Story

A Mishap At The Window A wrapped hamburger slipped from the paper sheet and hit the hot asphalt below. The young mother standing inside the narrow food truck tilted her head toward the open window, her arms supporting a small baby wrapped tightly against her chest in a patterned sling. The older gentleman wearing a … Read more

A Confrontation In The Diner Aisle Heavy leather knuckles gripped the faded fabric of the old military field jacket and shoved the elderly man back against the booth. The veteran gripped his wooden walking stick with trembling fingers as his boots shuffled against the worn linoleum floor. A towering man with a thick beard and … Read more

An Urgent Alarm On The Bridge The yellow dog scrambled onto the overturned grey trash can, barking sharply into the open path ahead. The woman pushed herself up from the asphalt, brushing off her palms before stepping onto the black hoverboard. She glided forward slowly, watching the dog dart ahead toward the stone railing of … Read more

A Tense Encounter at the Counter An older man in a heavy brown coat placed a worn leather wallet onto the polished black counter. The young employee in the navy suit pointed a stiff index finger directly toward the glass entrance doors. “Take your wallet and leave,” the employee said, his shoulders squaring under his … Read more

A Stand at the Guardrail A German Shepherd pressed both front paws against an officer’s tactical vest as cars tore past just feet away. The patrolman sat slumped against the metal highway barrier, his chin dropped toward his collar and his eyelids fluttering shut. Gravel kicked up from passing semi-trucks, showering the dry weeds along … Read more

Tied to the Steel Rail A blue nylon strap held the small golden retriever puppy tight against the galvanized steel guardrail. The puppy crouched low against the gray roadside gravel, tucking his front paws beneath his chest while highway traffic whipped past only a few feet away. A marked patrol cruiser pulled onto the dusty … Read more

A Treasured Keepsake at Oakhaven Station An elderly man sat on a wooden bench at Oakhaven Station, holding a worn pocket watch in his weathered hands. A young traveller stood beside him, watching as the older man traced the cracked glass face with his thumb. The old man pressed the timepiece flat against his coat, … Read more

A Quiet Entrance A soldier in full military camouflage stepped through the diner door, carrying a heavy duffel bag over his shoulder while resting his cast-covered left arm against his chest. He scanned the busy room filled with families and diners enjoying their meals before moving slowly toward an empty wooden table near the center … Read more

A Moment of Unwanted Attention A gust of wind caught the fabric wrapping her head and pulled it away in front of a crowd of school children. The woman quickly brought her hands up to cover her bare head. Around her, children in school uniforms stopped on the sidewalk, pointing and laughing while she stood … Read more

An Harsh Encounter Outside the Glass Entrance A blast of dirty water slammed directly into the elderly man’s face as he leaned against his broom handle outside the glass entrance doors. He pulled his hand slowly across his cheek, leaving dark brown smears across his damp skin while droplets dripped down his collar onto his … Read more

Confrontation at the Dining Table A restaurant captain leaned over the table, glaring directly into the face of a diner sitting quietly in a grey t-shirt. The man in the t-shirt paused with his fork halfway to his mouth, holding a piece of steak resting against the silver tines. Around them, the upscale dining room … Read more

An Unwelcome Interruption At The Altar An older man in a three-piece suit stormed down the white-tiled aisle, raising his index finger toward the altar. Guests turned in their seats, whispering as the man advanced past the rows of white chairs. He stopped inches from the groom, his face flushed and jaw tight. “This is … Read more