Cindy Calder

Author on Reedsy Prompts since May, 2021

Stories (54)

54 Stories

1228 karma pts

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“Christmas of 1910” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #102

“Yes, Lizzie? What was that, dear?” Lizzie’s ninety-two old grandmother, Sarah Lois, looked up at her granddaughter and asked as she sat rocking before the warmth of the fire. Her gnarled, arthritic hands were busily at work on an afghan that was to be a wedding present for Lizzie’s older sister, Suzanne, who was to be married in the spring. “Please, Grandmomma, tell us the story. You know how much we love to hear it!” Lizzie begged, her blue eyes full of anticipation. Her grandmot...

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“The Gift” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #102

“To err is human; to forgive, divine.” – Alexander PopeThe desire for revenge is a built-in facet of human nature, and science leads us to the conclusion that the capacity for forgiveness, like the desire for revenge, may be yet another facet of human nature. Forgiveness and the lack of forgiveness can be akin to a double-edged sword, and each cuts thus. If one does not forgive, it only serves to eat away at the soul, like a stonecutter’s hammer and chisel, slowly chipping away at the large slab of...

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“A Twist of Time ” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #99

The day was a formidable one at best with the downpour of rain and the occasional streaks of lighting that stretched across the expanse of the skies as well as the ominous rolls of thunder. Looking out the large window that practically covered the entire wall of one side of the den, Piper yawned and relaxed, sinking deeper into the cushions of the comfy sofa, the book she was reading perched on her chest. It was such a dreary day that she could not help feeling sleepy yet again even though she’d slept later than usual that morning.

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“Eternal City” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #99

I’d finally done it, and my heart was bursting with emotions to which I could not lay a name. My nearly lifelong dream had manifested into a reality. And what a wonderful, amazing, and unforgettable reality! I had waited years for it, and it had not disappointed in the least. It was just as I’d always known it would be and had been more fulfilling than anything imaginable – save giving birth to two children – in my lifetime.It was nearly sunset, and I sat drinking a glass of Tuscan Merlot on the outside patio of 

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“Enduring ” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #99

Greta felt the sun on her face and the wind in her hair during the long drive to the coast. Having the top down on the old Mercedes sports convertible was heavenly, especially this time of year. There was little that could beat it on any given day. The scenery of North Yorkshire that stretched before her on the winding road was stunning, soothing and filling her restless soul with rolling hills and a lengthy highway leading her to her beloved seashore.Greta had been making this annual trip for twenty-nine years and looke...

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“The Dream” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #98

It was a normal day when Zoe awoke. She got up, brushed her teeth, showered, and dressed for work as usual. Before heading out the door of her loft apartment, she stopped in the small kitchen to enjoy a cup of coffee and a piece of buttered toast. It was while she was sipping her coffee that she remembered the dream.The previous night, as she slept, she’d had a dream that she now suddenly and in crystal clear detail recalled. She straightened where she stood as chills moved down the length of her spine. How ...

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“A River of Fortune” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #98

Amelia had lived on the river as long as she could remember. The home had been her great-grandfather’s home before it had become her grandfather’s and then eventually passed down to her father. Now it was her home, and the love she felt for it was immeasurable. Not only was there a sentimentality in the home itself, there was a depth of calmness and reassurance from the surging, winding river that ran past it and far beyond, providing a serenity as well as sustenance from its waters for all who resided therein.<...

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“Unexpected Joy” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #98

Poppy stood outside in the moonlight, shivering a bit at the unexpected cold of the late summer weather. Pulling her shawl more tightly around her shoulders, she stared into the stone cottage before her, hidden where she stood behind the massive oak tree, its heavy branches masking her image. How she longed to enter and see the people who resided therein – how much she missed them - but she knew she could not go inside. No, she could never return home. Despite the fact that things had now turned around completely for her, and she had ...

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“The Larger of Two Gifts” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #97

Shelby stood at the counter, glancing around at the small number of patrons in the jewelry store. They were completely oblivious of her, but she felt like she stood out like a fish out of water. This was not a store she frequented nor did she own any similar items such as the ones displayed in the shining, crystal clear cases. Except for the ring, of course. That enormous, beautiful diamond ring she had shown the jeweler when she came in was all hers.As she waited, she nervously tugged at a strand of hair, repeatedly twi...

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“The Allure of Moonlight” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #97

Valora was more than ready for bed. It had been a long, yet productive day, and she was exhausted, looking forward to the comfort of her soft mattress with its fresh, sun soaked linens, and plumped up puffy pillows. Sinking into the mattress and pulling the covers up to her chin, she turned off the bedside lamp and relaxed onto her back, watching the repeated spin of the fan as it twirled on the ceiling above her bed. She had just closed her eyes and was about to drift off to sleep, when she heard it: the fa...

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“A Family of Elephants” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #97

Sophie loved exploring, and today, she was making her way through brush and forest to find new places that remained yet unknown and undiscovered by her. Her best friend, Abby, had ditched her in favor of shopping with her Mother, but Sophie much preferred trekking through the woods any day to picking out a new outfit to wear.As she topped a hill, Sophie saw a small house that she had never spotted during her travels in the woods, situated just inside a large copse of trees. Perhaps the massive oaks and tall pine trees wi...

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“Love's Eternal Hope” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #97

It was well past midnight. Pushing at stray curls falling about her oval face, Tessa rose with the intention of taking the candle and heading upstairs to bed. However, as she passed the big window beside the door, she paused to look out into the darkness that loomed ahead across the meadows. In the far distance, a lone light flickered, seeming to beckon her. Her heart skipped a beat as she realized that it glimmered ...

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“The Visitor” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #96

Humans and spirits can be strangers. However, they can also become friends of a unique, special sort in lieu of the often misconstrued enemies at battle. Herein is the story of a human who reaches beyond the spiritual veil to become a friend to a spirit – or a stranger – who is very much in need. Meagan had known ever since she’d moved into the new house one week earlier that she wasn’t alone. Yes, it was a very old house, and yes, she was an empath. She not only picked up on the emotions of liv...

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“The Legacy” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #96

Greta walked toward the guest room and hesitated at its door. The door was closed and had remained so for well over a month now. Hesitantly, but deliberately, she opened the wooden door slowly to reveal nothing inside the room but the clean line of several pieces of furniture. There was no warmth in lovely draperies and coverings, tossed pillows, or hung pictures to add an allure to the vacant room. Gingerly, she took a small step and lingered on the threshold.It had been a month since Catherine’s passing. N...

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“Magnificent Blue” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #95

She stood in front of the two doors, not knowing which one to choose and enter. Her mind was screaming for her to pick the brightly colored chartreuse green one on the right, but her heart was inclined to the bold, cobalt blue door to the left. Biting her lip in indecision, she hesitated, sweat forming on her brow. Her pulse beat rapidly within her chest and her hands clenched so hard, she could feel the nails tearing into the skin of her palms.Abruptly, she awoke, the sweat on her brow and the rapid heartbeat a very rea...

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Author bio

From Charleston, SC.