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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#79: The Family You Choose

They say blood is thicker than water — but is it always?

The truth is that not all families offer healthy relationships to each other, and sometimes the harsh act of cutting them out of your life may be the best course of action. Fortunately, we can still meet people who love us no matter what and become our new families. Not to mention adoptions, blended families, and all the wonderful ways people connect with and support each other, regardless of whether they share any DNA. It's fair to say that family is a lot more than blood!

This week, we’re going to turn family life upside down and examine all the ways that family succeeds — and fails — for our characters.

This week's prompts

Write about someone who decides it’s time to cut ties with a family member.

Sad – 260 stories

Your main character is approached by their long-estranged parent who wants to reconnect. How do they react?

Dramatic – 193 stories

Write about someone who discovers the only family member they have left has just betrayed them.

Sad – 160 stories

Write about two characters who’ve gone through something so intense they now feel like family.

Adults – 190 stories

Write about a “found family” who are finally able to get together again after a long time apart.

Fluff – 100 stories

Stories

“Family Reunion” by Redd Herring

Submitted to Contest #79

“How much longer?” Hunter held the door handle to keep from sliding out of the seat. The truck lurched, flinging him toward the dash. He threw his hands up to brace himself, but he no longer had a grip on the door. Down on the floorboard he went.“Pothole!” Codey yelled. He threw his head back laughing.“Hilarious,” he glared at Codey and pulled himself up onto the seat. “This thing is a hazard, man! You never heard of a seatbelt?”“Way before this girl’s time,” he patted the dash. “She’s a classic.”“She’s a death trap! You should get rid of so...

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“RELATIVE RAPE” by Doug LeBlanc

Submitted to Contest #79

RELATIVE RAPE I hated him. He was my uncle, but he raped me! My hatred burned in me! How DARE he! He came into my room as if he owned it. As if he owned me. “Dear Uncle Jordan, he loves you so much!” my mother gushed, not knowing how evil he was. Everyone thought he was so wonderful! He was generous, letting us use his cottage during the summer. It was there he burst into my room and atta...

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“A Beautiful Afternoon” by Liv F

Submitted to Contest #79

Lancelot sat on the porch, fanning himself from the early summer heat. Sweat excreted between his brow, over the ridge of his manly nose, over his philtrum, moistened his juicy, warm lips, slid down his smooth chin, licked his salty neck, dribbled over his bare chest and snaked its way towards his unbearably orgasmic belly into the warm furnace of his groin. It was so hot. He eyed Guinevere inside the house, vacuum-cleaner in one arm, newborn son in the other. “Lance, can you take Merlin for a while while I finish the housework?” she a...

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“The Moth Eaten Killer Cabin” by Madam GOAT

Submitted to Contest #79

“This is all your fault, mother!” I yelled, staring at my mother with pure disgust. “I am stuck in this mucky wood with my disgusting neighbors because you wanted to go on a little joy ride to have some ‘neighborly fun’.” “ME?” She stammered, rage spreading across her long narrow face. “You were the one who said you were bored and you wanted to do something because you broke your life because you don’t have any friends so I came along so I could help you make friends again.” “I’m hungry Mrs. Neighbor.” One of the short ugly neighbors said,...

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“Recognizing Him” by Randolph Pierce

Submitted to Contest #79

It is him. I know it is him. That scowl, those eyes. How can two brothers be so different? The television camera did not stay focused on him for more than 10 seconds but there is no doubt it was him. The husky body, the dark clothes, the pale skin tone, everything matched even though it had been since two Christmases back that I had seen him in person. What possessed him, I flashed back, when he was only three years old, to go after one of my buddies with a...

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“Another Day, Perhaps” by Natalia Suarez

Submitted to Contest #79

The house is falling apart. Cracks form across the moldy wall, chunks of rotting ceiling crumble apart with each passing vibration. The bedroom window Alexis once looked through is no longer. All that remains is empty space and soon-to-be tainted memories.Just last week, a decision was made that causes a deep contemplation in Alexis’ mind. She pondered if it was truly worth spoiling times that she looked so fondly upon. When her mother and father first decided to move her and her older sister, Julia, to the great state of Idaho, they we...

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“Good While it Lasted” by Ethan Jarmush

Submitted to Contest #79

Elisha found himself standing in front of the door to the tavern. But he could not bring himself to enter. From the inside, he could hear everyone having a good time. Finally being able to engage in revelry after a decade apart. But what would they think of him? How would they react to choices he made since their parting? “Pull yourself together man.” He whispered to himself. He wasn’t afraid to commit the most dastardly crimes all those years ago. He shouldn’t be afraid to see the closest thing he had to a family. Elisha took a deep breath ...

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“Toxic Person” by Whitney Jones

Submitted to Contest #79

Author Disclaimer: Profanity/Mature ContentNow here's the story:As I'm walking to the store, someone pushes me."What the fuck was that for?" I ask."You were in my way. Move next time."People are so fucking rude these days. Which ends up reminding me of my father. He was such a jackass. He was always saying rude shit. Always cussing people out, especially for no reason. Always drinking and driving. Never listened or understood. Did everything out of anger. He was the worst and he was never there. And he was never willing to be there for me.To...

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“Kaylynn’s Discovery” by Melinda Madrigal

Submitted to Contest #79

Kaylynn is a graduate student at Columbia University. Kaylynn has a strong love of the past and all the wonders it possesses. Kaylynn's love of the past has her majoring in history. Kaylynn's last project was about the Civil war and Reconstruction, now her next assignment is one that she loves and has a strong connection with. Kaylynn's assignment is writing about her family history. Kaylynn doesn't know much about her family history. Her parents especially her mother does not like to talk about her family history. Kaylynn's grandfather di...

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“Castle of Stars” by Jordan Uddin

Submitted to Contest #79

-trigger warning for minor gore-Ella walked down the street, black coat drenched in water. Her red-tinted glasses sat on her nose perfectly. The sky was painted a dark gray, along with hints of navy here and there. A stick found its way under Ella’s foot as she walked, tripping her, throwing off her sophisticated look. “Damn trees,” Ella mumbled to herself, thick accent adding a sort of class to the phrase. She ran her hands (and five-inch nails) over the wall and stepped into the dark alleyway. Her walk was confident, heels tapping the...

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“Ten Dollars in the Ground” by Juniper Zeta

Submitted to Contest #79

Where did it all go? She must have put at least ten million in her account, why did she only leave me ten dollars? I know that I was her favorite. She was quirky, but not that abnormal. My frontal lobe is absolutely perplexed. This is an issue that even my grand problem-solving skills are shocked by. *** My mom died a week ago. The revered CEO of Bronté Fashion Company, Riccia Bronté, is gone. There are flowers placed in the room at their optimal locations, best calming grievers. They make me think of the aroma of her jasmine perfume. I won...

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“lighting up my life” by Ghost :)

Submitted to Contest #79

It hurts. I swirl the ice in my cup, ignoring the way my heart clenches at the very sight of him. God, it hurts so bad. The party isn't overly loud or obnoxious, but my head throbs, signaling an oncoming migraine. People have tried talking to me, but I probably seem far from sober, seeing how I'm dead, for all intents and purposes. I've been absolutely gutted. Dawn's laughing with him, like they don't have a care in the world. I wish she didn't. She deserves everything good this shitty little town has to offer and more. She might as ...

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“My Forever Child” by Jellybean Weirdo

Submitted to Contest #79

"I-I can't go back... I-I can't." Maddie said crying in my arms. "It's okay I won't let them take you again." I said holding her tight. If you're reading this... My name is Alexis Vence. I am 21 years old and I was kidnapped December 23, 2020 while out at the club with friends. I don't know how long I've been here but it feels like forever. A few days ago a girl name Maddie Taylor's was thrown in here. She's only 15. She doesn't belong in this painful dark place. "They'll hurt you." She said. "It's okay. Just try to get some sleep ba...

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“Danny's Story” by David Dicaire

Submitted to Contest #79

Danny’s Story You can’t choose your family. My father used to say that acquiring family was like playing the slot machine. Sometimes, you came up with cherries across the board for the good ones, other times it was bananas for the crazy ones or lemons for the sour ones. I first heard the news at work but no name was attached to it. It was on the car radio on the drive home. It was the top story at six o’clock, but still no moniker was released. It was all over the Internet with condolences for the family....

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“Cancer Case” by Boba Bendy

Submitted to Contest #79

*Trigger Warning: Cancer, Suspenseful*“Breathe, Harley! Breathe!” He begged. She gasped for air as he wrapped his arms around her gently, his body tense and his mind racing with questions that needed answers. It felt as if the taxi driver didn’t care that his best friend was dying. “Breathe, damnit!” He pleaded, rubbing her back as they flew past the walking pedestrians and the wait signs. He had paid the taxi driver extra to hurry and get them to the hospital. “Just relax, we’re almost there.” He told her. Her small frame was tense and she ...

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$50

Prize money

905

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Feb 05, 2021 EST

Won by Reha A 🏆

Title: Puzzle Pieces

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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