Story

In 2010 a boy with Down syndrome was discovered in his family’s attic, starved and neglected by the one person who was supposed to care for him. Giovanni “Govi” Eastwood was 6 years old at the time, but weighed the same as a three year old. His mom Rachel Perez had been taken into custody for … Read more

A Discovery In The Snow A golden retriever dipped its nose toward the frozen sidewalk beside an overflowing metal trash bin. Resting directly in the powdered snow sat a clean pair of red low-top sneakers with tied laces. The dog nudged the edge of the rubber sole with its muzzle before opening its mouth wide. … Read more

The Blocked Elevator An elderly woman dressed in a tailored wool overcoat extended her index finger toward the illuminated call button beside the executive elevator bank. Before her fingertip touched the polished brass surface, the steel doors parted and a broad-shouldered security guard stepped directly into her path. He squared his stance, planted his boots … Read more

A Sudden Interruption On The Morning Route The golden retriever planted all four paws firmly on the sidewalk pavement, his amber tail wagging in wide, rhythmic sweeps as the city bus rolled up to the curb. Through the open front doors, the driver leaned forward over his steering wheel, extending an open palm toward the … Read more

Stopped at the Dining Room Entrance The manager stepped forward and clamped his hand against the woman’s shoulder, blocking her path between the white-clothed tables. Chairs scraped along the hardwood floor as seated diners turned their heads to watch. The older woman stood still beneath the dining room chandelier, clutching a worn leather handbag against … Read more

A Confrontation on Sacred Ground The young guard in the crisp dress uniform lunged forward and pointed a rigid index finger inches from the older man’s nose. His jaw flexed as words spilled out in a sharp, clipped bark across the neat rows of white headstones. The older man stood quietly in a faded, threadbare … Read more

A Signal by the Roadside The German Shepherd planted both front paws on the gravel shoulder and threw his head back toward the oncoming traffic. Beside him, an older police officer lay motionless in the dry autumn grass, his uniform cap resting upside down near the edge of the ditch. Several cars passed by without … Read more

A Fierce Defense on the Edge of the Asphalt An enormous white swan lunged directly toward the bicycle’s front tire, neck extended fully forward with its orange beak snapping wide in a harsh hiss. The cyclist pulled both brake levers, planting his sneakers against the rough gray asphalt. Just inches from his front wheel, the … Read more

Blocked at the Glass Doors A weathered hand gripped a worn leather folder as scuffed work boots stepped onto the entrance plaza of the convention center. Behind the towering glass facade, rows of brand-new green and red tractors stood under bright showroom lights. Well-dressed attendees in blazers and slacks moved freely through the automatic sliding … Read more

A Sudden Halt in the Marble Hallway An elderly custodian pushed his heavy metal cart across the polished courthouse floor, his boots making quiet, rhythmic squeaks against the stone. Without warning, a uniformed officer stepped directly into his path, bracing both hands against the cart’s metal handle. The older man stopped instantly, his grip firm … Read more

A Blocked Entrance A man in a sharp navy suit stepped onto the red carpet beside his partner in a deep maroon dress. Their polished shoes clicked against the pavement as photographers adjusted their cameras along the velvet ropes. Before they reached the entrance, a man in a black tuxedo cut across the carpet and … Read more

Dismissed at the Lot Brett waved his hand toward the far edge of the asphalt, pointing away from the dark sedan parked in front of the showroom. He told the elderly man standing before him that the budget row was three aisles over, ignoring the clipboard tucked under the man’s arm. Rachel stepped closer to … Read more