Michelle Smith

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Sep, 2024

Stories (7)

7 Stories

22 karma pts

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“Where Shadows Rest” by Michelle Smith

The crisp autumn leaves, wet with dew, fell one by one from the oak and hawthorn trees, leaving a confetti of yellow, orange and brown leaves on the moist ground. Paul could feel the spirit of adventure in his bones, just calling him and his small band of friends to the wild woodlands behind his home. Paul had always wanted to go explore the woods, but a part of him was afraid to. Little did he know, however, that on this cool autumn day, he would find out that there were other things besides getting lost to fear. A small rowdy group of pret...

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“Midnight” by Michelle Smith

It was an average day at work: a morning rush, a slow dwindle towards lunchtime, and then another peak of impatient customers in the afternoon. When Paula went to her locker to get her things and head home for the day, she found a peculiar little card inside. “I wonder what this is.” Paula opened the black envelope right there, finding a little card that simply said in bold letters on the front: YOU HAVE BEEN INVITED She flipped the card over to reveal more: THURSDAY 7PM AT THE BACK OF ROARING LION PUB THIS IS A SECRET MEETING - DO NOT SHARE...

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“Skeeter Landing” by Michelle Smith

It was the summer of twenty-thirteen and my family decided to go on a wild road trip across the country from Southern California to North Alabama. I had never been to Alabama before, unlike my parents and brother, but thought I knew enough about the place to be somewhat prepared. The entire ride there was exhausting, but nothing like the settling in part. Our first stop in Alabama: Waterloo, population: one hundred eighty-three, elevation: one hundred forty-two meters, on the border of Tennessee and Mississippi, built on the edge of th...

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“A Chance of a Lifetime” by Michelle Smith

Gladys lay in her bed covered with crocheted blankets she had made over the years. The freezing air in her room made her feel as though she lived in the Arctic. The days had grown dull, and Gladys only longed for the days when her grown son, Chris, would come visit with his son and two daughters. She was grateful to still have family around to visit her since it had been three years since her husband passed. There was a part of her that still felt empty. She couldn't place it. Gladys hugged her little crochet cat with a soft tummy that she l...

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“A Recipe for Perseverance” by Michelle Smith

Dillard, exasperated at the notification of another job application declined, slammed his mouse down on his cluttered desk where various forms of his resume and cover letters lay stacked. He went to a four-year college hoping to beat the odds with his degree, only to find himself tormented by an endless job search where he was overqualified for most positions in his field of study. Dillard’s eyes were glazed over from staring at his computer screen, and his heart was heavy like a rock, as he noticed colleagues and friends were thriving...

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“Melody” by Michelle Smith

Content Warning: This story contains themes of adoption and explores the emotional complexities of a mother giving up her child. Caroline stared at a little box that sat on a shelf surrounded by little trinkets and stuffed animals. Her heart almost skipped a beat every time she came to this shelf, and would look at the mementos before her, a painful reminder of a time in her life. Every so often she reminisced on a decision she made thirty years ago. She would ponder what could've been, if only she was stronger. That little box haunt...

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“Claimed” by Michelle Smith

Submitted to Contest #268

Content Warning: This story addresses sensitive topics such as mental health struggles, trauma, post-partum depression, and medical complications related to premature birth. Didi Godfrey's life felt like a tornado of indifference and longing. At 25, she was stuck in a rut, feeling older than she was, but without any of the perks - a successful career, a significant other, or even a sense of purpose. The black sheep of her family, she'd moved to an unfamiliar town to be closer to her parents, but instead found herself more isolated t...

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Author bio

I write emotionally-driven fiction that explores themes of identity, motherhood, and the complexities of human relationships. My stories often focus on characters navigating pivotal life moments, reflecting on decisions that shape their lives. I'm passionate about creating narratives that invite readers to explore the inner workings of the heart and mind.