Bianca J. Cook 
Country music icon Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80, her family confirmed on Tuesday. Her nephew, Brian Seaver, revealed the sad news in a video on social media. “My name is Brin Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, … Read more
Pinned Against The Cold Iron Gate The spotted deer lay pressed against the muddy gravel, its neck wedged tightly between two vertical black iron fence bars. Rain poured over its wet coat as it rested on its side, unable to pull its antlers or shoulders backward through the narrow gap. Headlights cut through the mist … Read more
A Confrontation in Row One The flight attendant pointed her index finger straight at the seated passenger’s face. Her knuckles turned white as she leaned over the wide leather armrest. “Get out of this seat,” she demanded, scanning the worn denim and fraying fabric covering the older man’s frame. The man rested his calloused hands … Read more
An Old Soldier On A Cold Wooden Bench Robert cupped his weathered hands around a thin paper coffee cup, his shoulders hunched inside a torn, faded camouflage field jacket. An American flag patch clung to the worn fabric over his chest as his fingers tightened against the cardboard. He was nineteen years old when the … Read more
Turned Away On A Rain-Slicked Sidewalk An elderly man clutching a thin black plastic bag stood on the wet city sidewalk as rain drizzled over his frayed shirt. Droplets gathered on his long white beard as he extended a hand toward a passerby wearing a tailored dark suit. “Could you help me with something to … Read more
A Cry For Help On The Sidewalk A man dressed in a dark suit sat on the concrete sidewalk, gripping his chest with one hand. His back rested against the base of a streetlight pole as pedestrians walked past on the busy city street. A blonde woman wearing a beige trench coat walked down the … Read more
A Cold Welcome An older man adjusted his weathered green shirt as he leaned over a sleek grey laptop on the glass display table. His white beard was neatly trimmed, but his faded denim pants and worn attire stood out against the bright, polished marble of the showroom floor. He tapped his fingers lightly on … Read more
A Tension at the Checkout Counter The store manager rested his forearms on the checkout register and leaned toward the elderly customer holding a loaf of bread. His silver hair was combed neatly back, his black vest buttoned tight over a crisp white shirt as he pointed down at the conveyer belt. He told the … Read more
An Unexpected Setback at the Dealership Ryan slammed the black car’s hood shut and wiped his grease-stained hands on a white rag. He straightened his navy blue uniform, adjusted his gloves, and walked over to hand the completed service invoice to the waiting customer. The man in the sharp charcoal suit took the paper, his … Read more
Turned Away at the Iron Gates An elderly man gripped the metal rims of his wheelchair, straining to roll his tires through the fresh slush on the asphalt. Snowflakes gathered on the shoulders of his heavy tweed coat as he approached the cemetery gates. Before he could cross the threshold, polished black leather boots stepped … Read more
A Discovery in the Grass The blue pickup truck slowed to a crawl along the dirt road as the driver turned his head toward the tree line. Coiled thick and tight around the bark of an oak tree, coarse ropes bound a tan-and-white dog firmly in place. Clustered directly beneath her paws in the tall … Read more
A Sudden Confrontation An elderly woman placed her weathered handbag onto the white tablecloth and pulled back an upholstered dining chair. Before her shoes could settle beneath the table, a man in a tailored dark suit rushed across the marble floor. He gripped the top rail of the chair and yanked it away from her … Read more