Susan O'REILLY

“Recovery” by Susan O'REILLY

Submitted to Contest #288

Content warning: references to sexual themes'Blood spurted across the white laboratory floor as the crocodile ripped Geoff's calf muscle from his leg.'Wow, what a book there is only so much gore I can take in one sitting. I can read it again when I am brain dead, clinically bored in work. It is not a book I can curl up on the sofa with.I will get up, do a little bit of housework, not loads, obviously, I am sick after all, and then pick another book, a bit of chick lit should do the trick. I have yellow jaundice so on enforced leave from wor...

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“Deserved” by Susan O'REILLY

Submitted to Contest #287

The beam leads our way. The place it brings us to intrigued us. We assumed it was empty, that someone turned on the light each evening; people don’t live in them anymore do they? I should have voiced that question aloud at some stage not when we are standing outside said lighthouse and face to face with the biggest Doberman ever. Drool escapes his mouth I think he’s salivating at the thought of eating us. Aoife’s brilliant plan to scare the pants of our friends at Halloween is working, but on me. We had foolishl...

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“Wicked O'Reilly” by Susan O'REILLY

Submitted to Contest #277

First of all, let’s get it right, I like things said about me to be correct, let's start as I mean to go on. I’m not a dwarf or a gnome or as I’ve heard The Gingerbread Man, I mean seriously what planet are some people on. I am an elf. I will also accept leprechaun, people seem to use one or the other and they are the two labels I will accept.  How hard is that to grasp? Tough for some it seems. In addition, my name is Patrick, not Paddy or Grumpy, and most definitely not Happy. I have never worn green and never will...

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“The Black House” by Susan O'REILLY

Submitted to Contest #275

Oh, how I love The Black House it captivates me, fun and debauchery abound, a den of indulgence and excitement. Every Friday I find myself drawn here, and my dastardly actions always go unheeded until I have had my fun and I’m well gone, then there is all hell to pay, I have left chaos in my wake. I am nestled as usual in a secluded corner, my little nook, where I secrete myself with a book until an interesting or exotic bird of the female persuasion catches my eye. I never actually read the book, but I find if you frequent any bar book in h...

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“Always Together” by Susan O'REILLY

Submitted to Contest #274

He’s looking this way again. I purposely, resolutely, ignore him as always, well since the first time that is. Try and ignore him I mean, as he creeps me out, and he is always in the corner of my eye. He declared that first time, his undying love for me, in glorious poetic prose, loudly and astride a chair in the school canteen. He called it ‘Catriona my reason for Living’. I can only imagine the colour I must have become. I’m sure I could have lit up the whole school. My friends doubled up and I could get no sense or help from them. I or my...

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“Forever Haunted” by Susan O'REILLY

Submitted to Contest #272

I know, I have to run, get away but as yet have't the courage. I am in the corner huddled, naked. I’m more colorful than any clothes I could wear. I’m red, black, purple and blue. Battered and bruised, my crime inquiring about his whereabouts. Together for 6 years now, our beautiful son asleep upstairs and I’m not entitled, according to him, to ask him anything. I am not and never will be the boss of him.I’m replaying my actions and conversation over and over again. He’s never raised his hand to me before, verbal abuse yes, threats yes. but ...

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“Meaty” by Susan O'REILLY

Submitted to Contest #270

Ah, a brand new slab of fresh meat. It took a lot of time and energy getting it too here and deserves my full attention to make it perfect, or at least tastier than the last time. I’ve gotten myself a hook to hang the meat don’t know exactly what this is for, I’ve heard the term curing being mentioned but for me it's just an easy way to admire my catch. The word reminds me of healing but there ain’t no doctor that can heal this creature. As I place the meat on the hook a pool of blood begins to form and congeal at my feet, this is a messy bu...

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“Getting Siobhán Back” by Susan O'REILLY

Submitted to Contest #267

This retirement lark is killing me. Boredom has settled in big time. Looking up at the sky I decide it’s a day for a picnic basket for one and a good book. This would have been a big thrill back in the day; just to have the time to do it would have been wonderful. Now it is a common occurrence, weather permitting.  Go to the fridge cannot wait to see what delights are waiting, I jest, the usual array of cheese and beetroot, ah hidden in the back, a slice of turkey, a veritable feast. I have asked her I don’t kno...

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“Thank you stupid Cupid” by Susan O'REILLY

I had went to bed crying into my pillow, literally trying to smother and drown my sadness. I began sailing along in a fantastical dream, floating away from my troubles. Drifting in and out of waves I am lazily blowing bubbles. Suddenly I am caught in a whirlpool, circling out of control, I am dragged down into a hole. The hole was the opening to a well, its wondrous treasure made my heart swell. There were trinkets of all shapes and sizes, one resembled my engagement ring, which made me sad all over again as I didn’t need it any more. Far do...

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“Long may the sun keep Shining” by Susan O'REILLY

Submitted to Contest #262

A family caravan park in Salthill in County Galway, Ireland was our parent’s choice of holiday destination for a lot of my childhood. It’s probably where I developed my love for the sea, always calming and soothing to me. The smells, the sights, the ice-creams, and of course the many friends won and lost on the beach, won and lost over and over on some days. The best days where when the sun was splitting the trees and we all got to show our knees.I’m remembering one holiday when I was eleven, all excited about meeting my friends again, not c...

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“Weaver of Dreams” by Susan O'REILLY

Submitted to Contest #261

I wake up and realize today's the day I can go visit Mrs. Rogers. I had to wait until I was sixteen to see what could not be seen. People entered her establishment and came out in many getup's. Fairies, witches and goblins abound. It was Halloween every day whether in October or May. This was just the norm but what fascinated me is Mrs. Rogers herself never changed her outfit. She was constantly in black and on her weave was no thread. My mam had heard countless questions over the years.“Mam she’s always weaving but never changes her clothes...

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“Making him mine.” by Susan O'REILLY

I was hooked on his dance moves first, he always made me get into his groove and start to move. I was obsessed with the way he moved his body, my soul he possessed his actions often remembered when I undressed. I then moved onto his eyes and was once again, a drooling, smitten kitten. You know what they say about good dancers don’t you I certainly couldn’t stop thinking and imagining it. The only trouble was he was my best friend’s new beau and beautiful though he was, he wasn’t mine. Right there and then I decided he was going to be mine an...

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“Picture Perfect” by Susan O'REILLY

Submitted to Contest #258

What the hell? My past has just come flooding back, yes, that is indeed me?   Wow, I must admit I look gorgeous. This realization pleases me and then instantly depresses me, if it was a photograph of me now with all my flaws I would sue the ass of the photographer. These days they can change a digital image to portray what they want but not back then, any imperfections removed within a moment. I scour the faces of my students. The more mature of them are looking my image in the eye and take it all in apprec...

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