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The Reeds

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A runaway canoe crashes into a mysterious marsh, leaving Mim and her two teenagers stranded. But what they discover there trips them out more...

While Kelsey helps her mom repair the cracked vessel, Rayden wanders off, as if tranced. Something warm and welcoming has summoned him into the stalks, and he doesn't know why. But when he gets there, he can't believe his eyes, or emotions! Why was he privileged to behold such a sight?

When Kelsey catches up to Ray, the beautiful phenomenon fills her with awe!
Running back to the inlet, Ray tries explaining it all to Mim, but she doesn't quite fall for his tale. Kelsey starts to have doubts too, even though she's her brother's sole witness. Can they convince their mother, and themselves, that what they encountered is real?

What exactly is happening ... in the reeds?
An uplifting supernatural mystery.

46 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 13, 2022

13 people want to read

About the author

Chele Pedersen Smith

19 books158 followers
Chele {Shell} is in love with love, mysteries, spirituality and time twists, and because "life's a sitcom," she is a sucker for comedies. She loves adding humor and mystery to any situation and genre.

She enjoys the wild ride of writing "off the cuff," not knowing exactly where the 'what ifs" will take her. You'll often find her nestled in the breakfast nook overlooking a woodsy Massachusetts view with her golden retriever and a mug of decaf-- if it's not waiting under the brewer for hours, forgotten as usual. Add snow and writing chocolate: Perfect!

When not immersed in imaginary characters, Chele is a pharmacy technician and college writing tutor. She loves going to movies and plays, traveling to new places, and thinks any day is Taco Tuesday.

Besides mystery and romance, she writes contemporary and speculative fiction, short stories, poems, and spiritual fiction and nonfiction.
In the works are several romantic comedies, and a sequel to Behind Frenemy Lines.


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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
223 reviews9 followers
November 23, 2023
The Reeds

The Reeds is a delightful story of a Mother and her two teenage children, Ray and Kelsey on a canoe ride. The children's Grandparents are recently deceased and the canoe trip is a way of paying homage to the free life style of their hippie Grandparents. After their canoe is grounded, Ray makes an amazing discovery which he shares with his sister. Read this book to discover what the children find and how it has an impact on their past and how it changes their attitude towards their Grandparents.
Profile Image for Patti Procopi.
Author 7 books66 followers
May 28, 2025
This story made me sad but happy. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could see our loved-ones one more time. To know that they were happy. To know some of the things we did and said were forgiven. Sweet.
Profile Image for Fizza.
Author 38 books40 followers
September 17, 2022
A beautiful story!

It's such a sweet and heartfelt story about grief, healing, and growing as a family. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this short and quick book. I loved how the twins interacted with each other and their Mom. The story is both spiritual and rooted in reality. Overall, it is an interesting read.
Profile Image for Renee Simmons.
517 reviews59 followers
August 25, 2023
This is such a sweet short story of family, love, and home. When Mim and her teenage twins Ray and Kelsey decide to take the canoe down the river to pay homage to Mim’s parents and the twins grandparents who have passed away. On the way their Mom tells them of her childhood and how the lived off the land and raised bees to barter the honey with the others to get what they needed, until they were licked off the land.
All of a sudden, the canoe starts floating to a place they don’t recognize and they can’t control it. When it crashes,
and they get out to inspect the damage, Ray is drawn to the reeds, deeper and deeper into the marsh. What he finds is surely a figment of his imagination, until his sister comes to find him and she sees the same thing. They know their Mom would love to see it, but when they returned…there is nothing. Was it all a dream? What can they do to convince their Mom that they are telling the truth. And what did it all mean? What really happened in THE REEDS
Profile Image for Nancie Blume.
659 reviews11 followers
November 21, 2024
Very heartfelt

Chele has such a great imagination that she can make you feel as if you're really there in her stories and see the orbs of light as human fireflies, and makes the reader visualize their loved ones who have passed onto other realms of life, even just for the reason it makes us feel more at peace thinking of them this way ...was very heartfelt and definitely brought a smile to my face during this short read😊
Profile Image for Elaine .
1,041 reviews64 followers
July 29, 2024
A sweet story a

Mom two kids a short day trip encounter things no one could imagine.
But definitely a learning experience.

What lays in the reeds, a wonderful
Experience, for some.
Just a very enjoyable read.

I also enjoyed the authors
Parting words..

If you enjoy short story's
Books about ghost and more this one is perfect in my eyes.
Author 8 books9 followers
May 10, 2025
A story with a supernatural twist
A mother takes her somewhat reluctant twins on a trip into the countryside but the outing evolves into something far more extraordinary than the nostalgic outing she envisages. Beautifully told, The Reeds is a captivating, heartwarming tale. I shall certainly be reading more of this author’s work.
Profile Image for Denise Larkin.
Author 29 books13 followers
November 15, 2022
The Reeds drew me in from the beginning with an enlightening story about grief and losing family members. I found this story wonderfully enjoyable about a family out for the day when they discover something amazing in the reeds. An amazing, sweet comforting story that I really enjoyed reading.
Profile Image for Shalene Marie.
Author 15 books111 followers
July 3, 2024
A mother and her twin children take a canoe ride. And their lives will never be the same again.
It’s fun, it’s interesting, it’s mysterious, it hits home. And it’s a short read if you’re looking for something quick.
I suggest you take this journey, into The Reeds
Profile Image for Tracy Fritts.
1,478 reviews36 followers
September 18, 2022
Good read!!

I truly enjoyed this story. It's a very insightful and interesting. It has a good storyline. I thought it was well written. It kept my interest through out the story.
Profile Image for Colleen.
330 reviews3 followers
October 25, 2023
Something Nice

I have always loved short stories and this as one is perfect. The characters are believable, plus the dialog is great. A lovely way to spend a half hour.
Profile Image for T.
363 reviews14 followers
June 9, 2024
Touching

I believe anyone who’s lost a loved one who love an experience like this one. It’s touching and sweet. Very good.
Profile Image for Graceli Kaye.
Author 8 books35 followers
October 5, 2024
Perfect little ghost story

I loved this short story that managed to bring the feels and give closure and hope to this family left behind in the living world
Profile Image for Beatrice Followill.
1,623 reviews41 followers
June 12, 2024
A Sweet emotional short story of a mom and her two kids on a spiritual quest . I really enjoyed the surprise visit and the meaning you take away from it .I was smiling the whole time , a feel good read .
44 reviews7 followers
September 9, 2023
Such a good story about what two teenagers find in the reeds. It would be awesome if this could happen to me and my dad!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews

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