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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#192: Something Borrowed

As the very existence of thrift stores proves, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. A cultural push for sustainability has made thrifting a popular option for the fashion forward, and encouraged us all to look for the potential in yesterday’s cast offs.

This week, let’s take those forgotten items out of their corners, dust them off, and give them a new lease on life. Among all the strange tchotchkes and ugly sweaters, you might just find a diamond in the rough — or an actual diamond!

This week's prompts

Write about someone finding a treasure in an unexpected place.

Adventure – 50 stories

Set your story at an antique roadshow.

Dramatic – 26 stories

Write a story about someone trying to reinvent themselves after spending a long time in a rut.

Fiction – 38 stories

Write about someone stuck in an endless cycle who finally manages to break free.

Fiction – 67 stories

Write about someone rediscovering something old they thought they’d lost.

Fiction – 67 stories

Stories

“Shelby Girl” by Rita Kimak

Submitted to Contest #192

She was left on the steps of the Humane Society in a garbage bag amongst her other siblings. I can only imagine how unloved and alone she felt; questioning why God had brought her into this world. I was neither left in a garbage bag nor on the steps of a homeless shelter but rather in a family of six, before God, questioning too why He had brought me into this world. You see, I have obsessive-compulsive disorder and it is called the “pure O” type. My thoughts control me. They are, as I have confessed many times, of the impure nature. I was n...

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“One of these Knights” by Darryl Roberts

Submitted to Contest #192

***language warning***“Just sign here and you’re ready to go sir.” the hotel clerk said. The elderly man took the proffered pen and with a firm, steady hand wrote ‘G.A. Wayne’The clerk glanced down, “Ok, Mr Wayne, will you be paying cash or credit?”“It’s just Wayne these days.” The man’s voice was deep and sonorous, worthy of a Shakespearean actor. He removed a clip of bills from his jacket. “And cash.”“Thank you, sir.” The clerk handed over a keycard. It’s floor number 3 suite 9. And enjoy your stay at the Park Grand.”Wayne nodded and heade...

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“Grace Finds A Grandma Moses” by Edward J. McCoul

Submitted to Contest #192

“Grace Finds A Grandma Moses” Grace loved nothing more than browsing antique shows in her free time. She enjoyed the thrill of the hunt, the possibility of discovering hidden treasures, and the satisfaction of haggling for a good deal. One sunny afternoon, she came across an antique roadside show and decided to stop by. As she was walking around, something caught her eye – a beautiful painting of a rural scene. Upon closer inspection, she saw that it was signed by none other than Grandma Moses. Grace was familiar with the artist’s name, and ...

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“A Byzantine Trade” by Scott Christenson

Submitted to Contest #192

Being in a traveling antique roadshow, one learns to keep a close eye on the competition. Especially the Greens, they organize this roadshow, but have been against me from the beginning.Across the aisle, a young man looks disappointed with whatever Isaac had to offer him, and heads my way. There’s a good chance Isaac—not as educated as I—might not have discerned the cultural nuance of the historical antiquity the young man is trying to sell.When he approaches, he shyly avoids my gaze yet looks hopeful. “My grandfather says this is valuable.”...

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“Model Train” by Fraser Green

Submitted to Contest #192

I don’t see the point of buying old things. When do you ever want an antique television? I’ve never found exhilaration over banging the top of the set to make it work and, when it does, having to stand up to change the channel. That’s an inconvenience. Ben seemed to think there was something addictive about these expired relics of history. My niece too, so this is why I’m here. She loves old shit. And I love her, so I guess that works. Ben is also cute, and I’m still keen to fuck him. I’m slightly concerned that his home is filled with furni...

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“The fisherman's witches” by Susana Sela

Submitted to Contest #192

She stares down at her hands, the lines like cracks in glass that seem to stretch on forever, reminding her of the bleak eternity she faces. The chill fills her bones and her breath turns to fog as she makes her way through the kitchen, standing over the stove to bring forth a spark of warmth to revive her dying soul. Though so many years have passed, age fails to linger on her as if time stands still in its attempt to keep her youthful beauty alive. She drudges through her chores, feeling the weight of all those years pressing against her s...

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“Really?” by Kimberly Walker

Submitted to Contest #192

Really? I love this house, but the children are now grown, and two have children. My children should have somewhere to call home and return when they need to regroup, recharge or restart. The idea of a blended family of generations was just a dream of mine. My mother held on to the family home for years that she and all twelve of her siblings grew up in until everyone had built a house of their own or until someone reminded her that there were too many bad memories inside those walls for them to make it their forever home. I don’t want to go...

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“The Vaduz Wallet Brigade” by KT George

Submitted to Contest #192

Have you ever lost your wallet while on vacation in a foreign country and thought, “Welp, I hope whoever finds it has a gas! Now, where is the local consulate office?” Yeah, me neither. I mean, I did lose my wallet on vacation in a foreign country, but the words coming from my mouth were not those of hope for the persons who discovered it. They were more like phrases that would make a sailor blush, mixed in with some sobbing and uncontrolled bouts of hysteria. Twenty years ago, I took a gap year in college and decided that backpacking...

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“The Tea Set” by Kaya Monn

Submitted to Contest #192

On the day the stranger arrived, Doug and Darryl sat outside on their rocking chairs in silence. It was a mild, cloudless day, and after decades of running an antique shop, there was no need for conversation. They sat outside together, and that was enough. As they sat, a small, red car pulled up. The sun cast a glare on the windshield, making it impossible to see the driver. It rolled to a stop in their gravel parking lot, the stones crunching beneath its tires. The door opened, and a stranger stepped out. From their clothes and the way ...

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“Camp Play All Day ” by Chelsey B

Submitted to Contest #192

The gates of Camp Play All Day swung open. Mom nudged Mae, and she took a cautious step forward. “Welcome! I’m Natalie. Are you ready to play?” a woman chirped in Mae’s direction. Mae looked around the yard and saw a mountain of cardboard boxes piled high next to the back fence. To the left, there were tables loaded with paint, tape, glue, paper, and what seemed to be every craft supply in existence. To the right, a boy was hanging from a dome climber by his knees. A haven of hammocks was partially hidden by a shed just beyond the craft ...

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“Haunted Doll” by Jack Gorzo

Submitted to Contest #192

Antiques roadshows are not all they’re cracked up to be. It isn’t always a man in a nice suit telling you that a shattered watch you found in your late grandfather’s attic is actually worth $10,000. My experience was mostly standing awkwardly in a crowded convention center trying to find someone who would talk to me. I even bought a classy black dress for the occasion, hoping that it would somehow help my chances of leaving with a nice pay day. My arms were wrapped around a small cardboard box, holding what I hoped to be my jackpot. &n...

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“The Bedouin Necklace” by Elijah Rose

Submitted to Contest #192

They were not supposed to be anywhere near there. The war was many years ago, but the men who fought it were still around and just as paranoid as ever. They told the Masri customs officer they were archeologists looking for ancient copper trade just west of the canal zone. This was true, but they were only making a short stop there and proceeding far beyond there into what was once a warzone and was still a region where no journalists or foreigners were allowed. Likewise, no one was allowed to even ask why the area was taboo. Juan and his ...

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“Unexpected Treasure” by Jody S

Submitted to Contest #192

COVID took away so many things CeCe treasured. Besides losing people she cared about, she lost her sense of smell, taste, energy, desire to leave the house, her creativity, and her connection with the other side.“You once said your ability to communicate with dead people was a curse,” Emily said, disappearing off the screen of the Zoom. CeCe heard dishes clattering and Emily saying something she couldn’t quite hear, and then the microwave dinging.“Em, screen time…focus…have you talked to dad lately? Is he even out there?”Emily popped back in...

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“Scapegoat Court” by Roxane Llanque

Submitted to Contest #192

Artemy made himself very small when he entered the corner pub on Pretoria Road. It was no easy feat; he hunched his broad shoulders and bowed his head through the narrow English door - he'd spent that entire morning choosing a shirt that would be considered inconspicuous. When he lifted himself onto one of the bar stools as quietly as he could, he stared down the old oak wood, certain that the older two gentlemen a few seats down were staring at him. He knew he looked Russian. He never knew exactly what that meant, but people had told him al...

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“Uncle Ed's Toupee” by James Flanigan

Submitted to Contest #192

“Ted, are you just about ready to go? We need to get to the family picnic on time, so I can set-up the games for your younger cousins.” Marge Dalrymple lived for the annual family picnic. She was on the planning committee along with her two sisters, ran the games for the younger nephews and nieces, and supplied an inordinate number of salads, tossed and gelatin-based. Marge even made reservations at area hotels and motels for the out-of-town relatives who were a bit too problematic to stay at another relative’s house, like her older broth...

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$250

Prize money

248

Contest entries

144

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Apr 07, 2023 EST

Won by Aeris Walker 🏆

Title: Strawberry Jam Under the Sea

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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