Renee Yancey

“Homeless to Homeowners ” by Renee Yancey

It didn't start out hopeful, or should I say, ended. Let me start at the beginning, with the fire. Mid December, a peaceful night interrupted by a banging on the door. The smell of smoke reached us at the same time. “Fire, there is a fire!” Our neighbor stands at the door in just his boxers. Behind him, on his side of the porch, flames shoot up from his open door. I have my phone in my hand. “Is everyone out?” I don't know where the unnatural calm comes from. “Yes.” The flames shoot higher. The sound they make, that hungry, growli...

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“The Cat” by Renee Yancey

“She really isn't a cat.” He says it like he would say the weather is sunny. His wife stares at him. “Are you alright?” Tim is staring at their cat, who lays cleaning herself, ignoring her strange furless owners. “She is an alien.” Nora’s laughs, uneasily. He has to be joking, right? “Good one, Tim.” “I am serious. Her eyes glow. I have seen it.” “Tim,” she touches his arm and feels how tight it is, “it is called night vision. Cats are predators. That is why.” He knows this. He has to know this. “Of course, that is part of her di...

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“Carol of the Bells” by Renee Yancey

Submitted to Contest #227

“You will be going nowhere today,” He leans against her door as the heavy snow covers the brown of his uniform, “the snow will be good for the festivities though.” She lets out a long sigh. The festivities are what she is trying to escape. “The highway should be clear.” “I reckon it is. The problem is that the mountain pass isn't. It is completely snow bound. Heck, not even the snow plows can get through.” He spits out a wad of tobacco. The broi stain mars the purity of the snow.  She sighs. There is nothing to do but return home....

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“Mary's Imaginary Friend ” by Renee Yancey

She has always been aware of the unseen world around her. From her earliest memories, she recalls reaching out for things unseen by her parents. "She sees angels." Her mommy said. Her daddy scoffed. "Huh, there are no such things." He is wrong.  "Who are you talking to, sweetie?" She sits at her little table, her dolls and stuffed animals in the seats beside her. One seat is left open.  "Gabe, mommy. He is funny."  Her mommy smiles. "Which one is Gabe?" She can't recall her child naming any of her toys that name. "...

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“Daisy's Creek” by Renee Yancey

Her steps are slow as she approaches the creek. The bubbling of the water and the smell of wet moss takes her back to her childhood. Back then, anything and everything seemed possible. They played in the water, her pants rolled up, Daisy's dress held up. The cool water helped to cool them on hot summer days. Their laughter echoed through the trees with only the birds and squirrels to hear. The Creek is where they could be themselves. There they are freed from her drunk dad and Daisy 's fundamentalist religious  rules. They are just ...

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“The Birth” by Renee Yancey

A sweet, salty smell, like the ocean, fills the room. A feel of giving away, tearing, letting go. A splash against the kitchen linoleum as the waters hit it. It is time. "Is that?" he stutters out staring at the growing puddle under his wife. She smiles and nods. "Yes. My waters have broken." Chaos and panic from the father. Peace and acceptance from the mom. Their child is coming. Grabbing the hospital bag and keys, before remembering his wife. He turns on a dime, utters a laugh, and takes her hand, guiding her to the car. "I am k...

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“Sir Edwin and the Dragon ” by Renee Yancey

Edwin paces across the stone floor. His hands twist over the sheath that holds his sword. They drip with his sweat. His breath comes in gasp and he can feel his heart pounding in his head. Outside his window, the townspeople gather. He hears their grumbling rising in volume. They are looking to him to handle the job. It is a job he doesn’t want. He is Sir Edwin, Knight of the Village of Fife. The dragon is in a cave right outside the village. His job, Nae his responsibility, is to kill it. “Sir Edwin, the townspeople await.” The king’s...

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“Darker Impulses” by Renee Yancey

“No!” She screams in the mirror, “I won’t!” The mirror has no sympathy. It simply reflects what it sees. Her wild, unkempt hair, her wide eyes, her snarling mouth, are shown back to her. She hates the look. It wasn’t to be this way. He was planned. Most assume he wasn’t. Her own granny spoke for the majority when she said, “Babies having babies.” at finding out her granddaughter was expecting. She was almost twenty -one, for goodness sakes! No baby. That is what she thought. Her son was born on an early July night. She holds perfect...

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“The Trip” by Renee Yancey

“Not even close.” He answers for the hundredth time, or so it would seem. How did he end up here, in a car trip with his children and wife, heading back home? Oh, he knows the logistics of it. His father is dying and they need to say goodbye. That isn’t the whole story though. “We have hours to go.” “What an hour?” Two years old Hannah asks. His wife, calmer then he is, answers her. “An episode of Sesame Street.” He smiles at her but it doesn’t reach his eyes. He doesn’t want to be doing this. Why did his old man have to pick now to ...

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