Ralph Aldrich

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jul, 2021

Stories (90)

90 Stories

2014 karma pts

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“Christmas Lights” by Ralph Aldrich

Submitted to Contest #282

Bill struggles down the attic stairs carring an oblong box with a picture of a pine tree on its side. Holding the box on his shoulder, he shouts, “Which corner do you want me to put the tree in, Mom?” His mother, Dolores, is following behind, hauling a plastic tub with an ill-fitting green lid. Written on its side in black magic marker are the words “Xmas lights.”Dolores smiles wickedly as she declares, “Let’s put it in the corner behind your father’s chair.” Oscar jumps up, sputtering and snarling. H...

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“For Better or Worse” by Ralph Aldrich

Submitted to Contest #281

Master Meow lives in a lovely, comfortable apartment in Toyko with his human companion, Mr. Sato. Mr. Sato is retired and lives on a small pension. He has enough to keep himself and Master Meow comfortable and well-fed. Master Meow is a beautiful white and light brown cat, part Persian and part Angora. He is very fluffy. He spends his day grooming and purring on a satin pillow in the window. He also has a very high opinion of himself. He loves it here because his food dish is always full of fresh red salmon, his water b...

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“The Conversation” by Ralph Aldrich

Submitted to Contest #280

On a lazy Sunday afternoon, Cillian and Finn relax as they sip beers in their favorite pub, The Red Rooster. Cillian gazes out the window to watch the clouds float gently past. The silence is broken when he poses a question.“Answer me this, Finn. Why is it that if a man donates a kidney, everyone loves him and thinks what a wonderful soul he has? But, if that same man donated five kidneys, he would be considered the prime suspect in a crime investercation?”Finn blinks at Cillian and sits a little straighter in his c...

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“The Post-Apocalyptic Life of Harry Milk” by Ralph Aldrich

Submitted to Contest #279

How do you describe someone like Harry Milk? He stands five feet seven inches and weighs one hundred and eighty-three pounds. Harry is forty-nine years old and is balding, though he combs the few strands he has neatly across his head. If asked to describe his facial features, all anyone can recall are his thick horn-rimmed glasses. Unfortunately, for the most part, nothing is outstanding about him. Another thing is that Harry is a creature of habit and lives his life by the clock. He rises at five-fifteen sharp every...

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“Legacy of Terrance Wheelock” by Ralph Aldrich

Submitted to Contest #278

Terrance Wheelock is the current patriarch of the Wheelock family. The Wheelocks arrived in Massachusetts in 1702, settling in a small hamlet along the Blackstone River. They opened up a mill, The Wheelock Woolen Mill, which provided a source of revenue for the town of Riverdale and its citizens. The river was vital to the manufacturing of cloth. As the factory’s success grew, so did the Wheelock’s wealth. Their name became associated with such prominent buildings as the town hall, the library, and the high school.&nbs...

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“A Simple Twist of Fate” by Ralph Aldrich

Submitted to Contest #274

Melbourne O’Day doesn’t like people. He goes out of his way to avoid them. It angers him that he has to deal with such fools but must work to pay his bills. Melbourne is the manager of a hamburger restaurant, where the employee turnover is tremendous. Everyone he hires quits a few weeks later. The hamburger has been voted the best in town for six years, so the constant flow of new employees doesn’t seem to affect business. As a result, the spot on the wall for employee of the month is always vacant.The onl...

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“The Long Night” by Ralph Aldrich

Submitted to Contest #272

High atop the Carpathian Mountains sits a medieval Romanian castle. It is eerily dark as the wind howls through, disturbing the cobwebs and thick layers of dust. Deep down in its bowels lies an ancient coffin containing a dark secret.As the last rays of light kiss the castle’s pinnacle, the wolves of the forest begin to howl. The lid of the ancient coffin starts to creak and snap as it slowly opens. Within lies the body of a man. It appears as though he was placed there just the day before. His hands are folded ...

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“A Tale of Two Sisters” by Ralph Aldrich

Submitted to Contest #270

Once upon a time, in the kingdom of Valamire, twin sisters came into the world. Fern and Fawn. They weren’t identical; Fern had raven black hair, and Fawn’s hair was golden. Fern was the firstborn and considered herself the oldest, so she had assumed authority over Fawn. Fawn is gentle and kind, as well as unassuming. She willingly gave in to Fern’s demands. Their mother was happy the girls didn’t argue or fight and seldom saw any need for correction. On the other hand, their grandmother didn’t approv...

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“Trials and Tribulations” by Ralph Aldrich

Submitted to Contest #268

Ninety-two-year-old Silas Townsend is at death’s door. His eyes are half-closed and are sunk deep in their sockets. His skin is blotchy and pale. His jaw hangs slack. A deep rattle comes from his chest as Death presses down on it. Still, his old, cracked, hardened rubber ball of a heart continues to beat. Death leans closer and smells the sweat breath of the dying and whispers, “It’s almost time, Silas. I hope you are ready. Think back on your...

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“Jack Flynn's Brillant Plan” by Ralph Aldrich

Submitted to Contest #267

The week before the annual county fair, I’m in me favorite pub, The Big Potata. I’m with me very best friend, Liam Skehan, a fellow farmer. I lift me empty glass to the bartender Mick O’Day to show him I need another. When he doesn’t respond, I lift it higher and shake it a little. “I see ya empty glass there, Jack, and I’ve got to tell ya your glass is as empty as your credit.” Me mouth drops open, and me eyes grow wide. “What are ya tryin’ to say? That I’ve got bad credit, and after all the years I givin’ ya go...

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“OH! Come on!” by Ralph Aldrich

Submitted to Contest #266

The brave and dashing Sir Jamerson smiles victoriously each time his sword rings after striking the scales of the fire-breathing dragon. The dragon is holding the fair princess Lola captive until her father, the king, surrenders his kingdom. Sir Jamerson has vowed to slay the beast in exchange for her hand in marriage, so he is fighting fearlessly. Jamerson feels he is being roasted alive with each blast of flames. While ignoring the pain, he pushes his scorch shield forward and attacks. Jamerson lifts his shield hig...

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“The Guardians” by Ralph Aldrich

Submitted to Contest #265

Tomas Rojas is looking forward to tonight’s flight to Buenos Aires. At the end of this flight, he will be officially retired. Tomas has spent thirty years flying for Latam Airlines in Chili. Tonight’s schedule is a special package tour of the Mardi Gras in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Tomas boards the plane and takes his seat in the pilot’s station. While he studies the checklist, his co-pilot, Juan, enters the cabin. Wearing a big grin, Juan sl...

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“How did you meet Mom?” by Ralph Aldrich

Submitted to Contest #264

It’s Saturday morning at Oscar and Dolores’s house. Their son Bill is installing a storage cabinet he designed and built for his mother’s craft room. Oscar is in his easy chair watching Matlock. Bill has just finished turning the last screw on the lid and sommons his mother to come take a look. When Dolores enters the room, Bill pulls the contraption out from the wall like a built-in draw. He flips up the lid and gesturs with his hand, “Well? What...

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“Dearg-Due” by Ralph Aldrich

Submitted to Contest #263

The Dearg-Due legend began in a small village in Waterford, Ireland when arranged marriages were commonplace. A red-haired beauty with green eyes resided there with her father. She was in love with a handsome peasant boy from town, and they had made plans to get married. Her father, a greedy man, had other plans. Her beauty could make him a fortune, and he cared not about his daughter’s feelings. Her conniving father knew of a local chieftain well known for his wealth as well as his brutish ways. The...

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“The Art Critic” by Ralph Aldrich

Submitted to Contest #261

John Gideon Edwards is an art critic extraordinaire. Well, perhaps cynic extraordinaire is more appropriate. He is also a snob. His father was a curatorial assistant at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York for many years. John Edwards Sr. had grand ambitions for his son, hoping he would someday become a world-renowned artist. He enrolled him in the educational art program at the museum itself. Its purpose was to teach various techniques and methods while exposing children to the museum’s vast works o...

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Author bio

I am a 74-year-old retired barber from Massachusetts now living in Arizona. I have two sons, 42 and 39. I've married the same girl for 44 years and still love her very much. My oldest son is a college professor at Pima Community College and teaches writing. My younger son is in security. I myself have never taken a writing lesson but enjoy the experience of writing out ideas. I use a tool called Grammarly to help me in my efforts. I really appreciate Reedsy for all the opportunities it offers new writers and beginners alike. So please forgive my bad spelling and punctuation I'm sure as time goes on, I get the hang of it. Thanks for your comments I really take them all to heart. Ralph

Shortlisted 1 story ⭐️

Contest #258

The Camera of Tomorrow – read story