MichElle Colpo

“Ripples of War ” by MichElle Colpo

Submitted to Contest #172

Ana Perelli watched Mother over her breakfast bowl of CheeriOats and wondered when the deep creases etched above her forehead began to stick. At ten years old, she knew better than to ask her about them, so as to not hurt her feelings, but she couldn’t help but stare anyways. She would look down at her soggy cereal bowl if Mother glanced her way, but since she had been gaping down at her plate of greens plucked from her victory garden for the last fifteen minutes, Ana figured it was safe to keep staring.       &...

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“Social Anxiety” by MichElle Colpo

Typically, freshman year of college is an exciting time twinged with nerves and anticipation.            The excited chatter and buzz on campus as freshmen unload their cars and decorate their dorm rooms, say goodbye to their families and hello to their new roommates, wandering around campus and signing up for group activities and making friends.            Friends.            J...

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“The Universe of James Doyle” by MichElle Colpo

Submitted to Contest #134

James Doyle scratched the nape of his thick neck, the jagged ends of his bitten fingernails prickling his skin uncomfortably. Dr. Marron was watching him from the screen, patiently waiting for his reply.           “James,” Dr. Marron spoke quietly, although the speakers surrounding him made his words echo loudly throughout the chamber, “It is impertinent you state you understand.”           “What does it matter,” he retorted to the m...

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“Dew Drops on Peonies ” by MichElle Colpo

Submitted to Contest #132

(Warning: Contains Death related to Holocaust) “Our Father…who…which art in Heaven…hallowed be thy name—”            “Start again, without stuttering.”            Ruth could feel the tears welling up in her eyes as her mother’s lack of patience thinned.            “Our Father which art in Heaven…hallowed be thy name….”           ...

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“The Mystery of the Silent Visitor” by MichElle Colpo

Submitted to Contest #130

(Warning: Contains Death due to Catastrophic Event)May 6, 1937           It was the perfect, sunny day for a birthday. That’s what Donna Patricelli was thinking as she looked both ways before crossing the bustling street coming from school. Her best friend Mary Catherine invited her to play Marbles on her block, but Donna had said no, her Ma was making her favorite chocolate cake for her eighth birthday. Ma called it Crescionda di Spoleto. So off Donna went, skipping home in her favorite...

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“Chex Mix and Rentals” by MichElle Colpo

Submitted to Contest #129

Hannah and George Bordain—despite looking the same—could not have been more different. They shared bright red hair, freckles, almond shaped dark brown eyes, and a pointed chin that dimples when smiling.            “Are you twins?!”            That was a question they’d get asked frequently.            “No,” Hannah would reply pointedly to the woman in the grocery store, the man...

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“Summers in Darjeeling” by MichElle Colpo

Submitted to Contest #128

Camellia, staring out the tiny nine by twelve-inch double insulated window of the airplane, saw nothing but large white fluffy clouds bouncing back beams of joyous sun into the cab. She wished she was as happy and carefree as the clouds they flew over. She felt more like angry bashing thunderclouds, lightning bolts clashing against each other in fits of rage.            She was eighteen years old and still being forced to visit her extended family in India over the summer. This was her ...

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“Ol' Dogs and Young Pups” by MichElle Colpo

Submitted to Contest #127

William sighed, a dull headache throbbing behind his eyes. It was another gloomy overcast day in Portland, Oregon. The kind of day where William questioned why he was still here, driving the armored truck around town and stocking ATM machines for the Federal Union Bank. Instead, he could be dozing off in a rocking chair on a porch somewhere in Idaho, happily retired like his previous partner Richard had last month.            “Take the plunge, Will,” Richard had said when they talked on...

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“Lunchbox Delivery” by MichElle Colpo

Submitted to Contest #125

      Derek checked his watch for the third time as the plane slowly pulled into the docking area of the giant maze of an airport. Everybody on the flight was restless about the hour delay, but him especially.           His legs bounced anxiously under the large white box he was cradling on his lap as the smooth, yet dull voice of the flight attendant announced over the intercom, “Ladies and gentleman, today’s weather in Atlanta, Georgia is a blissful sixty-...

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“The Doorknob Rock” by MichElle Colpo

Submitted to Contest #124

“Why’re you crying?”            I tried to keep my voice level and free of annoyance as I watched Theo sift through the rocks in the stream, sniffling and wiping his nose on the hem of his jacket. You could line his pockets with Kleenex boxes and he’d still wipe his snot-riddled nose on his dirty green jacket sleeve.            “B-b-because they threw it in here!” His voice wobbled in his high-pitched squeak. He didn’t meet my eye, ...

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“Autumn Rush” by MichElle Colpo

Submitted to Contest #122

(Warning: Contains Death)I opened my eyes, and blinked painfully at the fluorescent light buzzing above me. It was quiet, with only the sound of a broom scraping trash into a dustpan echoing somewhere far off, and the sound of a floor buffer zooming across the floor even farther away.           I was flat on my back, and carefully tested my cognizance on how I landed in this position. My mind carried me away to just before 1 a.m. inside the mall, crammed elbow to elbow with eager strange...

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“Earthly Delights” by MichElle Colpo

Submitted to Contest #121

“But moooom, I don’t want to!” Jessica cried out as she obediently held out her arms. Her mother placed a large dish of casserole carefully covered in tin foil in them. Jessica let out an annoyed huff of air.           “I don’t care what you want, Jessica. Mr. Flowers is in need and our duty is to be good neighbors and help.”           “What, so we’re like State Farm now? Like a good neighbor, the Richards' family is there?” &nb...

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“The Bowtie” by MichElle Colpo

Submitted to Contest #120

Peggy coughed lightly, fanning away years of dust from the crumpled box she retrieved from the dark, dank attic. This better be those Christmas lights or I give up, she thought to herself. Pulling frantically on the flaps, she was dismayed—but only for a moment—that no old Christmas lights or tree ornaments stared back at her.             Instead, a puffy dress—once beaming white, but now yellowed with age—sprang from the box as if it had been waiting to jump out and yell “surp...

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