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Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jul, 2020
Submitted to Contest #81
Howard braced his arm to support her for the last few inches as she shuffled across the floor. A blindfold obscured much of her face. Her thinning white hair wisped over the dark cloth. With a smile, he bent and pecked a kiss onto her forehead. They were in the middle of a bland windowless room. One that could almost be found in hospitals, schools, prisons or offices across the country. The blank walls were lit by several dim lights reflecting on the disk on the ceiling and her pale terry cloth robe...
Submitted to Contest #71
The first sign telling Maria she was in trouble was the swept path in the early morning dusting of snow. “It’s Tuesday,” she said as she approached the back door of the bakery/coffee shop. “Sally knows I open during the week.” She put her mittened hand on the doorknob and turned. Locked. Looking in the back window while she dragged her keys out of her pocket, Maria noticed the lights were still off. Opening the door, she called, “It’s just me. Why didn’t you turn the lights on, Sally?” Maria flicked ...
Submitted to Contest #69
The discussion in August set the stage. “I know we have to get tickets if we’re coming for Thanksgiving,” Sophie said. She paused and drew a soundless breath. “I just don’t think it is going to happen. Andrew can’t quarantine with his work and Mother will let no one else into the house.” “Well, let us know.” Richard was calm as he continued. “We thought you both would like to see Rose after her first semester at college.” “I would. It has been exciting to hear some of her tale...
Submitted to Contest #67
The news spread around the waterfront with the power of a moon tide surge. The search net was still empty. Nothing. No anchor. Despite promising the harbormaster and the Coast Guard, Blue Water Construction (BWC) was no closer to reopening the businesses which shuttered just after the holidays. Anchorage B was still closed, and it was costing everyone money. No tug income, no fuel sales, no food for workers, no supplies. The outer anchorage was ten miles offshore. making it so much more expens...
Submitted to Contest #65
Fred licked his lips. Dinner was a special treat, tuna. Made just the way he liked it. The can on the counter hosted a different logo and writing than usual but it tasted great. “Why didn’t you have tuna tonight?” Fred asked his sister Nicki as he washed his face. She made a face at him. “Because you are such a pig. You gobble it up and Mom knows that.” “Did you see what kind it was? Very tasty,” Fred said as he stared at the label again. Fukushima Tuna...
Submitted to Contest #63
The ancient AMC Rambler bumped along the rough sod between the rows of apple trees. The warm smell of the orchard, sweet and fruity mixed with the clean grass scent filled the air as Edith and Agnes opened the doors with a creak. The two women stood looking across the field before turning to get their wooden apple boxes out of the car. Their flowered cotton dresses were covered by serviceable aprons with deep pockets. The dresses looked like ones their mother or grandmother wore while working at home...
Submitted to Contest #62
The pint-sized tornado met Ben at the door as he arrived home from work. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she brandished the paper for his review. “A time capsule, Daddy,” Sophie said. “We can put anything into it and read it fifty years from now.” She whirled around him, dancing a jig while he plucked the paper from her hand. He read the flyer and noted there were two options available – fifty years or one hundred years. A random thought formed in his mind as he considered the possibilities. “OK...
Submitted to Contest #61
A tendril of smoke coiled and wafted through the air of the farm. Lazing along with the earthy scent of new corn silage, cows and manure. The movement of the cows through the milking parlor shifted the pong into her working air space. Abby startled when she got a whiff. She gave herself a shake as she continued to prep cow udders and attach milking machines. The rote work provided a chance for her to figure out why the smell bothered her beyond all of the other smells on the farm. &...
Submitted to Contest #59
The frayed blue tarp rustled as the two men pulled it over my body. It was the one I used to cover the Ford 5000 seat. I hated getting on a wet tractor seat in the morning. Though since the cows were gone now, I fed later so that location was usually dry. The old grain caught in some of the folds rained down on me, smelling of mold and fermented booze. The back doors of the van slammed, and the motor started. The skip in the engine rev told me all I needed to know about the geniuses who were now cart...
Submitted to Contest #57
“Bob, I’m sorry to leave this to you.” Barbara whispered the words slowly pausing to take shallow rasping breaths. The clear oxygen tube snaked around her lined face and off to the unit in the corner of the crowded room. The small gray-haired man patted the hand gripping the blanket edge. “It’s OK, Barb. With this video, you have taken most of the pressure off me. It will be Sarah handling the disbursements who will get the abuse. I’m just sorry it came to this.” “Don’t be. It...
Submitted to Contest #56
How did he let Adam talk him into this? Yes, he was in a dry spell, but a self-imposed dating drought was not the same as facing constant rejection. Brandon sighed as he poured another cup of coffee. The argument still rankled. "She's nice. You'll like her," Adam said as they worked out at 'Fitness Round the Clock'. "I know, I know, it sounds hinkey...the classic, but she has a great personality. But she really does," he said laughing. "Your cousin," Br...
Submitted to Contest #55
The monitors beeped and whirred while Bob and Cindy stared at this unknown doctor. Unlike them, her appearance was starched and perfect. Which only made the words coming out of her mouth more horrifying. They, on the other hand, were living inside a tornado. Understanding where to look for solid ground took a supreme effort. Nothing was happening the way they dreamed for the last months. Bob recovered first. “What are you talking about? If it is one in a million odds, how can Serena be that one?” He...
Submitted to Contest #54
Mark reached into the mailbox with trembling hands. Same as every day for the last two weeks. There was only one article nestled beside the shiny flyer extolling the virtues of satellite TV. A full heavy envelope bearing the logo of a college. He carried the precious document into the kitchen and collapsed onto a chair. The object of his nightmares laying on the table. After several deep breaths, he knew he could not put off the inevitable. With his callused hands, he opened and unfolded the letter. ...
Submitted to Contest #53
“Moo-ohm.” The whiny voice of my snotty seven-year-old brother cut through the air. I pulled the book further over my face as I tried to ignore him as he repeated his fog-horn cry for his mommy as he sailed through the living room. “Tenley, get your brother another popsicle.” The strident voice came echoing through the hallway to my ears hidden on the sofa. I tried to ignore the demand, but the request brought the midget to the living room doorway. “Ye...
Submitted to Contest #52
The downtown street was bustling as I wove my way through the crowd. Cars honked at people crossing the street. The brick buildings loomed above us, their many windows staring blankly down at the mass of writhing humanity scurrying about their feet. The midday sun pressed down with unrelenting heat. Sweat dripping down my back, I cursed the hospital administrators again for moving so many of their medical offices to new off-site digs. They wanted the patients distracted when they left so they ...
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