Trudy Jas

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Nov, 2023

Stories (71)

71 Stories

5358 karma pts

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“The House With Five Doors” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #251

The House With Five DoorsA little over a month ago, while walking my dog, I saw the for-sale sign. I admit, I’ve had my eye on this little Victorian for a while. The two turrets at the front corners just beg for tea and a book. I called the agent at once and waited for her.The three of us toured the house, but in my mind I had already moved in. I admit that I was surprised to see that one of the small bedrooms in the back, the one overlooking the small civil war era cemetery, was furnished with an antique desk, overstuffed bookcase and well-...

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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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“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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“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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“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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“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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“Words on the Wind” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #240

Steve, the weatherman on channel six, rudely interrupted Dr. Phil. to tell us that a tornado had touched down near Louisville and was traveling up the Ohio River. Everybody knows that these guys live for this stuff, like a self-respecting entomologist lives for the hatching of the seventeen-year cicadas. But really! Louisville? That was at least two and a half hours away, if you kept to the speed limits. I've lived here for thirty years and yet have to see one of these things. Come to think about it, that's a good thing.On second thought, I ...

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“Reddrozen” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #239

The land along the cliff is bleak, colorless and barren. I've hiked for a few hours; my backpack feels heavier with each step. The cliff is a sheer drop to the churning sea below. I'm beginning to think that I've been sent on a wild goose chase when I see a dirt path. Though woefully overgrown, it's the only thing that looks different from the hard rock and coarse patches of sea grass.With renewed excitement I adjust the load on my shoulders and follow the path toward the cliff. There it switches back and forth, descending gradually through ...

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“The Devil's Choice” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #238

The summons comes at midnight."He demands your presence, Milady." With the door between us, Cedrik's voice is muffled."I will wait for my maid to bring my clothes. Tell him I will be there when I am properly attired.""Forgive me, Milady. He said for you to come at once.""Surely, he doesn't expect me to leave my chamber in my night clothes!" I protest."I apologize, Milady. I have orders to drag you there, if need be." I hear the distaste in his voice. Until two days ago, he had been one my guards, showing featly to me, taking orders from me.^...

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“Smoke on the Water” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #238

It's only late summer but the air is cool this morning. The lake, still holding the summer warmth, allows the mist to drift like smoke over its surface, making it look ethereal and enchanted. Soon the sun will burn away the smoke and bring the lake in sharp focus. It won't be long before the trees will change to yellow and gold, russet and red.The summer people have left. They have closed their cottages and pulled their boats out of the water. Some may return for the odd weekend. Some may return for cross-country skiing; other will bring the...

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Author bio

Past the mid-life anguish, staring old age down, knowing which one of us will lose. There is no truth. There are no lies. Everything is relative.

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