Archive for contemporary – Page 2

The Empty House

Another story from the archives! This is an early story, written during my college career as a writing club challenge. Besides being based on a piece of music (if I remember correctly), I was also supposed to make it “not fantasy.” Er…not sure I managed that, except in a technical…

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The Everlasting Bride

Alice sat in one of the narrow stone paths that ran between the flower beds at Gene Stratton-Porter, staring at a bee busy within the center of a large pink flower. She should not have sat in the middle of the path; she wouldn’t be able to get up again….

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Caught Up

The colors rose into the sky, red and yellow and green, up and up, where they fluttered like the petals of flowers in a field of blue and white. The wind tugged at the fabric of the kite and snapped its tail in wild gyrations. The kite, in turn, pulled…

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The Alley

Ashlyn forced a smile and glanced at the clock. Her current customer had wandered in, dirty, ordered a coffee, and proceeded to relate his life story–for the last forty-five minutes. So when the bell tied to the glass door rang, Ashlyn welcomed the distraction. It was one of her regulars,…

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The White Expanse

Mollie stepped out into the winter cold and started walking. The snow crunched beneath her boots and thin flurries swept up at her balaclava. Her gloves were thin but if she curled her fingers into her palms, they kept warm enough. Her snug house slid behind, her husband getting ready…

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Ring the Bell

Bitter wind slashed me as I opened the car door. I struggled out into the tempest and slammed the door behind me. Wind and snow struck my face; for a moment I couldn’t breathe. Blinking, I made out the general form of Wal-mart, lowered my head, and shuffled forward, wary…

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Turkey Sandwich

David opened the fridge door. With a flicker, the light inside died. David stared at the dark interior for a moment, then laughed, before pulling out the package of sliced turkey and a slice of processed cheese. Not much else was in the fridge: a half-bottle of ketchup, some shriveled…

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Introducing “Trudy”

I’ve a new short story for you all, but I’d like to share a bit about its genesis and evolution first. (If you don’t care about all that, skip to the end.) Back when The Unremarkable Squire came out, I had a short-lived deal going: submit a review for the book…

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Ham-let

It’s almost seven and the grandstand’s filling up fast. I’ve never been on this side of the fence, looking up at the crowd. Joe is next to me, elbowing Brad and saying something about Bethany that makes my face burn. I’d never say it myself, but she does look good…

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The Honor Students

Meredith checked her watch. The end-of-year program was proceeding at a brisk pace. At her son’s old elementary school, they had given out awards for every subject, awards for reading a certain number of books, certificates for science fair and spelling bee and geography night, ribbons for good citizenship and…

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Good Books

The bookstore is empty. I drink my Pepsi and pretend to work at the computer, the shelves full of unread books. What I really do is browse Pinterest. I might see one customer the rest of the day, maybe two. You know what makes me mad? People don’t read anymore….

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Happily Ever After

“…And with the Lord Grigory’s army defeated, the land of Netherfield was freed from the curse of fog and forgetfulness. Prince Henry arose, discarding his broken sword, and seeing the maid Kerra there, took her by the hand and lifted her up. The sun was dawning, and Henry and Kerra…

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