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Pete Gautchier

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Feb, 2024

Stories (63)

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63 Stories

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More Than Lemonade

Submitted to Contest #314

Prompt: Begin your story with “It was the hottest day of the year…” More than Lemonade It was the hottest day of the year. No one in their right mind had ventured outside. It was so oppressively hot and humid even the distant snow capped mountain tops were crying out as their snow melted away. My hearty lavender plants were becoming instant sachet packets. Still I had to get out. I had been cooped up inside wallowing in my sadness for weeks now. Time for a walk around the neighborhood. Even with the oppressive heat I would not part ...

1 like

Whispering Sweet Nothings

Submitted to Contest #312

Prompt: Write a story that includes the line “Are you real?” or “Who are you?” Whispering Sweet Nothings “Can you hear me, Fred?” asked the technician in a whisper. I acknowledged him with a Cheshire cat grin. I could finally hear words again. He proceeded to splatter me with dozens of words that were phonetically similar. Once I successfully recited the words, he nodded an approval along with a similar cat-like smile. Since I turned fifty-five, I began losing my hearing at an alarming rate. My wife had pestered me to the brink of my sanity ...

3 likes

Too much Smelling Good? Feeling Good? (Trop de bonnes odeurs? Se sentir Bien?)

Submitted to Contest #310

Prompt: Write about someone who makes a deal for viral fame-but their rising popularity comes with unexpected (or dangerous) side effects. Too Much Smelling Good? Feeling Good? (Trop de bonnes odeurs? Se Sentir Bien?) Most likely you have heard of great musicians or painters that have their hands insured for millions of dollars to protect their artistic genius and livelihood. How I wish it was the same for me in the fragrance industry I chose as my career. That type of insurance would catapult me to an amazing level of recognition. But ...

10 likes

"Free at Last"

Submitted to Contest #309

Prompt: Center your story around a character who yearns for someone or something they’ve lost-or never had. “Free at Last” The sky was blacker than I had ever seen it. The clouds cast ominous shapes as I glanced above the palm tree forest. But that was above me. I had to concentrate on my steps as I trudged my way through ankle deep mud which held me like quicksand. Slithery, venomous snakes and ill-tempered lizards riveted their eyes on my movements. I was terrified. But it was the day ahead that made me quiver on this journey into t...

10 likes

Chad, Michael and Diego-Final Exam?

Submitted to Contest #307

Prompts:Write a story about a secret group or society and a story about a test or exam with a dangerous or unexpected result. Chad, Michael and Diego-Final Exam? I attend one of the most non-prestigious city colleges along the eastern seaboard. Surprisingly, it has a large student body, probably because many cannot afford the hoity toity Ivy League school tuitions. The college is a menagerie of people.Faces constantly come and go. None seem familiar from week to week. Most students live in studio apartments within walking distance to the m...

4 likes

Catching Up with the Past: Boys Will Be Boys

Submitted to Contest #303

Prompt: Write about someone who chooses revenge-even though forgiveness is an option. Catching Up with the Past: Boys Will Be Boys The air smelled musty and dank as I rummaged through the boxes in the basement of my parents’ house.It was easy to see that a multitude of years had passed before anyone dared to tackle this hording nightmare.Being the only child, I was tasked to forage through this outlandish pile of obsolescence and so-called memorabilia before the house was placed on the realtor’s market. I was doubting myself as to my inten...

5 likes

Clarity of Mind and Heart

Submitted to Contest #302

Prompt: Write a story with the line “I don’t understand.”Clarity of Mind and Heart My old man was a typical old-world Irishman straight off the boat.He would sarcastically say in his thick Irish brogue to my sister and I that we were living the “Life of Reilly.”Right after he would say it his mind and attention would slip away. He would start reminiscing about his former days and trials of his youth. Almost on cue, he would tear up when he reached his story about the ocean crossing and his early struggles to survive in New York City.I was...

8 likes

Even at My Worst It Still was a Beautiful Day

Submitted to Contest #301

Prompt: Center your story around something that doesn’t go according to plan. Even at My Worst It was Still a Beautiful Day There was persistent ringing in my ears. I just needed a few more minutes to rest my weary soul. I clumsily reached for my phone to silence the menacing buzz. I thought one of these days I need to change my ringtone. No sooner had I turned it off, I felt a tugging at my ear followed by loud incessant purring. My bleary eyes revealed my catatonic state to my annoyed observer. Toby, my lifelong feline friend, ball of ...

8 likes

Momma Flo and MTLC

Submitted to Contest #300

Prompt: Set your story in your favorite place in the world. Momma Flo and MTLC “Teddy, I’ve got something for you,” as my Momma called from the kitchen. Right away I knew it would be yummy. When I entered the kitchen, she looked at me with her saucer-like, loving eyes. “Teddy Bear, I know how much you enjoy licking my wooden spoon so I added extra for more tasty fun,” she smiled as she handed me the wooden spoon. It was heaven on a stick. My Momma, Florence knew how to feed my sweet tooth. She was in her element in the kitchen. Before televi...

10 likes

Funny Guy

Submitted to Contest #299

Prompt: Center your story around a comedian, clown, street performer, or magicianFunny GuyThe curtain goes up! The music begins to play as I dance onto the stage bellowing: “Overture, curtain, lights, this is it, the night of nights no more rehearsing and nursing a part. We know every part by heart. Overture, curtain, lights this is it; you’ll hit the heights. On with the show this is it! (1)Bugs Bunny would be proud of me as I gracefully sailed across the stage donning a top hat and cane. I saw the wonder in the wide-eyed gazes of my audien...

7 likes

Guilty of Despicable Behaviors-A Lost Cause

Submitted to Contest #298

Prompt: Write a story abut someone seeking forgiveness for something. Guilty of Despicable Behaviors-A Lost Cause The clanking of my chains was loud as I entered the room. Menacing eyes looked me over as I scuffled across the floor to the front of the room. My body labored under the weight of my restraints. A chain around my waist stole my freedom. Both my hands and ankles were shackled by the heavy leg irons that were chained around my mid-section. I felt strong hands stop my motion going forward. Then those hands pushed my shoulder...

7 likes

"It's Time: 0600"

Submitted to Contest #297

Prompt: Write a story with a number or time in the title.Prompt: Set you story before midnight or dawn. “It’s Time: 0600” The day looked dreary and cold even as the sun had just lifted above the horizon. The thick air turned the sunlight into straw-colored clouds as I looked out my window from my bed. The weather outside really does not matter anymore as I have little energy to do anything now. My breathing has been erratic even with all the gadgetry and tubes running into me. I spend my days now lying in this bed at the rehabilitation cen...

5 likes

F&F

Submitted to Contest #296

Prompt: Center your story around a character who has to destroy something they love.F&F I am a farmer’s son from central Illinois. My playground growing up was acre upon acre of corn fields.To overstate the obvious, my father and mother constantly engaged themselves in the business of corn. They figured they would pass it all down to my brother and me after they left this earth. I guess one could consider it a sizable fortune as my parents’ barn and garage were filled with heavy equipment, like a multiple corn head harvester, multiple...

7 likes

Rain, Sleet or Shine; Where to Mr. Postman?

Submitted to Contest #295

Prompt: Write about a portal or doorway that is hiding in plain sight. Rain, Sleet or Shine; Where to Mr. Postman? When meeting someone for the first time a typical question is often asked about their profession or occupation. When I respond that I am a postal carrier I am usually answered with silence or an indifferent, grunting sigh. I unashamedly respond with the postal creed, “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays the postal courier from the swift completion of one’s appointed rounds.” I then add, “You would be surp...

5 likes

Too Late

Submitted to Contest #294

Prompt: Write a story in which the first and last sentence are the same.Too Late“What was the owner of this red corvette thinking when he ordered a vanity license plate saying “Too Late?" Why such a nebulous and ominous phrase?  I wanted so much to ask the owner but he quickly drove by me. That stingray corvette was a gorgeous piece of machinery. It was sleek and painted in firehouse red without a ding or scratch on it. The owner really knew how to take special care of such a prized vehicle. I figured ...

7 likes