Trudy Jas

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Nov, 2023

Stories (76)

76 Stories

5631 karma pts

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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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“For the Last Time” by Trudy Jas

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #237

Tuesday afternoon, she turns the key in the lock and opens the door. As she shrugs out of her coat, she shivers and adjusts the thermostat. Carrying the shopping bag through to the kitchen, she fills the kettle and sets it on the flame. She rinses the teapot with warm water and carefully measures the leaves. With a sigh, she pulls the tray from its storage space next to the fridge and sets out two cups and saucers. She cuts up a lemon and pours a little cream in the pitcher. She unwraps the raspberry tarts, his favorite.Just as the water com...

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“She's leaving home” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #235

Wednesday morning5:00 o'clockShe is sitting on the edge of her bed. It has taken days to pack. A little bit at a time, carefully hiding it from her parents. Trying to decide what is important, what is fluff. How much is enough?Sitting still, being quiet, because she can't wake Mommy and Daddy, and still keeping herself awake is hard. She can hear Daddy snore through the thin wall. But Mommy says she's a light sleeper. Marjory doubts it. As often as she has come in late these past few months, Mommy never seems to have heard her.She frets. Doe...

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“Run, Maggy. Run!” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #235

Tonight, Maggy finally gets her chance to run. Tonight, he passed out drunk again. But this time he forgot to lock up first. Tonight, she waits quietly, huddled out of sight. She waits till she hears his sloppy snores.She takes one of his shirts, the one she has been ironing. Knowing exactly which floorboard creaks, exactly where and how far she can push the screen door to keep it from squeaking, she slips out of the house. She tiptoes over the gravel and patchy front yard to the street.And runs."Let's run, Maggy!" With a shove, six-year-old...

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“The End of the Drought” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #233

Implied nudity and consensual relationship. Enjoy.How to end a drought.Play the game.The warm-up.Each business trip is different, of course. Sometimes, she gets invited to dinner the evening before. Usually not. Sometimes she stays in her hotel room, feasting on room service selections and anything on the Hallmark Channel. Other times, she'll research where to eat, finding local specialties.When she's out by herself, invariably someone will ask if he can join her. Often, she will say yes and enjoy the conversation and light flirtation. Occas...

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“Keeper of the Flame” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #232

I am a failure.I am so utterly ashamed of myself. I want to hang my head. I want to cry. But I may not, I cannot, under no circumstance break posture. My job is to stand tall, smile and hold the flame.But I lost the flame.Even though it is shameful, so utterly shameful to stand here in the dark without a flame, I will not indulge in dramatic displays of distress. I will keep my dignity.My only salvation is that the little prince is not in residence. I fear that he would cry if he could not see me in the dark. For he always looks at me when h...

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“Dear Son.” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #232

John paces nervously up and down the back yard. He keeps looking at his watch and back to the overcast, starless, dull black sky. Are the clouds in the way? Will he be able to see it? Did he understand the message correctly? Is this the night? What time is it now? 10:47.Max whines and drops his ball at John's feet. Distracted, he tosses the ball toward the bushes, only to have it dropped back on his feet in mere seconds."Sorry, boy. It's kind of dark to be tossing balls. I promise we'll go to the park tomorrow." Max whines but settles at his...

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“We're Okay.” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #231

(Grunt) Coffee... Drip faster ... Ah! ... More ...Must have been that last glass...What time is it? Noon? Half the year is gone, already.More coffee....Alright, I promised myself. Let's do this. Paper. Pen. Here goes.Jan. 1, '24. New Year's Resolutions.... (Chew on pen)... (Make more coffee)... (Blank stare)I'll be a better person.Suzie, baby cakes, define 'I'.Huh? Who are you?We'll get to that, just do it.I, me, 1st person singular.You mean the one in charge, the one occupying your space? The love of your own life. The most important person...

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“Happy New Year?” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #231

I stare into the bottom of the glass and contemplate the last swallow. Absentmindedly, I swirl the wet tumbler in lazy circles over the bar. If I drain the glass, the question will be whether to order another or leave. And go where? Yes, unlike some, I do have a home with a roof, a bed, hot and cold running water.And echoes.Echoes of someone to come home to, of cold feet to warm, of comfort food to eat, of secrets, jokes, hugs and laughs shared. Of medication and nausea, of pain and helplessness, of fake smiles and false bravery, of promises...

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“HD - 496327584” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #230

The world has come to an end. Oh, it's still spinning, the sun is still shining, she supposes. Dogs still bark, cows graze, probably, but life as Diane has known is gone.A week ago, what the movie Independence Day had predicted, had happened. Hundreds of alien ships had appeared and hovered just outside the earth's atmosphere. Thousands of smaller ships, stuffed to the gills with humanoids, had been deployed. It really had not been a fair fight.Something resembling dirty bombs had been detonated, paralyzing all humans. In just a matter of ho...

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“Foolishly Hopeful” by Trudy Jas

Submitted to Contest #229

I'm dead on my feet, my head still buzzing from endless hours of whining jet engines. Stiff and numb from what seems like days waiting and sitting in narrow and uncomfortable seats. Exhausted from lack of sleep, dehydration and too many peanuts.It's been years since I've been home. My job has taken me all over the world. I enjoy my work but flitting about doesn't lend itself to making friends. That's okay, I tell myself. I'm not very good at making and keeping friends. I've learned that it's less painful to say goodbye with a smile, than won...

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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