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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

“Für Elise” by Mikela King-Cesare

Submitted to Contest #79

I sat with my spine as straight as the needle my mother used once to sew my favorite childhood stuffed white dove on that black rigid stool as I let my fingers dance over the keys of the shiny grand piano enveloped by the hollow stage. Beethoven’s Für Elise flooded the small space, and I was gifted with the unceasing attention of about 58 strangers. It was a full house and the auditorium seated 60 classical music enthusiasts. I had rehearsed this piece so fluidly my brain needed not to think of what chords followed, my eyes needed not...

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“Twinnie” by Elaine Entenza

Submitted to Contest #79

"I think a bit more rosemary should do the trick." Meg started for the window garden when her phone rang. She stopped and grabbed it, checking the screen before answering. “Hey mom, how are you?” “Good honey, I’m fine. But listen, I don’t want you to get upset, but Mark just called to say he’s not coming tomorrow.” Meg’s heart let out an audible sigh. “Why?” “Oh, I don’t know really, you know him. Something about stock sales and shorting options and whatnot. I guess some big trades went through today, and in any case, he’s beat a...

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“Be My Lover Tomorrow” by Tine Fronty

Submitted to Contest #79

" You know that you can't eat a food just by staring at it " a sweet soft voice echoed in the room got me back at my senses. I was staring at the mango pie served on the table. My favorite mango pie that I haven't tasted for 5 years. "I bet you missed my homemade mango pie? It's been like what?! Five years? " she said while laughing. " Yes " I answered while trying to avoid eye contact with her. After 5 years everything seems just awkward with her— or rather me being awkward with her. "Why don't you have a taste ...

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“Healing” by Lori Hale

Submitted to Contest #79

Ten years. Ten amazing, wonderful, albeit sometimes difficult, years, which were by far the best of my life. It had been ten years almost to the day since I had walked away from my birth mother when I got a text out of the blue. I still have no idea how she got my number - after I went no contact, I changed my name, moved to another state, and started almost an entirely new life for myself. But apparently, she found me, the proof is right here on my phone. “I don’t know why you felt the need to run off and change your whole identity, but we...

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“Lost And Found” by Wesley Cooke

Submitted to Contest #79

Growing up with only one parent presents many challenges in addition to the growing pains of life itself. No matter the circumstance, not having a complete family can often lead to a bevy of hardship. Many will argue that life is full of situations that may alter our ability to grow, yet it is up to the individual on how to overcome such obstacles. Perseverance and determination automatically become character traits that one would need right away to control this imbalance.Life with my mother was so special. She did everything in her power, o...

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“Daddy's girl” by Nathalie Grant

Submitted to Contest #79

I always knew that life was going to be challenging. Growing up as a child had been interesting to say the least... Mum on medication to battle her depression. In hindsight probably a coping mechanism to deal with dad who enjoyed a drink or two, and lost his job as a result. After their divorce, my brother, sister and I would often find ourselves alone after school or on weekends, which was great at the time. After all we had all that freedom to play and watch TV while mum was juggling 2 jobs. Looking back, probably not so great a time for u...

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“For me” by Shaina Blakely

Submitted to Contest #79

I stare at my reflection. My eyes are swirling pools of hatred and disgust. I'm not looking at myself, I'm looking through myself. I cannot seem to focus and I'm dizzy and disoriented. I can feel the hum of blood coursing through my veins. I hear my heartbeat throbbing in my ears. My blood is boiling. My face is red with anger and I feel as though steam is lifting from my skin. I breath in deep to calm myself. There's a knock on the bathroom door, "Sadie, are y-you okay?" My sperm donor of a father stammers out. "Fine, I'll be out in a minu...

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“When her life flipped ” by Miswha Qureshi

Submitted to Contest #79

The College backyard was inoculated with people, it was to celebrate the hardwork of final year students, everyone carried a cheerful smile on their face, but, Janette Rose a girl with green eyes and brown hair carried a scowl on her face and kept glaring at the entrance. "Janette Rose!" The speaker called but her eyes were more on the gate than to collect her trophy and the certificate, What can be more important than her attending graduation ? She wondered. "Go Janette! I don't think they'll come now." Her bestfriend Anastasia brought he...

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“Foe or Father?” by Ranger Bloo

Submitted to Contest #79

Keegan sat upon his throne, tall and mighty. Long gone were the days when he would stand before the citizens at their own level; he now preferred to see them from afar. Whether this be for his own convenience or out of fear of what the people could do to him, he chose not to divulge. He even would send his dear wife, Aubrey, away from him at times, though she used to be his dearest companion. Today was different. The city seemed to buzz with a fervor of excitement, the people seemed to live as most would say to be normal. Keegan watched fr...

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“Two Families Become One” by Rayne Becker

Submitted to Contest #79

Let’s start off plain and simple, I am Nacole and I am adopted. I have a great family now but my family that gave me up was a different story. My biological mother was a drug addict, alcoholic, and for some time was in prison due to some poor choices she had made in the past that came back to haunt her. To tell you the truth I don’t think anyone knew who my biological father was, he didn’t come to the hospital when I was born and from what I know he wasn’t super involved with my biological mother and her family. Besides all that when my biol...

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“Sorry, Dad” by Natalie St.

Submitted to Contest #79

He came back because it had been too long. Because he had spent so many years unable to watch his daughter grow up, gain friends and lose friends, go to prom, cry the night before graduation because her father wasn’t there to see when they handed her the diploma she had worked so hard for. It had been so difficult for him, he told me. To be deprived of everything a father deserved, for all that time with no way of knowing where his family was or what they were doing. He wanted to fix that. He wanted to meet me again,...

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“Invisible Poison” by Karmissa Ariadne

Submitted to Contest #79

For nine and a half years I was given the pleasure of watching my step-brother enjoy the benefits of having both his parents present in his life. His cackling laughter filled our home all the way up until he started school. Who would’ve thought such a carefree and happy baby could turn into a prodigy? I had been such a happy baby too, until my father left. “Oh Hannah, look at your little brother – he’s so much like you!” Mum would tell me, while Conor gurgled at seemingly dull concepts. It was hard to pretend to be happy for them. Mum was s...

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“Unhindered” by Scrupulous Pencil

Submitted to Contest #79

I’m not sure what to feel. What is normal to feel. As I watch him approach me by the gas station on 204th Street, I notice that I feel clammy. Yeah, that’s it: I feel nervous. My heartbeat tingles in my fingers, light, fast; my eyes dart to the cars on the street as I stand there, waiting. Awkwardly. I shove my sweaty hands into the pockets of my jeans. He’s too close for me to ignore him now. He’s aged. No surprise, but it’s a strange provocation to the image of him that I’ve crystallized throughout the years. Maybe it’s the...

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“Yagga ” by NaNa Castillo

Submitted to Contest #79

My heart flutters as I finish sliding my size 7 foot into my new black, platform Givenchy heel. Nobody back home has anything like this. I bet they'd be jealous. I decided to pair it with the Baum und Pferdgarten, floral print dress I'd just received as gift from my father. It's black, silk cloth brushed against my skin coolly and sweetly. The airy garment stopped mid-thigh and it's tiny white and baby pink accents complimented my sunkissed, mocha colored skin nicely.He has good taste. I blushed at the thought.I eyed my wild, shoulder length...

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“The Ones I Come From” by Camille Crutcher

Submitted to Contest #79

When I was little, my mama convinced me I came only from her.“It’s why we look so much alike." She would say, with a pinch of my freckled cheeks and a tug on one of my unruly curls. I would look into her light brown eyes that mirrored my own and believe her.My nana, who shared the same curly hair and freckly face, would shake her head and scold my mama behind closed doors of our yellow house, but neither of them would correct what I knew to be true: I was my mother’s daughter, and hers alone.It was not until Sunday school in the third grade ...

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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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