The streets of Southbridge always looked the same in the early morning—cracked sidewalks, flickering streetlights, and the low hum of old cars crawling past worn-down apartment blocks. The rain from last night still clung to the pavement, turning the gutters into shallow streams.
Up ahead, near the bus stop, a group of construction workers sipped coffee from paper cups, their voices low, their eyes heavy. A few glanced Marcus’ way. The stares lingered—not curious, judging.
Marcus Reed adjusted his tie with stiff fingers as he walked by, feeling the weight of those looks settle on him like a brick. He knew what they were thinking: a young Black man in a suit, walking through Southbridge at 6:00 in the morning must be a court date, not a job interview. He’d seen that expression his whole life doubt dressed as……Read Full Story Here.……………….
