Story

Trapped Beneath the Rim Two tiny hooves scrambled against jagged chunks of floating ice, slipping backward into the black water with every kick. The spotted fawn kept its chin pointed toward the grey winter sky, paddling its front legs in rapid bursts just to keep its nostrils clear of the surface. A man dressed in … Read more

An Unexpected Guide in the Water A gray bottlenose dolphin breaches the surface beside the white hull of a fishing boat, throwing white spray into the morning air. The animal twists in midair, plunges back beneath the chop, and surfaces again just yards ahead of the bow. Two men stand beside the helm, gripping the … Read more

A Hard Grip on a Worn Sleeve The showroom manager snatched the small metal tag straight from her fingers. He stepped forward in his tailored dark suit, crowding her against the polished floor. His voice cut through the bright room as he told her the dealership was no scrapyard. The woman stood her ground in … Read more

The Confrontation In Row One The flight attendant pointed her finger directly toward the aisle and leaned down into the seated man’s space. Her knuckles tightened as she gestured toward the rear cabins. Across from her, an elderly man sat holding an aged leather briefcase against his chest, wearing a brown jacket frayed with noticeable … Read more

A Step Across Polished Marble An elderly man shuffled across the showroom floor, his worn brown shoes pressing quietly against the reflective white tiles. Holes pitted the shoulders of his faded tweed jacket, revealing gray threads fraying along the seams. He stopped at a glass pedestal, bending forward to rest his weathered palms against the … Read more

A Sudden Interruption on the Showroom Floor A salesman in a navy suit shoved his palms outward and lunged toward the older man standing beside the polished black sedan. The older man gripped a weathered brown leather folio against his canvas jacket, his boots planted firmly against the glossy tile. “Hey! Step away from that … Read more

A Refusal at the Counter An elderly woman slid a folded white slip across the polished marble counter. She held a small brown leather handbag in both hands, resting her fingers against the clasp. The teller, dressed in a tailored navy suit and red tie, glanced down at the paper. He did not pick it … Read more

A Single Coin on Cobblestones An elderly man uncurled his calloused fingers to reveal a single bronze coin sitting in the center of his palm. His frayed wool coat hung loosely from his shoulders, tears running along the sleeves as pedestrians brushed past him on the stone street. He stopped near a storefront window filled … Read more

A Fistful of Copper Coins The boy stopped mid-stride on the uneven cobblestones and opened his right palm. Two thin coins clinked together against his skin. His lower lip trembled as his brow tightened, tears welling in the corners of his eyes before he quickly wiped his sleeve across his face. He reached inside his … Read more

An Unexpected Arrival on the Campus Stone David tightened his grip on the brown paper package as his dusty boots scraped against the manicured campus flagstones. Surrounding him, parents wore tailored suits and pastel dresses, their voices blending into a polite hum of celebration. David looked down at his dark work shirt, creased and marked … Read more

A Daily Routine on a Wooden Bench An older woman folded a paper napkin over a fresh sandwich and smoothed the crease across a wooden bench. Beside it sat a brown paper sack, resting among scattered red leaves. She checked the path behind her, tugged her teal scarf closer, and walked toward the trees before … Read more

A Cold Welcome at the Showroom Doors A polished black dress shoe planted itself firmly on the showroom tile, inches away from an elderly woman’s trembling fingers. Her brass car keys lay flat against the marble floor where they had just fallen. The salesman stepped directly into her path, crossing his arms over his tailored … Read more