Steve Mowles

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Oct, 2023

Stories (5)

5 Stories

127 karma pts

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“Speaking In Minor Keys” by Steve Mowles

Submitted to Contest #290

The small diamond in Diana’s nose reflected the lights from oncoming traffic as her pickup moved slowly north on Highway 160. Hot air rushed through the truck past her damp brown arms. It was past 9 pm and still hot enough to make a rattlesnake sweat. Her long brown ponytail fluttered towards the open window as she shifted into third gear. Her leg clung to the seat as she let out the clutch.Up the road a lonesome hitchhiker heard her shifting gears. An overture of crickets took his mind off his problems. No job, no girlfriend and nowhere to ...

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“Touching The Hem Of Hope” by Steve Mowles

Submitted to Contest #288

The tepid rain soaked my filthy clothes but didn’t wash me clean. Nothing would ever wash away the stain on my life. So I hid as best I could as the searing sun dried off my clothes but left the damp stain between my legs.I thought about better days with clean robes and acceptance in the community as hopeless tears flowed down my cheeks. How could God abandon me like this? I wanted to scream at him so he could feel the wrath of all my anger and bitterness but drawing attention to myself would have meant immediate expulsion from the vill...

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“Breaking the Dam” by Steve Mowles

Submitted to Contest #287

Little Jimmy Breeze was one of the smallest guys in the tenderloin district but he was notorious for pouring his angry wrath on anyone who had the misfortune of encountering him. His volcanic nature had made many enemies but his quick wit and devious ways kept him one step ahead of any serious consequences. He had evaded the wrath from the West Side Gang and the cops couldn’t catch him. He was great at dodging trouble but this morning he couldn’t escape the aching thirst that was gnawing at his hard, protective shell.The pain inside his...

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“Gundle's Joy” by Steve Mowles

Submitted to Contest #286

My friend, Gundle, was real/not real but still more fun than anyone else I knew. We met when Dad and I moved to Westside. On our first day in the new house dad saw me crying in my bedroom and sat down next to me.“What’s the matter, Jamie?”“I miss mom, I wish she was here with us.”Dad stared at the picture of the three of us that was next to my bed.“I miss her too, keep praying she will get better and join us. She is doing the right thing getting help. When she comes back we can have some more adventures. Meanwhile, it’s me and you, and ...

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“Sunrise” by Steve Mowles

Submitted to Contest #286

SunriseIt was a grey chilly summer day in San Francisco and Frank was daydreaming about warm afternoons in southern California. He remembered the sultry embrace of the sun on his face and endless days that seemed to crawl towards sunset like a summer creek meandering across a meadow.Without thinking Frank shoved all of his meager possessions into a duffle bag and headed for the door. He shivered in the chilly damp air as he trudged up Army Street towards the freeway with his thumb pointed out.He was lost in thought about balmy summer ev...

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Author bio

Steve Mowles is a man who would rather play his bass than write about himself. Especially in third person. God has been really good to him even when he didn't know it. He has been set free from addiction to mind altering substances and the scourge of tuna noodle casserole (yech). He married above his station and that has been a bumpy ride at times but well worth it. He once rode an old yellow school bus from NYC to San Francisco. He also hiked 27 miles on a broken ankle, but he wouldn't do that again. He thinks burritos are the height of culinary excellence and if he ever makes any extra money he will spend it on a lowered 1958 Ford F1 pickup painted black so he can drive around and make vroom, vroom noises.