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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#100: Breaking Bread

One of the most intimate things you can do with someone is sit down to eat together. The idea of friends and foes, families and strangers breaking bread has been a recurring theme in art and literature for a very long time. It’s something that can bring us together against the steepest of odds; to quote Oscar Wilde, “after a good dinner one can forgive anybody, even one's own relations”. But things don’t always end quite so harmoniously — food fights, anyone?

This week, we’re reflecting on the joys (or pains) of eating together or making a meal. Whether the dinner table is a place for communion or conflict for your characters, I look forward to sitting down to a hearty portion of food-themed stories with you. Bon appétit!

This week's prompts

Start or end your story with two characters sitting down for a meal.

Middle School – 264 stories

Write a story where a meal or dinner goes horribly wrong.

Thanksgiving – 201 stories

Write about a group of strangers — or people who know each other, but may as well be strangers — eating together.

Fluff – 152 stories

Write about a character preparing a meal for somebody else.

Fluff – 157 stories

Write a story that involves a secret or magic ingredient.

Halloween – 116 stories

Stories

“Close Call” by Sloane Sanders

Submitted to Contest #100

“Hi, you must be John?” I extend my hand with a smile, and he reaches out to grab it and return the handshake. “Yes, and you must be Allison. Your pictures truly do you no justice.” I blush, slightly uncomfortable but flattered all the same. “Well thank you, filters can be a lifesaver, tha...

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“Akira” by Kim Dachung

Submitted to Contest #100

I can bet this train isn’t as crowded as my mind right now. Thoughts dispersed in every area my mind can contain. The train is filled with commuters, tourists, and people who are trying to escape reality (this is the category I fall under). It’s a four hour ride from Niigata to Yamanashi. Four hours. I don’t mind it taking the entire year as long as I can get far away from this place. The place that was once my safe haven. For a moment I decided to push the thoughts and pain that turned my mind to an Olympic track aside, so I can focus ...

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“Microwave Dinners” by Delaney Sullivan

Submitted to Contest #100

I gripped the glass of wine, so tight that my knuckles were turning whiter with each passing second. The faucet was dripping, like it usually did. The ice maker pushing out more ice, causing a loud rattling sound from within the freezer. The microwave flashed 7:48 in neon green numbers. Same sounds every night, right at the same time. Some consistency, at least. By 8:17, the garage door was groaning open, and a minute later I heard him open and close the door to the house, casual and unhurried. Every night, I wanted to say something...

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“What Things?” by Anthony David M

Submitted to Contest #100

We were all astonished. Mary and her sister came to us with a story that the Master was alive! How on earth is this possible? Didn't we see him dead and buried in Joseph's cave? We wondered. Cleopas and I had joined this ...

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“Let's Do It Again” by Daniel Norton

Submitted to Contest #100

The hostess led us to a window table. It was the same table we had shared fifty years ago. We both were actually surprised the place was still around. "I remember our last dinner here like it was only yesterday." "Me too. Those were some great times. Can't wait to hear what's been happening with you." "And you're gonna have to tell me about your last fifty years." "May I start you two off with some drinks? We have Pepsi products or something from the bar." "I'll have a Pepsi Mango if you have it." "Sure do....

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“Summer's Winter” by Oyinkansola Samuel

Submitted to Contest #100

If there's a word I'll describe myself with it will be pessimistic, for I have a tendency of expecting the worst out of situations and people. This has made me more withdrawn over the years than what is expected of a normal introvert.I had no friends. This wasn't because I was short of people stretching the olive branch my way. Rather, I was just too skeptical to take it.Through several past experiences, I had come to know that the human mine is frickle, their relationships as fragile as a egg and as unstable as the wave currents at sea.My l...

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“The Bread Breaking Incident ” by Onyinye Kalu

Submitted to Contest #100

The reigning mood at the table is supposed to be tense considering what we had just done; it was most definitely a crime before Heaven and earth, and now we are silently eating the food that she prepared at the table that she had once sat at like we don’t have a sixty percent chance of becoming wanted criminals It is not like I want to talk about her, I never once did, but given our history and these feelings that gnaw at my insides for you, I figured you would be all over me by now, showering me with the love and gratefulne...

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“Tastes Like Fulfillment” by Spencer Steeves

Submitted to Contest #100

Above the temple to Thundrigol, the sky was consumed by clouds. An endless field of grey, with patches of clouds so pregnant with rain, one had to wonder when they'd finally give up their load and how powerful the storm would be when they did. Though no sunlight washed over the massive building, which loomed impossibly large, seeming to dwarf even the mighty giants who had been Thundrigol's first worshippers, the limestone temple still seemed to glow. Talia Thundershield shaded her eyes with a blue-skinned hand, staring up at the flute...

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“Captivating Masquerade ” by Lyn VJ Bennett Wilson

Submitted to Contest #100

Watching my friend Lillian Hyde make flourless chocolate torte for a party this evening was a delight. The bakery was silent except for the sound of breaking eggs. Her hands moved fluidly, quietly, gently. As I watched her, my mind drifted to thoughts of recent events. My life became entangled in a bizarre and yet totally fascinating situation. Because I was Lillian Hyde's friend and reporter for the Linoak County Gazette, I will not see tonight's events as just another chapter in her long and complex story. Because...

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“Lunch Table” by Nope Ster

Submitted to Contest #100

“Are you sure this is safe?”, Robby asked as Jake took his seat across the table from him. Jake scooted in his chair and picked up his spoon with his right hand. He looked silently at Rob for a moment before leaning forward and taking a deep breath over his bowl, letting the delicious, steamy fragrance fill his nostrils. “I’ve never seen any negative side effects from it.”, Jake finally muttered. “I think Dave would disagree with you on that”, Rob stated, not in a friendly tone. The men sat across from each other at a small dini...

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“The Dinner Party” by Constantin Kulikov

Submitted to Contest #100

"Don't you think they'll notice?" Inquired Alexander peering at his invitation with a certain gloom. "Huh?" "Don't you think they'll not-" “Oh, nah. Nah I don’t think so" Enforced Frederick unable to control his excitement. This time Alexander stopped and jumped in front of Frederick forcing him to reconsider. “Hey stop that” protested Frederick “you’re going to blow it for the both of us!” “These aren’t even our invitations” Alexander waved the invitations around in a frantic worry “what if we get into trouble?” His concerns wer...

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“The Talk” by Sarah Reilley

Submitted to Contest #100

*trigger warning: mental health He sat down across the table from me, and I wonder: this is it, isn’t it? The end? I never saw things going this way. The first time I saw him, I nearly fainted. He was tall, sexy, young. He smiled at the customers across the counter. He laughed with the children. He smiled, and I fell. He was everything I wanted and so much more. “So, what’s going on?” He asked me, brows furrowed in confusion. “We need to talk,” I said quietly. I held the menu in my hand and stared at the lines on the wooden tab...

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“Breath In and Out” by Pita Pear

Submitted to Contest #100

Deep breath in. Slowly out. She couldn’t stop repeating those words to herself in her head, trying her best to stay calm. How could she though? He had texted her that he would be running late and all her mind could do is race on with a list of possibilities. It was like a nightmare, and she had the choice to follow through or just leave and forget anything ever happened. “Sorry I'm late baby.” Too late. “The presentation was running late and I had to stay to put on a good look for the company.” He kissed her on the forehead and all she...

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“A Completely Magical Date” by Abbey Long

Submitted to Contest #100

“How’s your crumble, Val?” Derek sits across from me, his forest green eyes twinkling. Candles flicker next to us, casting an ominous glow all around our table, but we are uncaring. He flashes me a smile, and I can see his cheeks darkening, as he tries to focus on me. With all of the wine we’ve consumed, I am surprised he’s sitting upright. Tipsy, but still manages to ask me about my dessert – what a wonderful man! “It’s perfect,” I t...

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“A bird in a cage” by L.M. Ferris

Submitted to Contest #100

It was him offering to pull out her chair which really put her off. She had been trying to feel optimistic about the date all day, pushing down the familiar feelings of dread and unease. It was just an opportunity to converse with a stranger! No different from catching up with a girlfriend and it would be good to meet new people. And he had been so prompt in responding to her and proposing they meet at the little bistro near her work. He had greeted her with a friendly hello, no lunging in to kiss her cheek or try and hug her. Samantha cou...

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$50

Prize money

891

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jul 02, 2021 EST

Won by Rayhan Hidayat 🏆

Title: mie goreng

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

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