A family argument gets out of hand. Neither side will budge, requiring a mediator with unusual methods.

Posted in Short Story on Nov 22, 2024

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✍️ 49 stories

“Too-Cute Apologies” by Mary Bendickson

Submitted to Contest #278

Too-Cute Apology “Good morning, Sunshine!” Russell nudged Chrissy as she opened her eyes and started a long cat-like stretch.“Aren't you cheerful this morning? To what do you contribute such a blissful attitude?”“It is Thanksgiving Day and I have an abundance of blessings for which to be grateful. Foremost my beautiful wife and the two miracles she is carrying in her incredibly appealing hot bod!”“You mean this round beach ball I'm tumbling about on? The one that makes me extra clumsy and incapable of walking more than a few steps or incapab...

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“My Bio” by Viking Princess

Submitted to Contest #278

All the voices in my head are family, and they're always fighting.When I was a girl, I read to escape reality. I even made up adventures and conflicts in my mind. I dreamt of writing, but never did. Then I grew up and stopped reading. My imagination died with my inner child. God has ways of helping us when we don't know how to help ourselves, though, and He sent me a friend, a writer.This friend interviewed my very soul, and in the process, he made me realize I'd lost all my dreams, but he resuscitated them through hours of interrogation. Th...

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“The Sound Of Breaking Plates” by Ryan Turberville

Submitted to Contest #278

The Splintered Table The Morrison family dinner was supposed to be a celebration. Lila, the youngest, had just been accepted into her dream college, and everyone gathered to toast her success. But as the roasted chicken cooled on the table, the atmosphere turned from jubilant to acrid. It started innocently enough. Lila mentioned she was considering a major in art history, which led to her father, John, delivering one of his infamous lectures on “practical careers.” “Art history, Lila? What are you going to do with that? Become a starving ar...

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“Thanks, But No Thanks” by Murray Burns

Submitted to Contest #278

Thanks, But No Thanks“Thanksgiving at my inlaws is why God invented football on TV.”-Murray BurnsThe air temperature drops, leaves swirl around patios and swingsets in backyards, and families gather to give thanks in the tradition established in 1621 by hungry Pilgrims and charitable Native Americans of the Wampanoag Confederacy. Miles Standish and Samoset set a tone of peace and harmony that would be remembered and celebrated at dining room tables from Maine to California for years to come. Thanksgiving, the most heartwarming, feel-good day...

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“Spot” by Kendall Defoe

Submitted to Contest #278

I saw it all…A disturbing event took place at the Smith house. It was the season where the clouds and sky grew dark very early, but families that could find warmth and comfort in each other’s company were celebrating with food, drinks, television, certain video-gaming systems, and sports. Oh, the sports were always a part of the Smith family. Basketball fans turned into baseball fans; baseball fans turned into football fans; hockey was accepted as the greatest of all physical distractions, especially when they felt the cold and could underst...

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“Secret Lesbian ” by Ellise Darwind

Submitted to Contest #278

The icy chill of the winter storm bit my exposed skin as I walked home from school. I was excited because I planned to kiss my girlfriend in front of my whole family. Highschool was like a needle that was on the edge of poking me. I was so sick of my family with all their arguments on whether or not I should be put on birth control since I’m sixteen. My sister has short brown hair that is as straight as straw. She’s twelve which means my parents aren’t worried she’s going to sleep with a guy. And I have two older brothers who spend all their...

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“No Way Out” by Lily Finch

Submitted to Contest #278

"Bitch, you know that's mine.""Ha, come and get it. I dare you.""Mom left that heirloom to me, and you know it," a red-faced Marcie said inside the parlour. Filled with antiques from another time when parties were abundant, and servants abounded."Jess, why do you think you should have it anyway? You know what the will said. Hand it over.""Never. Over my dead body, will you get this off my wrist, ankle, finger, and neck!" Jess laughed, sipped her martini as she lit her cigarette, and moved her long dress to bare her knee. She sat on the sofa...

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“The Liminal Space She Finds Herself In” by Zelene McBride

Submitted to Contest #278

She took out the pill. The one that she had been holding onto for the past eight months. Somehow, she had managed to keep it safe, dry and relatively clean, this whole time. The blister pack was smushed, the silver backing was fraying but it still held. It helped that she had it in a small green pill bottle that she hid in her filthy, hole-y brassiere. She had a bottle of water, it was tap water, but it really didn’t matter, did it? And, she had a small bottle of vodka. She was trying to figure out which would be the better chaser.A loud bra...

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“The Arbitrator” by Lindsay Nicole

Submitted to Contest #278

The Whitlock family gathered in the great hall of Eleanor Whitlock’s decaying mansion, their voices bouncing off the walls like clashing cymbals. The argument was as old as the family itself: who deserved what? Who had sacrificed more? Who truly loved Eleanor? Marion, Eleanor’s eldest daughter, slammed her hands on the dining table. "Mother wanted me to have the house! I was the one who took care of her in her final days!" "You mean you drained her accounts while you pretended to care," retorted her brother, Victor. "If anyone deserves this ...

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“The Magical Mediator” by Joseph Yates

Submitted to Contest #278

In the quaint town of Maplewood, nestled among rolling hills and whispering forests, lived the Thompson family. They were well-regarded in the community for their close-knit camaraderie and warmth, effortlessly drawing others into their fold during their regular Sunday dinners. These gatherings were renowned for robust laughter, tantalizing aromas wafting from Mrs. Thompson's kitchen, and lively discussions that ranged from town gossip to grand philosophical debates. But one fateful weekend, the convivial atmosphere was replaced by tension—a...

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“The Brothers” by Lindsay Marshall

Submitted to Contest #278

“It’s mine,” Pete said as he reached for the ring. “There it is!” James said, as he extended his left hand for the ring.“Finally!” Mark said, obviously relieved, as he lunged for the jewelry box. All three brothers spoke at the same time, descending on the ring in the burgundy-colored velvet jewelry box.All three brothers, equally shocked at the claims of the others.All three brothers, ready to throw punches, if it meant that the ring would be theirs.Testosterone filled the room, which moments before, had been full of laughter ove...

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“FAMILY OF MAN FEUD” by Susan Catucci

Submitted to Contest #278

**WARNING: Religious themes**Angel and Devil Messengers had spread word throughout Heaven and Hell of an upcoming event that had been designed to determine, once and for all, the fate of the world.People on Planet Earth had been left to their own devices for long enough. The present polarization of life forms had proved disastrous. God and Satan had observed from their respective vantages and reached the same conclusion. Mortals simply could not figure things out on their own and it was time for drastic measures before Planet Earth...

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“A Fifty Year Reunion” by Leah Walker

Submitted to Contest #278

Note: this story mentions the abuse that occurred in a State institution called Junior Village and could be upsetting to some readers. Years ago our family fostered a brother and sister team in Junior Village. Junior Village was intended to be a good place where disenfranchised children could be housed until their parents could get their act together, or a relative would step up, or some family would take them in. Between 1958 and 1973, thousands of children crossed through its threshold to end up being assigned to a “cottage” and consigned ...

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“Letter from Mother Christmas” by Tempest Phoenix Smith

Submitted to Contest #278

Can you keep a secret?Once more than one person possesses a secret, the chances are less for it to stay hidden. Father Christmas himself always says that the best place to keep a secret is between your two ears. The more people that know, the greater the risk that the secret will become common knowledge. However, for a keeper of so many secrets such as myself, they often are tickling my tongue wanting to be spoken or making my fingers itch to take up a quill pen and write them down.And, really, after all these years, would anyone mind i...

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“Creature of Fear and Strife ” by Anne Athena Dura

Submitted to Contest #278

This story includes domestic violence, specifically physical abuse against a pregnant woman, and mentions of childhood trauma, depression, and suicide.“She pushed me, I’m telling you, she pushed me, and I hurt my hip. Look.” She lowered her pants to reveal the bruise on her right hip to her son.Amalia flinched at the sight of Grandma Merita’s panties. Why didn’t she just describe the bruise instead of showing it?It was a blue bruise, likely a day old, but Amalia couldn’t say for sure.“And I tripped and fell on the dresser,” Grandma Merita sa...

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A family argument gets out of hand. Neither side will budge, requiring a mediator with unusual methods.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 49 stories

“Too-Cute Apologies” by Mary Bendickson

“My Bio” by Viking Princess

“The Sound Of Breaking Plates” by Ryan Turberville

“Thanks, But No Thanks” by Murray Burns

“Spot” by Kendall Defoe

“Secret Lesbian ” by Ellise Darwind

“No Way Out” by Lily Finch

“The Liminal Space She Finds Herself In” by Zelene McBride

“The Arbitrator” by Lindsay Nicole

“The Magical Mediator” by Joseph Yates

“The Brothers” by Lindsay Marshall

“FAMILY OF MAN FEUD” by Susan Catucci

“A Fifty Year Reunion” by Leah Walker

“Letter from Mother Christmas” by Tempest Phoenix Smith

“Creature of Fear and Strife ” by Anne Athena Dura

🌟 Similar prompts

A character gets caught red-handed breaking the rules, but they refuse to admit any wrongdoing. What happens next?

An apologetic letter or email from an old flame suddenly arrives — many years too late.

A court or disciplinary hearing is taking place — but the person accused does not know what they’re apologizing for.

On their deathbed, a relative/friend/partner admits to a horrible crime. Will the narrator reveal the secret or keep it hidden?

Contest #278

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

262

Contest entries

101

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: