Bianca J. Cook

Most married couples can relate to being asked when they are going to have children but for Charli Worgan and her husband Cullen, they were often asked ‘why’. The Sydney-based mom and dad each have a different form of dwarfism and are often exposed to public scrutiny – especially when Charli became pregnant with their first … Read more

The Rejection at the Counter An elderly man in a dark green knit sweater slid a crisp set of papers across the polished marble counter. He rested his hand quietly on the edge of a worn black leather portfolio while the teller glanced down at the withdrawal request. Her palms slammed against the stone surface. … Read more

The Cold Assessment An older man wearing scuffed work boots and a faded brown canvas jacket stood alone beside a polished black motorcycle. He leaned forward slightly, resting his hands inside his pockets as his eyes moved across the dark paint and chrome trim of the machine. Behind him, quick footsteps sounded against the tile … Read more

A Tense Encounter On The Polished Floor An older man in a faded beige work jacket stopped beside a glossy black luxury SUV. He held a simple cream-colored file folder tucked firmly beneath his forearm, his eyes tracking across the car’s alloy wheels and dark paint. Rapid footsteps sounded against the showroom tile as a … Read more

Blocked at the Chandelier Gate A broad-shouldered security guard stepped directly into the path of an elderly couple as their polished shoes met the marble threshold. He held up an open palm, planting his black leather dress shoes firmly across the doorway beneath a glowing crystal chandelier. “Hold it,” the guard said, scanning the older … Read more

The Unwanted Touch A man’s thick fingers reached behind her collar, gripping the neat bun of her hair and pulling it back just enough to tilt her chin upward. She did not step back or pull away from his grip. Instead, her eyes fixed directly on his face, her jaw tightening as she parted her … Read more

An Unprompted Display The cut-glass pitcher tipped forward, sending a stream of ice water splashing directly over the seated woman’s silver hair. Drops splattered across the banquet tablecloth, soaking through the shoulders of her dark navy blazer and gray dress. She drew in a sharp breath through parted lips, blinking water out of her lashes. … Read more

An Unwelcome Arrival The heavy dark wood double doors swung open, revealing a woman in a navy military service jumpsuit. She carried a tan duffel bag slung across her shoulder, brass pins glinting beneath the hall lights. She took two measured steps into the open entryway, stopping beside a stack of brown moving cartons. Across … Read more

A Sudden Rejection At The Altar The bride raised both palms flat against the chest of the older woman in blue, shoving her backward before their shoulders could touch. The mother took a stumbling half-step back onto the carpet of the aisle, her fingers trembling slightly as they dropped away from the lace gown. The … Read more

A Violent Break Inside The Grand Foyer Brandon’s open palm struck the side of the older man’s face, snapping his wire-rimmed glasses askew. The force shoved the older man backward against the tall doorway, his hand reaching up to stabilize his frame against the white molding. Brandon gripped the lapels of the dark tailored suit, … Read more

A Mark on the Doorstep A trembling hand lifted upward, pressing pale fingertips against a fresh red mark across the cheekbone. The older woman stood beneath the porch light, her eyes wide as she registered the sting on her face. Across the threshold, a woman in an elegant camel coat shifted her stance, pulling her … Read more

An Unexpected Presence at the Center Aisle A male officer holding a navy blue folder turned his head toward the double glass doors of the assembly hall. His boots remained grounded on the polished gray floor while his shoulders twisted around to track a figure approaching from behind. Rows of seated service members dressed in … Read more