Mary Richards

“Lights Out” by Mary Richards

The night shift was dreaded by most of the staff. Long hours dragged on in silence as prisoners slept fitfully. Every snore, every shift, every fart echoed in the quiet corridors. The half-walls that separated the inmates in the low-level facility. The incarcerated women generally settled down without too much hassle, so the night shift was deadly boredom for most. Not for Don Silverthorn. Don knew what went on after the lights went out. He could write a book. The tears, the praying, the lovemaking. It was fascinating. The same women who wal...

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“Miss Louisa” by Mary Richards

Submitted to Contest #217

Louisa Cantoni sat back on her heals and grunted. She had to roll onto her knees to push herself up these days. A sight to be seen… “I’ve become a yard butt,” she muttered, every time she got up, without fail. The kids in the neighborhood made fun of her, but she didn’t care. She was too old to care. That’s what she told herself, anyway. When she was younger, the little ones would flock around her. They were fascinated with her jet-black hair and her Italian accent. They loved her flowers and always hovered nearby when it was tomato sea...

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“The Stranger in the Coffee Shop” by Mary Richards

Submitted to Contest #215

The urge to kill, to harm, to maim, had always been there. As long as he could remember, Jake wanted to hurt things. When he was younger, it had been birds and unsuspecting cats. His mother had been horrified by his behavior and she sent him away, to a place that could pray the evil out of him. It worked for awhile, but the desire to harm was creeping in again. Only this time, he wanted more. *** Carissa hauled her bag, containing her computer and notebooks everywhere she went. Today the plan was to work on her novel at the little coffee sho...

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“The Studio” by Mary Richards

Submitted to Contest #213

The studio was quiet and dim. Grace had not turned the lights on in weeks. Her mother’s death had completely derailed her, even though it was not unexpected. Evil cancer had stolen her beautiful, talented mother from her way before her time. Her mother’s name was Lily. Everything about her suggested light and flowers. She had the magic hands of an expert potter and had instilled the love of the clay in her daughter. The studio was filled with their expert creations, shelves lined with everything from rustic mugs to fine ceramic dishes. Grac...

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“The Chef's Hat” by Mary Richards

Submitted to Contest #207

The Chef’s Hat Macy pushed the swinging doors open to enter the kitchen. Her kitchen. The space that brought her more joy than anything else. The restaurant had been built from the ground floor by John, her husband. Memories flooded her brain as she watched the dance of the head chef and her helpers. The smell of sauteing garlic and onion mixed with the heavenly scent of prime rib and roasting chicken assaulted her senses today. It should be John wearing the white chef’s coat, calling out the orders, working his magic. She stood, unnotice...

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