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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

“Tragedy” by Zelle J Christian

Submitted to Contest #99

The sound of a slamming door startles me. I peer out of the window to find a van outside the house, a woman emerging from the vehicle, and a young man standing in the street with a smile visible from my distance.His distinct mannerisms strike my memory from three summers ago, when as a ten-year-old I stared from the beach. I will not forget the pathos of his expression and the movement of his hands.There is no mistaking him.And now, the same boy is here, standing outside of my house. The mother helps him towards the house adjacent. The ...

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“Oppositemotional ~ Hot and Cold Sisters” by Vergil Prudence

Submitted to Contest #99

Prologue There is something, or someone within this story that is strange in many ways. There is someone, or something within this world that is strange in many ways. In fact, there are many people, many things that exist in that sort of manner. When I think back to that day, many summers ago, I can't help but think about these kinds of things. Maybe it's all in hindsight, but it all seems so silly, so absolutely innocent. It was like waiting in front of the bus stop for school, and feeling the refreshing breeze after a long period of heat...

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“Kwai” by John Echenim

Submitted to Contest #99

KWAI Patrick knew he… …was making a financial decision that would make his father proud. Meena on the other hand was being quiet and Patrick knew it was due to anxiety. Maybe a little conversation would cheer her up? “The landscape here is so unique,” said Patrick. “Uhun,” was all his new wife said. “You are being terse,” sighed Patrick. “Why didn’t you take the advice of the taxi driver who we asked to bring us?” asked Meena. “I made a…” “Financial decision,” finished Me...

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“Memories of Vera Lynn” by Jane Andrews

Submitted to Contest #99

“I was a wartime spy, you know,” I remark to no one in particular. Jenny, the girl who’s been assigned to look after me, smiles in a patronising way. “Really, Gladys? That’s nice. Now, come on – let’s get your colostomy bag changed. By now, I should be used to this. No-one in this God-forsaken care home ever takes me seriously. “Yes,” I continue, trying to make her listen. “There were four of us altogether, all working for the same branch of the government.” “Are you sure you’re not thinking of that TV programme about Bletchley Park?” sh...

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“Crossing the Canadian Border ” by I'm From Mars

Submitted to Contest #99

"Happy Birthday, Sandy! Make a wish and blow out the candles!" My Mom said. My birthday had already passed on Wednesday, but I still wanted to celebrate with my family and a friend. "Thanks mom!" I blew out all thirteen candles on my red velvet, five-inch diameter cake all at once. "Hey Mom! I just realized that it has been exactly three years since the Canadian Border Mishap!" "Indeed it has, Sandy! I still remember the look on your father's face when he finally came out of the police station!" My mom smiled. "Hold up. Your dad was in...

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“The Sweet Nostalgia of Summers near Savannah” by Gabi Frank

Submitted to Contest #99

The letter had been delivered in the evening by a desperate courier with a cart full of casualty notifications and return mail which no longer had a viable address. Here, letters were rarely filled with happy news, and I watched with a heavy heart as my wife’s shaking hands tore open the envelope, which was dusted with ash and dirt. She skimmed the first sentences -- looking for “regret” or “apology”, the words which dotted the letter framed on our mantle next to my eldest’s school photographs. She breathed out heavily. “Eileen --”...

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“Brittany” by Bob E

Submitted to Contest #99

“I remember growing up, when holidays took us with the predictability of the sunrise to a cottage in Brittany where the landscape was so similar to home as to make the whole thing seem almost as if the populace of a small French town had been moved to our back yard. I know people dream of visiting this place, think of it in some dream of rustic romance or something, but I was born and raised in the heart of the countryside. The biggest differences I could make out there was that I didn’t speak the language, and none of my friends were there....

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“Tough Girl” by Dede K.

Submitted to Contest #99

“Momma, do you hear that noise?” “Yes I do. Those would be cicadas. They are dreadfully annoying. But, I’ve heard them before, that sound is something you will never forget.” “Cadas? Can they hurt you?” “Nope. In fact, that very noise reminds me of a story.” “Ooo, I love your stories!” “Well, ok..” The cicadas hummed in the distant wooded trail, just like they are today. The sound often drowns out all thoughts.I grabbed a browned leaf leftover from fall. Crunch. “I loved the sound that those leaves made!...

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“Where Cherries Grow (Ukrainian Anecdote)” by V R

Submitted to Contest #99

Where Cherries Grow (Ukrainian anecdote) In the days of the childhood, I was often left to spend a month or two of summer time in the house of my grandparents. They lived in a sleepy Ukrainian town on the cherry covered shore of the river that cuts the country on two on its grand way to the sea. Those long evenings under the cherries smelled candies, the glowing bugs flew overhead and among looking them up, illuminated by the glow faces of the kids there was mine and of my two brothers too. Next to our house was a park that everyone ca...

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“A Time for Reminiscing” by Jon Robles

Submitted to Contest #99

TW: death from cancer Mason Behrmann smiled wistfully as he glanced down at the old photo. The photo was of him and his late wife Brianna’s wedding day. A tear rolled down his cheek as he stared at the photo. He remembered that warm late July day many years before when he took his vows of marriage to Brianna. That day was the happiest day of his life. Oh, how he longed to be with her one more time! One more touch, one more kiss, one more word of encouragement, one more day in her presence. The events leading up to that day were surreal. Look...

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“I Had A Surprise” by Tammy Levine

Submitted to Contest #99

It is so nice out today, the weatherman said it was in the eighties, it was not humid out. I like summer days like this. But today is a day I will never forget. Three years ago July 14,2003, I went to a dealership called Cylde Subaru. I was trading in my 2000 purple Volkswagen bug. I needed to buy a bigger car. I was eight months pregnant. I did not know if I was having a girl or a boy. I went with my husband Jake to pick up our 2002BlueSubaru Outback. I never knew something was going to happen when I was waiting to leave in my new car. Eve...

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“A Dream Come True” by Julia Corliss

Submitted to Contest #99

It all started with finding a box of photos labeled Sugar and Me. Juliana found a photo of her first summer with Sugar so long ago. She was wearing a pair of cover-all style long shorts with a striped T-shirt and cowboy boots. She was sitting atop Sugar grinning wide while putting her hand on Sugar’s neck. She closed her eyes and let the memory wash over her… When Juliana was a child, the thing she dreamed about most was having a horse of her own. No one she knew personally had a horse and there was no place for a horse to live in her neig...

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“That One Summer” by Joanna Shodipo

Submitted to Contest #99

Sitting on my folding chair on my porch, in the midst of the summer evening, I notice a couple of gladiolus flowers poking out of the flower bed. Their scarlet pedals are hard to miss due to their vibrancy. It’s fitting that they symbolize deep love. As I watch them sway to the warm winds, they remind me of the best summer I’ve ever had. She was the most beautiful girl I'd ever met. I didn’t tell her that of course, in case it would make her uncomfortable. My face always turned pink any time someone would try to compliment me. &nb...

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“Past Demons” by Narwhal Writer

Submitted to Contest #99

Jeffrey snapped his gaze from the diner window to the front entrance. He clasped one hand over his front pocket, and the other crept toward the butter knife next to his unfinished breakfast platter. Any doubts he’d harbored after spotting the green sedan in the parking lot vanished when a familiar priest and college student entered the restaurant. The former carried a backpack over his shoulder while the latter held a notepad. Both of them stood with their backs to the wall and scanned their surroundings. They then spotted Jeffrey and heade...

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“Two Sisters and a Mouse” by Lauren Rice

Submitted to Contest #99

Constance leaned forward and rested her chin on the steering wheel. She had been driving for 8 hours straight now with 9 more hours to go and the day was starting to catch up with her. Nova reached forward to change the radio station. After scanning for something worth listening to for a few minutes and only hearing static, she settled on the only station that would come through clear enough to understand the lyrics. “You know I literally hate country music, right?” Constance glanced over at Nova with an agitated look on her face and then ...

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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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