TWO STORIES

ONE

The water thundered down upon Joseph’s balding head. Kerry had really left him. She had alluded and threatened it for years, but today was the today in which every “I Will…” became an “I Did.” Yet, Joseph didn’t feel anger, in fact, he wasn’t sure what he felt at the moment. All he knew is he needed to think. The shower still poured, almost acting like a baptism, as Joseph’s mind wandered over to the section of your brain that holds the key to all our deepest and most frightful insecurities. “Ouch!” The shower had become scalding, and Joseph promptly exited both the water and the mind state.
As he began to slip on his underwear, a thought crept into the mind of old Joe. There was no longer anyone in his home, why should he be forced to put clothing on? That was it. Joseph grabbed his towel and headed to the kitchen, his full glory on display. He didn’t care. Who was to judge him? Certainly not Kerry. She was probably long gone by now, her clothing and appliances piled high in the back of her nineteen-eighty-five Toyota whatever. Still, Joseph felt a tearing twinge of pain as he lumbered over to the living room.
The man didn’t know what to do. For the first time in his adult life Joseph was lost. He felt nothing. He was nothing. So, he stood, staring at the man that looked back at him in the reflection of his blank television. Then, without hesitation, he covered his face with the damp towel, afraid of what he might learn.

Story by Nathaniel Strobl

TWO

Benny and I were best buds. We knew each other since we were in the 3rd grade. I moved in right across the street from him and we were inseparable ever since. We’d play games and try to hit on chicks but we always got shut down. We never let that get to us though, we kept our head held high and would proceed to the next girl who would pass on by. Me and Benny liked all of the same things and we thought we would make the best roommates so we moved in together and started our lives as hooligans. We got our jobs, which meant money to blow. We were the town’s fools. Everyone knew us… especially the bars. We went out to a bar the night before this picture was taken. Benny and I get a little crazy and went over board with the drinks. We were laughing and being louder than anyone else in the whole joint. We started spilling drinks all over us and just became a mess. I could sense everyone getting a bit mad but we didn’t care. We were having a fun time and I looked over to Benny who was just gone. He had the same smirk on his face every time he was drunk but he was genuinely happy. Going to bars you bond and make friends, our friend Alfredo decided to drive us home since we obviously were too drunk to get behind a wheel. That’s all I remembered happening that night. The next morning I find Benny wiping his face butt ass naked, he had no idea what went on either… or how he got naked in the first place. I took this picture to remind him of all the shenanigans we got ourselves into.

Story by Peyton Incollingo