Category Archives: Martin Brick

He rented the tux to make in convincing. Actually shelled out the cash, committed to his third of the limo, and everything. Then he got “sick,” on prom night, and told everyone he hated to miss it, but couldn’t get … Continue reading →

Christine told Steve she didn’t feel comfortable in the house. “We’re new to it. Takes time.” “No, it’s different. I can’t say why.” It was summer, and warm, but she crawled under the covers. Hank rang the bell, 6-pack in … Continue reading →

“With that cold front moving in, expect temperatures in the 50’s all week. I’d keep a jacket handy. Allison, back to you.” “Thanks, Bruce. Guess you have to expect that during spring in Wisconsin.” “We had beautiful weather last week, … Continue reading →

August day, exactly 23 years after, and identical weather. Struck Lewis as the world saying, “Oh, we remember.” Nadine’s mother remembered too. “I didn’t expect to see you.” He wondered if she knew, if that’d be something she’d even care … Continue reading →

…because a story has conflict. David Mamet asks, Who wants what from Whom? Here our protagonist simply noticed a Facebook post. She commented on a friend’s status. An old mutual friend. One he never tried to find, because he knows … Continue reading →

“Mommy, shells!” the girl called with elation, bringing them forth for viewing. “Those are pretty.” “I want to take them home.” The girl’s older brother moped several paces behind, still upset that they took lunch at some seaside crab joint … Continue reading →

The warden came, personally, and brought my meal. I asked him had he heard anything more. He shook his head no. “My sister, you mean?” She said weeks ago she would not come, but I thought she’d change her mind. … Continue reading →

She came to him as he read. Always a book that smelled. “I liked them, but can you change a few words.” “Change? Which ones? Why?” He didn’t put the book down. She knew from experience that he was in … Continue reading →

Private Moore’s wounds bothered him, naturally. Even when the painkiller was administered his legs felt strange, bigger, heavier, not really his. So he appreciated when anyone talked to him. Anything to distract him from thinking about the feeling of his … Continue reading →

Lizzie kicked my ass playing quarters at Bert’s party. I say damn she’s lucky and she says of course, she’s Irish. I’m Irish too, and after jokes about getting lucky she wants to prove her luck at the OTB because … Continue reading →

“Why’s your apartment smell like incense?” “I asked Rhea over.” Don cranes his neck into the living room. Deeming it safe he whispers, “Crazy new age lady?” “Yes, she… She wants to help with Mom.” Rhea does indeed. Candles. Incense. … Continue reading →

Neil answers anyway. “Hey, you.” It takes a moment to register, though who else would it be? Jessie calls daily. “I’m stuck at the airport. Thought of you.” He actually spotted the sound of her connection first. Words emerge suddenly, … Continue reading →

“Kids,” my aunt shouted from the back of the house. “Time to come in.” “Aw nuts. Already?” I complained but started back. My cousin Lefty didn’t move. “Come on, we’d better…” I began, but paused, looking to him for guidance. … Continue reading →

She asks with what animal he most associates. The wording of her IM trips him up. That’s different from your favorite animal. That’s different from what animal you think you’d be. First to come to mind are the obvious cool … Continue reading →

Tabitha tried her key again and again, but the car wouldn’t start. The library had closed, her co-workers gone, but a vaguely familiar looking man tapped her window. “Need help?” “It won’t start.” “Pop the hood. I’ll look” “That’s okay. … Continue reading →

The idea was to party with Angela, but she got angry because I spent Sunday watching football with my dad. But she burned a whole day shopping with her sister. It snowballed from there: I don’t call enough, doesn’t like … Continue reading →

“Hello. Imperial Insurance.” “Hello. This is Daniel Yardley. I’m calling about a recent claim.” “Of course, Mr. Yardley…. A fire in your bedroom.” “Correct. But the claim was denied.” “Yes. Negligence. There were individuals present who could’ve prevented the incident.” … Continue reading →

It came to him while hunting. Deep in the woods, he sat on a log listening for deer. And in that calm windless valley, the snow produced a peculiar silence. A silence so complete it spoke. He listened. It was … Continue reading →

“Don’t miss the bus,” the man growled. Stephen just walked past, but the man followed. “Talking to you.” Stephen looked back, wavering between threatening and dismissive. Usually he ignored the homeless, but this guy taunted for weeks. “There’s a bus … Continue reading →

Paste story IN HTML hereThey were just kids, old enough to know better, young enough to be susceptible to dares. Bryan moved from the “wilds of Montana” and always talked about adventure – swinging from ropes in the haymow, canoe … Continue reading →

“Where are you,” Jane asks. “I just passed Tomah.” “I know nothing about Wisconsin. Where’s that?” “Hold out your right hand. Palm up. Do you see Wisconsin?” “It’s a little tall.” “Work with me. Tomah is near the middle of … Continue reading →

Kyle Morton, D.D.S., sorts through his postcards, the ones sent as reminders of upcoming appointments. There are cartoon smiles, kittens, and beach scenes. Usually his receptionist takes care of this, but he wants to be sure that Karen Blau, wife, … Continue reading →

When the pirates boarded ship, the gun of the little one, some inexperienced kid with glitchy nerves, went off, caught me in the leg. My crew dressed the wound, then pumped me with all the painkillers we had. I haven’t … Continue reading →

She knew I liked long hair. Which convinces me it wasn’t a true breakup cut. She planned to come back, and to make me feel bad, the growing hair a reminder of my gradual forgiveness. Everyone knew those long chestnut … Continue reading →

My projections pointed toward Stephanie. She was younger, but females develop sooner. Some of the class had already made the leap. When summer ended girls returned full heads taller than the boys, and with discernible breasts. Some of the boys … Continue reading →

Once, a man built a machine that could answer any question. A glass booth housed an animatronic figure. People came from miles around to ask if they should get married or what career path to follow. Of course, such a … Continue reading →

Not prettier, smarter, or richer. Not wiser. Cruel, un-nerving. Without the messy burden of guilt. We got along great at first. She said, use any of my things, so I said use mine. She said eat any of my food, … Continue reading →

You and your husband are invited to a masquerade ball, but that night you suffer a migraine. You insist your husband go alone, while you take some medicine and fall asleep. A few hours later you awake, much relived. Do … Continue reading →

“Your friend Cody is nice,” mom said, making obligatory communication. I rolled my eyes. “Well, we had a nice conversation.” “You and Cody?” “He’s the kid with the chess kit?” “Yeah.” “We talked at the park. While I waited for … Continue reading →

1 c. buttermilk = 1 c. milk + 1 T. lemon juice 3 buttermilk pancakes = 1 Sunday morning 1 Sunday morning in bed making love to wife = 10,000 buttermilk pancakes infidelity = 0 Sunday mornings in bed + … Continue reading →

His dad said two was the ideal number, for martinis and breasts.  One, something’s missing.  Three, gluttonous.  Good rule, so developed the progressive martini.  Keep refreshing while you drink.  Glass never goes dry – only counts as one. But he’s … Continue reading →

Warm summer evening, the kind that radio loves.  Tv’s on the fritz.  Lou (regular), curses Obama as bartender Marty futzes with a radio.  It crackles to analog life.  Old-school country, and Brady (semi-regular) applauds.  “Different station,” says Marty.  DJ mentions … Continue reading →

You might think the hardest part would be getting the ideas.  But Marshall went outside to smoke, leaving his sketch pad.  Like performing a sleight-of-hand trick on a stoner. They were half mine anyhow.  We brainstormed together.  His execution just … Continue reading →

People say you’ll appreciate every second they sleep, but that’s not true. They sleep too soundly. Motionless. It deceives you. Janet had woken up too many times, looked over with a conscious mind that said this was ridiculous, a stomach … Continue reading →

His hip made a soft, wet, popping noise, like a boot struggling free of mud.  Hurt like hell too.  So he decided to stay right on his back. Even if he couldn’t roll over, his couldn’t wait any longer.  Drinking … Continue reading →

This is Space Camp, Charles thinks.  My zero G tank, referring to Guy’s pool and the floating chair suspending him in the just below the surface. Being lit on Guy’s scotch helps feign weightlessness, too.  Good stuff.  Glenlivet.  18 year. … Continue reading →

“Damn,” he utters and swats the fleshy part of his arm. An examination of his palm reveals a bee’s broken body. His date spends rest of the reception examining the welt on his skin. It didn’t hurt much but did … Continue reading →

This is the scent of smoke lingering in the car, which came from the cigarette, held in the long elegant fingers of the redhead, who would not have gotten into a 97 Civic, but would get into a new BMW … Continue reading →

Angie smelled alcohol when she entered. Odd because it didn’t mix with Byron’s meds, but also, he never seemed like the drinking sort. He didn’t answer when she called. The placed looked like the secret police went looking for microfiche. … Continue reading →

He hears their feet on the pavement. Collectively they add up to the sound of one horse at a gallop. His vision is altered, sideways, as his lies on the ground, greasy-window blurred from the rising heat. Asphalt’s skillet-hot on … Continue reading →

He always smells her. Great plains dust and sweat. When she dismounts off the rope, into his arms, it is most prevalent. Not like Renée who smells of some kind of lotion. Something French. Both nice. Come see the amazing … Continue reading →

He says just get up, insisting the place is right around the corner. She says, from her spot on the curb in dirty parking lot, that’s the third time he’s said that He says the service station guy didn’t draw … Continue reading →

Lorraine felt excited, like a teenager again, lying in bed, remaining silent.  Instead of hiding from a lover’s parents, she hid from his son. Her mission tainted the giddiness.  The front door clicked.  Her feet hit the floor before his car started, into … Continue reading →

“I don’t like that one either,” pronounces the boy, as his father holds a plain, crewneck sweater. “Are you going to like anything?” He’d vetoed twenty. “Sweaters are for fancy boys.” “Okay, I understand with the argyle ones, but this … Continue reading →

Blind Date by Martin Brick Art museum. Traditional Garden of Eden. Adam. Eve. Strategic leaves. “I read an article about how it couldn’t have been an apple. The author suggested it most likely was a fig, geography-wise.” “For real or … Continue reading →