Renee Yancey

“Incognito ” by Renee Yancey

Incognito No, I am not her. I loathe her. You think you know, right. You are wrong. So begins a journey of self discovery. A venture of redemption. The shame is too much. It eats at her. Too young to understand, she hides deep in herself. Her outer and inner eyes remain closed throughout. This is when the split starts. A part of her must remain with ____. A part though, it hides, keeping her safe. Growing and moving past her toddler hood, it gets harder. She finds safety in stories. Devouring books from the tender age of three, when Sesa...

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“If Only” by Renee Yancey

The baby rests on her daddy ‘s chest. Her mommy lays beside them. The sweet summer breeze blowing in them just ruffles the lace curtains over their bedroom windows.  “This is perfect,” the new mommy breaths out, “I wish we could stay like this forever.”  Her husband smiles, moving his eyes from his newborn to his wife. “Could you imagine? Just us and her, in this room. Her remaining this size. It would be heaven, for a while. Remember, darling, you were bored out of your mind while on bed rest in this same room.” She acknowledges t...

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“Secret Library ” by Renee Yancey

She wasn't surprised that her great -grandmother’s house was full of books. She has been a librarian and her great-grandfather, a historian. So, the piles of books everywhere, from the overstuffed bookshelves, to the piles on the desks and tables, were expected. “It will take me a good month to go through them,” she says aloud. The old house absorbs her words, seemingly to tuck them away with all the others, “thanks granny.” “When I die, you shall take charge of mine and Michael ‘s books. There is no one I trust more, Leah.” Granny was dyi...

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“The Anniversary ” by Renee Yancey

Submitted to Contest #250

You never thought they would make it to this anniversary. Fifty years is a long time considering. They have fought all your childhood.  “That is how we show love. There must be some passion in the relationship.” Your dad said, to your extreme embarrassment.  You were fifteen at the time. Now forty and married fifteen years yourself, you understand more. You and your wife are holding this black tie event for them. She holds onto your arm as you look over the elegant room.  “You did well, my love.” She accepts your praise and a ...

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“Adventures at a Bar” by Renee Yancey

Submitted to Contest #249

She moves without inhibition, completely unconcerned with what her body is doing. The fact that her dancing was unaccompanied by music, makes it even more bizarre. “She's hearing music that we can't hear.” The man in the barstool beside him says. Jamie nods. She must be. He doesn't see any earbuds in her ears. “She is wasted,” the man on the other side of him says, “I could hit that.” Jamie stiffens. He, unlike his barmate, was taught respect for the opposite sex. He recalls his dad’s words like he was still here, seated beside him. “Jamie...

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“Exploring New York ” by Renee Yancey

January 1st So we begin. This part of the once great city hasn't been touched since the war. As the radiation has cleared, it is safe to explore it for future habitation, if the population grows enough. No! These entries are just to write down what we find. Not to ponder about the unknown future. Unknowable, that is a better word.  So we set out, walking across the Manhattan bridge. New York, I always wanted to go here, never imagined it would be like this.  Only small bombs were exploded here, the war lost already. So we see some ...

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“Swinging ” by Renee Yancey

It is quiet, with only the sound of the creaking from the swing chains to break it. She sits on one. Her mom on the other one  The security lights from the convenience store across the street light up their faces. They aren't to be there after the park closes. It is the only place where they can talk privately and he won't hear. “We have to go, mom.” Her nod brings her hair forth and covers, for a minute, the newest bruises on her face. She is right. It is just how. “Grandma.” Her daughter answers the question reflected in her eyes. “I ...

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“The Last Selfie ” by Renee Yancey

The Last Selfie “Come on. One more.” She rolls her eyes. Her new husband has insisted on taking selfies everywhere. Their phone storage is getting filled up with them. They will be wonderful memories though.  She places her face next to his and they smile with the mountains behind them. It was seconds after the click of the camera that everything changed. Honeymooning on the Appalachian trail, hiking and camping in different places every night was an unusual choice but it fit them. They had met while hiking, after all.  They stand...

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“Seventeen Years ” by Renee Yancey

Submitted to Contest #241

It started with an accident. A loose hubcap hit her tire causing the car to go out of control. She hit a street sign, flipping it and pinning her. It caused her spleen to rupture not that she knew it then, just that she was hurt.  The whirl of the ambulance is barely heard as she is almost out by that time it arrives just ten minutes after the accident. She doesn't know it yet, but the accident is the least of her problems. The jaws of life free her. Strong capable hands lift her. She is stabilized and rushed to the hospital. Her parent...

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“Tornado!” by Renee Yancey

It is weird the things you remember. Being only five, you wouldn't think she would remember anything. Though such an event leaves an impression. Mid afternoon, they, her brother and herself, lay on the living room floor, eyes glued to Sesame Street. It was a strange still day, hot for April. Their dad had a friend over. The adults were talking in the dining room. It had a big picture window looking out over a backyard big enough to be called a field. The suburb was full of families, with the older kids just arriving home from school, a ...

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“The Last Hill” by Renee Yancey

Submitted to Contest #239

It is pleasant, the drive. With the warm spring air, the windows are partially open allowing the sweet warm air in. They aren't heading anywhere in particular, just a relaxing Sunday afternoon drive.  They decided to take a road they haven't traveled before. “Live a little,” he jokes,” while I can.” Gallows humor. Her husband of fifty years is dying of pancreatic cancer. This may be their last drive together.  Her smile is strained. They are blessed, she knows. Fifty years is a long time, just not long enough. “Yes,” she wipe...

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“Grief, The Final Act of Love” by Renee Yancey

Last Words “Listen,” her voice is but a whisper and her children lean closer to hear her, “this is important. Look in the…” Her eyes grow blank and her hand in her daughter’s, slack. “Mom?” Her cry is disbelieving. The hospice nurse shakes her head.  “I’m sorry.” “No!” Her brother takes her in his arms and they both weep.  The cancer had been aggressive. It came in hard and despite treatment, they all knew it would take her life. A month previous, they were called into the oncologist’s office. “It is time for hospice. I’m sorry.” ...

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“The Cynic ” by Renee Yancey

The Cynic She can't figure out how she ended up here. No way did she consent to this. Blind dates aren't something she does.  “Love,” a humorless laugh, “that is just something they use to sell flowers and cards. It isn't real.”  “Romeo and Juliet.” Her friend countered. “Right, look how that turned out.”  “Might as well give up, Zoe. Abby doesn't believe in love. Period.” Her sister knows her. While Beth was mooning over the boys, Abby was studying. She had great ambitions. Pre-med at Georgia State and then medica...

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“The 80's Called” by Renee Yancey

Submitted to Contest #236

She was dreaming. She has to be. There is no way this can be real. Just a dream about a time her parents lived in. That's it! She saw them earlier and they were talking about their high school days. She sighs in relief.  Might as well lean into it. She will wake up soon enough. Her eyes take in the high hair, the leg warmers, the puffy jackets, and blue eyeshadow.  “Girl,” she makes it two syllables, “what in heaven are you wearing?” Everyone looks. Unfortunately, the jukebox fell between songs right that moment.  She lo...

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“Greyhound ” by Renee Yancey

The bus is crowded. The crush of people was comforting. She could more easily be lost in the crowd. She slips in the seat, holding her bump against the intrusion of the elbow of the person beside her. “Excuse me.” the man mumbles. She simply nods before turning her face to the window. The bus starts and she watches, with relief, as her hometown starts to fade away. Never could she have ever imagined that she would be on a Greyhound bus, eight months pregnant. Then again, she couldn't imagine having to run away from her husband either. ...

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