Webb Johnson

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jul, 2021

Stories (21)

21 Stories

485 karma pts

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“Team Building” by Webb Johnson

Submitted to Contest #256

Towards the end of a long work day my phone pinged a text message; “Bob. Stop by my office before leaving.”  “Yes!” I punched the air then strode from my bullpen cubicle to the Director of Marketing's glass-walled office. Keeping his phone at his ear, the Big Man beamed a welcoming smile and motioned toward a chair in front of his desk. I walked in and sat as he concluded the call. We indulged in a minute of everyday chitchat. He praised my work and asked me to say hello to my wife Laura for him. Then, he looked down reflexively drumm...

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“Going Together” by Webb Johnson

Submitted to Contest #254

I take lunch breaks at a book store within walking of my job. I can relax there and browse a magazine, eat a blueberry scone, and drink coffee before returning to the Computer Store. After my six hour shift, I work out at a gym called “24 Hour Fitness.” Hotties favor big guns, pecs, six-packs, and stamina. I get bonus credit for brains when I let them know I’m a “Computer Technician.” Today, I was carrying a book Cynthia gave me, so when the super-cute barista decanted my Café’ Americano and handed me the scone my trip to the table was a bal...

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“My Reverie” by Webb Johnson

Submitted to Contest #249

During my grad school days at the University of San Francisco, I spent my nights behind the bar at Varni’s Roaring Twenties, a classy, energetic nightclub in the historic Jackson Square district.Varni’s, housed in a Barbary Coast-era brick building was transformed to capture the ambiance of a 1920s speakeasy. We had a trad jazz band that played prohibition-era music. Clientele danced solo or as couples, to classic moves: The Charleston, The Black Bottom, The Shimmy, and The Texas Tommy.The décor and the melodies paid homage to the Roaring Tw...

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“The Interview” by Webb Johnson

Submitted to Contest #249

I was the lone passenger left aboard when my bus pulled into the Redding bus station. It was after midnight when its droning Diesel engine finally shut down after eight monotonous hours. I grabbed my parka and my backpack and lurched up the aisle toward the open door. The driver said, “Goodnight. Thanks for riding Greyhound”, as I stepped off and drew a long breath of the fumes that pass for fresh air at bus stations. Inside, the depot was a ghost town. The ticket windows and the refreshment counter had closed. The lobby area was vacant and ...

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“Trip to Tomales” by Webb Johnson

Submitted to Contest #234

Trip to Tomales My clangy calendar alarm clock jars me out of a restless dream into an extraordinary reality. It's 8:00 AM, July 3, 2008 – my birthday - I'm one hundred years old. I toss off my quilted coverlet, swing out my legs, and put both feet on my oriental carpet. I’ll sit on the bed with my hands on my knees for a moment while I draw a long breath of the honey-suckle-scent...

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“Susan” by Webb Johnson

Submitted to Contest #230

I heard Susan. “Andrea, it’s so comforting to have you and Travis here.” Then, I realized it was Dolly, the only one of our three daughters who inherited her mother’s voice. I’m flopped in my TV chair. My eyes close. I hear quiet laughter, a jumble of shared memories, and a hush of sorrow. Appetizing aromas drift from the kitchen. The fridge and the cabinet doors open and close;...

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“Pheasant Under Glass” by Webb Johnson

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #228

A reflection of the azure-blue sky must have been the last thing the ring-necked pheasant saw before he flew into my floor-to-ceiling panorama window. I heard the house rattling thud and rushed to my balcony where I found the stately bird looking like a pile of pretty feathers. Sadly, the angle of his neck, and his half-opened vacant eyes told me he was a goner. It was a distressing mome...

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“Emma's Gift” by Webb Johnson

Submitted to Contest #222

A good friend and colleague who knew I had several weeks of summer hiatus from teaching design at Claremont College, asked me if would volunteer to teach a summer school art class for high school freshmen. I agreed and this announcement was included in the Spring/Summer issue of the City Civic Arts Newsletter:   ’Scapes:...

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“Sometimes We Get What We Need” by Webb Johnson

Submitted to Contest #219

I finally got to the Redding bus depot. After ten hours in a droning Greyhound, I was beaten and wanted nothing more than to stand up, stretch my body, get on solid ground, and try to relieve my mind about an upcoming do-or-die job interview. The meeting with three interviewers would include questions about my general knowledge of the position I’d applied for as well as my demeanor. A degree in F...

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“The Whole Wide Whirl Writer's Guild” by Webb Johnson

Submitted to Contest #202

The Whole Wide Whirl Writer’s Guild The Whole Wide Whirl Writer’s Guild began when Libby Devlin placed an announcement on gather2gether dot com:  “Are you like me? Do you dream of becoming an author of praiseworthy literature? If you would like to be part of a small group that meets...

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“Team Building” by Webb Johnson

Submitted to Contest #199

Team Building An hour after I got his text message I sat in front of the big man’s desk. He informed me that the selection committee had recommended Clara North for Regional Sales Coordinator. “It was a tough call, Bob. It came down to team building, and they think she has the edge over you. You’ll have other chanc...

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“Sometimes We Get What We Need” by Webb Johnson

Submitted to Contest #197

Sometimes You Get What You Need I was the only one left aboard by the time the Greyhound’s droning engine throttled down and the passenger P.A. system squawked, “Redding. Last stop, Redding.” I rubbed my eyes, stuffed my dog-eared study manual into my backpack, pulled on my parka, and walked up the empty aisle while checking my phone for th...

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“The winged dragon and the forest bird” by Webb Johnson

Submitted to Contest #185

Let me dispel the rumors. There’s only one winged dragon, not “a dozen or more” as some lazy and irresponsible news media have reported. The creature apparently arrived from The Land Where Stories Begin when it flew (or was blown) off course, possibly because of anomalies in the ocean and wind currents due to global warming or some other glitch.  

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“Sam Tings Family Restaurant” by Webb Johnson

Submitted to Contest #162

Sam Ting’s Family Restaurant I told my daughter I didn’t want to cause any awkward moments at the family Christmas dinner so I’d booked a week in Hawaii for the holidays. It’s better to be lonely in Waikiki than in my newly rented, snow-bound bachelor apartment in Denver. During the drive to International Airport, Haley and I avoided discussing the looming divorce. I wan...

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“Team Building” by Webb Johnson

Submitted to Contest #146

Team Building Bob, find Lew before you leave. An hour after I got the worrisome email I sat in front of Lew Cook’s neat desk while he informed me that the selection committee recommended Clara North for Regional Sales Coordinator. “They decided she’s better at team building.” I felt my face turn red as I tried to form a thanks-for-even-considering-me smile. ...

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Author bio

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Shortlisted 1 story ⭐️

Contest #228
Pheasant Under Glass – read story