Ruth Porritt

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Apr, 2020

Stories (16)

16 Stories

997 karma pts

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“The race” by Ruth Porritt

"You cannot run." The doctor spoke with finality, and Joan did not like his tone. Still, she had discovered that one should never contradict male doctors because they became more convinced that they were right and the patient was wrong. "Can you tell me why?" she asked. It was better to ask a question. Male doctors loved answering questions. "Osteogenesis Imperfecta", said the doc...

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“Wild Wellness” by Ruth Porritt

Dear sir or madam: In answer to your ad in 'Psych!' magazine, I am an "angry woman". I am also over the age of 40, and would like to "shed excess pounds". Next, I am physically fit, and able to do most kinds of exercise. Last, but not least, I have felt "shackled by fears of failure" and would like to break free of those weight loss fears. Thank you for your considering my program application...

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“Love and hate” by Ruth Porritt

Submitted to Contest #163

Hello everyone, This story is the sequel to 'Blue Bates bed and breakfast'. (You can find 'Blue Bates bed and breakfast' in my previously published Reedsy contest stories. Thank you.) In this story, 'Love and hate' Weston and Miss Daniels return. Will they fall in love, and can they admit their feelings for each other? Next, can they avoid violent acts, or will they cause mayhem? ...

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“The Christmas dinner” by Ruth Porritt

Submitted to Contest #125

Note: This story is a funny, Christmas-themed horror tale. Trigger warning: Self-harm, and mental health. However, these themes are not the primary themes in this tale. Story rating: PG-13 until the end of the story, which I give an 'R'.*****"I honestly don't know what takes you so long, sometimes," said Brian. "It took fifteen minutes for you to put the goose in the oven.""Really?" said Naomi. "You were counting? Don't you have anything better to do?""Why don't you let me help you?" said Brian, as he started t...

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“Reverend Bartlett” by Ruth Porritt

Submitted to Contest #122

Important content note: Hello everyone, this story contains my particular mix of horror, humor, and religious elements. Also, there are some sexual elements in this story, and the devil shows up.If any of the aforementioned things are triggering for you, you have my sincerest apologies, and I ask that you find a different story on Reedsy. (I know that there are many good stories on this platform, especially during the holiday season.)Sincerely yours,R...

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“I was blind, but now I see” by Ruth Porritt

Submitted to Contest #103

I can hear the ice cubes crack in the glass as I pour myself a large measure of whiskey. I take a moment to savor the sting of the alcohol on my tongue, and press the record button on my handy-dandy tape player. “Barbara Robinson speaking,” I say. “The date is July 9th, 1976, and the time is 9 AM. I glance at the generous measure of scotch I’ve just poured and think: What the hell, it’s 5 o’ clock somewhere....

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“Him” by Ruth Porritt

Submitted to Contest #97

When I first met my husband, I thought: Him. He is the one that I want.We met at an after-school English program in Asia. It was my first day of my new job and I fell in love as soon as the elevator doors opened. He was nothing much to look at--at 23, he was already balding and his stomach was a bit soft--but as George shook my hand and looked directly into my eyes, I just knew. In the beginning of our relationship, it was his confidence that attracted me to him. Also, it didn't hurt one bit that he had a perfect, neatly-clipped Br...

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“Blue Bates' Bed and Breakfast” by Ruth Porritt

Submitted to Contest #96

The pain was intense. As my driver pulled into the gravel driveway, I adjusted my position and winced. "Is everything alright, Miss Daniels?" said my driver, Weston. "Yes," I said. "I'm fine." Weston sighed. "Very good, miss. What time shall I pick you up tomorrow?" "I'll call you," I said, as I slammed the car door with my good arm. As I carefully made my way up the dri...

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“A post-apocalyptic love story ” by Ruth Porritt

Submitted to Contest #81

When I first met Grant, he was very nearly naked. I was on my daily run around my new home, bored out of my mind, and almost asleep. He was tall, well-muscled, and lean. I thought, for a moment, that I was seeing some sort of hallucination, and I was quite pleased with myself for imagining such a perfect male specimen.“Well done, Emily,” I said. My Greek god smiled. “Well, now, what do we have here?” he said. His eyes lingered on my ches...

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“The man on the phone ” by Ruth Porritt

Submitted to Contest #80

I was home by myself, babysitting my annoying sister, Susie. At the time, I hated her because she was everything I wasn’t—cute, (with her blond pig tails and perfect, porcelain doll smile) gregarious, and pint-sized.Again, at the time, (the summer of 1969) I had shot up like my mother’s prize-winning sunflowers, and I remember feeling tall, unattractive, and unwanted. In reality, looking at Kodak shots of myself from this period, I see a 14 year-old girl with long, wavy blonde hair and legs that made me look like Kate Mo...

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“Top 10 moments from "The most wonderful day of the year"” by Ruth Porritt

Submitted to Contest #74

Narrator: “Hello everyone, I'm Dame Agnes Cryptson. Welcome to tonight's episode of Winter Theater. Tonight's episode is little-known gem, and is one of my favorites. It's also the perfect antidote to the never-ending stream of Christmas pablum that you'll see on other channels. Also, be sure to savor this original 1978 commercial that aired before the original episode. Have a scary Christmas!” Announcer: (Stayin’ Alive by The Bee Gees plays in the background, and a woman drinks champagne, alone, in her home) “Laura h...

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“The pink carpeting” by Ruth Porritt

Submitted to Contest #58

“I think it’s time that someone did something,” said Jennifer. (Jen for short.) We were having our weekly prayer and share meeting in Sharon’s living room, and the pale pink carpeting was driving me nuts. It seemed that Sharon (the pastor’s wife) had insisted on pairing the new carpeting with chartreuse sofas. Finally, Sharon had pulled the look together with bright pink and yellow plaid curtains. The curtains were pulled back from with windows with cheap sunflowers from Jen’s arts and crafts store, Sonshine Creations....

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“The way of a transgressor” by Ruth Porritt

Submitted to Contest #43

In 1959, Errol Flynn died of a heart attack, but that’s not the entire truth. I poisoned him, and that was what led to his death.I am now seventy-six years old, and of sound mind and body. If you’re reading this, then I’ve gone to the great beyond, and I give you permission to share this confession with anyone you like. I don’t regret what I did; I only regret that his death was quick and painless.I am beginning to get ahead of myself, but that’s to be expected at my age. I met Errol Flynn in 1958, when I was fifteen years o...

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“The Unusual Suspects” by Ruth Porritt

Submitted to Contest #41

James West1st recorded interviewJuly/05/2019Time: 9:15 AMDetective Adams: Yes…uh…my name is Detective John Montgomery Adams, and I’m here with my partner, Detective Peter Davidson. This interview is being recorded via video. Detective Davidson and I are located at Glencove Police Station in Glencove Alabama, home of the Glencove Raiders.Detective Davidson: Sir, you don’t need to mention that.Detective Adams: Mention what?Detective David...

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“I wouldn't marry you if you were the last man on Earth” by Ruth Porritt

Submitted to Contest #39

“I wouldn’t marry you if you were the last man on Earth!” That was what I said to Lewis, the moment before I threw a drink into his face. We were at Freddie’s Place (in Columbus, Ohio, if you must know) and we were on a blind date. The year was 1945, and Lewis and I were sitting at a big table by the window.Anyway, before the drink-throwing incident, the date hadn’t been going well. Lewis was a handsome fella, (still is) but he kept getting on my nerves.Wait a minute, though, (as Lewis keeps saying to me) I have ...

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Author bio

Hello, I'm Ruth. Nice to meet you! :) Thank you for reading my work. My contact email is: ruthrobinson701@gmail.com Additional info about me: (in list form) My favorite things to do: Teaching, reading, writing, and working on revising short stories. (that I have already published on Reedsy) Next, I enjoy watching t.v. shows/movies, and running. In writing, I am currently working on: Revising my Reedsy work, and doing new short stories. (I've got a novel brewing, but I think the writing of it will have to wait till January.) I am currently reading: 1970s comic books. I am currently watching: 1. Gilmore Girls 2. The 1st season of 'You'. Personal philosophy: "If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain." (Emily Dickinson) My favorite writers: There are so many. (I love reading and writing.) Off the top of my head, S. King, Poe, Hawthorne, Flannery O'Connor, Margaret Atwood, Harper Lee, Truman Capote, Fannie Flagg, F. Scott Fitzgerald, O. Henry, Rod Serling, Richard Matheson, Hemingway, Jane Austen, Dickens, and many more. (Basically, I read/write any kind of story, as long as I enjoy the process.) Many thanks, and have a great day, Ruth p.s. In revising my short stories, I am currently looking for an editor. If you would like to do an editing exchange, (where you edit my published Reedsy stories, and I edit your published Reedsy stories) drop me a line at my email address. Many thanks, and have a great day, Ruth