Bianca J. Cook

Passing By The Curb Daniel tapped at his glowing phone screen as his polished leather shoes struck the concrete sidewalk outside the warm cafe windows. A weathered man sat flat against the brick wall, pulling his tattered wool jacket close against the chill and exhaling a thin trail of steam into the evening air. The … Read more

A Cold Sidewalk In The City Snowflakes collected on David’s bare eyelashes as he tucked his shivering hands inside the frayed sleeves of his sweater. He sat cross-legged on a scrap of wet cardboard beside the iron railings of a subway stairwell, pulling his knees up against his chest to trap whatever warmth remained in … Read more

A Cold Encounter On The Pavement Michael swung his leather shoes onto the concrete curb and pulled his suit jacket taut across his chest. He slammed the dark car door shut, straightening his cuffs as pedestrian traffic brushed past him on the sidewalk. A man in a faded hoodie and scuffed work boots stepped into … Read more

A Finger Points Down The Aisle A flight attendant thrust her index finger toward the dark screen of a seated passenger’s smartphone, demanding he delete the file or leave the aircraft immediately. The passenger rested both thumbs against the back of his device, keeping the camera lens pointed upward from his lap. He told her … Read more

A Fistful of Pennies at the Bus Stop James pressed his thumbs into his worn leather wallet, prying open the folds until he reached the bottom seam. Four dull pennies slid against his dry skin and clinked together in his trembling palm. His red, tear-streaked eyes blinked against the chill, staring down at the pharmacy … Read more

A Tattered Sleeve Across The Counter An elderly man flattened a paper withdrawal slip against the polished granite counter with calloused fingers. His work jacket bore fraying seams and faded patches across both shoulders. Across the marble partition, the teller crossed her arms over her pressed suit jacket and leaned back. Her lips tightened into … Read more

A Shared Meal in the Cold Anthony dragged his string mop across the polished lobby floor, pausing when his gaze caught a figure slumped against the wet granite ledge outside the revolving doors. Through the glass, water streamed down the collar of an unbuttoned leather jacket as an older man dragged his palms across the … Read more

An Unexpected Request at the Display Counter An elderly woman reached her weathered hand toward the glass display case and pointed her index finger directly at a diamond ring resting on a velvet stand. Her brown cardigan hung loose, threadbare and torn along the sleeves, exposing a faded cream-colored shirt underneath. She held a worn … Read more

Julian Vance stared at Nora like she had slapped him across the mouth. Gregory looked ready to faint into the butter dishes. “Nora,” Gregory warned, his voice pitched an octave higher than usual. Julian held up a single finger without taking his eyes off her. Gregory went instantly mute. “I didn’t forget to feed him,” … Read more

A Cold Clasp and a Red Velvet Tray Vera reached behind the older woman’s neck and unfastened the heavy golden clasp. She lifted the gold chain off the woman’s collar and dropped it flat onto the red velvet tray with a dull thud. “Madam, that’s real gold,” Vera said, sliding the tray back toward her … Read more

A Finger on the Glass The salesman drew a microfiber cloth across the glass display counter, wiping away a faint smudge right where the older man’s index finger had rested. Adrian kept his white-gloved hand steady on the velvet cloth. He reminded the man that leaning on the case was strictly discouraged because the watches … Read more