Write a story involving a conversation that’s packed with subtext; the characters aren’t quite saying what they mean.

Posted in Dialogue on Oct 26, 2022

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✍️ 78 stories

“Neighbors” by Wayne Scheer

Submitted to Contest #55

A few days after I moved to Atlanta about twenty years ago, I came home from my new teaching job at Georgia State to find my grass mowed and a lanky white man in his sixties wearing overalls and a straw hat, trimming my hedges. "What are you doing?" I asked, jumping out of my car. My Chicago cynicism was showing. Why would a white man be mowing the lawn of a single black woman? He took off his straw hat, displaying the remnants of white hair combed straight across his pink scalp, and offered a theatrical bow f...

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“The Married Life” by Maria Callender

Submitted to Contest #55

“I can’t believe you did this,” Emma screams at Liam, trying to control her anger as she looks through the curtains of their house, making sure they weren’t waking up any neighbors with their shouting. “I’m so sorry.” Liam takes a step forward and holds her hands, looking straight inside her green eyes. Water gathers in the bottom lid of his eyes. “I promise this will never happen again. Please don’t leave me alone in a moment like this. I love you.” Emma pushes his hands away and looks at the floor. This is not the first time he brings anot...

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“Not on the Same Page” by Lily Hartly

Submitted to Contest #55

It’s been a long day. No. It’s been a long week. Work’s been crazy. I don’t remember when the job I loved so much became so overwhelming. Probably when the rest of my life spun out of control.No. I shouldn’t think that. I’m being overdramatic. This isn’t such a big deal. I’m just tired. I’ve been through a lot worse than this last week. This is just a little obstacle. It’ll be over soon and then everything will go back to the way it was.I try to drill that thought into my head as I fill a pot with water and put it on the stove. I feel a litt...

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“Sitting Ducks” by Chloe Legault

Submitted to Contest #55

You are finger-flossing green glass blades, sitting by my side, looking at mama ducks and papa ducks near the edge of the water. It’s a late afternoon moment. You shoot your chin towards the ducks in question. “Why don’t they fly away?” I dare a glimpse of the children ducks. Dots barely feathered, little pins and needles lost in a limb. They are little fills in bone holes. Heavy starvelings of flight. I change the subject with movement, turn to lay on my back, head on the spread of your lap, and watch the underside of your chin colle...

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“Before Their Eyes” by Sankara Luna

Submitted to Contest #55

Carol read the message on her phone and was conflicted about what the best course of action she should take.I miss you, she reread.Surely Jamie was drunk when sending it, wasn’t he? Otherwise, who would have said that when the world had ended, dragging down the modern dating life with it to the bottom of the ocean? But who would have set their priorities straight with the bottles either? There was no time to think about the possibilities. Maybe she was just overthinking. Jamie and she was just a rumpled old photograph tucked inside a diary f...

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“Who Ordered Pizza?” by Laura Everly

Submitted to Contest #55

Who wants pizza? I love pizza. Me too. Should we order from Bella's? Bella is a bum? No! Should we order from Bella's Pizzeria? We're ordering pizza? Who has pizazz? Spike has gas? Just a gust. Did you say we are ordering pizza? I would like too. We would like you too, too. Good. Now do we want thin crust or thick crust? You do look thin. I do? Yes. Thank you, I think. All I wanted to know is about the pizza dough. Lisa has a beau? Who's Lisa? Lisa lives next door. She's a dinosaur. That's not nice. And she has lice? Ahhhh! What's the mat...

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“Ready” by Katharine Daniels

Submitted to Contest #55

Tigger warnings: self harm, suicide, suicide adulation READY Katharine Daniels She was outside and waiting by the curb when he pulled up. Climbing into the passenger seat, she pecked him briefly on the lips before buckling her seat belt. “Good morning to you too,” Matt grinned as he took his foot off the break. “How went the night?” She sighed, avoided looking at him. “I only cut twice” Carly murmured, touching her thigh in remembrance. Matt winced and scowled, glancing sideways at his girlfriend...

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“What I Mean Is” by Ed Friedman

Submitted to Contest #55

Gwen stands behind the couch, watching Arthur flip channels on the remote with alarming speed. She’s seen him do this many times before, but for some reason, tonight she stands transfixed as the images fly by on the television at the speed of light. Arthur senses her presence but doesn’t turn around. “I thought you were going to bed”. He tosses the words over his shoulder. “I was, but I wanted to see what captivated you so much that you’re not”. “I was watching something but then I lost interest”. “Yeah, given the flipping...

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“Grandpa” by Megan Leong

Submitted to Contest #55

It is Christmas morning. The whole family is up and together in the living room getting ready to unwrap the presents together. “Can you help your grandma get the grandpa please?” “Grandma, what do you mean– “ I pulled little Cathy away casually and tilted my chin towards my brother for some help. Frank: “He must be in the garage with the car, it was sounding bad after my drive down from up North yesterday, but he can’t seem to leave it alone. He will probably be down after a while.” “Alright, remember to get the old man down before the Chri...

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“Bullets and Yams” by Lennox Ducksworth

Submitted to Contest #55

Red Sapphire. That was what the jeweler suggested to Canan Donahue. The seasoned shop owner presented the man with a golden necklace with the blood-red stone in the center surrounded by diamonds in the shape of a flower. Canan smiled, pearly white teeth breaking the seriousness of the entire twenty minutes there. The jeweler smiled back. Canan liked the gem. It matched his red dress shirt under his black vest and suit. It wasn't for him though. He paid the jeweler then exited the shop, glossy white bag in hand, a grin on his face as h...

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“The Wish” by Joanna White

Submitted to Contest #55

A person can only run so long, before they can’t run anymore, before whatever you’re running from catches up to you. Adam realized this as he pulled into a diner off a side road. It was a small place, and in the middle of nowhere, but that’s what Adam wanted: someplace he wouldn’t be found. He was eighteen, legally he could leave, but he knew his parents, his stepdad especially, would be looking for him. Along with his girlfriend Page unless she hated him. Whatever she felt toward him… He deserved it. Adam got out of his black 1967 Chevy...

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“Love Can't Wait” by Hannah Barrick

Submitted to Contest #55

In movies, they show romance by one person waiting for another, to show their love. Afraid to make the first move in case you’re wrong. I’ve spent my whole life waiting, or at least it’s felt like it. The day that changed was when ‘she’ came into the picture. I huffed irritably, although, let’s be honest, it wasn’t really any of my business. I mean, he’s a grown man and can do what he likes. Andrew had gone out on some lunch date (under the pretence of a “catch up”), with some old flame he apparently knew from when he was a kid. Ever since...

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“Rain and Coffee” by Aanisah King

Submitted to Contest #55

The sound of his heels splashing into a puddle of water resounds in his ears and he's walking faster and faster. He ignores the thunder and in a flash of lightening, he sees the door of his destination. He pushes the door open and a bell rings over his head as the warmth of the place hits his face. He closes his umbrella and puts it in a stand beside the door. The three couples and an old man all turn their heads to him and he scans the small cafe. The aroma of freshly baked pastries and brewed coffee wafts through the air and teases his sen...

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“Mantis” by Silver Fish

Submitted to Contest #55

The room was dark, reeking of tobacco; the men could barely see each other’s faces through the drifting smoke. Glasses of scotch and plastic bags of white powder littered the table, and the men leaned close to get a better look at the action. “I’m running this city already, ten hotels and more on the way,” Damian said, leaning back and puffing on his cigar. “No one’s catching me now.” “You’ve been making these roundabout deals with everyone at the table, you’re dirtier than shit,” Mantis replied angrily. He’d been growing more and m...

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“The Inner Locket ” by Klementine Discoluve

Submitted to Contest #55

Hobbit ‘O joy, girl nor boy, fondle with my crimsoned dubiously grin. Is’t five times ten, years of younger, old. Fear not knowing what I truly am or how funicular a world I live in. Remarkable yet embarked upon a journey, one that is unknowable, for we must search it first. Due to the fade-away scrimmage tomorrow night at drubbing light, we shall follow the hollow moon, from sea to shinty shine. I’m up but I must amusingly say that I cannot go on. I’ll cringe each storming bridge and then again, against this running water, despite a bad lon...

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Write a story involving a conversation that’s packed with subtext; the characters aren’t quite saying what they mean.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 78 stories

“Neighbors” by Wayne Scheer

“The Married Life” by Maria Callender

“Not on the Same Page” by Lily Hartly

“Sitting Ducks” by Chloe Legault

“Before Their Eyes” by Sankara Luna

“Who Ordered Pizza?” by Laura Everly

“Ready” by Katharine Daniels

“What I Mean Is” by Ed Friedman

“Grandpa” by Megan Leong

“Bullets and Yams” by Lennox Ducksworth

“The Wish” by Joanna White

“Love Can't Wait” by Hannah Barrick

“Rain and Coffee” by Aanisah King

“Mantis” by Silver Fish

“The Inner Locket ” by Klementine Discoluve

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story about a meeting of a secret society.

Write a story about an old family secret surfacing generations later.

Write a story that either starts or ends with someone asking, “Can you keep a secret?”

Write a story where the readers are in on a secret that the characters are unaware of.

Contest #55

Enter our weekly contest!

$50

Prize money

896

Contest entries

0

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

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