Cindy Calder

Author on Reedsy Prompts since May, 2021

Stories (75)

75 Stories

1714 karma pts

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“Heikel ” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #269

I don’t really know why I gravitated to the old, dilapidated trunk that afternoon while wandering amidst the many vendors’ galleries at the antique store, but I did. It was as though I was compelled, drawn to it for reasons unknown. I remember running my fingers over it, feeling the raised ridges of peeling paint as I gingerly lifting the faded, damaged lid. From what I could see, it held an assortment of old clothing, costume jewelry, books, and other personal items. It was an intriguing mix of unknown treasures, and I was sure there'd be s...

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“The Goblin” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #269

Every night at midnight, the purple clouds appeared in the blushing sky. With their arrival, pink flower petals fell from their depths for a solid hour each night. With the petals came a knowledge of things beyond the average person’s ken, but such was not the case with Aoife. Even though she was sixty-six, she awaited the petals each night for she knew they held the power to change her life. This evening was no different. From the bedroom window, Aoife could hear the chirping of crickets and the see the pink petals floating across dew-fille...

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“The Handkerchief ” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #269

“We have all the time in the world,” Zelda said, reaching across the space betwixt herself and her fiancé. She lovingly caressed his forearm in an attempt to assure that his despondency was due to nothing more than the gloomy weather that filled the streets of Paris that rainy day. “We have all the time in the world to go all the places and see all the things your heart desires, Jacques. In a month we’ll be married and living together right here in this lovely Parisian apartment. Life is young. We are on the precipice of so many possibilitie...

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“Lavender and Mystery” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #267

There was a distinct, frosty chill in the fall evening as Abigail made her way to the small Italian restaurant, La Pasta. The rustic, multi-colored leaves whispered in the breeze, blowing and scattering along the path as black heels clicked methodically with each step taken on the narrow sidewalk. Reaching up, she attempted to tame loose wisps of russet-colored hair flying about her face, but it was futile. Thick, lustrous curls had a mind of their own, and there was no luck to be had with escaping gusts of wind which lent it new l...

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“Gabriele” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #267

If walls could talk, oh but what tall tales they could tell. Well, strictly speaking, being a prominent wall in the quaint little Trattoria, or Ristorante Italiano, where I am housed definitely has its interesting facets. I mean, I’m an attractive sort of wall: a dusky rose stucco one with lots of elaborate, colorful Italian pottery adorning me. I don’t like to brag, but I’m probably the best looking wall within miles of Florence, and I take great pride in my appearance. Still, no one really seems to notice me, the perfectly poised...

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“Gabriele” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #267

If walls could talk, oh but what tall tales they could tell. Well, strictly speaking, being a prominent wall in the quaint little Trattoria, or Ristorante Italiano, where I am housed definitely has its interesting facets. I mean, I’m an attractive sort of wall: a dusky rose stucco one with lots of elaborate, colorful Italian pottery adorning me. I don’t like to brag, but I’m probably the best looking wall within miles of Florence, and I take great pride in my appearance. Still, no one really seems to notice me, the perfectly poised...

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“Shattered ” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #252

Warning: this story contains fictionalized accounts of death and mental anguish.The room was dimly lit, befitting the seriousness of the situation. Isabelle lay on the bed, her arm stretched across her eyes in an attempt to shield herself from the brutal force of reality. It was deathly silent except for the sound of her own heartbeat reverberating like thunder in her ears. Occasionally, a muffled sob issued forth, its owner attempting unsuccessfully to submerge the emotions embodied in his cloaked cry.Archer. She loved the man dearly - near...

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“The Wise Goblin” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #252

Every night at midnight, the purple clouds appeared in the blushing sky. With their arrival, pink flower petals fell from their depths for a solid hour each night. With the rain came a knowledge of things beyond the average person’s ken, but such was not the case with Aoife. Even though she was sixty-four, she awaited the rain each night for she knew it held mystery and power able to change her life. This evening was no different. From the bedroom window, Aoife could hear the chirping of crickets and the see the pink petals floating across d...

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“The Earring and the Gypsy Ghost ” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #239

How can I find the words to describe it? It was infinitely worth millions, an enlightenment in an otherwise ordinary world. It was an escape into fantasy, an abundance of memories derived from the unimaginable realm of another reality. Thus, my unexpected journey began. It was an ordinary night, like any other, but unusually dark and eerily quiet with an ominous foreboding of the otherworldly. My mistress slept in her antique bed. Only the smallest sliver of moonlight escaped through the blinds, illuminating the room. Unable to sleep,...

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“The Goblin” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #239

Every night at midnight, the purple clouds appeared in the blushing sky. With their arrival, pink flower petals fell from their depths for a solid hour each night. With the rain came a knowledge of things beyond the average person’s ken, but such was not the case with Aoife. Even though she was sixty-four, she awaited the rain each night for she knew it held mystery and power able to change her life. This evening was no different. From the bedroom window, Aoife could hear the chirping of crickets and the see the pink petals floating acros...

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“The Death of Appearances” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #234

“We have all the time in the world,” Zelda said, reaching across the space betwixt herself and her fiancé. She lovingly caressed his forearm in an attempt to assure that his despondency was due to nothing more than the gloomy weather that filled the streets of Paris that rainy day.“We have all the time in the world to go all the places and see all the things your heart desires, Jacques. In a month we’ll be married and living together right here in this lovely Parisian apartment. Life is young. We are on the precipice of so many possibilities...

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“From the Shadows” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #169

Adrienne stepped onto the veranda. It was an unseasonably warm evening in February, and she needed to catch the breeze that came off the water. She had not yet danced, but her face behind the mask was still finely misted with perspiration, and she could feel small rivulets of the same running down between her breasts beneath the heavy eighteenth century costume dress she’d chosen to wear this evening.The masquerade ball was hosted by her eccentric but good friend, Angelique, tonight in honor of Fat Tuesday or the conclusion of Mardi Gras. Ad...

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“Heather of the Moors” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #154

Her name was Heather, like the heather that was scattered endlessly across the beautiful moors.The moors of Dartmoor called to Heather, both in her waking hours and in her dreams. They beckoned as she slept in the comfortable bed that had once belonged to her parents, and each morning as she awoke, the smell of heather along with a fine mist seemed to permeate the room. She knew well enough, however, that these things were merely the remnants of her dreams that lingered so.Born in 1928, Heather had been named for the purple, flowering plant ...

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“Heikel” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #154

I don’t really know why I gravitated to the old, dilapidated trunk in the antique store that afternoon while wandering amidst the many vendors’ galleries, but I did. I was compelled and drawn to the old piece of furniture for reasons unbeknownst to me. I remember running my fingers over it, feeling the raised ridges of peeling paint before I lifted the faded, damaged lid. From what I could see at the time, it held an assortment of old clothing, costume jewelry, books, and other such items. It was an intriguing assortment of unknown treasures...

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“Tesoro Mio (My Treasure)” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #149

It was five-thirty in the afternoon on a Thursday, and Zelda was seated at a café in Florence that overlooked the picturesque Piazza Duomo. The Café Florian had become a norm in her everyday existence during the last year she had lived in Florence. Upon finishing work for the day, she would always stop by the small café to enjoy the beauty of the piazza where she could unwind and watch the diversity of people as she indulged in a rich caffè latte. She had come to cherish the time at the café, but she also looked forward to seeing Mateo each ...

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Author bio

From Charleston, SC. "I am still learning." Michelangelo