Melissa Taylor

“Erzsébet” by Melissa Taylor

I cannot see. How long has it been? I feel the bones of my legs begin to crumble as I shift in this small, wooden box. I stretch my skeletal fingers out in front of me to carefully feel along the semi-rotted planks. As I reach out, my arms brush against vegetation, which has sprung up from my chest. The familiar yet ancient memory of a hyacinth bounces into my mind's eye. I curl my boney digits around the stem and pluck the flower from myself. How very odd a sensation.Why is it that I've become aware again? I focus on remembering where I was...

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“The Lady in the Lake” by Melissa Taylor

Submitted to Contest #274

We used to call her Uncle Pam. She smelled like cigarettes and looked capable of being a one-woman biker gang. My cousin Audrey described her as "road hard". It was her rough party days that made her look so much older than her 50 years.We'd go every Summer to Rancho Seco with our big, loud, hillbilly family. The place was my favorite as a kid, but in hindsight it's not somewhere I'd choose out of all the other campgrounds. It's a recreational area located by an old nuclear power plant.At night, seeing the outline of the power plant's two la...

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“Déjà Vu ” by Melissa Taylor

Hadley looks at the man standing in front of her, waiting for him to realize that what he just said was incredibly rude. In the past, she would have gone above and beyond to ensure his satisfaction, but she’s worked with the public long enough now to understand that no good ever comes from going out her way for a stranger. They usually want you to go against policy and will throw you right under the bus once you do it for them. ‘Hello!?’ He exclaims at her. Clearly annoyed with her for not responding to him right away. She sighs. Any il...

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“A Recipe for Those Considering Chain Smoking!” by Melissa Taylor

Submitted to Contest #270

Hello friends! Today I'd like to share with you a recipe that's very personal and close to my heart. It's a recipe which I imagine has been passed down through generations of my family - and now, I hope you and yours can enjoy! This recipe is a perfect combination of what you get when you mix together different personalities, each conflicting, and each strong-willed ; and then you put them all into a car for 13+ hours over two days. The road goes on and on in an endless desert landscape until finally reaching a heavily wooded destination in ...

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“Living in Alaska” by Melissa Taylor

Submitted to Contest #265

I always thought it’d be so easy to slash a tire, but here I am, sliding around on the ice in my clogs trying to get a good grip on this thing. I hunch over the wheel and try to grab ahold of it with my gloved left hand. Something possessed me to do this when I set my eyes on Dad’s house for the first time. Before I knew what was happening, my hand was reaching into my suitcase for my small, baby blue pocket knife. This one’s got a tiny, blossoming cholla cactus painted on the side.I was told having a knife in Alaska would be essential ...

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“Finest Gwine” by Melissa Taylor

Submitted to Contest #264

I am already sweaty from fighting my way into this form fitting satin dress. The arm straps on this thing are absolutely unforgiving. No stretch to the fabric whatsoever. The dress code for tonight is silver and gold. I went with silver because no one will ever top Kate Hudson in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days with her gorgeous, long golden gown. She was glowing! Even I had a crush on her in that movie. I don’t want to even think about trying to compete. My dress does have a plunging waterfall back just like the one from the mov...

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“Commodus” by Melissa Taylor

Submitted to Contest #263

Marcus Aurelius. Faustina the Younger. Mother and Father. How I adore them both. I long to be as loved as my father. I long to find a wife so blessed with children as my mother. There are four of us and I am the only surviving son; I know they must pass the throne down to me, but I should like to believe that although I am their only choice, I would be their first choice regardless. I work tirelessly to prove myself. I excel in all sports, war time and otherwise. I am among the best riders in Rome. I aim to make them proud. I aim to be ...

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“I'll See You Later, Okay? ” by Melissa Taylor

Submitted to Contest #237

Growing up, I was always active. I remember one afternoon; I tore through the house like a Tasmanian devil. I wanted to get in and out as quickly as possible. I knew I probably could’ve peed outside instead, but I’ve always been a girl with standards. I didn’t want to waste a single second of daylight though, so I rushed myself. I sat on top of that porcelain throne with my ass barely touching the seat, squeezed out my bladder and then spun that roll of toilet paper like it was the Wheel of Fortune. I was up and gone in less than a minute.On...

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“Honeymoon for One” by Melissa Taylor

Submitted to Contest #233

This trip hasn't been at all what I expected. I was supposed to be coming here for a romantic honeymoon in the Tuscan countryside. Instead, I'm here alone, hanging on through sheer spite and honestly with the help of a few overly priced but delicious cocktails from the plane. There aren’t enough Bloody Marys or Mimosas in the world for finding out that the groom is still in love with his high school sweetheart. I mean really, what the fuck? Well, at least when he left, he was oh so kind and let me keep the all-expenses paid trip to Ital...

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“LateNight with Victoria Hamilton” by Melissa Taylor

Submitted to Contest #231

“People are fascinated by you and by your story. Do you want to share a little bit about it with me?” My eyes are wide as I look down at the table in front of me. I’m searching for the words to begin. Do I want to tell anyone about it? I feel strongly that I do. Why? Any time I’ve spoken about my life I’ve always said too much. I spend hours painstakingly going back over every word I said and replaying every glance and every expression I saw on someone’s face as I told my story to them.I take a deep breath in and let out the air in a te...

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“Just the Hot Chocolate, Thanks. ” by Melissa Taylor

Submitted to Contest #229

I remember going shopping as a kid during the holidays. It was busy, and bustling and there were people all over the place. It was exciting. Everyone would smile at me and ask me about what I wanted for Christmas. I loved it. Every year, when I’d go out with my mom she’d be stressed. She’d wring her hands and pull at her hair as we walked. I would stop and talk with every stranger who would listen. I’d tell them anything they wanted to know, and at the end when we said goodbye, I’d say “buh bye, I love you!” I guess I’d said it one too ...

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