Trudy Jas

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Nov, 2023

Stories (83)

83 Stories

4905 karma pts

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“Keep Walking” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #261

If I have a neat little heart attack, right here at the bottom of the attic steps, then the kids can throw away all that junk up there. But no, I had to tell them I’d do this myself. Why? I can’t imagine that there is anything up there that they shouldn’t see.Sam and I bought this house when the boys were still little. Around forty-five years ago. It’s going to be an ordeal emptying this memorial to my marriage, our younger selves, before I bury myself among the old and discarded. I’m sure it won’t be just the mountain of dust bunnies I’ll s...

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“Just one more minute, please!” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #260

Just one more minute, please!Friday nights have always been special.Back when, those evenings were full of fun and games. You were an expert at Monopoly, usually taking all your parents’ and brothers’ money. Sometimes the evening was spent peeking between your fingers while being half scared, half thrilled by blobs from outer space. Staying up way past your bedtime, begging for five more minutes, one more story, one more hand of cards. Sometimes the pleas were heard, other times not.Later Fridays meant a movie with your friends and a curfew ...

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“Pablo's Wisdom” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #260

It caught her eye, winked at her, made her fall in love. She just had to add it to her collection. Right there, on the modest table, among all the other market stands was the vase. A beautiful, ethereal pale green jade vase. She stopped, carefully, almost reverently lifted it off the table, felt its weight, held it up to the light and knew it was hers. Exploring, traveling, learning about cultures different from her own, attempting to master at least a few words of the language, as well as seeing the sights, comparing architectural styles an...

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“T, D & H” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #259

It would have been an ordinary day, one that would have passed like every other if she hadn’t seen him. If she hadn’t heard the roar from the motorcycle as he pulled into the slot in front of the pharmacy. If she hadn’t stood at the window, mesmerized watching him swing his leg over the bike, tuck his aviators in the chest pocket of his leather jacket. If she hadn’t watched him finger comb his brown hair while he did a slow 360, taking in Main Street.To say he was tall dark and handsome would be too easy.Later they would say that they had kn...

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“The Honeymooners” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #259

The HoneymoonersI’m not sure if this is heaven or hell. One would think it’s heaven. Who wouldn’t want to be on a cruise? Just sit back for however long you’re booked. Let your hotel float with you. It’ll take you to what are supposed to be exotic places, but in reality, are overcrowded tourist traps. Not to mention that each port looks just like the one before. But that’s beside the point. My solution is to let all the newbies go ashore and I pretend to have the ship, and all the crew, to myself.Queen for a day.With that in mind, I book a w...

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“The Train” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #258

I feel I spent a lifetime on this train.Enlessly being jostled from side to side. Blindly staring at the scenery through dirty windows. Startled by a sudden whistle blast announcing a tunnel, then squinting against the hazy yellow sun. Occasionally all is obscured by the billowing white smoke from the engine. Dozens of unwashed bodies. Fragrant and pungent food shared with neighbors and whining children. Cigarettes, joints, pipes, and drink handed around with a wink and a smile. Voices sharing news and gossip, whispers, and giggles. A young ...

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“Being Her” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #257

Mason Campbell, reporter with the Atlanta Constitution, feels frustrated. For the past fifteen minutes he’s been trying to interview Miss Chancey Jarvis. Though Miss Jarvis is patiently answering his questions, her answers are vague.“Miss Jarvis, you have lived here for more than sixty years, Is that right?” He asks.“Yes, it is my home.”“But people don’t live permanently in homeless shelters, do they?”“So, I’ve been told.”“How come you have?”“This is where I live. Will you be much longer? I need to put the towels in the dryer.” She fidg...

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“In From The Cold” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #256

In From The ColdThrough the rain spattered window of the dimly lit coffee shop I watch a pair of bicycles pass. The riders draped in yellow oilcloth ponchos and sou-westerns are hunched over their handlebars while negotiating through standstill traffic. Inside, the air is thick and warm, the coffee strong. I am growing mellow on second-hand smoke. The neon sign reflects on the dregs in my cup. It’s time. Leaving a few guilders, I shrug back into my still wet coat.Water splashes on the wet cobblestones. Light from nearby windows and lamp post...

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“Night Shift” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #255

.Night ShiftJack is two minutes late for work. Nothing unusual about that. He’s actually ahead of his own schedule, just not his boss’ schedule. He would have been on time, maybe even a minute or so early, if he hadn’t knocked Mrs. Compton off her feet in his rush to leave home. Apologizing profusely, hauling her clumsily upright, chasing and returning DeeDee, her toy poodle, had taken what little extra time he had allowed himself and then some.Catching all the red lights is as normal as his toast landing peanut butter-side down.With a grunt...

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“Cheers, Mom.” by Trudy Jas

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #255

Cheers, Mom. One morning before sun-up, I stand in the shower shampoo threatening to drip in my eyes, my heart sinks, my gut clenches and cold sweat breaks out all over my body, only to be mercifully washed away. The thought, ‘Oh, my god! I have to do this 35 more years’, paralyzes me with fear, loathing and despair. I, a virtual princess, should not have to suffer through thirty-five years of indentured servitude. I had, to my surprise, allowed myself to be swept up in the idea of a professional education, never fully understanding that I’d...

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“You Think You Can Handle The Truth” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #254

You Think You Can Handle The Truth?You know the story, right?The maiden, downtrodden by a stepmother and stepsisters. The maiden who somehow makes it to the ball. You know that one. Of course you do. The maiden, beautiful beyond belief, sorely abused after her father’s disappearance. The maiden who gets help from none other than a fairy god mother. Can you hear the snark in my voice? Down here in the kitchen we don’t take stock in magic, I tell you. We don’t have any pennies to lose on wagers like that.So, you get it. The story isn’t quite l...

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“Whispers” by Trudy Jas

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #254

Whispers.Did you hear the latest? Oh, my! Do sit down, have a cup of tea. You have met Lady Farnsworth, have you not? Exactly! At the Wendtworth ball. Yes. Her garden is legendary. Or so I’ve heard. I don’t really know anyone who has seen it firsthand. With the exception of Lady Creason, but all she will say about it is that the garden is simply magnificent, divine.No, really, it’s almost too much. She does it herself! Can you imagine? I shudder to think … Oh, the horror! Dirtying her gloves as she digs in the soil, as if she’s a common maid...

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“Temp Work” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #253

Temp Work“Come in”. The dark brown velvet voice flows invitingly then swirls down a sewer drain.The solid wood, interictally carved, twelve-foot-tall door is awe-inspiring. Gargoyles and gremlins look down with malevolent grins from the frieze above. By all rights I should be terrified or at least intimidated. I should be cowering on trembling legs. But I feel calm, one might even say cool and collected.“Name, date of birth.” The larger-than-life figure behind the enormous desk is hunched over a comparatively undersized keyboard.“Gloria Mess...

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“Cruel and Unusual” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #253

Cruel and Unusual.I imagine, like most people you’d prefer a sunny day. Not too hot, not too humid. A day to spend outside doing whatever floats your boat. Including floating in a boat on a placid lake.However, some rain must fall. Ideally, as in Camelot, rain will only fall at night and never obstruct the sun. But life’s not ideal, is it? You will need to put up with a shower now and then. A mere sprinkling, barely enough to turn on the wipers. The kind of minor nuisance you hardly notice. If someone would ask later how the weather had...

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“Something Came Up” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #253

Something Came UpYou won’t make it home for dinner tonight.Bet if anyone could choose how they'd want to die, they’d choose to die in their bed, in their sleep, wouldn’t they? Sure, anyone would. Granted, they'd leave a tangled mess for someone else to deal with. But what the hell, they'd be dead. Not their problem anymore.Maybe, at some point, if someone'd live long enough, they may become more mature and have a lawyer write up a will. They might even name an executor, make bequests, and ignore all those relatives who are hovering with thei...

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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 5 stories ⭐️

Contest #255

Cheers, Mom. – read story

Contest #254

Whispers – read story

Contest #245

The Light at the Edges – read story

Contest #242

The Night Watchman – read story

Contest #237

For the Last Time – read story