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Pronounced

October 7, 2019 30 Comments

Pronounced
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On June 26, 2015, the United States Supreme Court ruled same-sex marriage legal across the nation. Opponents claimed it would incite God’s judgment. They predicted earthquakes and flooding and swarms of insects.

Surprisingly, they were correct.

About everything.

Literally.

Every. Single. Thing.

(Even the fucking bugs.)

Twenty-some years later, Jillian and I stand in what’s left of her sister’s backyard. Rings exchanged. Hearts combined. Wedding dresses drenched.

“I do,” I whisper and flick away a wayward locust so I can lift her veil.

She smiles and everything was worth it.

Every. Single. Thing.

Our friends cheer. I kiss my beautiful bride.

By John Adams

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Katie says

    October 7, 2019 at 1:33 am

    Brilliant. I love this, John. Every. Single. Word.

    Reply
    • John Adams says

      October 7, 2019 at 1:39 am

      Thank you! It is a little different than my usual style, but I enjoyed writing it. Every. Single. Word. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Renee says

    October 7, 2019 at 1:35 am

    I love this! The naysayers are correct and divine judgment is wrought upon the land, and its still worth it. Fabulous. ?

    Reply
    • John Adams says

      October 7, 2019 at 1:41 am

      Yeah, it seemed like some fun satire. Thanks for reading/commenting!

      Reply
  3. Joshua Flores says

    October 7, 2019 at 2:03 am

    What? No locust juice, locust cream pie, chocolate covered locusts, and lightly salted and roasted locusts? Great story! It as it should be. Love supercedes everything. Every. Single. Thing!

    Reply
  4. Nikki D says

    October 7, 2019 at 2:18 am

    So few words but I loved every single one!

    Reply
  5. Sharon Kretschmer says

    October 7, 2019 at 2:28 am

    Wonderful story, full of emotion. Can’t believe it’s only101 words – feels so much bigger! And the repetition of every. single. thing. is perfect!

    Reply
  6. Kim Hart says

    October 7, 2019 at 2:46 am

    John this was great! ‘flick away a wayward locust’ was my favourite line. Love conquers all, even plagues and pestilence.

    Reply
  7. Sarah Nutbrown says

    October 7, 2019 at 3:59 am

    Great story, John. It’s amazing how you fitted satire, a love story, and humour in to 101 words, and it was all done so well!

    Reply
  8. Angela Teagardner says

    October 7, 2019 at 6:21 am

    Fantastic! I love everything about this.

    Reply
  9. writejosephinewrite says

    October 7, 2019 at 6:37 am

    This is gorgeous. Beautifully written and well said!

    Reply
  10. Tim G says

    October 7, 2019 at 7:53 am

    I really like this new ending that mirrors the opening. It’s a great now to tie it all up with. Still some dark humour running deep. Nice!
    Tim G

    Reply
  11. Madeleine Pelletier says

    October 7, 2019 at 8:05 am

    Love this! It says so much in so few words. Very well done!

    Reply
  12. mynachang says

    October 7, 2019 at 10:14 am

    Fantastic story. I love it!

    Reply
  13. MysticPlatypus says

    October 7, 2019 at 11:06 am

    LOL! This is awesome.

    Reply
  14. Adelaide B. Shaw says

    October 7, 2019 at 11:40 am

    Every. Single. Word. Well done!

    Reply
  15. greenelephant55 says

    October 7, 2019 at 11:44 am

    Love it!!

    Reply
  16. Holly Rae Garcia says

    October 7, 2019 at 11:46 am

    Fantastic 🙂

    Reply
  17. John Adams says

    October 7, 2019 at 11:52 pm

    Thanks, everyone, for the great feedback!

    Reply
  18. David Berger says

    October 10, 2019 at 9:00 am

    Boring

    Reply
    • redhart8 says

      October 11, 2019 at 12:11 am

      You really are a nasty person. Your comments on this and other posts are unnecessary and unappreciated.

      Reply
  19. Judith Joubert says

    October 10, 2019 at 4:20 pm

    Scary the way the literary world forces the notion that homosexuality is the new normal

    Reply
    • Kim Hart says

      October 10, 2019 at 6:53 pm

      Love is normal

      Reply
      • Karlynn says

        October 10, 2019 at 8:29 pm

        I love your story. Short yet beautiful!

        Reply
    • Tim G says

      October 10, 2019 at 7:30 pm

      There once was a lady called Judith
      Whoth mindthet was really quite prudith

      Reply
    • John Adams says

      October 10, 2019 at 7:43 pm

      Thanks for reading and replying, Judith! I know you did not care for the story, which is your right! But as someone new to being published, I’m actually quite giddy you referred to me as part of “the literary world”! Having a reader who likes my work say that about me would be lovely, but having a reader who’s critical of my work lump me into such an auspicious group is quite the compliment indeed!

      Feedback like that will keep me writing, submitting, and publishing inclusive literature for years to come! ??

      – John (tearing down the “old normal” with words) Adams

      Reply
      • Lisa Verdekal says

        October 10, 2019 at 7:46 pm

        Not a bad ol reply

        Reply
  20. Lisa Verdekal says

    October 10, 2019 at 7:41 pm

    I agree with everyone except two.

    Reply
  21. Jen Towery says

    October 10, 2019 at 7:43 pm

    Awwwweee! Had no idea where you were going – and it was better than I could have hoped for. Please write more.

    Reply
  22. Lin Morris says

    October 10, 2019 at 9:51 pm

    So excellent that reading it just turned me gay!
    I. Feel. Fabulous!
    (Okay, full disclosure, I was already gay. But if I weren’t, this story would do the trick!)

    Reply

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