Write a story that begins with an apology.

Posted in Dramatic on Dec 20, 2024

Submissions are closed

Sorry, we are not accepting submissions for this prompt as it is not part of an active contest. Make sure you don't miss our next contest by creating your free Reedsy Prompts account.

Or create a new Reedsy account:

Why not check out our active contest?

✍️ 81 stories

“Worst Job Ever” by Alexis Araneta

Submitted to Contest #282

Hey, Olly, I’m really sorry to say this. This is the worst job I’ve ever had to do. I know you won’t begrudge me. Then again, there are things you won’t…. you can’t…Oh, I don’t want to think about it.I find it hard, though. How can I not notice you sprawled out on the dove grey bed sheets you’ve inhabited for almost a year now instead of barrelling down the stairs with your favourite fire engine red skis, the ones you’ve christened Pepper? The freshly fallen snow taps away an invitation to hibernal enchantment on your windowpane, but yo...

48 comments 48

Read story

“To Judge a King” by Daniel Rogers

Submitted to Contest #282

"Sorry, my king." Flajore fell to one knee, saluting with head bowed. "The northern wall is breached.""Don't hang your head, General. I'm proud of you - of all your men. You held out longer than believed possible."I am the one who should be ashamed. It's my pride and ambition that breached the wall. Father always said I was too reckless and arrogant."We will hold the keep. All is not lost."Their battering ram echoed through the hall. Each swing shook the dust from the rafters."Always an optimist, but we both know it won't be long.""Then I wi...

18 comments 18

Read story

“Five Stages of Reflection” by Kay Northbridge

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #282

DENIAL“I’m so sorry you came home to this nasty surprise. It’ll be wrong anyway – I’ll read it again in a minute, it’ll be wrong.”Bold eyes glare back at me as I sigh before them. They've had a long day and are almost as dark a blue as the tunic uniform in my wash basket. Will those eyes accept anything I say?“It was definitely addressed to me. How can it be wrong?”I let out a low sigh and drop my head.“It makes no sense. I haven’t done anything to cause this for decades. Why would they write to me about it now?”Decades. Entire decades. I've...

41 comments 41

Read story

“Regrets? Yeah, I've Had a Few.” by Murray Burns

Submitted to Contest #282

Regrets? Yeah, I’ve Had a Few. “Regrets are the natural property of grey hairs.” ...

16 comments 16

Read story

“Two-Cute Koolridges” by Mary Bendickson

Submitted to Contest #282

“I'm sorry, Honey.”“Chrissy, what do you have to be sorry for?”“The Christmas gifts I got for you. I'm still confined to minimum activity until my Cesarean scar heals more so I could only shop online. The Carhartt vest is too tight on you. Even though I love to cuddle with you I didn't realize how big your chest really is. And then I ordered that lame meat and cracker assortment. How original is that?”“If I recall, you recently presented me with the greatest gifts any woman can give a man. Two bundles of joy. Bouncing twin boys! My world is ...

21 comments 21

Read story

“Fallen” by Geertje H

Submitted to Contest #282

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean …” her whisper echoes in the empty space.Though the stage is empty, the lights doused, the curtain lowered and only the memory of applause and the lingering scent of the audience hang in the air she waits in the last row.The power of his smile was bright like apron lights. The intensity of his gaze was as intoxicating as the excitement of any opening night. His words flowed smoothly like a well-crafted script and made her believe again. He had brought her back to life, rejuvenated her.“I didn’t mean to fall.” Softly...

17 comments 17

Read story

“Premature Apologies” by Harland Chambers

Submitted to Contest #282

(Story contains sensitive themes)The ChoiceGabe closed his eyes, imploring the universe to forgive him. “Oh my God, I am so sorry,” the words trembled from his lips.He suspected his wife had discovered his secret. It was the look she steadied him with before leaving for work. He heard the side door slam, her way of saying goodbye. Sarah had always been reticent, one to reserve her truest feelings, and he sensed that she was privy to his act of betrayal. He let himself reminisce about the first time he saw Sarah juxtaposed against t...

8 comments 8

Read story

“Christmas Lights” by Ralph Aldrich

Submitted to Contest #282

Bill struggles down the attic stairs carring an oblong box with a picture of a pine tree on its side. Holding the box on his shoulder, he shouts, “Which corner do you want me to put the tree in, Mom?” His mother, Dolores, is following behind, hauling a plastic tub with an ill-fitting green lid. Written on its side in black magic marker are the words “Xmas lights.”Dolores smiles wickedly as she declares, “Let’s put it in the corner behind your father’s chair.” Oscar jumps up, sputtering and snarling. H...

3 comments 3

Read story

“Out Of The Darkness” by Scott Christenson

Submitted to Contest #282

Life in darkness is filled with terror. An unseen itch could be a piece of sand, or a rat chewing on skin. In the dark, when I jolt upright, I hear vermin skitter away. As sleep is impossible, I live in an interminable nightmare.A factor that might explain the downward course of my life is my father’s uncanny ability (if that’s what it’s called) to get into arguments with everyone he came into contact with in our hometown. They assumed the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, and took it out on me. Guilt by association. They say children sh...

7 comments 7

Read story

“The writer’s journey home.” by Frankline Odunze

Submitted to Contest #282

I’m sorry, dear self, for abandoning the one thing that brought me solace, for neglecting the fire that once burned within me, for chasing the wrong dreams and prioritizing the opinions of others over the whispers of my own heart.As I spoke these words aloud, my voice trembled with regret. I slumped against the wall, surrounded by the shadows of my past. The dimly lit room seemed to be closing in on me, suffocating me with the weight of my mistakes and wrong choices over the years.I thought back to the child I once was, full of life and pass...

6 comments 6

Read story

“The Fire Within” by Scott Taylor

Submitted to Contest #282

The Fire Within "I'm really sorry," Emily said the moment Michael opened the door. Her large brown eyes shimmered with unshed tears against the backdrop of her golden locks.Michael hesitated, his jaw tightening as he stared at her. "Can we talk?" she asked, her voice soft and pleading.Still hurting from the breakup, Michael stepped aside and invited her in. The flickering flames cast dancing shadows on the walls, mirroring the turmoil in her heart. She sat across from Michael, their eyes locked in an unspoken battle of hurt and longing. Emil...

8 comments 8

Read story

“Beloved Daughter” by Orwell King

Submitted to Contest #282

My Dearest Daughter,I am sorry that you feel this way. Truly, I am. It pains me to think that you believe I have abandoned you or that we have wronged you. Please understand, this decision was never meant to hurt you. Your father and I only want what’s best for you. We thought it would provide you with a future, with stability, even if it seems hard to see that right now.I know it must feel overwhelming, and perhaps you feel alone, but this is just part of growing up. You must learn that life is not always what we wish it to be, and sometime...

4 comments 4

Read story

“Deviled Eggs” by AnneMarie Miles

Submitted to Contest #282

Gail had muttered an apology to the man she bumped into on Aisle Seven, but what had come out of her mouth sounded more like a muffled, Fuck off! God, what was it about the holidays that made the aisles so narrow and the men so bulky and the stupid grocery store so full? Gail couldn’t imagine why anyone would want to be there on Christmas Eve. The thought of it made her knuckles whiten around the shopping cart, and she gazed begrudgingly at all the strangers surrounding her, clearly intent on ruining her day. She wished they’d all get i...

7 comments 7

Read story

“The Apology” by Jed Cope

Submitted to Contest #282

“Sorry, Dad.” He glances at his son and almost says what? His face a picture of puzzlement, more so as he sees the big grin on Gerrie’s face. A grin that has no business accompanying an apology. Then it hits him. And it hits him hard. “Oh!” he cries, “you smelly beggar! Oh wow! Where did that come from!?” He opens the car window beside him, and then decides it would be a good idea to open the window next to the stink-bomb boy beside him. A boy who is looking very pleased with himself as he offers an explanation or an excuse. His father ...

4 comments 4

Read story

“A Messy Apology” by J Dari

Submitted to Contest #282

I’ve earned a reputation, I guess, and it’s not a good one. First thing you need to know about me is I’m no good—a bad seed, if you will. I’ve still got my looks, sandy brown hair and big brown eyes, and that still gets me out of trouble occasionally. I know what you’re thinking. Oh, I’m sure you’re not that bad. But, I am. If I told you the things I’d done, your hair would stand on end. I’m sitting outside, head down, wondering how she’s gonna find it in her heart to forgive me again. How many more times until someone you love fin...

7 comments 7

Read story

Load more stories

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story where a character relives the same event over and over again.

Short Story – 35 stories

Write a story where someone who has done something wrong seeks a fresh start.

Dramatic – 27 stories

Write a story set in a world of darkness where light is suddenly discovered.

Short Story – 44 stories

Write a story that starts and ends in the same place.

Short Story – 80 stories

Contest #282

Enter our weekly contest!

This week's theme: Endings & Beginnings with David Restaino

$250

Prize money

267

Contest entries

124

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Dec 27, 2024 EST

Won by James Scott 🏆

Title: Venture

View details

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

We'll send you 5 prompts each week. Respond with your short story and you could win $250!

Menu

CONNECT

BLOG

APPS

TOOLS

ABOUT

Write a story that begins with an apology.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 81 stories

“Worst Job Ever” by Alexis Araneta

“To Judge a King” by Daniel Rogers

“Five Stages of Reflection” by Kay Northbridge

“Regrets? Yeah, I've Had a Few.” by Murray Burns

“Two-Cute Koolridges” by Mary Bendickson

“Fallen” by Geertje H

“Premature Apologies” by Harland Chambers

“Christmas Lights” by Ralph Aldrich

“Out Of The Darkness” by Scott Christenson

“The writer’s journey home.” by Frankline Odunze

“The Fire Within” by Scott Taylor

“Beloved Daughter” by Orwell King

“Deviled Eggs” by AnneMarie Miles

“The Apology” by Jed Cope

“A Messy Apology” by J Dari

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story where a character relives the same event over and over again.

Write a story where someone who has done something wrong seeks a fresh start.

Write a story set in a world of darkness where light is suddenly discovered.

Write a story that starts and ends in the same place.

Contest #282

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

267

Contest entries

124

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: