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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

“Will This Day Ever End?” by Heather Ann Martinez

Submitted to Contest #99

Will This Day Ever End? By Heather Ann Martinez Supermarket Apology If you were at the supermarket on Lake and Fourth at two o’clock, I really want to apologize to any of you who were injured or had fruit thrown in your face. I know some of you can relate to having a day that never seems to end. This one is definitely that for me. Some Back Story My name is Abby Trait. I’m married to Syler and we have five daughters and two sons. Syler and I are selling our house, moving in with my parents until our new house is built. Did I mentio...

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“Clarity” by G.M. BA

Submitted to Contest #99

“We tested it by…” “Using the stats…” “Testing this idea, we found…” “Experimenting with this…” I walk around, submerged in thousands of voices. In this grand place, I am only one small person. Who am I? Everyone here...

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“Light at the End of the Tunnel” by Penny Polendina

Submitted to Contest #99

Darkness. That was all Claire had ever known. She had been born into darkness, raised in darkness, and, like everyone else, she would die in darkness. But Claire didn’t want that. She didn’t want to live in a world where black was the only thing her eyes could see. Where she didn’t know what she looked like, what her friends and family looked like, or even what the house she had grown up in looked like! ...

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“I Favour Rain” by Ebony Eve

Submitted to Contest #99

If someone were to ask me my preference, I would say I favour rain. Storms are better but far more rare and particular, so I would settle for the rain. It’s the sound; the gentle, rhythmic thrumming like white noise but more subtle. Thunderstorms are deeper, like the predatory sky is growling at the lighting prey it can never catch. I like the story of the chase, the slow purr prowling in the distance and the cataclysmic clap that splits the air; a frustrated cry of failure. I could sit and listen to the same tale every night if only the sky...

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“Grandfather's Cabin” by Bric Mitchell

Submitted to Contest #99

Hank Stahl woke up unsure of where he was. He had a pounding headache like he drank too much but hadn’t been drinking. He stood up and looked around groggily, knowing that he was last in his bed but wasn’t any longer. His head finally stopped hurting enough for him to orient himself with his surroundings. Somehow, he was near his Great-grandfather Dale, or Pappy, as he was commonly called’s cabin in Southwood, Iowa. It was a place he hadn’t been to in ages. After his father and grandfather had a falling out, they only went there on rare spec...

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“The Climb” by Kristy Reynolds

Submitted to Contest #99

I rolled over in bed and stretched. I laid there, eyes fluttering, trying to fully wake up. I felt different today. Not quite so heavy. My stomach growled. Was I actually hungry? I looked around the room and noticed sunlight squeezing through the slits in the blinds. How long had it been since I had noticed that? I reached over to pick up my phone from the nightstand. 10:32 am. I also had 14 missed calls and 27 unopened texts. Well, that was going to take a while. Making my way to the bathroom, I noticed that my body ached le...

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“I'm OK” by Suzanne Dwiar

Submitted to Contest #99

The call from Dr Green came early, around 4.30AM. Luckily it was a Saturday, so Sarah didn’t have to worry about getting the kids to school. James could take care of things without the girls knowing where she was. “Good morning Sarah, I’m sorry to call so early.” Dr Green paused, waiting for a response. “It’s time,” she said gently. Sarah nodded along, tears starting to prick her eyes. Remembering after the awkward silence to acknowledge she’d heard the Dr’s words, “Yes, I’m leaving now,” Sarah said, catching her breath. James had stirred an...

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“The Explanation” by Weldon Knight

Submitted to Contest #99

The Explanation “Papaw, how do you know that Jesus is real?” she asked, looking up at me with those big doe eyes. We were sitting on the ornate bench across the concrete and stone room from the sepulcher that holds the earthly remains of her grandmother and the woman I loved for forty plus years. “Pumpkin, the Lord came to me in October of 1988 and entered my body for a short period of time. Just long enough to let me get through a task that was before me.” I told her, patting her on the leg. “What did you have to do?” she as...

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“Light in the Dark” by Karmissa Ariadne

Submitted to Contest #99

It was always dark here, but not solemnly so. Light was only for those who could ascend to its grace. We praised it as much as we feared it and at all costs kept our glowing creations humbly spread amongst the caverns of our world. Many were employed to ensure proper dispersion of lights to avoid angering the gods. Those who disobeyed and were caught were sentenced to the cells of eternal darkness, unworthy of any light. I had been down near the bottom cells before to visit my older brother and the echoes of screams and cries were enough to ...

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“I am Here” by CJ Ives Lopez

Submitted to Contest #99

I’ve laid in a coma for fifteen years. As the world had carried on around me, I settled there and couldn’t move an inch. I was conscious, but no one realized it. Everyone’s lives went on, and I couldn’t chime in with advice. Screaming stop wasn’t a privilege when my husband was cheating on me with his assistant. I couldn’t take care of my daughter when I noticed she was self-medicating because of the misery she suffered. Being a respectable mother and wife was all I craved, but I failed. Before the accident, I worked tirelessly to es...

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“Mea Culpa” by Kelsey Marie

Submitted to Contest #99

June 21, 1979; An elderly farmer had been plowing his field when he heard the faint screams of a desperate man. He had stopped to look around for the source of the noise. All he could see was the heavily wooded area past his fence line. Not much further there happened to be a creek, and beyond that was vast amounts of empty fields. Nestled in the far back right corner was an old farmhouse. It was occupied by a middle aged couple and their teenage son. Sensing that something had gone awry the man turned the key to the off position ...

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“Craving for light” by Mariana Del Rosal

Submitted to Contest #99

I should have never traveled to another city to get together with a random guy, I know. Deep down, I think meeting him was an excuse for leaving my boring hometown. But I had been saving some money for a while, and I was tired of constantly picking fights with my mom and my stepdad. So when the dating app matched me with Bruno, who only lived 50 miles distantly, I packed my bag and decided to visit him. We hit it off right away: he welcomed me into his apartment and we melt into a passionate embrace that lasted for hours. I was fascinated by...

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“The Baker” by Crystal Bacon

Submitted to Contest #99

We, each of us, are sculpted by life. The type of vessel we become is a direct result of the fingers and fire that make us. I’m a baker. I walk to work in the company of stars. I feel their presence and I know they see me but whatever wisdom they might offer is light years away. Most people sleep while I walk the streets. I think they must feel safe, tucked in behind locked doors while the night has its way with the world. I feel safe in the dark, alone. &nbsp...

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“The Dreamer of Cologne” by Jasmine Bell

Submitted to Contest #99

TW: anti-semitism, violence Cold. Cold. All I feel is the cold. Drenched in sweat, face flushed, but all I can think of were those cold, cold eyes. Dying. Pleading. Emotionless. Praying. Lifeless. Eyes. I stumbled to our makeshift bathroom, ignoring the cries of my baby sister, ignoring the few kids screaming with joy as they played football. Ignoring the shards of broken glass, stinging my feet. No, with the same cold, cold eyes I watched the ball deflate and tossed the fabric back to them. I watched as...

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“The Cursed Year” by Aimee Peterson

Submitted to Contest #99

C/W: violence against animals “Shit.” Terra had just opened another piece of mail left at her front door. Another bill. This time it was a late fee for paying her rent on the 5th when it was due on the 4th. She had forgotten that this month the rules about late rent had changed since the pandemic was almost over. She always paid her rent, but with her new job change her paydays were now on the 5th and the 20th. Did companies not realize that rent in almost all corners of the globe is due by the 4th? &nbsp...

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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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