Melissa Taylor

“The Princess of Armeada, Atlantis ” by Melissa Taylor

Submitted to Contest #168

I watched out the train windows as the city flew by and then became countryside. Miles and miles of nothing but trees. Leaning back in my seat, I closed my eyes. My head was throbbing. Thatcher had nearly caught up with me in the last city. I had gotten comfortable and stayed too long in one spot. Not that it was possible to ever be completely comfortable here in the Earth realm. As an Atlantean, coming to the Earth realm was strictly forbidden. Centuries ago, our kind used to travel to this realm regularly until it became clear that hu...

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“The Escape” by Melissa Taylor

Submitted to Contest #162

"If we ever get out of here, do you know what I want? A grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup." Moira had her eyes closed, envisioning warm gooey melty cheese. "WHEN we get out of here, I will make that for you. I make the BEST grilled cheese." Shane said. "It's not your everyday grilled cheese." "What makes yours so special?" Moira asked. "First off, I use three different kinds of cheese: cheddar, gruyere and muenster. I grill the bread in garlic butter with rosemary. It's divine if I do say so myself."  "That sou...

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“Susana in Recovery” by Melissa Taylor

Submitted to Contest #162

TW: Mental health; addiction; abuse of powerThere were too many choices, it was overwhelming. I thought about the advice Gordon Ramsay always gave the owners of the restaurants he was trying to rescue. Trim the menu down, do fewer things and do them well.When the waiter came to take our orders, I panicked and ordered a Caesar salad with grilled chicken. Pretty hard to screw that up. Lance ordered a rare ribeye steak which would undoubtedly be over or under cooked. I would have to listen to him complain about it all evening. Fantastic. T...

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“Three Points of View” by Melissa Taylor

TW: Scenario that defies logic and would NEVER happen in real life.“Bren, if you think he could make you happy, you should be with him. I’m fine with it, more than fine. I love you both and I want you both to be happy.” Perry looked sincere but the words coming out of his mouth were so unexpected, so unlikely... “I can’t just jump from one to the other. What will all our friends think?” Brenda was crying. Perry’s unexpected blessing both thrilled and horrified her. “It might take them a beat or two but when they see all three ...

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“Nathan Sanders Makes an Apology ” by Melissa Taylor

I was a different person back then; this must be completely understood.  Five years ago, I was self-medicating my depression with alcohol. I didn't understand then that the booze only made it worse. Five years ago, I didn't know what love was. I was selfish and I was a fool. I knew Betsy Marron loved me. It meant nothing to me at the time aside from the fact that I could get what I wanted from her, if you get my drift. She was beautiful with long blonde hair, blue eyes and the perfect figure. I told her I loved her too. I...

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“Greener Pastures” by Melissa Taylor

Submitted to Contest #158

I leaned against my car in the parking lot of my apartment and took the first drag of my cigarette, Tony’s voice behind me nearly made me jump out of my skin. “I thought you quit.”  “Son of a biscuit eater, Tony!” I yelled at my husband as I tried to calm my racing heart. “You’re going to give me a heart attack one of these days.”   Tony was always sneaking up on me. I had considered putting a bell around his neck like a cat. The thought made me laugh now, despite my annoyance. I passed the cigarette to my husband, who had q...

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“The Visiting Room” by Melissa Taylor

Submitted to Contest #158

*Contains sexual content; Discusses death.* Rita slowly opened her eyes to early morning sunlight streaming through the bedroom window. Reality hit her full force like a punch to the gut when she rolled over and saw the empty space in the bed beside her; the space that should be occupied by Mark, her husband of just three years. Mark was not there, and he never would be again. It was exactly one month to the day since her husband, the love of her life had died in a car accident on his way home from work. If only she had known when he left...

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