Sunday, January 07, 2007

Illustration Friday: Buzz

The alarm sounded at 5:30; not that Harry needed it. His brain had crackled and popped all night under the weight of those last words before she left: "The last ten of these thirty years have been hell."

She took only her toothbrush. She left the rest of those years behind. Left it all with Harry... the twenty-odd pairs of shoes (some odd); the good china and the everyday dinnerware; the toothless cat and the hairless dog. Harry got it all.

She swept it all away with her little brush and took the clothes on her back down the walkway and around the corner, and that was that.

Harry's brain had buzzed all night, and he knew the neighbors would be buzzing before the end of the day, and he hoped Mr. Coffee (she'd left that, too; she'd left all of it) would provide enough buzz to get him through the day.

Peace to all, and keep the buzz respectable.


12 comments:

HARDWAX said...

Harry looks the way I'm gonna look in the morning, I have a touch of insomnia tonight.
This is a story I could have kept on reading, it's sad and there's some humor. Well she's not a complete neanderthal-she left the coffee pot anyway. Harry looks used-up and ill used, and those amazing eyes tell the story as well.
Strong and absorbing piece, so fine!

Michelle Lana said...

heheh...cool!

° said...

if the last ten were hell for her, makes me wonder what they were like for Harry. nice story and illo

Amy Zaleski said...

This is a great entry. I love the narrative. Melancholy and engrossing. And I have a toothless cat....

Bill Z said...

quite a story - seems like it could be the start of something

Cez said...

excellent...love it!!!

Digital Scott's Illustrationblog said...

Cool illustration and cool story to go with it! It is just a story, isn't it?

steve said...

Poor Harry. At least ye's got the coffee. Maybe some meditation might help the guy. You've really captured it in his eyes Twisselman. Peace!

Brine Blank said...

Funny how the emotional toll on men often gets overlooked during such situations...good story and nice pic to go with it...

studio lolo said...

I'm already a fan of your illustrations, but now I'm pretty sure I'm hooked on your writing. Great stuff! Leaves me longing for more. Oh...I love the raised brow on Harry. Nice suggestion of puzzlement.

Twisselman said...

Thanks to all for the comments. Just want to add a quick note to say that, yes, the narrative is just a story. My wife and I have been married twenty-one years and are very happy (though maybe I should let her speak for herself). Our cats have all their teeth, and the deaf dog sheds hair all over the place.

tiffini elektra x said...

Great nose. Poor Harry. I love the way you framed it out. All we need to go with the narrative.