Bianca J. Cook

An Unwelcome Boarding Pass The flight attendant tilted the clear glass and dumped cold water straight across the older man’s chest and lap. Drops soaked into his dark windbreaker, spreading dark rings onto his tan trousers and pooling on the leather cushion beneath him. Minutes earlier, she had stood over seat 1A, waving his printed … Read more

An Unwelcome Visitor The manager stepped directly into the young man’s path, planting both feet wide and throwing out an arm to block the entrance. Blake kept his canvas shoulder bag steady against his hip. He gestured toward a sleek smartphone resting on a display pedestal near the window, quietly explaining that he just wanted … Read more

A Sudden Disruption At The Booth A tired lineman pushed open the glass diner doors, his neon safety vest stained with dark bands of sweat and road dust. He walked slowly toward the counter, his work boots squeaking against the polished floor tiles as he ordered a plate of food. A young boy sitting in … Read more

Paws On The Driver’s Chest The golden retriever planted both front paws onto the plaid shirt of the man lying flat across the gravel shoulder. With every passing vehicle, the dog threw his muzzle toward the sky and let out sharp, rhythmic barks. His owner lay completely motionless beside an open silver station wagon, one … Read more

Trapped Beside The Speeding Traffic The ginger cat scraped both front paws against the rigid plastic rim locked around its neck. With every step through the dry roadside grass, the bulky clear jug wobbled and bumped across the ground. Sedans and delivery vans rushed past along the pavement only two feet from where the cat … Read more

A Sudden Shift on the Sidewalk A heavy clay pot tipped over the metal balcony railing stories above the concrete. Red geranium petals tore loose in the wind as the container tumbled downward. Down below, the man kept his eyes locked on his smartphone screen. His feet moved along the sidewalk at an unhurried, rhythmic … Read more

An Unfair Offer Across the Counter Arthur pressed the lead pencil against the paper tag, scratching out the inflated number. Behind him, the shopkeeper slammed a heavy palm onto the glass display case and pointed toward the door. The argument stopped cold when the front door latch clicked open. An elderly woman walked toward the … Read more

A Choice at the Register An elderly man slid a tin can of soup backward across the grocery conveyor belt, leaving only a brown paper sack of dry kibble in front of the scanner. His fingers trembled slightly against the belt as he adjusted his worn green jacket and told the cashier to leave the … Read more

A Frantic Cry by the Curb The golden retriever threw his front paws against the concrete curb and barked directly toward oncoming traffic. His owner lay flat on his back in the turf, eyes closed and one arm limp across the grass. Cars whipped past just feet away, their tires kicking up roadside dust while … Read more

Standing Guard on the Yellow Line The adult goose thrust her broad wings wide, planting her black webbed feet directly in front of the dark bumper of an oncoming SUV. Brake lights flared red as the vehicle slowed to an abrupt halt just feet from her outstretched feathers. Behind the front grill of the idling … Read more

An Unexpected Visitor On The Porch The woman turned the brass knob, pulled open her white front door, and looked down onto the welcome mat. A grey squirrel sat upright on its hind legs, sporting a neatly tied red ribbon around its neck. It let out a sharp squeak, shifted its weight, and fixed its … Read more

Stuck in the Muddy Ruts A tiny black-and-white calf kicked its front hooves against murky puddle water, unable to find traction along the slick edge of a dirt road. Its hind legs stayed wedged deep in the thick sludge while cold runoff pooled around its chest. Heavy rubber boots squelched against the drenched track as … Read more