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Tricia Shulist

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Feb, 2021

Stories (206)

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107 Followers

16 Following

206 Stories

1464 karma pts

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Done

DONE “You know what? I quit. I’m done,” I said taking a big breath. It had been a long, brutal day, and I was admitting defeat. My crusty father used to tell me that losers quit, winners got the job done. I mentally shrugged my shoulders. I guess I’m a loser, ‘cuz there’s no way I can finish this job. My husband, Uriah, smirked at me. “Again, Amelia? What is it this time? Did I leave my socks on the floor? Or put an empty milk carton back in the fridge? Or leave an empty toilet paper roll in the can? Come on, tell me—what cata...

3 likes

The Ghostwriter, Publisher, and the Star

THE GHOSTWRITER, THE PUBLISHER, AND THE STAR The Ghostwriter—Carla I looked down at the pile of paper, painted with red slashes and question marks. I don’t get paid enough for this! I thought—not for the first time. By just quickly thumbing through the pages, I could see there was more red ink than black type. This job was turning into a nightmare compared to the other ghostwriting jobs I’d done. Apparently, The Client—who shall remain nameless because of the NDA I signed—changed his mind—a lot—about how his life had actually unfold...

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Angie and Devon

ANGIE AND DEVON “Could you please, just once, think about how your over-the-top reactions reflect on those around you?” Devon shrugged. “Nope. Unlike you, my dear Angie, I don’t care what others think.” She looked around Marie’s giant head, and gave Angie a sly smile. “Besides, for every action there is a reaction. And I am the queen of reactions!” Angie sighed. “Learn Newton’s third law before you go quoting it. It’s actually ‘for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.’” She paused. “By that rationale, you should b...

2 likes

Strangers in the Night

STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT Paige inhaled deeply. The air was sweet and cool. She could smell the late spring flowers on the breeze—lilacs, forsythia, hyacinths, maybe some early roses. Just what she needed after hours cooped up inside, staring at her computer screen. It was late, just after eleven—her favourite time for a walk. A light breeze gently rustled the leaves on the trees. The sky was cloudless, the stars competing with the waxing gibbous moon. She could hear the foraging of small animals in the bushes, their furtive movements a...

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This Isn’t What I Signed Up For!

THIS ISN’T WHAT I SIGNED UP FOR! I squeezed through the small bedroom window, and slip-skidded across the roof over the first floor mud room. I turned around, and eased myself off the roof, grabbing the eavestrough with my fingers, extending my arms until straight. I was hanging by my fingertips I looked down. I was only a couple of feet from the ground. I let go, and landed almost gracefully. And I didn’t break my leg. So, … yay? I looked up as my friend Daisy and her boyfriend Leo dropped to the ground beside me. “We gotta go!” ...

3 likes

Who Does That?

WHO DOES THAT? “Excuse me?” said a voice. I looked over at the two people walking toward me—a man and a woman. Obviously not from the neighbourhood. I would have known them if they lived around here. “Yes,” I said. “Are you—” the woman looked at the notebook she was holding in her hand, “—Jules Martino?” She looked back at me. “Yes,” I said. “And this is your home?” she asked. “Yes.” I paused. “Or what’s left of it.” I turned to look at the charred pile of debris where my house had once stood, where my entire life had literally ...

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A Day in the Life

A DAY IN THE LIFE 6:58 A.M. “Olivia! Get up! It’s almost seven o’clock.” Oh God. Make her stop! I pulled my pillow over my head to silence my mother’s bellowing from the hall. “Olivia! Get out of bed.” Argh! ‘NOW!” Mom yelled. “I’M UP!” I screeched back, removing the pillow from my face. “YOU BETTER BE! DON’T MAKE ME COME IN THERE AND DRAG YOU OUT OF THAT BED!” “I SAID I’M UP!” I rolled over and put the pillow over my head again. My bedroom door opened, and there she was, Marj the Mom-ster. Invading my privacy. As usual...

2 likes

Yin and Yang

YIN AND YANG“I don’t understand how you two are still friends.” Jason said, then paused. “Or why.”I shrugged my shoulders. “I don’t know,” I said. “We’ve been friends since middle school. She’s always just been my friend.”Jason shook his head. “Sure, you’ve known her forever, Nina, but that doesn’t mean that you still have to be friends. She treats you like trash.”I looked at my husband. It was the same every time I’d tell him about Talia. And I knew that it was my own fault. I’d spend some time with Talia, and then I’d come home and tell Ja...

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Run!

RUN! “What should we do?” I whispered “Run!” ***** “Are we going the right way?” asked Hugh. I shrugged. “I think so. There’s only one road in and one road out, so …” I let the statement hang. Hugh nodded. We kept driving down the rutted road, the wall of trees unbroken. Just before I was about to ask if he wanted to go back—which, by the way, would have been impossible because there was no where to turn around with the truck and the trailer—the trees parted, and there it was. The perfect campsite. I let out a sigh of relief...

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Bob the Blob

BOB THE BLOB Enola looked disgusted. “Ew!” she said shaking her head. “How many times have I told you that is not cool?” Bob cocked his head and looked at her. “Seventy-six. Seventy-seven if you count right now.” She folded her arms across her chest. “Exactly. And yet you continue to pick your nose and look at it.” She looked frustrated. “Why?” They were at home, relaxing, watching television. Bob shrugged. “I’m curious. This is the first time I’ve ever had a nose. It’s interesting to see what gets trapped up in there.” He ...

1 like

I Believe

I BELIEVE“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate the life of our dear friend Evan ….”I shut my eyes and let the words wash over me. The pastor’s melodious voice soothing me, bringing me a modicum of inner peace, making today a bit easier to bear.I didn’t expect to be sitting here. In fact I rejected the idea of attending outright. How could I celebrate the life of my friend … lover … partner? Evan—who was everything to me—when I didn’t believe he was dead?I believe that he is out there, somewhere. I don’t—I can’t—believe tha...

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Her New (Old) Life

HER NEW (OLD) LIFE Hey Cal!  Just thought that I would drop you a quick text.  I’m back home!  I’m settling in, and things look like they’re going to be okay.  The house is pretty nice, considering … My job starts next week, and I’m excited!  A new (old) start, am I right?  Text me when you can! ~ xo Rosalee ***** Hey Ro!  I’m glad to hear you’re settling in.  And getting ready to start your new job!  So many new things!  I envy you—you’re l...

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What’s Left Behind

WHAT’S LEFT BEHINDThe woman made her way into the crowded bus, hoping to get a seat. Being of a certain age, she stood in front of the seats reserved for the elderly, infirm, or pregnant.  She was neither pregnant nor infirm, but she was elderly. Well, not elderly elderly, but considerably older than the twenty-something sitting in front of her, eyes on his phone.  He did not appear to fit any of the criteria on the sign above the seats.  The woman, Donatella, “accidentally” kicked his foot. ...

2 likes

The Colourized

THE COLOURIZED A world in black and white.  No colours—no deep hues.  No blood reds, or turquoise blues, or summery yellows.  Just black, white, and grey.  A monotone sky, grey leaves on trees.  No colour, just tone-on-tone grey.  I often wonder if people know what they are missing not seeing colour, or is it like that saying—you don’t know what you don’t know?   I can’t imagine a monochrome world.  But I have to because it’s the law. “But what happened?” I asked ...

2 likes

Thank you Noddy. Thank you Nola.

NODDY YOU NODDY. THANK YOU NOLA Florrie walked around the quirky little gallery.  The shelves were crowded with interesting and intricate pieces of art. The artist was talented and the gallery highlighted their work expertly.   Florrie and her partner Liam were in New Orleans for a week-long conference.  It was the last day of the conference, and they were scheduled to fly home the next morning.  Florrie’s workshop had finished early, giving her an extra hour to do as she pleased.  She ha...

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