Reflections in a Stream

By Carrie Ives

The passing of time, like water in a stream, can shatter a reflection into a myriad of sparkling shards. Each of these stories contains a tiny reflection of my life built into a fantasy world. It is my hope that in each piece, you find a bit of your own reflection staring back at you.

"Challenges" – A young, unwed mother still dreams of her future in space exploration until the explosion of the Challenger brought her dreams crashing down around her.

"Changes" – Times are changing and Chery is excited about having a chance at a new job in a Las Vegas casino. James, however, doesn't feel the same excitement. Can he find a way to dial back his beat cop's apprehension about her taking a job now that the kids are almost grown?

"Lightning Louise" – Tommy had the world in the palm of his hand. He had a fast car, a pretty girl, and the freedom of youth. But there's always a price to pay for playing fast and loose, and sometimes it's killer curves.

"Silent Secrets" – Captain Dan Sikorski and his brother James were constant rivals, each seeking to impress their Admiral father with bigger and better accolades. But when Dan discovers something in the Baltic Sea, his driving need to out do his brother might cost him his life and the lives of his crew.

"Target Acquired" – Natasia lives her life on the edge of danger. Each job is more money, but always more risk. She knows it can't last forever, but she has a plan. If she can pull off this one last job, then just maybe she can retire.

"The Frayed Rope" - Private Riker’s first mission into the desert was a simple security sweep, until the Lieutenant caught a bullet in the shoulder. When the shooting started two streets over, they had to find a way out.

"Winter Days" – Have you ever had one of those days where everything seems just too good to be true? The kind where you're just waiting for the coffee on your white suit, the flat tire on your car, or the elevator to get stuck between floors again? Me too. So, I offer you a taste, a sensory tsunami, of a few simple hours that predicate my workday. Appreciate the small things, for they are what make our lives rich.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Carrie Ives
• Release date: Aug 26, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370932986

Carrie Ives

Carrie Ives is an avid writer, photographer and reader. She enjoys fiction, science fiction and fantasy and finds much of her inspiration in the pictures that she takes of the world around her. More at home behind, than in front of the camera, it must be said that very few pictures of this camera shy artist are available, but she is more than happy to share her photographic view of the world instead.When she isn’t writing or taking pictures, she works as an income tax preparer and a blackjack dealer at one of Harrah's properties in western North Carolina. Her written accolades include a piece of flash fiction in the May-June issue of the e-magazine Down in the Dirt and a 15-year stint as a creative writer and regular contributor to a Star Trek based fan fiction website, USS AUDACIOUS 60650.Carrie doesn’t just dream in the vivid, living colors of her fantasy worlds; she is married to a Leprechaun and has three fairy daughters with four brave princes and one enchanting princess for grandchildren. Friends and family make up the spice of life, so drop her a line at [e-mail]. Or just stop by the toadstool for a cup of tea, the caterpillar will let you in.

Book preview

Reflections in a Stream

By Carrie Ives

Copyright 2013 Carrie Ives

Smashwords Edition

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Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Table Of Contents

About this collection

Challenges

Changes

Lightning Louise

Silent Secrets

Target Acquired

The Frayed Rope

Winter Days

About the Author

About this Collection

This collection of short stories was developed through my coursework at Full Sail University. Writers are always told to ‘write what you know’ and what do any of us know better than our own reflection? But the passage of time, like water in stream, can shatter a reflection into a myriad of sparkling pieces scattered across the landscape. Each of these stories contain a tiny reflection of my life built into a fantasy world. It is my hope that within each piece, you will find a bit of your own reflection staring back at you.

Enjoy!

For my Family, blood and not.

Challenges

January 28th, 1986 was my lesson in irony. For 34 days I celebrated life. Tiny fingers clutched mine. Rosebud lips tugged at my breast. Bright blue eyes examined the world from a soft pink blanket.

The sun warmed my back through the sliding glass doors