He keeps his eyes straight like a horse on parade.

His footsteps pace awkwardly, his mind calculates every possibility. He clenches his fists and keeps his breathing steady. He reaches for his phone, and raises it to his ear. He fakes conversation. A conversation with a long lost friend, an ex girlfriend. His mother that was never around. His father that earned him everything.

He passes the man’s left foot, outstretched to the side.

The man on the ground places his cup back down.

The few spare pennies rattle quietly against the cheap fast food cup.