash'. Her family was the poorest of the poor when everybody in their neck of the woods was poor. They had little to no money for common necessities because her father was a drunk. He drank up any income he managed to take in.He was not an ordinary falling-down-drunken-sop but a mean drunk. Marie and her older brother, Henry, would hide in the woods behind their house until he ...

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“BS&T” by Mary Bendickson

Submitted to Contest #201

“You know you are beautiful when you smile,” Max assured his wife as he draped his arm over her shoulder to pull her toward him in a side hug and kissed the top of her salt and peppered head arrayed with a wide, stretchy headband. He waved to the departing helicopter.“So I am not so beautiful now as I scowl at this mess?” Miriam knitted her brows together as she gazed out over acres and acres of trash-strewn devastation now simmering under the once shy summer sun. Gone were the lush green pastures, now only muddy manure pits remained dotted ...

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“A Little Birdie Told Me...” by Mary Bendickson

Submitted to Contest #200

A Little Birdie Told Me...Two long time neighbors met over the backyard fence.“So how's things down at the mill?”“Oh, you know how we millers are. We keep grinding them down and spitting them out. What about at the winery? Any good news there?”“Heard some good ones through the grapevine just yesterday.”“I can't wait to hear but I'll let you tell all of us at once when we get together over at the park. We plan on meeting between the telephone poles. We'll have a bird's eye view of the lay of the land and won't get our wires crossed.”“Sure, ev...

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“For-Get-Me-Not” by Mary Bendickson

Submitted to Contest #199

For-Get-Me-Not 'Memories, Like the corners of my mind Misty water-colored memories Of the way we were...' No radio but the song kept recycling in her mind. 'Of the way we were...' She clenched back the tears. Couldn't cry now. Would never be able to see the road. The glare of the setting sun was already blinding her as it fried every June bug, cicada and firefly splatting itself on the muddy windshield of her pint-sized pick-up. If she turned on the wipers what chance enough washer-fluid was in the tank to make a difference? No, with h...

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“The Alternate” by Mary Bendickson

Submitted to Contest #198

The AlternateI didn't make it... No, surely I made it... Didn't I??Other girls in front of me were either squealing in delight or turning away with crest-fallen hopes. Four of my other sophomore squad mates were holding on to each others arms bouncing up and down full of giddiness. Of course they had made it.Then one of the Patties met my eyes and had to look away. What had she seen on the single sheet posted outside the gymnasium that I hadn't been able to see yet for the cluster of swarming candidates surrounding the little typewritten squ...

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“Justice Screams” by Mary Bendickson

Submitted to Contest #197

Justice ScreamsChapter Five from my unpublished manuscript “A Brilliantly Scathing Life”. Part One of the book features chapters alternating between characters adjusting to life with the wagon train and time before joining the wagon train. Leroy was thrown from a horse and killed in the first Chapter (see Trampled Dreams and Trampled Dreams Part 2 in my profile).This chapter is some of Leroy's backstory. Shortly after Pappy passed away unexpectedly, Leroy decided the remaining Potter party members would be fine on their own. Their wagons wer...

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“Bubbles On the Horizon” by Mary Bendickson

Submitted to Contest #196

Bubbles on the HorizonThe wagon master, Mr. Marcy, traveled with his new scout trying to catch up with their lumbering wagon train snaking across the grassy Nebraska prairie.As they approached the line of canvas covered wagons looked like bubbles silhouetted on the horizon. Each wagon was like a little bubble world all of their own floating in a sea of the unknown tethered together with others for survival.The Indian scout wasn't one for talking so the leader's thoughts wandered back to the spirited charmer he had to leave behind. They neede...

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Author bio

I am not like so many of you who have yearned to write their whole lives. I have always loved to read but seldom had time when I was raising kids and running a business. When I retired I started to read. I cleared out my Mom's house and found hundreds of romance novellas. Some great, some leaving much to be desired. I wondered if I could do better so spent 2022 writing a book with my laptop perched on my belly. It came out as a historical fiction with a little romance. I haven't tried getting it out there yet. I didn't study rules let alone follow any so now I am educating myself in how it is supposed to be done. Yoo-Hoo! Late July, 2023. Just found out I am a finalist in a major contest (Killer Nashville The Claymore Award)where I submitted my first 50 pages of my novel. Even if I don't win it is so nice to receive validation that someone liked my work. That would be 'Trampled Dreams' and 'Trampled Dreams Part Two' and 'Justice Scream' listed here. 8/21/23 Back from Nashville with the medal for winning my genre at the Killer Nashville Awards!!!:)Woo-Hoo!

Shortlisted 1 story ⭐️

Contest #211

Donuts Do Not Die – read story