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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

“I am somebody ” by Jazz Carper

Submitted to Contest #79

I never questioned what my mother had told me. She didn't know who my father was. I only knew that somehow I would become something great, and he would know I was his son. My mother had come to America from Argentina when I was young. I was without my mother for a few years, living in my village with my aunt. The town was small but enough for a boy of five years old. I have fond, although very few memories of my family and I outside, all the time, considering we didn't have glass windows, just holes in the walls. One night, a snake was in my...

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“A Message Brewing” by Mallory Nelson

Submitted to Contest #79

There is no word yet created to describe the kind of unexpected and sudden bewilderment that comes from a random notification from someone you have not spoken to in years. What do they want? Do you respond? Do you torture them or exercise grace? Thoughts flooded my head faster than my heart was surely beating. My head swam dizzy with uncertainty as I stared at this alien alert on my screen. How much time had passed I was unsure. Feeling that it was impossible to respond in this condition I put on some coffee. Good ol’ coffee. There for me co...

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“Jarred Loose” by J.B. Dixon

Submitted to Contest #79

“Hurry up, Travis! Mum wants us home for dinner on time for once!” “Five seconds, Carrie!” “You said ‘five seconds’ five minutes ago! Now, move it!” “I’m moving, I’m moving!” “Can’t believe you’re never on time for anything. It’s a wonder you still have a job.” “That’s something I’m always on time for. Even showed up early a few times.” “Bloody hell! This past Christmas really did a number on you.” “What’s that supposed to mean, sis?” “Ever since you met our stepsister, you’ve been changing.” “Changing, how?” Carrie sighe...

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“THE WAY IT HAPPENED” by Sahil Sharma

Submitted to Contest #79

THE WAY IT HAPPENEDIt was quarter past six in the morning and Blaize was on his way back to his apartment He works in a chemical plant and was feeling exhausted like anything after completing his nine hours shift, his eyes were bloddy red and had started watering. The only good thing happening that morning in Blaize's opinion was the c...

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“Willow” by Bill Humphrey

Submitted to Contest #79

Willow Willow looked at the young reporter sitting there across the table in her room at London's famous Savoy Hotel. He was here to interview her for the London Times since she was a now internationally renowned Author. The reporter watched as the woman across from him with the prettiest blue eyes that he had ever seen seemed to look off into the distance right past him. Then nodding her head, she took a breath then said: My name, as you know, is Willow McNeil, but it wasn't always. Up until...

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“Good Bones” by Jonah Solheim

Submitted to Contest #79

"Dad wanted you to come by." "Yeah." "He needs help, Em." "Mine, specifically?" "He won't hire anyone, you know that. It's Mom's house, it's special to him." My brother's eyebrows knit like a sweater when I scoff. "You look thin," I say. "Yoga. Stress. Cigarettes." "So he called you, huh?" "He said you changed your number." "I was tired of that automated voice telling me I was getting a call from the correctional center." "I guess that's fair." "Thanks." "You won't talk to him?" "What would I even say?" Eleven hours later, Hazmatted and...

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“Golden Day” by Sammy Xoxoxo

Submitted to Contest #79

I never used to imagine the days like colors. The days were just days, and they would pass, bleak and unadorned. They would consist of many tears, lying on the cold linens of bunk beds, and the cliche comfort from foster parents. But now, I do think of days like colors. For example, it’s been 74 grays, 69 teals, and 7 golds since I turned 18 and had to live on my own. I’ve had more time to consider all the factors, and I believe that colors are the best way to represent the passing 24 hours. On teal days, the sky is crisp and clear with...

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“The Bread” by Sara Johnson

Submitted to Contest #79

Summer is going to be over in just a few days, and I am glad. Most kids on the block are upset about school returning, but I'm not school is like my Paradise to me. I get to learn, I get to be around people and most of all I'm not home. I rush home after playing outside all day my friends. Street light came on and the sun began to go down, I knew then I better hit the road running. Sally, my friend Ashley hollered where you going so fast? Not even turning around I hollered I got to go can't be late, and off I want. Not even realizing it but ...

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“My Mother, My Aunt” by Marie Galacgac Phipps

Submitted to Contest #79

The first rays of sunlight lit up my room. I tossed and Turned in my bed as the light hit my face, even with my eyes closed the world around me was still awake. when I finally got up from bed I could see tiny specks of dust dancing in the sunlight that was coming from my bedroom window. “I need curtains.” I mumbled to myself annoyed. Coffee was what I needed. I made my way out of my room and downstairs towards the kitchen where my mother would be. she was sitting at the table with some toast and cut up fruit on her plate. She was eating ha...

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“Going Home ” by Daisy Clark

Submitted to Contest #79

There it was. That voice, that sweet, blissful song in her head, calling her too the ocean where all her happiness, calmness seemed to live. The air was fresh there. The sand was soft. It was untouched by the worries and pressures of society, free as anything, especially when the tide rolled out. The ocean; the only place on earth which she felt at home. It had been a little over three months since everything had happened. On top of her boyfriend breaking her heart, her dog, the only one in her life who seemed to understand and protect he...

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“Dad Who?” by Louise Moss

Submitted to Contest #79

I looked around the café noticing different families sat enjoying a warm beverage on this rainy day. The music reminded me of lift music, lyric-less and slightly irritating. Children were screaming and crying due to boredom and not being able to run free like they would at the park. I noticed a lot of fathers sat with their children talking to them about who knows what. I looked across the table at the slightly overweight man who was obsessively stirring his drink. I could smell the coffee beans from here, that was one thing we had in common...

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“Adopted ” by Joan Opoyi

Submitted to Contest #79

Mariah was just 2 years old;helpless through her eyes when a woman and a man stepped into 'Imani ' childrens' home.Her bright blue eyes as she stared at the woman and the man. 'This might be my new parents - Mariah couldn't stop staring at them;part of her dress all soaked up with saliva dripping from her mouth.She held the womans' hand; getting full attention from the woman. "Are you my new momma? In that soft sound with innocent look; the woman gave her that big warm smile, bending towards Mariah. 'Yes! Baby ,we're your parents - Tears of...

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“Storming” by K. Amina

Submitted to Contest #79

“Adiós, Sharpe!” I rolled my eyes at my coworker, Brittany, who doesn’t seem to realize first names exist. “Bye, Britt,” There was a loud boom right after I said that. Brittany shrieked, jumping back from the door. “It is raining cats and dogs out there!” Her native southern accent slipped through in her alarmed state. I came out from behind the counter and got a closer look through the windows. “More like bears and lions,” I spoke, peering at the old coffee shop sign swaying in the wind. “Do you want to stay here, wait it out?” She see...

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“Music and Melody” by Sam Fanelli

Submitted to Contest #79

Melody’s sweater was covered in vomit, the milky-white residue from this morning’s breastfeeding had crusted over and it was now quite likely she had permanently stained her once-favorite camel colored cashmere. Why do I even bother putting on real clothes anymore? she wondered to herself as the doorbell rang for what felt like the millionth time. “I’m coming, give me a second!” she screamed as she lifted baby Lexi out of her crib and headed down the stairs. Her shoulder-length brown curls were thrown up in a messy bun on the top of h...

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“On Father's Day” by Book Worm

Submitted to Contest #79

Sonny had not met his father since his last visit to his father’s place five years ago. “Could I spend my next summer vacation with you?” Sam remembered pleading with Bob as they left for the airport. “No, you cannot,” Bob had answered in a tone that brooked no argument. Bob had not been in touch since he dropped Sonny at the airport,. News about Bob would trickle in from unexpected sources. But Bob didn’t email or call. Grandfather passed on. Sonny did not know how to inform Bob. Years later, he came to know that Bob was in the same to...

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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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