Act I “It’ll be ready in two minutes.” Sarah Mitchell stood beside the outdoor grill in the apartment complex’s shared BBQ yard, one hand resting on the counter and the other holding a…

Act I “It didn’t touch your bike.” The young woman stood beside the metal bicycle rack, one hand gripping the handlebar of her battered old bicycle. Her light blue hoodie was slightly faded,…

Act I “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to touch your shoe.” The elderly man stood beside the marble newspaper table, clutching the morning edition against his brown coat. The corner of the paper…

Act I “She’s almost here.” The man in the light blue dress shirt held the elevator door open with one hand, watching an elderly woman slowly make her way across the polished marble…

Act I “My tryout starts in thirty minutes.” Nia stood in the laundry room before dawn, wearing her cream-and-black team jacket and staring into her empty sports bag. Her track spikes were gone….

Act I “My project was finished last night.” Nia stood in the garage wearing her safety glasses, staring at the broken pieces of her solar-city science model scattered across the floor. The miniature…

Act I “Did everyone forget my birthday?” Nia stood in the dim kitchen, wearing her cream sweater, staring at the empty table beneath a few deflated balloons. No candles. No plates. No cake….

Act I “Why did you quit without notice?” Nia stood in the living room wearing her cream store polo, her name badge still clipped to the front. Her manager’s voice came through the…

Act I “Unpack. The college canceled.” Nia stood in the kitchen at dawn, wearing her denim jacket and backpack, with her college-tour itinerary clutched in one hand. Her small suitcase waited beside the…