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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#99: Summer Solstice

In the Northern Hemisphere, June 21st is the ‘summer solstice’ — the longest day of the calendar year and, in astronomical terms, the beginning of summer. In my part of the world, this season evokes a plethora of scenes: sunbathing on river banks, al fresco dining with friends, and trips to the seaside, all punctuated by the heady scents of summertime — potent florals, sunscreen and food sizzling on the grill.

The solstice celebration has its roots in ancient Paganism — where people would gather at sites like Stonehenge and wear protective garlands of herbs and flowers to ward off the evil spirits who, according to Pagan folklore, walk the earth more freely at this time. From a spiritual standpoint, the solstice is all about embracing the sun and its awesome power. Whether you love basking in the sun or prefer to stay inside with the curtains drawn, I thought this week's prompts could be a way for us Reedsians to mark the advent of summer too. Happy writing!

This week's prompts

Begin your story with somebody watching the sunrise, or sunset.

Fluff – 275 stories

Write about the longest day of the year, or a day that never seems to end.

Summer – 99 stories

End your story with somebody stepping out into the sunshine.

Summer – 211 stories

Write a story about somebody reminiscing on an event that happened many summers ago.

Summer – 217 stories

Write a story about characters going on a summer road trip.

Summer – 104 stories

Stories

“We Was Just Kids” by Jerry Stewart

Submitted to Contest #99

“Hey, George, get me another one, will you?” Clayton hollered across the scarred wooden bar. “Don’t you think you’ve had enough for the night?” He answered with a question of his own. “God Dammit! George, don’t cut me off. Not today,” Clayton pleaded. A look of panic flashed across his eyes, as if that were a real possibility. “Oh, hell. It’s not today, is it?” George asked, removing his old ball cap and rubbing his head. “You didn’t forget? Did you?” “Nah, I didn’t forget. I just didn’t realize what day it was is all. You know how it ...

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“Roots” by Elena Rouse

Submitted to Contest #99

I stir the pot because my mother is dead. Around and around the stew goes, hypnotically swirling about in the rusty pot upon our gritty stove top. The open window to my left made me vulnerable to the sounds of the children playing soccer in the street below. Cars beep occasionally to shoo them out of the street. Vendors on their way home from a long day of work stop to sit on the stoops in front of their apartments, too exhausted to muster up the strength to climb the steps and face their families whom they can’t fully provide for. It is in ...

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“I Remember: A Missouri Summer Slice of Life ” by Carolyn Varvel

Submitted to Contest #99

I Remember: A Missouri Summer Slice of Life “Mom, she’s touching me!” “He won’t move his legs!” Mom turns toward the back of the car, “Shut up! All of you! Go to sleep.” We three kids are stuffed into the back seat of our parents’ new ’56 Chevy station wagon as we barrel from a Colorado crystal blue afternoon sky to Kansas gray, headed for Missouri soggy. Air is hot and stuffy. Dreams of being held down, drowning, I wake up with a start to find my younger sister lying on top of me. I shove her off, waking her up. She stretches and l...

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“Shark Girl” by Karma P

Submitted to Contest #99

I strolled down the boardwalk, nibbling on my ice cream, watching the world go by. Most people are busy during the summer, sometimes too busy to notice a teenage girl, but everywhere I went, I was followed by people’s attention. Their admiration. Their fear. Sounds like too much? Yeah. Being me is exhausting. I pulled my phone out of my pocket. Only one new message. Halmoni. My Grandmother. Don’t be late, Summer. Your parents are going to come home in an hour with your brother. I flicked the phone off. One hour. One hour left. Plenty of ti...

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“Sparks Fly ” by Sydney Adrianne Gonzales

Submitted to Contest #99

Brown dried leaves fell down from a tree that I sought for shade. I looked down at my feet, and the dead leaves had landed their destination to the ground, and... ugh. My white pair of sneakers that Mom gave me need some intense brushing and bleaching to make them pearl white. But, never mind. Never mind it, Sophie. Never mind it anyway. Stop being the perfectionist type. It won't help you that at this time. With the stuffed-up tote bag that hung on my right shoulder and my right hand holding an iced coffee that was bought from a fast food n...

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“One in a million summers” by Nieves Estella

Submitted to Contest #99

“Boss, aren’t you going to have a summer vacation? I’ve never seen you take a break from work.” Yvaine’s assistant asked her. “I don’t like vacations, more so summertime. How about you, why don’t you take one?” She said then faced the big windows behind her. … Looking back, summers weren’t really memorable or worth remembering for Yvaine. She spent most of her days reading books, writing reviews, exercising, and sleeping. She stayed inside her apartment all summer, went back to school after that. She’s usually alone during summer since her f...

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“Everything Changed in Five Summers” by Saishreya Nair

Submitted to Contest #99

Life ain't no straight line as it has crests and troughs. I don't believe in fate. But the deep valleys compel me to believe in the foul play of fate. I am the daughter of California's most successful businessman. Today I am going to be promoted as the CEO of our company after my father's retirement. I am in an interview which is aired live on the radio and YouTube as well. Well, I am a bit nervous but it's way less than my excitement. "Mrs. Wyden, great to meet you. Congratulations for becoming the new CEO", the interviewer bega...

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“The Summer Secrets” by Hazel Hinderland

Submitted to Contest #99

“World is filled with secrets”. Do you agree my statement? Yes, there are a lot of secrets that we doesn’t know. Even me just like you.. Have you ever wondered that a dream can change the happy life of a family. The secret that totally shaped the family is my story…And this secret is an incident that took place on summer a years ago. " What !! really , how ?? its impossible …. how can it happen !!!!” shouted Mrs. Stawarski on seeing an episode of a K- drama. By hearing the shocking voice of Mrs. Stawarski , Mr. Stawarski rushed to the hall. ...

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“Sunny Gulmohar afternoon” by Chinnu Kutty

Submitted to Contest #99

The sunny Gulmohar afternoon. Juicy treats, self-pampering sunbath and kid’s camps kept me high on spirits. A season that made my body light from both within and outside. The sweat seemed to flush out all the burdening toxins from the head to toe. The daily dose of the essential vitamin D, given to me, free of cost from the most benevolent sun. The sun without which we are doomed. With high regards to the sun god, my daily routine started with the small prayer “ Om Bhur buva….”. The summer solstice was a time for the family get-together. T...

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“I fell asleep.” by SAMAR 27

Submitted to Contest #99

21 June 2021 Today was the longest day of the year and the hottest one too. The warm air burnt me as it rubbed against my aging skin. I’d loved to chew some ice cubes I saw floating in my lemonade, but my dentures were miles away, in front of my eyes. Chris was sitting beside me. Her hairs were whiter than the milk in her glass. The skin on her cheeks and elbows hanged off her skeleton, imparting her a hauntingly ugly look. Her chair was far more comfortable than mine, with all the cushions puffed under her fat buttocks. But the look on her ...

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“Hide and seek” by Rajitha Menon

Submitted to Contest #99

I quietly stepped out of the suffocating shadows of the house, into the freedom of the searing afternoon heat. Slipping on my rubber slippers, I walked down the broad stone steps that led from the verandah at the back to the courtyard. I hesitated on the last step, trying to remember the paths of my childhood. It wasn’t easy; everything was the same, yet everything was so different. Where were those two mango trees? That chicken shed? The mud path? I sighed and contemplated retreating into the cool interiors of the house. But someone might...

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“The Pacification of a Helpless Activist” by Dozzy Nika

Submitted to Contest #99

“I heard that Odili postgraduate hall has been rejuvenated, and there is no more influx of undergraduate students.” Ken tells me.“If so, I will consider living there throughout my postgraduate programme.” I respond.What he tells me actually is true: the nuisance from the undergraduate male students in Eni and Alvan halls has ended. Eni and Alvan, adjacent to each other, are the two complexes used as undergraduate male hostels in the university. When I was an undergraduate, students living in Eni and Alvan often came to Odili, the only postgr...

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“THE DANCE OF SUMMER ” by Onyxx Moon

Submitted to Contest #99

The first time I saw her, she was dancing on the beach. What a beautiful vision, her rhythmic movements flowed as gentle as the ocean waves behind her. I'd never seen such a style of dance before, but at seventeen years old, I hadn't seen much of anything at all. I was taking my morning walk on the beach. My injury from a qualifying floor gymnastic routine was not deemed serious enough for surgery. Also there was no time before the competition for a recovery from surgery This left only one option, ...

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“Nanna's Reunion ” by Linnea Bennett

Submitted to Contest #99

It was midsummer's day in a quiet town on the coast of Ireland. The lazy summer breeze bent the tall grass in the meadow near Elsie’s grandmother’s house. They were having their annual midsummer's day party, their equivalent of a family reunion. “Do I have to go mommy?” Elsie groaned as they approached the old house. Her grandmother was sitting contentedly on the porch, greeting guests as they arrived. “Yes.” She knelt down to face 7 year old Elsie. “It’ll be fun,” She said cheerfully. Elsie pouted as they walked up the rickety stair...

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“The Shack Coupling” by Okey Boy

Submitted to Contest #99

....for the first time in months, I felt wetness on my face. Those memories surfaced. It tickled my cheeks. The taste of my infidelity, many years ago. My husband never knew what happened. I do not blame him. This is what happened, years ago. I have grown from it. We have had a more satisfying relationship since the shack incident. God knows. October 15, 2015.The shack hummed with desire; both savage and conflicted. Oga Eugene probed her wetness, alternating between a finger, then two.. She gasped when three of his fingers were in her, and c...

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$50

Prize money

909

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jun 25, 2021 EST

Won by Tom Vandel 🏆

Title: The Men and the Lake

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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