She felt a dread of her shift at the ice cream shop.

She felt a dread of her shift at the ice cream shop. But the truth was it usually went well for her. Danielle reminded herself that most people liked her, including her co-workers and customers. Her therapist had told her to remind herself of this.

DANIELLE BY ALEX BENTAYOU 34THPARALLEL MAGAZINE ISSUE 102

Danielle just had time to get her nails done before her shift at the ice cream shop. On the F train she took a photo of her hand. It was luminous with glossy black nails, her antique diamond in a nest of smaller diamonds, and a new gold ring, on her pointer finger, which was squared-off on top with pointed edges. She posted on Instagram, Loving my new manicure and self-defense ring. Feeling safer is everything. #saam.

She transferred from the F to the A at West 4th Street. The dank subway smell was mixed with incense. A boy was drumming under some stairs on a bucket. A woman’s acid-greed mini-dress flashed by. Black, patent leather shoes glinted. There were pink pressed shirts and leath…