Story

Struggling in Silence His fingers slipped against the plastic ridged cap, failing to get enough traction to twist it open. Both of his arms were encased in thick white plaster from his knuckles up past his elbows. He repositioned his stiffened hands around the clear bottle, pressing his palms together as he leaned his weight … Read more

A Sudden Confrontation In The Marble Lobby The bank employee slammed his hand against the polished counter and pointed his index finger straight at the elderly woman standing before him. Daniel Brooks tightened his tie, leaned over the marble desk, and ordered the woman to turn around and leave immediately. The woman held her worn … Read more

An Unwelcome Visitor On The Showroom Floor The elderly man rested his hand against the chrome handlebar of the motorcycle. He wore a simple beige windbreaker and plain dark boots as he stepped around the front wheel. A salesman in an embroidered black collared shirt crossed his arms. When the older man spoke up to … Read more

A Confrontation At The Departure Gate The gate agent gripped the paper boarding pass between his thumb and forefinger, angling it toward the older man’s face. He blocked the electronic turnstile with his body, his eyes darting between the weathered denim jacket and the printed priority seat number. The grey-bearded traveler held a worn leather … Read more

A Rough Hand at the Counter A cook thrust his fingers against the worn fabric of an elderly man’s field jacket and shoved him backward. The older man staggered slightly on the tiled diner floor, his hands rising to steady himself. Pinned to the faded olive green coat were multiple military ribbons and medals. The … Read more

A Cold Reception at the Counter The salesman crossed his arms and stepped directly between the glass case and the visitor. His dark tailored suit remained sharp, but his eyes narrowed as he pointed toward the exit. The older man in the worn brown jacket stood quietly. His weathered hands rested near his sides while … Read more

Flames Along The Dry Field The mother duck spreads both wings wide over six pale eggs resting in a shallow ring of dry straw. Smoke plumes rise in gray columns across the open field as orange flames crawl through the dry grass. She opens her beak and lets out sharp calls, keeping her body pressed … Read more

A Request At The Table The elderly man placed his hands flat against the crisp white tablecloth and looked up at the staff member. His grey shirt was frayed at the collar, with distinct holes torn across the fabric of his chest and suspenders holding up worn trousers. “Could I have a menu, please?” he … Read more

A Plea in the Rain Daniel pressed his wet palms together in front of his chest, water dripping from his soaked hair down onto his jacket collar as he looked up at the restaurant manager. He pleaded with the man not to cancel his food order, promising to return the following day with every cent … Read more

Desperate Plea Over A Broken Lens A young woman pressed a pair of crumpled bills into her palms and stepped toward the wooden counter. She looked straight into the shopkeeper’s eyes and begged him not to throw away the weathered film camera sitting beside his register. The shopkeeper, a silver-haired man in a leather vest, … Read more

The Pursuit on the Dirt Road A golden retriever locked its gaze onto the rear bumper of a white semi-truck pulling away down a narrow mountain trail. Dust puffed beneath the heavy dual tires as the vehicle accelerated along the dry path. Inside the open rear slatted doors, three brown horses shifted their weight against … Read more

A Confrontation in Row One The flight attendant leaned over the armrest and pointed her index finger directly at the man sitting in the wide leather seat. The grey-bearded passenger looked up from his lap, keeping both hands resting flat against his dark brown work jacket. Passengers in the neighboring seats turned their heads as … Read more