Cindy Calder

Author on Reedsy Prompts since May, 2021

Stories (57)

57 Stories

1234 karma pts

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“The Allure of the Forbidden” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #103

Valora was tired and more than ready for bed this evening. It had been a long day, and she was looking forward to the comfort of her soft mattress with its fresh, sun-drenched linens and plumped up puffy pillows. As she perched herself on the edge of her bed, she picked up the old, discolored photograph that she’d found in the antique shop earlier that day. She didn’t know why, but it had held a fascination for her, and she’d impulsively purchased it. She slowly turned the photograph over and read the inscri...

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“Rising Like a Phoenix” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #103

In the late afternoon each day, Tessa walked the cliffs of Cornwall, looking out upon the vast ocean as she awaited the return of her beloved sea captain. The Trevose Head Lighthouse stood at the ready, able to provide guidance to any incoming ship out on the seas. It had been over a year since she’d seen The Sappho draw near, but she held steadfast to hope as she waited, walking amidst the flower encrusted cliffs high above the lapping ocean’s waves, ever ready to see the sign for which she waited daily t...

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“Heather of the Moors” by Cindy Calder

Submitted to Contest #103

Her name was Heather, like the heather that was scattered endlessly across the moors.The moors of Dartmoor called to her, both in her waking hours and her dreams. Each night 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 and a fine mist seemed to permeate the room, although she knew well enough that it was merely the remnants of dreams that lingered so.Born in the year of 1928, Heather had been named f...

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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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Author bio

From Charleston, SC.