Trudy Jas

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Nov, 2023

Stories (38)

38 Stories

1919 karma pts

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“What Lies Beneath” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #249

What Lies BeneathSummer 1972.“Road trip!” Pam screamed over the sound of the juke box. She had shoved her chair aside, since there was no dancefloor in this hole-in-wall bar, her arms in the air, hips bumping and grinding to the beat. Feet barely moving. After half a pitcher, she could sway her hips or move her feet. She opted for swaying to Otis Redding.“Wastin’ time!” Barb was still capable of doing a fair lip-sync of Sitting on the dock of the bay. Pam a tad too wasted to remember all the words.Fancying themselves the last hippies, the tw...

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“Paradise Lost ” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #248

Paradise Lost(Paradise Found?)I almost let the phone go to voicemail since I didn’t recognize the number and suspected I would have to be rude to yet another salesperson.Yes?Mr. Samuel Makarov?Yes?I have a story for you.Those are magic words. I’m a freelance reporter. I’ll take whatever news I can get. Excluding who is sleeping with whom, who had a face lift or tummy tuck or who got who pregnant.Talk to me.Not over the phone.The man gave me the address of a coffee shop just out of town. We agreed to meet in thirty minutes.Mr. Ahmed Sharuff a...

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“The Wind in the Willow” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #248

The Wind in the WillowThere is a tree, a willow tree in the middle of a field near a small pond. The branches hang low, the slightest breeze will caress them, urge them to dance. When she was a child, the tree was Leena’s refuge. She could hide under the veil of branches. Here she’d read fairy tales, dream of ever after and wish for magic and her very own prince. But like everyone else, when she grew older, she had to come out from under her tree and leave her dreams and wishes behind.At the edge of the field, near the street, is a...

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“The Grey” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #247

The GreyResembling a surly teenager, poised to unleash its unreasonable fury, the leaden clouds hang low in the pewter sky. It isn’t long before it makes good on this threat with a temper tantrum any two-year old would be proud of. Complete with a rain of crocodile tears, a wind howling like a banshee and the thunder of doors slamming.Cerise is driving through this miserable weather because her grandmother, who she has never met, had written, asking her to come and “finally grow into who she’s supposed to be.” Whatever that means. She c...

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“Little Brown Wren” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #246

Trigger warning: Sexual violence, suicide/self harmA little brown wren is unremarkable, easily overlooked while it hides under bushes. It doesn't have a big voice, just a small chirp. It slips in and out, you never know it's there. Being a brown wren has served me well, I've never had to deal with admiration, attention, conflict or pressure.Nobody sees me so, I don't exist.I earn a scholarship to an expensive east coast school. My roommate belongs here. I don't. She is a force stronger than anything I've ever known.She looks me over and find...

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“Once in a Life” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #245

It was quite a party. The whole neighborhood had gathered. I saw people I had never met before. Well, because I was the new kid on the block. And let's face it not the most popular one.But I should start at the beginning.I graduated in the mid-sixties with an associate's degree in business. You know, one of those nothing degrees, marginally more useful than philosophy. Luckily, I had what my grandmother called chutzpah, so I landed on my feet. For twenty years I, along with a small army of lawyers and a very good malpractice policy, have kep...

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“The Light at the Edges” by Trudy Jas

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #245

She has almost gotten used to looking at the eclipse, the dark grey void in front of her. She has almost learned to discern what lays at the edges of the corona, the periphery of her sight."Please don't," Candace begs Wanda, the pink fuzzy shape that is her nurse. "Please no fuss, no singing, no candles. Just let it go, okay?"It has been years, decades really, since she celebrated her birthday. Well, if pressed, she'll admit to occasionally having killed a bottle of wine on that day. In general, though, those days have passed in blessed negl...

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“Witness” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #244

Once upon a time I was a princess.No, not a real princess. But I was pampered and made to feel special. I was well educated, had servants. My servants had servants. I was allowed to focus on my work. Never had to think about where my food came from or how the house was kept clean. The mundane tasks in life were foreign to me. My life centered around assisting my father with his diplomatic work. I managed his correspondence, international travel and entertaining foreign dignitaries and their minions.Once upon a time I was a hostess.I thought ...

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“Danke Schon” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #244

Grandmother - never granny or grandma, always grandmother - passed away two weeks ago. Emily had accepted condolences and casseroles from a handful of people. People she didn't know since she had never really lived here. Grandmother had sent her to the best boarding schools money could buy, while telling Emily that she was lucky to have this opportunity to make so many friends from all over the world, to get such a wonderful education.With a sigh, she settles at grandmother's desk. She knows it's time, can't put off sorting through her grand...

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“Respite” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #243

The bar opens at eleven. Bart props the door open, lets fresh air in. He wipes the tables, bags whatever trash wasn't cleared the night before, and sweeps the floor. I slip in when he's not paying attention. But then, most people don't see me, unless I want them to. Then they are surprised that I'm a petite woman with long red hair and coal black eyes. I'm not unpleasant to look at, I think.It's not long before the first of the regulars arrive. There is John, 81, a retired mail carrier. His gait is worn, his eyesight is going, his wife of fi...

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“Time into Time” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #243

2024, Atlanta, GA"And you, grandma?"Her granddaughters are visiting. Something they haven't done in a while. The girls are in college now. Time has flown, as it always does.They are talking about their earliest memories and arguing, like sisters will, about the accuracy of their memories. "How can you say you remember that? You were only three." Bella protests Valerie's assertion. Rather than respond to her older sister, Valerie turns to Fay."And you, grandma. What is your earliest memory?"Fay thinks for a minute. "My first steps." Yes, that...

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“The Night Watchman” by Trudy Jas

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #242

He comes to work just before closing time, as he does every night. His uniform is pressed, cap on his head, belt with keys and other useless stuff hanging on his hip. Every evening, he politely listens to whatever the man from the day shift wants to tell him. He knows nothing will happen. All will be well. He'll make sure.After he has smiled warmly, listening to everyone wishing him a cheerful goodnight, after he has locked up and turned off most of the lights, he walks to the small side room and sits on the bench.The man sits quietly and wa...

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“Lunch Break” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #242

She slowly circles the room. Stopping to bend over a display case. Twisting her head to watch some facets catch the light, peering at inscriptions. Careful not to touch the glass, lest the guard who's watching her admonishes her again."Which one do you fancy?"Startled she straightens and looks at him. He's tall, his longish sun-bleached hair seems youthful compared to his somewhat weathered face. A sailor, maybe? Or someone used to spend time outdoors. His light blue eyes crinkle at the corners, giving the impression of mirth."That one." She...

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“Paradise” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #241

I'm floating naked in an infinity pool overlooking the Indian Ocean. Having just admired the sunset, I'm mesmerized by billions of stars blinking on overhead. A soft sea breeze moves the warm humid air. The wine is cold and crisp."What a lovely view." His voice is rich, soft and has a hint of a smile.I'm busted!But let me start at the beginning.Eight months ago, Alex took me out for lunch at a coffee shop near his office. We both had to be back at work, so lunch was going to be quick. He said since it was my birthday, he didn't want to wait ...

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“You See,” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #241

You see, betrayal never comes from your enemy.An enemy is honest about their antipathy. An enemy will never pretend to be on your side.You see, betrayal comes from me.I'm the one who sits across from you, my elbows propped on the table, my hands clasped together, my chin resting on my fists. My eyes will be warm, full of understanding, my mouth pursed into a empathetic moue, the occasional tut-tut and tsk-tsk, a slight twitch of an eye, a narrowly missed frown, a barely perceptible nod or shake of my head.I will make the odd comment, using y...

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Author bio

Being single and retired left me with no one to talk to. So, I started telling myself stories. To keep from becoming (even more) eccentric, I decided to write them down. I find I kinda like doing this, and like the good little perfectionist I am, I want to become better. So, any constructive feedback, (and praise) is always welcome.

Shortlisted 3 stories ⭐️

Contest #245

The Light at the Edges – read story

Contest #242

The Night Watchman – read story

Contest #237

For the Last Time – read story