MJ Simons

“The Flag Bandit” by MJ Simons

Submitted to Contest #193

"We should get pizza today," my daughter said."Okay, I did say we would have pizza yesterday," I said as I recall changing our Good Friday meal at the last minute, going with honey walnut shrimp and fried rice instead.We reached the car and backed down the driveway at a slope. Unconsciously I checked for our neighbor's cat, who sometimes sat in waiting as we moved about going to and fro."I hope you finish your driver's ed class soon. You could be driving us to get pizza instead of me," I said as I backed out of our driveway, thinking about m...

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“The Sleeping Princess” by MJ Simons

Submitted to Contest #191

Once upon a time, a beautiful princess slept in a stone tower in a remote village in the cold and craggy mountains. The tower was on a cliffside and had only one window. The princess was in a deep sleep but could hear the sounds around her. She especially enjoyed hearing the birds sing lovely melodies daily and the waves crash upon the rocks. Princess Amethyst was very beautiful, and her father and mother vowed to reward anyone who could wake their daughter because she was their only child, and they loved her very much.  As could be...

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“The Pizza Thief” by MJ Simons

Submitted to Contest #190

“I will get my revenge,” Celeste vowed. She carefully planned ahead, knowing sometimes he could be shameless.Earlier that night…They both sat on their plush sofa. It was Friday, pizza night. Watching whatever was the latest show on Netflix. She had just returned from picking up the pizza on her way home from work. Max greeted her when she returned home, and they both eagerly went to the sofa to enjoy the delicious pizza pie. His diet wouldn’t allow him to enjoy the pizza. She tried to entice him with something else for dinner, but his eyes l...

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“The Newspaper Girl” by MJ Simons

Submitted to Contest #189

It was so terribly cold. Snow was falling, and it was almost dark as she stood on the cobblestone streets at the Christmas market. The town was nestled in the heart of the mountains, and snow during the Christmas season was common and expected. The wind tore through large conifers sifting the snow as it fell. The streets were lit with lights, and the colors were bright and splendid. Sweet and spicy aromas wafted through the air as vendors sold delicious meats, candies, and hot mulled wine. Her stomach growled from bitter pains that threate...

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“Heads Tennessee, Tails California (Part One)” by MJ Simons

"So, what's the catch?" The clear water glistened on the sunny, hot day as I lounged in an inflatable donut, partially submerged in the pool. I love the smell of chlorine. Bruno, my bodyguard, stood wearing a gray three-piece suit, looking slightly out of place on a warm day. His muscles are confined in the material. He had a stern look, his hands crossed in front of him, and dark sunglasses so that I couldn't see his eyes.  I'm on the phone listening to my brother discuss my upcoming birthday plans in two weeks. After agreeing to foo...

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“Dream A Little Dream” by MJ Simons

Submitted to Contest #186

It’s the first day of summer. Finally, a reprieve from the hard work of high school. I’m looking forward to college. I just want to get it over with as quickly as possible so my life can begin. I can’t wait to start my career as an attorney.The beach is my favorite place to be during the summer. Palm trees are dotted along the perimeter of the sand where the concrete meets the narrow street. Cobalt fades into azure as the waters compete for dominance. White foam covers the tortilla and tawny-colored sand.  Families and couples are ...

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“Little Units of Life” by MJ Simons

Submitted to Contest #185

Impending summer has a smell. For some, it’s the briny scent of the ocean, for me it’s the chlorinated smell of a pool. When I was younger, I looked forward to swimming in the pool and eating nachos from the snack bar all summer. The summer before my freshman year in high school, there was one day when instead of swimming, my friends and I spent the day helping my brother look for some fancy baseball cards in our jam-packed storage unit. He promised to take us to the arcade and the carnival, so we readily agreed.I remember that day vivi...

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“Blue Midnight” by MJ Simons

Submitted to Contest #184

Imogen wakes a few minutes before her alarm again. She lays in bed with the covers over her head enjoying the warmth and coziness of being wrapped in a thick comforter. Unfortunately, she also has the looming feeling that comes when you know it’s time to get out of bed, but you don’t want to yet. Her Echo Dot device plays “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers, and she’s pleased to hear music instead of the insistent blaring sound of her usual alarm. It's still raining outside. It's been like this since yesterday. The plumes of cumulonimbus clouds h...

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“Is It My Right or Your Wrong?” by MJ Simons

Submitted to Contest #183

Samantha remembered the day she met David. She was standing on the other side of the White House gate. He was a White House journalist who happened to be pro-vaccine. She on the other hand was pro her body and her choice. She was vaccinated as a child and recently with the flu shot as an adult, but she was vehemently against the government forcing and mandating its employees to receive the lethal injection. If America is truly free, she thought, then what happened to freedom of choice? Why are there severe consequences for not gett...

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“Reflection” by MJ Simons

Submitted to Contest #181

It was cold and damp as we hiked through a rocky pass. I stepped, and a layer of hardened snow crunched and released under my weight. I could hear the huffing and puffing of my son John’s breathing as the air grew thinner the higher we went. My breath came out like smoke in front of me. We continued on the trail, almost socked in by mist as the clouds were within reach. I followed John, the more experienced hiker until I saw his gloved hand come out, signaling me to stop. There was a noise, although it was faint. We paused, both holding...

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“The Winner” by MJ Simons

Submitted to Contest #170

THE WINNER“I’ve got a plan,” Annie said enthusiastically. “I’ll have a garage sale! She glanced at her best friend Tuck, who was less than enthusiastic about her lofty ambitions, considering the forecast. He continued to feed himself a twisted glazed donut from a pink box while he sat on a black metal stool in Annie’s garage.“Tuck! Well, aren’t you going to say anything”? Tuck held up a finger and nodded as he finished chewing the last of his confection. He cleared his throat. “I was just going to say that I don't think this is a good idea.”...

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