Start or end your story with someone being soothed by a hug or words of comfort.

Posted in Short Story on Jan 24, 2025

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✍️ 47 stories

“Tickled Over the Dentist” by Dave Bede

Submitted to Contest #287

April 12, 2012 “I can’t believe your mom made you invite Del Poirier!” Jen squealed from her perch on Becky’s bed as she and their friend Maddy watched Becky adorn herself with her mother’s makeup. “You think he’s ever been to a girl’s birthday party before? Or even to a girl’s house? I think he’s probably a fruit.” “Jen!” Maddy protested from the floor, where she’d been perusing Becky’s books. “The word is ‘gay’ and so what if he is? He’s a sweet kid, and a brain, too. He’s always ruining the curve in social studies.” “And in French,”...

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“Flower of Life” by Maitra Seer

Submitted to Contest #287

The Flower of Life The day started well. My mother called and told me I was off the hook. I didn’t have to show up to take her to the doctor after all. Not only that but she chose today to tell me that she appreciated my support. “I know you’re there for me, honey, even if I don’t always show it.” A great beginning. Mine. The day was mine then. Jeans and a warm sweatshirt with the Flower of Life on it, big, my favorite, perfect for --- the Zoo. There was a new baby at the Zoo – a special one – a snow leopard kitten showing to the public for ...

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“Bernie Drinks Tea” by Angela Brooks

Submitted to Contest #287

Bernie was tired after the long flight from America. His parents insisted he come with them to England to connect with their relatives, but he wanted nothing more than to stay at home and play video games. All of his friends laughed at him when he told them about the trip. “So you’ll become a limey if you’re not careful.“ laughed his friend Joe. “You will be able to meet your cousins,” said his mom when he complained about the trip. ‘They are the same age as you and you might h...

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“Tea and Company” by Jennifer Luckett

Submitted to Contest #287

“Are you OK?” The voice in Daniel’s ear was a slow trickle of honey spilled over rocks, sweet and rough. He dropped his slim brown hands, dotted with drops of bright crimson, into his lap.The woman beside him, probably old enough to be his grandmother, clutched a beige tote bag between gnarled, leathery fingers. Her swollen legs squeaked against the plastic chair, a dissonant chord in the symphony of the white tiled waiting room— the buzz of the fluorescent lights, beeping monitors, and endless pages for specialists.“Are you inju...

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“Threads of the Unseen” by Alex Marmalade

Submitted to Contest #287

Night had settled over Qīnghuā, masking the looming threat in its velvet shadows. Liàng crept through the twisted bamboo grove, heart pounding. He knew something was off—an unseen force tugged at his mind, urging him to turn back, give up, lash out. It felt like a presence clinging to his soul, but he had no words for it, only a deep, persistent dread.He clutched the stolen parchment, ink still fresh with the hidden teachings of Yēsū—a wandering sage who claimed that what lay beyond mortal sight was more real than the tangible world. Liàng h...

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“Small Comfort” by Dawn Bonnevie

Submitted to Contest #287

"Would you like some coffee?" I asked the tiny student knocking at my classroom door, showing him my warm cup held with both hands. He grinned. It worked. Of course he didn't want coffee; he was only six.I invited him in, although it was my prep time. "'Smell like coffee here," he stated bluntly, looking past me.Henry was likely missing from his own classroom. He was a runner. My mind instantly calculated the likelihood that the smell of coffee was a trigger for him. Probably not, given the smile at the offer. Simultaneously runnin...

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“Dream Traveler (or Just a Cup Dear Boy)” by Patrick Huber

Submitted to Contest #287

George wakes up next to a tree. The air is warm and the sun is bright. Not the cold winter night he left. He’s still wearing the coat for such a night. He stands and looks around. He is in a suburban area, medium coverage of trees. It’s summer or at least late spring. Could be June, my birthday’s in June, thought George. A car passes on the street, an old fossil fuel model George remarks.My God it worked!, he thinks. The car continues around the small wooded area and through an underpass by a train sta...

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“Real Love” by Sandra Moody

Submitted to Contest #287

The headlights of John’s Buick swung into the driveway at 6:30 p.m. He checked the number—207. He had heard of people who, confused, had walked straight into someone else’s identical house. He would be sure not to make that mistake. He stamped the light snow off his work boots. It had been a busy day—speed had picked up, but John’s team was efficient. House construction had been broken down into twenty-seven steps; each step required a team of men that was perfectly trained and fast. John was already manager of the stud walls—his team’s spec...

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“Until the box runs out” by Kathryn Ulrich

Submitted to Contest #287

The doorbell rings just as I am settling in to read a new book. I quickly put the book down, kick some trash under the sofa, and hurry to open the door. On my porch I find my friend, Maria, bloodshot and sopping wet. Her expression reminds me of a puppy from an animal shelter ad. “Sorry I’m so early.” She sputters, shivering. I hadn’t even realized it was raining, since I normally work remotely from inside my home. I offer her a blanket and usher her inside, assuring her it’s no problem. “Are you okay? Have you been crying?” I ask. “No, don'...

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“Everything Changes” by Cristine Burke

Submitted to Contest #287

“How can both of our children be so different from us?” Elise is nervously tapping her teaspoon against the side of her coffee cup. It makes a monotonous, tinny sound that isn’t even registering with her husband Ben, who is engrossed in something on his iPad screen. “Ben!” Elise raises her voice, “Are you even listening to me?” She glares questioningly at her husband. “I’m sorry,” Ben murmurs distractedly. “I have to get this report out this morning. What did you say?” Elise emits an exasperated sigh. This is the usual dynamic between them. ...

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“To Embrace or Not to Embrace” by Mark Madama

Submitted to Contest #287

To Embrace or Not To Embrace“Where have you been?” “I got back to town as soon as possible,” I responded to my father’s question. I’d just returned that afternoon from a cross-country trip and headed straight for the hospital. Now, sitting at the hospital next to my father’s bed, I saw a man I hardly recognized. It had been only a month since the last time I’d seen him, but I was now looking at a man whose strength and independence were gone. I watched my father struggle to pull himself up in the hospital bed, and in an unprecede...

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“Language Is Overrated” by Sarah Vickers

Submitted to Contest #287

*a few curse words and death (sensitive issues)LanguageThe very origin of communication having begun as a frustrated lot of raw primitive body language conjoined with weird grunts and clicks in order to be able to coexist with the fellow human. Just our eyes, fingers verifying to another “yes” or “no”, “that way”,” this way”. Our species developed and expanded (over many millennia and controversy, God or Darwin potato or poeTOT oh) into the fragmented masses of incomprehensible multitudes of peoples tribes and colonies t...

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