In The Reflection: A Short Story

By Melanie Schatzel, M.Ed.

Creative Christian short story author, Melanie Schatzel, M.Ed. has once-again returned to complete the complimentary story to her short story, "The Venetian Vase".

"In The Reflection" is about a teenage boy named Caleb. Caleb is on the Autism spectrum. He is delaying his participation in a church-encouraged service project that his mother has volunteered him and his older brother, Cade for. For most of the setting, readers are in the mind of Caleb, who is standing in front of the bathroom mirror, with the door open, analyzing every feature of his body that he can see. He works from his hair, down to his toes, and only finds a few things about himself that he actually likes. Then, his brother, Cade comes up behind him to state that he and their mom have been waiting in the truck for Caleb.

Cade leaned against the door frame, “What is going on? Why are you standing here with that look of disgust on your face?”

Caleb sighed, “You would not understand if I shared my thoughts with you; thus, that would be even a greater waste of time than asking you to iron your clothes before going on an outdoor, labor-intensive service project.”

“Try me,” Cade asserted.

What follows is a tender exchange between two brothers who know each other well enough to accept that things may be different between them, but they each have something so special that being unique is something to accept.

"In the Reflection" is short, delicate, and as powerful as "The Venetian Vase". Melanie once again explores relationships and the metacognition of one who discovers they differ for a very important reason.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Apr 26, 2024
• ISBN: 9781304463999

Book preview

In The Reflection

By

Melanie Schatzel, M.Ed.

Copyright

In The Reflection: A Short Story

First Edition

Copyright © 2024 Melanie Schatzel, M.Ed.

All Rights Reserved

ISBN:  978-1-304-46399-9

This is a story of fiction.  All characters and descriptions are in way to be considered true representations of any one person. The events contained herein are for the purpose of spiritual awareness and are not intended to be offensive or contention but of a message of faith, and hope.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Dedication

This short story is dedicated to my son Taylor. 

He has an eye for things that man cannot see.  A heart for things most cannot bear.  A touch that is soft and sweet.  And ears that hear what is often unheard.

Introduction

Often, when I am writing, I reflect on certain traits or characteristics of my four boys to help me prepare for the building of a character that is male.  I then, if the character is an adult male, consider all the characteristics I would enjoy discovering in a male of influence, like a husband, a father, a teacher, a counselor, a janitor.  The type of man who takes it upon himself to work in a profession that exposes him to children in a respectful way, but also makes him a type of intentional, or unintentional, role model.  Because, In the Reflection, is about a