Joshua didn’t get a single dollar that day. The cup stayed empty, and every glance that passed over him landed somewhere else. As the sky darkened, he stood up slowly and made his way toward the alley behind the old bookstore—a quiet, tucked-away corner where he could try to sleep.
It wasn’t comfortable, but at least there was less noise and fewer interruptions. That was the best he could find now—somewhere still enough to close his eyes. As he turned into the alley, he heard two people standing outside the bookstore, smoking and chatting casually.