Michael Jefferson

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Feb, 2022

Stories (140)

140 Stories

2695 karma pts

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“Hummingbird” by Michael Jefferson

Submitted to Contest #262

Wes Price sat in the back of the room for day one of college orientation, wishing he was still at Leonard Park with Gina. Sighing, he pulled out his wallet, taking out her picture. The long-haired blonde beside him, smelling of patchouli, glanced at the photo. “Girlfriend?” “She was.” “She’s pretty, but I bet you’ll meet someone here who’ll make you forget all about her.” “I doubt it,” Wes replied solemnly. “My name’s Arianna Pennington. I’m studying Journalism.” “Me too. I’m Weston Price, but my friends call me Wes. I’m also here on a baseb...

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“Retaliate!” by Michael Jefferson

Submitted to Contest #261

“It’s getting tense here. All trade with Argon has been cut off, and we have curfews now,” Willa Wisely says, her ordinarily placid features reflecting her concern. “How are the girls holding up?” Ryan asks his wife. Willa brushes her hair back. She always does that when she’s nervous. “They’re scared. They want their father to come home safe.” “My tour of duty is almost over. Tell them I’ll be home soon,” Ryan replies, adjusting the clarity of the video screen. “But what if...” “Soon, Willa.” Willa squints. “By the way, I’m not too fond o...

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“This Bird’s Gonna Fly” by Michael Jefferson

Submitted to Contest #260

“They’re at it again,” Dana Dunaway says to her husband, Matt. Matt cocks his ear toward the kitchen window. “They’re probably arguing about him spending too much time at his plastic surgery practice,” Matt comments. “Maybe he told her she needs some work done,” Dana jokes. “She doesn’t.” “You’re not supposed to notice.” “And you have no reason to be jealous,” Matt counters. “Man, she’s got some set of lungs.” “And a salty vocabulary,” Dana adds. “Not everybody’s as perfect for one another as us. You think we should intervene?” “It might n...

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“The Flying Corpses ” by Michael Jefferson

Submitted to Contest #259

Captain Hardy Messerschmidt and Rush Davenport are the last two pilots to enter the briefing room. The dull grey walls are lined with photographs of smiling dead pilots, and Hardy can’t help but notice there are more men on the walls than in the room. “The whole squad is here,” Hardy notes. “This can’t be good news.” Rush pats him on his broad back. “Don’t be so grim. Whatever it is, I’m sure you’ll pledge your blind loyalty. Maybe the brass has decided to throw a party for us.” Hardy gives Rush a disparaging look. Unlike his happy-go-lucky ...

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“Smile For the Camera” by Michael Jefferson

Submitted to Contest #258

Shadow Specter whistles along to the sax solo in Junior Walker’s “What Does it Take?” as it plays in the background on the radio. His cheerful chirping abruptly stops when he develops the last four pictures he took at the annual Penn Yan Heritage Festival. Rushing to the telephone, he calls Mayor Ashford Simpson, telling him there’s something he has to see. Penn Yan’s cherubic Mayor greets Shadow with a hearty handshake and an open seat in front of his desk. He pats his toupee, which people in town call the “worst rug in the world.” “So, w...

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“Greetings, Old Hoss” by Michael Jefferson

Submitted to Contest #257

Utica, Wyoming1891 Seneca Welch reaches under the bar for his shotgun, pointing it at Buck Savage, the acknowledged leader of the quartet of saddle tramps harassing him. A former boxer, the burly bartender with the handlebar mustache still has an intimidating physique that ripples with muscles, and he can still wipe the floor with any man brave enough to challenge him. Tall with curly hair and mysterious dark eyes, forty-two-year-old Buck Savage’s swarthy looks belie his quick, felonious mind. He keeps company with twenty-four-year-old Swed...

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“The Sieve” by Michael Jefferson

Submitted to Contest #256

San Diego Padres announcer Bo Barber cracks his knuckles, realizing he’s about to broadcast baseball history. “It’s been fifty-five years since the San Diego Padres joined the National League. During that time, the Padres have made the World Series twice and lost both times. Here, in game seven at Petco Park, with the deciding game of the series tied at 2-2, the Padres’ best player, Rhett Cutler, has a chance to put the game away in the bottom of the eighth with a man on first. You played with Cutler, Tony. What do you think is going through...

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“And the Future Will Be Gravy” by Michael Jefferson

Submitted to Contest #255

Joyce Gleason spins in circles in front of a full-length mirror. “Think President Madrid and the First Lady will be impressed?” Colonel Benjamin Hotspur, late of the First Northern Army, turns and winks at his fiancé, who is resplendent in a sparkling coral dress. A stocky 5’ 5” with wavy black hair and a bushy mustache, Benjamin, a nationally ranked wrestler during his college days, is affectionately called “Benny the Bull” because of his tenaciousness. Benjamin began his career as a bodyguard for Birmingham Madrid, then a Northern Province...

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“The Schmidt Just Hit the Fan ” by Michael Jefferson

Submitted to Contest #252

“It’s that time of year again,” Dr. Killi Knapp, the Gross family’s psychiatrist says. Dr. Knapp adjusts his designer frame glasses as Paul and Celeste bow their heads. “She was getting better,” Paul says, nervously brushing back what’s left of his hair. Celeste reaches for Paul’s hand. “She finished third three years ago. They sent her a doll…” “A Moogli doll. It’s a character on the show,” Paul explains. “Kind of a Yehti.” “That’s kept her going,” Celeste adds. “She’s sure the essay she wrote for this year’s contest will win.” Dr. Knapp’s...

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“Check With Me Before You Touch Anything” by Michael Jefferson

Submitted to Contest #251

Five war-weary Santori soldiers approach the Rahman Cathedral led by Commander Arcus Dollman, a ruthless, driven leader intent on wiping out the Kuntasi civilization and ending the war between them. His present mission is to loot the cathedral, which is rumored to contain millions in treasure and ancient texts about alchemy. The men are accompanied by Father Theodor Strasburg, a Kuntasi cleric. Father Strasburg hopes he can convince Dollman to spare their religious texts. Commander Dollman smiles as he looks at the cathedral’s shell-smudged...

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“Drink Your Milk” by Michael Jefferson

Submitted to Contest #250

B.J. Workman’s hammer bangs loudly against the Town Hall steps. Brady Tasker goes back to the truck for more wood and a cigarette. B.J. is known throughout the town of Dorset as a lanky, perpetually tanned, reliable, and likable craftsman with a loving wife and an average I.Q. He and his stocky, bearded drinking buddy Brady have been the town’s go-to builders for decades and are familiar faces throughout town. Standing in the hallway a few feet from the steps, Chief Colt Kennedy whispers to Mayor Grayson Levant. “Everything’s going according...

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“Love Isn’t Just Blind, It’s Ludicrous” by Michael Jefferson

Submitted to Contest #249

Jammed like a pickled sardine on the express train to 14th Street with thousands of other commuters, Ryan Random knows there is more to life than assembling computer components and drinking mochaccinos with his co-worker. As platforms and people flash by in a dizzying blur, Ryan closes his eyes, his mind conjuring up a cozy villa in Greece with a passing stream surrounded by fig trees and grape leaves. Standing in front of the villa, her features a misty blur is a woman. Opening his eyes, Ryan finds himself next to a grey-haired old man no t...

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“The Wind in the Willows” by Michael Jefferson

Submitted to Contest #248

Willow, Montana1889 Hunk Harte lies back on his wife’s lap. Annabelle playfully twists his blonde curls, kissing him on the top of his head. The pair of teens gaze up at the starry sky. Annabelle points at a glowing light streaking across the sky. “Look, Hunk, a shootin’ star!” “Make a wish.” “I wish this moment could last forever.” “Carnsarn-it, Annabelle, you ain’t supposed to tell me, cause then it won’t come true!” An enormous shadow whisks by. “Land sakes! That things movin’ lickety split!” the freckle-faced bride marvels. Flames and ...

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“Shrimp Pizza and Spumoni” by Michael Jefferson

Submitted to Contest #247

Kelly tries to ignore the noise in her head. Tap… Tap… Tap… Terry, her husband, notices her frowning. “Something wrong, babe?” he asks, handing Preston, their three-year-old son, a chocolate Tootsie Pop. “I want one too!” their five-year-old son, Steven whines. “It’s just a headache,” Kelly replies, fumbling through her pocketbook. “I only have grape or orange left, Steven.” “But I want chocolate!” Tap… Tap… Tap… Kelly takes a deep breath. Closing her eyes for a moment, she tries to concentrate on the carefree circus music in the background....

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“Lars From Mars” by Michael Jefferson

Submitted to Contest #246

Astronaut Lars Bergman plants the Swedish national flag on the surface. Spencer Vertigo embeds the flag of the United States next to it. “This is Lars from Mars…”  “CUT! Off camera, Frazier Capstone the project’s director, slams his open hand against his forehead. “I never thought I’d see a Swedish ham,” Frazier comments, as the camera crew attempts to stifle their laughter. “This is supposed to be the greatest moment in the history of mankind. We’re not doing this to turn you into a Swedish Oprah Winfrey. Try it again. And this time co...

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