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Write a story about a family game night.

Posted in Fiction on Oct 26, 2022

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✍️ 70 stories

On a Roll

Submitted to Contest #34

"I'll see your three and raise you five," Uncle Max said past the cigarette that seemed permanently affixed to the corner of his mouth. Smoke wisped through his teeth as he spoke, shrouding further his already inscrutable features."Too rich for my blood," said cousin Pete, discarding his hand."Me too, I'm out," Pete's little brother Vince agreed."Call," Steve said, tossing his chips into the pile.Auntie Lewella toothlessly mumbled something to the affirmative, setting down her knitting needles long enough to add her chips to the pot.Jackson ...

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Catan

Submitted to Contest #34

It seemed ironic that this was the first beautiful day in months. Days after days of lashing rain had kept every one of us indoors, hiding from the elements. Of course it was only when we were forced inside by quarantine that the sun decided to show it’s face again. The sky was a brilliant blue, a gentle breeze shifted the tree leaves on the street outside; you could practically hear the Disney Princess singing to the birds. From a fourth floor apartment, however, we could only watch with envy. It was as though spring had arrived simply to l...

15 likes 8 comments 8
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Taking Control

Submitted to Contest #34

This new life of Charli’s seemed to continuously linger behind every corner she walked by, each time taking a part of her. She tried her best to keep it in that corner— away from the world.Away from her. Yet, it would overcome her, more often than she would like to admit. The closer it got to the day a piece of her would die, the more her walls would deteriorate, waiting for her downfall. Perhaps she could learn to love this life as much as she could if it weren’t trapping her, hands clasped around her throat, squeezing the air out...

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To Escape

Submitted to Contest #34

Emily stared tragically out the window. She was beginning to feel a consuming pull of depression drag her down to its abject depths. From which, she was certain she would never return. Somehow, her chest hurt even more at that thought, and a pointlessness seemed to emerge to claim her. This quarantine, this social-distancing, it was more painful than she ever expected. She didn’t necessarily consider herself an extrovert but the need to be around people and feel the love of others was a strong motive to leave her home.Her home, whe...

14 likes 14 comments 14
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Killing Words

Submitted to Contest #34

It's Sunday, and I hate my wife. It's an odd thing to say since I proposed and married her, but I hate her with every bone in my body. We're playing Scrabble for Sunday Night Game Night, which she thinks will improve our relationship, but it only makes me hate her more. She always wins. Every single time we play Scrabble, or Scatergories or anything else with words, she wins. She just sits there, sipping her tea and making words. She's an author for god's sake. Of course, she would be able to make words from the letters KSRQATT. Nonethe...

13 likes 9 comments 9
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The Game

Submitted to Contest #34

“I bought a game,” dad says. We’re all sitting in mom and dad’s den. The fireplace roars in front of us, striping our faces in an orange glow. I stare into my brother’s eyes and trace the path inside his pupil to where the mirrored image of the fireplace crackles and burns. He stares back at me and takes a sip of his drink—whiskey, dry, just like dad likes his. I give mom a look who sits on the recliner across the room like a small raisin, her feet tucked under her legs trying to warm them. She raises her shoulders up and lets them drop back...

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Game Day Rules

Submitted to Contest #34

Dan kicked his son Mark’s bed. Mark barely moved.“Come on Sluggo. Rise and shine. You know it’s four o’clock? I thought you were out.”Mark turned toward the wall and pulled his blanket over his head. “I can’t go out.”“Are you sick? Get up. The day’s wasting. Did you forget it’s game day?”Mark mumbled through the covers, “Oh boy! Video games!”“Actually, we’re going low tech tonight. Board games. Try it. You’ll like it. And clean up your room. I’ll be in my office.”A while later, Mark shuffled into the kitchen where his mother, Miriam bustled ...

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Tommy Marbles

Submitted to Contest #34

Marking the days of the week down to friday night. Young Tommy Smith dashes from his desk the moment the bell rings. Moving faster then his teacher can tell him to slow down. Tommy has his coat zipped, backpack strapped on tight and two yellow boots to match his outfit. Six years old and full of piss and vinegar. Tommy hops up and down patiently waiting for his parents to come pick him up from preschool. As a few of the kids get picked up. Tommy keeps his enthusiasm. Anticipation acting like ants in his pant. Tommy keeps shifting about. It h...

10 likes 0 comments 0
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Four Generations and Three Versions of “Clue”

Submitted to Contest #34

   It was Gran Gran’s ninetieth birthday and Grand Pop’s ninety-first birthday. They were lucky that they had the same birthday, and lucky that their family always gathered to celebrate. The year is 2051 and the place, Mendocino County, California.  The entire Mandzik family had gathered for the celebration, all thirty of them. Their four children, a slew of grandchildren, and their three precious great grandchildren. A festive celebration for a festive and feisty lady.    ...

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A Family of Suspects

Submitted to Contest #34

“I accuse… Miss Scarlet, in the ballroom with the lead pipe.” “Ah, sorry. Here, look at this.” Lucy was still frowning as her mother showed Uncle Keith a card. He gave his usual hum of consideration as he studied the evidence, then he did his over the top secret note taking. Across the table Dad made a note as well, but Lucy was still busy glaring at all of them with her arms folded. One of them committed the heinous crime, and she was going to find out who. So, what did she have so far? Miss Scarlett and Reverend Green (Mum and Dad) had bee...

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The Perfect Family

Submitted to Contest #34

“I’m bored,” Tina said, her thirteen-year-old face expressionless. “How long we gotta stay in this house?” She leaned against the refrigerator. “I miss Massachusetts.”Karen Miller sighed, placed her hands on her hips, and said, “Sweetheart, we move every year, you know that. And how many times do I have to keep explaining to you about the damn virus situation?”“But this is stupid.”“Until the virus shit is under control, we have to avoid unnecessary interaction with other individuals, understand? We don’t want people to ask questions, right?”...

8 likes 1 comment 1
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Not Just a Any Night

Submitted to Contest #34

Avery watches as her mom packs her bag for yet another business trip. She's gone all the time and Avery is used to it now but she still wishes her mom would stay anyway. Kaylie, Avery's little sister, swings her baby Moana doll around in the living room so wildly it's a surprise she hasn't hit anything yet. She isn't quite seven yet but her birthday is coming up in July, a fact Kaylie tells people before she even says her name. Avery's mom zips up the duffel bag and turns to hug her daughter goodbye. "I'll be back Sunday night, be good. Ther...

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YOU PLAY THE CARDS YOU'RE DEALT

Submitted to Contest #34

"Well, family, what game shall we play tonight?" Papa, as he was known by all, chimed in with this pleasant question. The group, a ragtag bunch gathered from the four corners of Granger Falls, were sitting nervously, fingers drumming on the old fashioned TV trays that sat before each one. "I know!" Papa cried out, "We'll play Old Maid!" A collective sigh arose from every throat and at this Papa glared around. "Do I take that to mean you don't wish to play?" Jason Reeves quickly spoke up. "Of course not, Papa! You know we want to play tha...

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Game Night Again .... and again.

Submitted to Contest #34

March 22/20       I sit here, listening to the tv, but not really watching it, while my family; husband, daughter, her partner and stepdaughter, all play a game.  Sequence. It’s a good game, but I’m all gamed out and we’ve only been secluded for less than a week. What on earth will I do if we have-to do this for months?      I am not a socially adept person. I’m the type of person who likes my own time. I’m quite happy read...

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Actually Having Fun

Submitted to Contest #34

The Martens were not a family who played games. A few years ago, in a moment of inspiration, Daddy had decided that they would institute a family game night every week and had spontaneously gone out and bought up the clearance section at Gnome Games. They had played each game for five minutes before moving on to the next one, and by the fifth game the meeting had degenerated into chaos. The baby, Marguerite, was eating the cards, Bethie was using the Monopoly tokens as characters in her soap opera down by the fireplace, the two little boys, ...

7 likes 7 comments 7
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