The start.

So, over the course of the summer my job at the museum got pretty boring. Actually, it was closer to the fall. You know, in September when I would talk to, oh I don't know, ten people on a given day (just an example, but that felt like the average near the end of the season). I would bring a notebook and if anything popped into my head in between feeding the fire to keep the coffee warm and talking to visitors, I would write some stuff down. Some of it fun and entertaining, other things thought provoking. Please, forgive me for any cliches or anything like that, it has been quite a while since I have written anything, so there is about two years of creative writing rust on my brain. And I was never that good with grammar so fuck off if you don't like it. Anyway, I got the start of a quick little short story.

Enjoy:

Drinking Buddies (working title)

'Really, just the one?' Colin asked his youngest brother
'Yeah, why? It's not a big deal, is it?' Eric replied quickly hoping he was not an anomaly.
'No man. It's just...I don't know, it isn't something you hear about anymore.'
'Well actually, there are two more.'
'Ah ha! The truth comes out! So?' Jack threw in his two cents.
'What?'
'Whadda you mean "what"? Why don't you count em' Jack asked.
'Because.' A pause as Colin and Jack looked questioningly 'I wasn't single at the time.'
'Oh.' Silence. 'Ohhhhh.'
Then laughter. Drunken laughter.

It didn't happen on purpose, but it happened. The Margant brothers grew apart. The three were never close but school seemed to drive them apart. As they walked the hallways, quick nods were the most communication that was ever sent to each other. Never conversation. Never. Before school and after school was it. But to be seen talking in the hall with your younger brother? That was social suicide.

As they went away to separate colleges, they finally started to become brothers. Actual brothers who talked to each other. Who connected on a level they never thought possible. The holidays: a time to catch up on their latest catches, crushes, and classes. The great classes and the shitty ones. And oh the stories they had for each other.
'This hot girl down the hall from me passed out in between the bathroom and her bedroom a couple of weeks ago.' Colin started.
'So what.' Jack interjected.
'Listen fuck face, let me finish or...'
'Or I'll take you out back and kick your teeth in.' Jack and Eric both finished. It was Colin's signature threat, but they knew it would never happen. 'Go on with your story.'
'No, fuck you both, you don't get to hear the end of it.'
Then laughter. Drunken laughter.

They sat in the back booth of the Ice Box, the local bar known for it's cheap beer and poor lighting. This became the Margant brothers Mecca on their trips home. Four times a year they hurried home to meet up and drink and talk. Thanksgiving, Christmas, spring break, and Easter. It became a tradition once Eric went away to college. Rush back home the first night and head down to the bar. As Eric started college, Colin was entering his third year and Jack his second. The Ice Box was the kind of bar that never asked any questions. No I.D. required, which was why it became so popular when all the kids came home. It was like a high school reunion, but with alcohol and none of that bullshit small talk over catered dinner and over priced drinks. Oh no, the IB had three dollar pitchers and no questions.



So there you have it. The start of something great? Who knows, but probably not.