Tsvi Jolles

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jan, 2022

Stories (32)

32 Stories

652 karma pts

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“Evelyn” by Tsvi Jolles

In the sultry air of a Columbia, SC summer, cicadas sang their age-old lullaby. But beneath their chorus, the distant strains of CNN whispered of tumult far away — Iraq's unexpected assault on Kuwait. As Shabbat cast its peaceful aura over the Shulman household, twin sisters Lisa and Evelyn stood at life's crossroads, beckoned by disparate callings. Lisa, sunlight dappling off her swimsuit, eagerly anticipated the refres...

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“One Last Evening in Charlestino” by Tsvi Jolles

Just days after Lisa's departure, Benjamin felt each moment stretch long with memories. While walking, he stumbled upon an unusual art exhibit: an apple tree on wheels, with no one guarding it. Adding to its intrigue, the tree had structures that looked like feathery wings. Benjamin touched an apple to test if it was real. He was about to explore further when something even more astonishing caught his eye. There,...

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“Wings in the Inbox” by Tsvi Jolles

Dear George, The sun was just beginning to dip when we found ourselves at Mellow Mist Coffee. The warm glow of the afternoon sun, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, and the soft hum of conversations around us set the scene for what would become a serendipitous encounter. I must admit, when you sketched that sheep with such precision and flair on the napkin, I was both amused and impressed. It's a keepsak...

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“Twins of Fate” by Tsvi Jolles

In the hushed and desolate streets of Columbia, South Carolina, where time had been captured and held prisoner by the relentless shadow of 2020's pandemic, the sudden ring of a doorbell became a rare, unsettling echo—a ghostly whisper of a world once familiar, now lost. When George opened the door, he found himself gazing into eyes that mirrored his own soul, yet were wrapped in a visage so vastly different, it was as if...

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“The Road to Cumming” by Tsvi Jolles

The day had dawned in Hiawassee with a palpable excitement after the federal government's shocking announcement of extraterrestrial life. Its proximity to Cumming, GA, where non-human biological findings had been made near a Walmart, had set the town abuzz with fervent speculation. The familiar roar of a Ford Mustang pulled up outside Lisa's home. Amidst the excitement of alien discoveries the sound of the Mus...

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“Sunk and Found” by Tsvi Jolles

Lisa lowered herself into the shotgun position of the pristine Ford Mustang, her heartbeat keeping a wild cadence of incredulity and awe. The rich leather seats, the dashboard gleaming like a well-polished heirloom, the potent fragrance of untouched machinery all swirled around her like a summer whirlwind through a field of magnolia blossoms. Perhaps it was the sheer unexpectedness of the gift, a stark contrast to the cu...

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“Embracing Emily” by Tsvi Jolles

In the afternoon, Emily found herself walking by a park in Charleston. A group was forming nearby, their collective chatter and laughter catching her attention. Intrigued, she took a seat on a nearby bench, giving her a clear view of the gathering. Their energetic interactions were palpable, serving as a striking contrast to the otherwise still and quiet park surroundings. The group was discussing something about...

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“Lingering Legacies (Part 2)” by Tsvi Jolles

An hour later, Himmler found himself standing at the edge of the placid Lake Chatuge by Lisa's house. Bathed in moonlight, the tranquil waters reflected the serene beauty of the night, a stark contrast to the ominous figure Himmler cut. "Sehr schön," he murmured, his gaze gliding over the landscape before moving towards Lisa's residence. He approached the door of her house and knocked briskly. The door swung open,...

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“Lingering Legacies (part 1)” by Tsvi Jolles

A spectral figure emerged from the pallor of dusk, striding with an eerie assuredness through the streets of Hiawassee, Georgia. The year was 2021, yet his visage was a chilling throwback to a time long past, the 1940s, to be precise. His attire, an immaculate black uniform, bore the rank insignia of Reichsführer-SS, festooned with ribbons and medals from a bygone era. The silver skull ring glinted ominously on his finge...

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“Boxes of Betrayal, Battles of Unity” by Tsvi Jolles

Instead of celebrating their new shared home with joy, Lisa was engulfed in an unexpected gloom. Within a seemingly innocuous moving box, her newly acquired haven concealed a chilling secret. Her hand unearthed two ominous pistols among what she believed were her personal belongings. Throughout Lisa, a tremor echoed as she cradled the menacing devices. It was a Luger P08 and a Walther P38 - names that were unrema...

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“Life After Charleston” by Tsvi Jolles

The room was expansive, its walls swathed in a stark white that seemed to amplify its size. Arrayed upon these surfaces were a peculiar collection of large portraits. The faces staring back were an unusual medley of iconic figures, from the operatic master Andrea Bocelli to the poetic Leonard Cohen, from the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali to the comedic genius Jerry Seinfeld. Pop divas Mariah Carey and Dolly Parton...

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“Ripples of a Rally” by Tsvi Jolles

The spectacle at Francis Marion Square had come to an end. Discarded cups and confetti littered the ground, the remnants of a spirited political gathering. It was nearing 11:00 p.m. when Benjamin and his wife Emily began their journey from the heart of Charleston back to their neighborhood. Surrounding them, banners emblazoned with "Nikki Haley for President 2024" fluttered in the faint breeze, interspersed with signs, f...

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“Town of Whispers” by Tsvi Jolles

Navigating through the heart of Hiawassee was a task Lisa never found easy. It was as if the town's gaze held her under a relentless spotlight, and not a kind one at that. Her somewhat ample proportions, along with her bold, prominent ears, often made her feel like a fish out of water.. Even the gentle oddity of her smile—a single tooth that subtly veered off alignment—seemed to discreetly court attention. Consequently, ...

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“The Art of Remembering” by Tsvi Jolles

Just a week after his father's quiet, Christian funeral at a church across the street from his final residence, Benjamin found himself walking the streets of Columbia. His father had retired here, leaving behind the charming allure of Charleston for the understated tranquility of this city. On this particular evening, Benjamin was drawn to the Congaree Vista district—a place his father had loved. He strolled alo...

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“Lessons Etched in Time” by Tsvi Jolles

With morning peeking and sunlight sidling over his Pa's old sofa, Benjamin stirred from a restless slumber. Their recent reunion at the coffee shop—the first in a handful of years—echoed in his waking thoughts. In their family, spontaneity was rarer than a jackalope, but as the new day dawned, a bold plan began to sprout. Suddenly, he found himself longing for an adventure with his daddy, a trip from Columbia to Charleston lined with memory-filled moments.Flickers of childhood memories danced in his mind—jaunts to Magnolia Plantati...

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Author bio

I live in a suburb north of Atlanta with my wife and 11-year-old son. I am a writer who enjoys experimenting with different forms of storytelling. Some of my stories are stand-alone, while others are part of a larger series. The stories that continue one another, but could also be read as stand-alone, are the following: 1. Sunk and Found 2. Touching His Face 3. The Passover Sheep 4. The Final Hour 5. In the Wake of the Cake 6. The Souvenir Button 7. Lessons Etched in Time 8. The art of remembering 9. Town of Whispers 10. Ripples of a Rally 11. Life after Charleston 12. Boxes of Betrayal, Battles of Unity 13. Lingering Legacies (in two parts) 14. Embracing Emily 15. The Road to Cumming 16. Twins of Fate 17. Wings in the Inbox 18. One Last Evening in Charlestino 19. Evelyn I hope you enjoy my stories!

Shortlisted 1 story ⭐️

Contest #131

The Pulitzer Couple – read story