Author Archives: Ben Drevlow

D’s Stories

D’s Stories

FLASH NONFICTION by

The fact he wants to tell these stories tells me he wants to keep on breathing. He hasn’t given up yet. And when he sits outside on the bench and smokes, I see him staring off at the sky, his right arm gripping the wheel, turning down a back road, big wheels kicking up a hurricane of mud.
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Ants

Ants

FICTION by

On his way out Dad bent down and told me that I was man of the house now and I would be taking care of Mom. None of the other twelve-year-olds on my block had a job to do like this. Maybe, I thought, this would prepare me for sixth grade. more

Built for Pleasure

Built for Pleasure

FLASH FICTION by

I figured I’d wasted enough time and money and went back to look for funny bangs girl and that’s how I ended up watching slip-and-slide bikini lady hit the bump and take a dive through the crocodile mile of drunken former frat boys’ cheers.more

Cycles

Cycles

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If marriage taught him anything, it was that he knew when his wife was upset. His problem, however, was that he never knew what she was upset about.more

Click-Pah!

Click-Pah!

FICTION by

He hates this about Beardy Man, always making plans without him. These decisions need careful planning. Not only that. They are best friends. Supposed to do things together. And here he is, making big decisions. So independent, so annoying.more

The Mysterious Case of a Shirt Left Discarded in Office Number Three Hundred Seventy-Five

The Mysterious Case of a Shirt Left Discarded in Office Number Three Hundred Seventy-Five

FLASH FICTION by

The extra button appeared on Toma’s shirt on a Monday so ordinary it was making his teeth hurt. The button was identical to all the others in everything except for one thing: it had no corresponding buttonhole. This fact bothered Toma the most.more

Crushed Eagle Beak

Crushed Eagle Beak

FLASH FICTION by

Neighbor’s dog was sniffing in my yard today & after a quick transvestigation, it was obvious she used to be a man, so I re-tie the belt on my robe, mutter a quick prayer to the twin towers just like they taught me at school. I mean, shit man, I have kids.more

11

11

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No bravado. No jeering. Just you under the hot sun realizing God ain’t doling out mercy that day. Only pain as currency for community. There’s no ego death without blood and suffering.more

Safety Plan

Safety Plan

FICTION by

How did his “moving girl” 3-year-old turn into a 17-year-old who never leaves her bed for whole days? He thinks partly there’s a thousand different reasons for that, thinks partly there’s no reason at all, just something that happened organically and can’t be explained.more

Blue Sapphire Ring

Blue Sapphire Ring

FLASH FICTION by

The kid sets the ring back down on the counter. He looks down at his sneakers, unwilling to make eye contact. “I just need some quick cash. But I’ll be back, yeah, maybe as soon as next week, to buy back that ring.” He takes a deep breath, scratches at his arm.more