"Can you keep a secret Mark?"
I looked up from where I was studying my textbook. I pulled off my glasses and wiped them slowly on a piece of soft cloth, "of course I can," I said, "but you do know what they say."
"I have to tell someone or I'll go crazy," Sam said and leaned in closer.
I placed a marker in my text and turned my full attention towards Sam. He was practically jumping up and down. Sam was a journalist for a local newspaper.
"I heard about something big that is going down. I was looking into the recent death of Brock Tharen, the one that died of a heart attack, and I found a whole host of other unsolved, or mysterious deaths within the same two hundred mile radius," he said in a whisper, looking around briefly to see if we were being overheard. "I think that there is some sort of organization that is taking out these people. I figure it can't be one man," he said, 'too many deaths in too short a time.
I took off my glasses again and gave them another brief swipe with the cloth, "have you told anyone else about your suspicions?" I asked.
"No, I thought I could rely on your opinion," he said.
"Just as you should," I said with a smile and beckoned him to follow me, 'though you never did answer my question about secrets. Do you know what they say about them?"
"Not really," Sam said with a laugh.
"Two people can keep a secret if one of them is dead," I said. I wasn't laughing as a slipped a knife between his ribs.
Showing posts with label Mark. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mark. Show all posts
Friday, April 15, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Simply Ask
"Time's getting short," Bryan taunted his brother, his tone almost sing-song in quality.
"Don't you think I know that!" Mark snarled back. His hands clenched and unclenched unconsciously as he paced back and forth in the room that they shared.
Bryan stood off to one side of the room and watched his twins restless pacing. "Seriously," he asked after a few minutes of the one man parade, "what is the big deal about this? It's not like it's the end of the world or anything."
"Easy for you to say," Mark muttered.
"What was that?" Bryan asked leaning forward.
"I said, that it's easy for you to say that. You've never had troubles with this sort of thing. It just comes easily for you," Mark said.
"Okay, seriously," Bryan said, "just go and ask her. I know you like her and she likes you, and the dance is in three days. And," Bryan stressed, "if you don't ask Katie now then somebody else might and then you lose out."
"You're right," Mark said and sat down on the edge of the bed, "but I just don't know what to say." He had heard all of the various girls around the school gushing about who had been asked and how and all the creativity that seemed to be an intrinsic part of the biggest dance of the year.
"How about, would you like to go to the dance with me?" Bryan suggested simply. He reclined on the bed with his hands crossed behind his head.
"I guess I should go and ask her then," Mark said.
"Now is as good a time as any," Bryan replied sagely and tossed his brother his cell phone.
Mark caught the phone and heard a quiet ringing coming from it followed by a faint, "hello?"
Mark raised the phone to his ear and swallowed hard, "Hi Katie, it's Mark...."
"Don't you think I know that!" Mark snarled back. His hands clenched and unclenched unconsciously as he paced back and forth in the room that they shared.
Bryan stood off to one side of the room and watched his twins restless pacing. "Seriously," he asked after a few minutes of the one man parade, "what is the big deal about this? It's not like it's the end of the world or anything."
"Easy for you to say," Mark muttered.
"What was that?" Bryan asked leaning forward.
"I said, that it's easy for you to say that. You've never had troubles with this sort of thing. It just comes easily for you," Mark said.
"Okay, seriously," Bryan said, "just go and ask her. I know you like her and she likes you, and the dance is in three days. And," Bryan stressed, "if you don't ask Katie now then somebody else might and then you lose out."
"You're right," Mark said and sat down on the edge of the bed, "but I just don't know what to say." He had heard all of the various girls around the school gushing about who had been asked and how and all the creativity that seemed to be an intrinsic part of the biggest dance of the year.
"How about, would you like to go to the dance with me?" Bryan suggested simply. He reclined on the bed with his hands crossed behind his head.
"I guess I should go and ask her then," Mark said.
"Now is as good a time as any," Bryan replied sagely and tossed his brother his cell phone.
Mark caught the phone and heard a quiet ringing coming from it followed by a faint, "hello?"
Mark raised the phone to his ear and swallowed hard, "Hi Katie, it's Mark...."
Spoiled
Mark eagerly began the last chapter of his novel, Warbreaker. He had waited a while to savor this book until he had a little R&R and could take the time to really enjoy it fully. He could almost see it as if it were being played out in front of him. It was one of the reasons he loved to read. He could see it. He could rewind and replay a scene over and over again.
"Hey, I've read that one," Joe exclaimed as he wandered into the living room, "isn't it fantastic? I loved the ending, didn't you? I especially like the part where Vash defeats the bad guy at the end and the God-King is proven to be... Wasn't that a surprise?"
Mark looked up at Joe, his eyes flashing in anger. "It isn't a surprise anymore," Mark said flatly as he snapped the book closed, "do you know how long I've been waiting to read that?"
Joe swallowed hard, suddenly looking like he would rather be anywhere else than where he was. Joe slowly backed out of the room before turning and hurrying down the hall.
Mark growled in frustration and tossed the book aside. He hated a spoiled ending.
"Hey, I've read that one," Joe exclaimed as he wandered into the living room, "isn't it fantastic? I loved the ending, didn't you? I especially like the part where Vash defeats the bad guy at the end and the God-King is proven to be... Wasn't that a surprise?"
Mark looked up at Joe, his eyes flashing in anger. "It isn't a surprise anymore," Mark said flatly as he snapped the book closed, "do you know how long I've been waiting to read that?"
Joe swallowed hard, suddenly looking like he would rather be anywhere else than where he was. Joe slowly backed out of the room before turning and hurrying down the hall.
Mark growled in frustration and tossed the book aside. He hated a spoiled ending.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Speak-Easy
Mark couldn't remember how long it had been since he had played the piano. He ran his fingers across the dusty keys and picked out a few chords. The bench creaked as he sat down, his weight settling the ancient wood.
Only one or two keys were slightly out of tune as Mark tested them out, his fingers flowing across the ivory. Music flooded the room and it sounded like an entire jazz band era orchestra was coming from the old piano. A vision seemed to materialize from the notes that shimmered in the air.
One could picture a 1920s speak-easy, fedoras tilted at rakish angles and the air hazy with cigarette smoke. Low conversation punctuated by the soft clink of ice in glasses of illegally obtained booze. Smooth men in suits with smartly oiled hair played cards and transacted business deals. Women were resplendent in tight cocktail dresses, hair perfectly coiffed, faces painted up to look like perfect china dolls.
Servers in tuxedos ghosted through the room, collecting glasses and lighting cigars. A piano sat in the far corner of the lounge, a smartly dressed man in slacks and suspenders sat on the bench, coaxing popular tunes from the instrument.
With a final flourish, Mark raised his fingers from the keys and the vision of the speak-easy faded slowly into the dusty darkness.
Only one or two keys were slightly out of tune as Mark tested them out, his fingers flowing across the ivory. Music flooded the room and it sounded like an entire jazz band era orchestra was coming from the old piano. A vision seemed to materialize from the notes that shimmered in the air.
One could picture a 1920s speak-easy, fedoras tilted at rakish angles and the air hazy with cigarette smoke. Low conversation punctuated by the soft clink of ice in glasses of illegally obtained booze. Smooth men in suits with smartly oiled hair played cards and transacted business deals. Women were resplendent in tight cocktail dresses, hair perfectly coiffed, faces painted up to look like perfect china dolls.
Servers in tuxedos ghosted through the room, collecting glasses and lighting cigars. A piano sat in the far corner of the lounge, a smartly dressed man in slacks and suspenders sat on the bench, coaxing popular tunes from the instrument.
With a final flourish, Mark raised his fingers from the keys and the vision of the speak-easy faded slowly into the dusty darkness.
Tell Her The Truth
"What's been eating you lately?" Mark asked as he flopped down next to his brother on the bed.
"Do you know Amanda?" Bryan asked.
"Which one? There are quite a few Amandas at school," Mark said rolling his eyes. He was sure it was just another of his brothers crushes. It would go away in about two weeks.
"Amanda Hollingworth."
"Oh." Mark was taken aback a little. Amanda Hollingworth was not Bryan's typical girl. Mark reviewed in his mind what he knew of her. Pretty, studious, a little on the quiet side but very nice.
"I don't know her well," Mark said at last, "mostly in passing. What makes you mention her?"
"Because she thinks I'm you," Bryan said as he sat up.
Mark puzzled over this for a moment, "why would she think that you are me? Not that people don't get us confused all the time, but how did you two meet and why would she think you're me?"
"Remember that Dance Committee that you were supposed to be on?"
"Yeah. I vaguely remember that. What has that got to do with it?"
"Well Jason grabbed me one day after school thinking I was you and dragged me off to the meeting. I wasn't really paying attention and I ended up on the music committee with Amanda. She thinks I'm you."
"I don't see how this is a problem. Just tell her that you're Bryan. I don't know her all that well anyway."
"What if she thinks I've been lying to her on purpose, having a laugh at her expense."
"And what if she doesn't?" Mark asked, "what if she realizes that it was a mistake and let's it go."
"Then how would you account for me not telling her before that I was really Bryan?"
Mark was silent for a moment. After a few seconds of thought he said, "look, do you like her?"
Bryan gave him his 'are you that dim' look.
"Then tell her the truth," Mark said. "You can't build any sort of relationship without trust. You have to trust that she will see the situation for what it is, and she will have to trust that you had no intention of deceiving her."
"You're right," Bryan said as he jumped off the bed and walked out of the room.
"Of course I'm right," Mark said to the empty room.
"Do you know Amanda?" Bryan asked.
"Which one? There are quite a few Amandas at school," Mark said rolling his eyes. He was sure it was just another of his brothers crushes. It would go away in about two weeks.
"Amanda Hollingworth."
"Oh." Mark was taken aback a little. Amanda Hollingworth was not Bryan's typical girl. Mark reviewed in his mind what he knew of her. Pretty, studious, a little on the quiet side but very nice.
"I don't know her well," Mark said at last, "mostly in passing. What makes you mention her?"
"Because she thinks I'm you," Bryan said as he sat up.
Mark puzzled over this for a moment, "why would she think that you are me? Not that people don't get us confused all the time, but how did you two meet and why would she think you're me?"
"Remember that Dance Committee that you were supposed to be on?"
"Yeah. I vaguely remember that. What has that got to do with it?"
"Well Jason grabbed me one day after school thinking I was you and dragged me off to the meeting. I wasn't really paying attention and I ended up on the music committee with Amanda. She thinks I'm you."
"I don't see how this is a problem. Just tell her that you're Bryan. I don't know her all that well anyway."
"What if she thinks I've been lying to her on purpose, having a laugh at her expense."
"And what if she doesn't?" Mark asked, "what if she realizes that it was a mistake and let's it go."
"Then how would you account for me not telling her before that I was really Bryan?"
Mark was silent for a moment. After a few seconds of thought he said, "look, do you like her?"
Bryan gave him his 'are you that dim' look.
"Then tell her the truth," Mark said. "You can't build any sort of relationship without trust. You have to trust that she will see the situation for what it is, and she will have to trust that you had no intention of deceiving her."
"You're right," Bryan said as he jumped off the bed and walked out of the room.
"Of course I'm right," Mark said to the empty room.
Gonna Kill Him
An irritated growl issued from the nest of blankets on the bed when Bryan flipped on the lights in the room that he shared with his twin. The blankets shifted slightly, curling tighter into itself as another hiss of displeasure came from Mark's general direction.
"Hey, you okay?" Bryan asked casually, knowing the answer before his brother spoke.
"Go away," Mark's muffled voice came from the bed, clipped and tense.
"You know, there are better ways to deal with a bad mood," Bryan said flippantly as he poked the pile of blankest that enshrouded Mark.
"Nothing will help as much as sleep and your absence from this room," Mark said, poking his head out of the covers and glaring at his brother.
"Okay, chill bro. I'm outta here," he tweaked Mark's ear and then scooted through the door just as the shoe that Mark threw hit the wall where he had been standing.
Mark huddled back into the blankets and pulled them over his head, the warmth and darkness beginning to work their magic.
He sat bolt upright in bed as a shattering beat started pounding through the house. Every muscle tensed and his fists began to clench and unclench.
"I'm gonna kill him."
"Hey, you okay?" Bryan asked casually, knowing the answer before his brother spoke.
"Go away," Mark's muffled voice came from the bed, clipped and tense.
"You know, there are better ways to deal with a bad mood," Bryan said flippantly as he poked the pile of blankest that enshrouded Mark.
"Nothing will help as much as sleep and your absence from this room," Mark said, poking his head out of the covers and glaring at his brother.
"Okay, chill bro. I'm outta here," he tweaked Mark's ear and then scooted through the door just as the shoe that Mark threw hit the wall where he had been standing.
Mark huddled back into the blankets and pulled them over his head, the warmth and darkness beginning to work their magic.
He sat bolt upright in bed as a shattering beat started pounding through the house. Every muscle tensed and his fists began to clench and unclench.
"I'm gonna kill him."
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Recipe for Death
Mark carefully combined his ingredients, scrupulously making sure that all of his skin was covered and his face mask and eye protection were in place.
Various vials of chemicals and other toxins were neatly arranged on his work surface. Mark worked precisely, adding a few drops of Potassium Cyanide to Japanese puffer fish venom, forming a clear toxic fluid.
Mark added exactly five drops of the poison to a bottle of fine cologne and packaged it neatly in a gift box.
Three days later the death was reported in the news as a heart attack.
Various vials of chemicals and other toxins were neatly arranged on his work surface. Mark worked precisely, adding a few drops of Potassium Cyanide to Japanese puffer fish venom, forming a clear toxic fluid.
Mark added exactly five drops of the poison to a bottle of fine cologne and packaged it neatly in a gift box.
Three days later the death was reported in the news as a heart attack.
Bets
"I bet you won't do it," Bryan shouted as he nudged Mark in the side. They stood in the middle of a crowded club; music pounding and bodies bumping in time to the beat.
"I bet you I will," Mark shot back, clearly embarrassed. Massive amounts of people had always made him uncomfortable.
Bryan snorted, "yeah right. You have never taken the initiative and I doubt that you'll start now."
"I can do it," Mark said with determination.
"Then prove it. Get out there, pick a girl and dance with her. I'll even give you bonus points if you kiss her," Bryan leered at his brother. With one backward glance and a smirk Bryan disappeared into the crowd of gyrating bodies.
Mark stood for a few moments looking around, jostled by the surrounding people. Mark cracked his knuckles and shook his hands out as he let his eyes fall closed, waiting for the beat to become a part of him. It started in his chest, the throbbing of the bass that echoed his heart beat; felt it in the marrow of his bones, his feet and body beginning to move to the beat.
Mark opened his eyes and they met a pair of pretty brown eyes in the crowd. He smiled shyly as he moved towards her at her encouraging smile. He held out one hand in invitation and felt a cool hand slide into his in response.
Mark tugged her close and began to move to the music; the girl following his lead as she glanced up at him through thick eyelashes.
"I'm Mark," Mark shouted over the music.
"My friends call me Mishi," The girl shouted back.
"It's nice to meet you Mishi," Mark smiled at her as a new song came over the speakers and the fell into step again.
"I bet you I will," Mark shot back, clearly embarrassed. Massive amounts of people had always made him uncomfortable.
Bryan snorted, "yeah right. You have never taken the initiative and I doubt that you'll start now."
"I can do it," Mark said with determination.
"Then prove it. Get out there, pick a girl and dance with her. I'll even give you bonus points if you kiss her," Bryan leered at his brother. With one backward glance and a smirk Bryan disappeared into the crowd of gyrating bodies.
Mark stood for a few moments looking around, jostled by the surrounding people. Mark cracked his knuckles and shook his hands out as he let his eyes fall closed, waiting for the beat to become a part of him. It started in his chest, the throbbing of the bass that echoed his heart beat; felt it in the marrow of his bones, his feet and body beginning to move to the beat.
Mark opened his eyes and they met a pair of pretty brown eyes in the crowd. He smiled shyly as he moved towards her at her encouraging smile. He held out one hand in invitation and felt a cool hand slide into his in response.
Mark tugged her close and began to move to the music; the girl following his lead as she glanced up at him through thick eyelashes.
"I'm Mark," Mark shouted over the music.
"My friends call me Mishi," The girl shouted back.
"It's nice to meet you Mishi," Mark smiled at her as a new song came over the speakers and the fell into step again.
Flames and Adventures
Harsh driving winds slung the snow into the windows creating a hiss as a counterpoint to the pop and crackle of the fire. Bare, snow laden tree branches scraped across the window pane; creaking and tapping out and odd rhythm.
Mark released the curtains, letting them fall back into place to cover the dark and chill night. He could feel the cold from the storm seeping through the glass of the window if he held his hand close enough. He heard the clock strike eleven and turned from the darkness.
Mark stepped back whisper quiet on stockinged feet and moved closer to the fire. There was a nest of blankets and pillows set up a few feet back from the dancing flames. Mark settled his long and agile frame into the swirling mass of fabric and pulled a blanket around his shoulders just before reaching for a steaming cup of hot chocolate. He inhaled the rich aroma of the carefully concocted brew and took a careful sip; allowing the warmth to creep across his tongue and trickle down his throat, warming him all the way down.
He sighed in contentment and reclined into the thick pile of pillows, his mug in one hand and a copy of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in the other.
Mark released the curtains, letting them fall back into place to cover the dark and chill night. He could feel the cold from the storm seeping through the glass of the window if he held his hand close enough. He heard the clock strike eleven and turned from the darkness.
Mark stepped back whisper quiet on stockinged feet and moved closer to the fire. There was a nest of blankets and pillows set up a few feet back from the dancing flames. Mark settled his long and agile frame into the swirling mass of fabric and pulled a blanket around his shoulders just before reaching for a steaming cup of hot chocolate. He inhaled the rich aroma of the carefully concocted brew and took a careful sip; allowing the warmth to creep across his tongue and trickle down his throat, warming him all the way down.
He sighed in contentment and reclined into the thick pile of pillows, his mug in one hand and a copy of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in the other.
No More Drama
"I hereby resolve to not get involved with anyone this year!" Bryan exclaimed, his eyes bright from the sugar coursing through his system.
Mark snorted quietly into his own cup of Pepsi, "Yeah right Bry," he said as he turned to survey the room. It was crowded, bodies packed into the small space, the badly hung crepe not hiding the fact that it was a smelly old gym at a small school.
"I mean it!" Bryan said loudly, "I am through with girls, They are nothing but trouble, and drama, and enormous pests."
Mark looked his twin in the eye, "Bryan, if I know you at all, which I do, then you will fall for the next girl that you kiss. The only way to keep your resolution is to not kiss anyone. And I don't think that you can do that."
"Sure I can."
Mark shook his head, "You mean you won't kiss anyone tonight on the stroke of midnight?"
"Nope."
"Well, I guess we will see in about ten minutes if you can keep your promise. I bet you ten bucks that you can't keep from kissing anyone."
"Your on Bro."
3...
2...
1...
"HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!"
...."I knew you couldn't do it."
Mark snorted quietly into his own cup of Pepsi, "Yeah right Bry," he said as he turned to survey the room. It was crowded, bodies packed into the small space, the badly hung crepe not hiding the fact that it was a smelly old gym at a small school.
"I mean it!" Bryan said loudly, "I am through with girls, They are nothing but trouble, and drama, and enormous pests."
Mark looked his twin in the eye, "Bryan, if I know you at all, which I do, then you will fall for the next girl that you kiss. The only way to keep your resolution is to not kiss anyone. And I don't think that you can do that."
"Sure I can."
Mark shook his head, "You mean you won't kiss anyone tonight on the stroke of midnight?"
"Nope."
"Well, I guess we will see in about ten minutes if you can keep your promise. I bet you ten bucks that you can't keep from kissing anyone."
"Your on Bro."
3...
2...
1...
"HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!"
...."I knew you couldn't do it."
Exactly the Same
I don't know how the two of you did it!" Mrs. Marsh said in exasperation. "Both of you got the exact same score, and the exact questions wrong, but you were both sitting on opposite ends of the room. How did you do it?"
Mark and Bryan looked at each other and then back at their calculus teacher, "well, we are twins," Bryan said, but swallowed the rest of his statement when she shot his a glare.
"Mrs. Marsh," Mark spoke up softly, "the most simple answer is that we study together, so what one of us know, the other also knows. We drill and drill, if we didn't get it right it's because we didn't study that hard enough. Simple as that," Mark finished just as softly as he had started.
Mrs. Marsh looked from Bryan's smiling face to Mark's quietly composed face, shrugged and shooed them out the door.
Mark and Bryan looked at each other and then back at their calculus teacher, "well, we are twins," Bryan said, but swallowed the rest of his statement when she shot his a glare.
"Mrs. Marsh," Mark spoke up softly, "the most simple answer is that we study together, so what one of us know, the other also knows. We drill and drill, if we didn't get it right it's because we didn't study that hard enough. Simple as that," Mark finished just as softly as he had started.
Mrs. Marsh looked from Bryan's smiling face to Mark's quietly composed face, shrugged and shooed them out the door.
So Different and So the Same
Mark and Bryan sat around the tree in their small apartment, completely disregarding what little furniture there was in the room. The tree was a little one that they had cut from the local forest plot. They figured that no one would miss a two foot sapling. The tree was strung about with strands of popcorn and construction paper chains, a single candle acted as the star on the top of the tree. Only two presents sat under the tree.
Both of the twins were bright eyed with anticipation as they handed each other their gifts, one wrapped in blue and one in green.
"Ready?" Bryan asked.
"Ready."
"GO!"
The twins tore into the simple paper quickly, pulling out the gift from the one that knew him best.
A brief look of confusion passed over each of their faces before they broke out in loud gales of laughter. Each of them held up an identical Ipods.
Both of the twins were bright eyed with anticipation as they handed each other their gifts, one wrapped in blue and one in green.
"Ready?" Bryan asked.
"Ready."
"GO!"
The twins tore into the simple paper quickly, pulling out the gift from the one that knew him best.
A brief look of confusion passed over each of their faces before they broke out in loud gales of laughter. Each of them held up an identical Ipods.
Few and Far Between
Mark flipped through a few pages of the old and worn book in his hands, the dates of the entry's were far apart.
He reread one entry from the middle of the book, calling to mind the memory of the day that he and his brother had decided to join the military. Their father had been proud of them.
The next entry was dated a year later. 'We have been placed in Major David Cole's command.
And the next and last entry three years later. "David gave his life for us today. Bryan is in the hospital, and Joe is missing. Steve is taking this hard.
Mark flipped the book closed and placed it back on his drawer. He didn't know when he would write in it next. Some things he would prefer to forget.
He reread one entry from the middle of the book, calling to mind the memory of the day that he and his brother had decided to join the military. Their father had been proud of them.
The next entry was dated a year later. 'We have been placed in Major David Cole's command.
And the next and last entry three years later. "David gave his life for us today. Bryan is in the hospital, and Joe is missing. Steve is taking this hard.
Mark flipped the book closed and placed it back on his drawer. He didn't know when he would write in it next. Some things he would prefer to forget.
Wasn't Thinking
"I'm sorry man. I don't know what else to say," Bryan stammered out an apology to his brother. He watched warily from where Mark couldn't reach him, watched the emotions play across his face; shock, disbelief, anger.
Mark stood in the doorway to their room, he could still hear the echo of the door slamming downstairs as Shandra left the house, probably for the last time.
"I guess I just wasn't thinking," Bryan said after an awkward pause.
"That's always been your problem Bryan," Mark said, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "You never think. You never stop to consider what may or may not happen, who you might hurt or how your actions might be taken in the wrong way. Did it ever occur to you that what you do affects other people?"
Bryan swallowed his shame, he knew that he shouldn't have, and it's not like it's his fault that Marks girlfriend can't tell them apart, it had just happened.
"Mark, I'm sorry, it just happened. I looked up and smiled at her, and suddenly she was kissing me, and my brain just stopped," Bryan said quietly, "I hope the two of you can work it out. Tell her I'm sorry will you?"
Mark looked at his twin, his almost perfect mirror image in everything, "No, I don't think that I will; and I doubt that this can be fixed," he said. Turning on his heel, Mark left the room, slamming the door behind him.
"I'm sorry," Bryan said again to the empty space.
Mark stood in the doorway to their room, he could still hear the echo of the door slamming downstairs as Shandra left the house, probably for the last time.
"I guess I just wasn't thinking," Bryan said after an awkward pause.
"That's always been your problem Bryan," Mark said, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "You never think. You never stop to consider what may or may not happen, who you might hurt or how your actions might be taken in the wrong way. Did it ever occur to you that what you do affects other people?"
Bryan swallowed his shame, he knew that he shouldn't have, and it's not like it's his fault that Marks girlfriend can't tell them apart, it had just happened.
"Mark, I'm sorry, it just happened. I looked up and smiled at her, and suddenly she was kissing me, and my brain just stopped," Bryan said quietly, "I hope the two of you can work it out. Tell her I'm sorry will you?"
Mark looked at his twin, his almost perfect mirror image in everything, "No, I don't think that I will; and I doubt that this can be fixed," he said. Turning on his heel, Mark left the room, slamming the door behind him.
"I'm sorry," Bryan said again to the empty space.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
It Better Be
"Come on Mark, I said I was sorry didn't I?" Bryan asked.
Mark shot him another glare and turned his back on his twin.
Bryan reached out and pulled Mark around to face him, "I said I'm sorry. Can't you accept that?"
Mark narrowed his eyes at his brother, "I just don't know how you could have done that to me Bryan," he said.
"I'll make it up to you," Bryan promised, "just stop being mad at me."
"Alright," Mark said, "but it better be the same."
"It will, believe me, it will," Bryan said as he broke into a grin and started to hurry away.
"I still can't believe you ate all my cookies!" Mark hollered after his brother.
Mark shot him another glare and turned his back on his twin.
Bryan reached out and pulled Mark around to face him, "I said I'm sorry. Can't you accept that?"
Mark narrowed his eyes at his brother, "I just don't know how you could have done that to me Bryan," he said.
"I'll make it up to you," Bryan promised, "just stop being mad at me."
"Alright," Mark said, "but it better be the same."
"It will, believe me, it will," Bryan said as he broke into a grin and started to hurry away.
"I still can't believe you ate all my cookies!" Mark hollered after his brother.
Stubborn to a Fault
"Take a rest Mark," Steve said. There was still six miles left to camp and the sun was going down. It was just Mark and Steve out for a run.
"Come on, we can make it to camp before night if we keep going," Mark said, he didn't sit down as indicated by his superior officer.
"You are on the verge of collapse already," Steve noted in a dry tone, "take a rest and we will get to camp when we get there, an hour after sunset, no more."
"I don't need to rest Sir. I can make it," Mark said.
"Just sit down for a few moments."
"I can make it. There is no need to coddle me."
"I'm not. You won't make it if you keep pushing yourself."
"I know I can make it back before sunset."
"And if you pass out once you are there? Then what?"
"Sir..."
"Just sit down Allard. Take a breather for twenty and then we will be on our way."
Mark still didn't sit down.
"Do I have to make that an order Allard?"
"No Sir," Mark said as he sat down at last, "but I still think I could have made it."
"Come on, we can make it to camp before night if we keep going," Mark said, he didn't sit down as indicated by his superior officer.
"You are on the verge of collapse already," Steve noted in a dry tone, "take a rest and we will get to camp when we get there, an hour after sunset, no more."
"I don't need to rest Sir. I can make it," Mark said.
"Just sit down for a few moments."
"I can make it. There is no need to coddle me."
"I'm not. You won't make it if you keep pushing yourself."
"I know I can make it back before sunset."
"And if you pass out once you are there? Then what?"
"Sir..."
"Just sit down Allard. Take a breather for twenty and then we will be on our way."
Mark still didn't sit down.
"Do I have to make that an order Allard?"
"No Sir," Mark said as he sat down at last, "but I still think I could have made it."
Mass
Their voices rose in perfect harmony, tenor and base twining around each other, the young voices of innocence. Bryan and Mark stood in the chancel of the chapel where they had always gone to church, dressed in matching robes. It was the last time that they would be singing in public as altar boys. The melody crescendo effortlessly.
APERI, Dómine, os meum ad benedicéndum nomen sanctum tuum: munda quoque cor meum ab ómnibus vanis, pervérsis et aliénis cogitatiónibus; intelléctum illúmina, afféctum inflámma, ut digne, atténte ac devóte hoc Offícium recitáre váleam, et exaudíri mérear ante conspéctum divínæ Majestátis tuæ. Per Christum, Dóminum nostrum. R. Amen.
Dómine, in unióne illíus divínæ intentiónis, qua ipse in terris laudes Deo persolvísti, hanc tibi Horam persólvo.
APERI, Dómine, os meum ad benedicéndum nomen sanctum tuum: munda quoque cor meum ab ómnibus vanis, pervérsis et aliénis cogitatiónibus; intelléctum illúmina, afféctum inflámma, ut digne, atténte ac devóte hoc Offícium recitáre váleam, et exaudíri mérear ante conspéctum divínæ Majestátis tuæ. Per Christum, Dóminum nostrum. R. Amen.
Dómine, in unióne illíus divínæ intentiónis, qua ipse in terris laudes Deo persolvísti, hanc tibi Horam persólvo.
Midnight
Bryan settled into the plush chair in the dim room. He let his eyes wander as the room began to fill with people, people dressed nicely. Bryan sunk a little in his chair, feeling under dressed. He was a bit surprised at how many people were walking in. He turned to Mark beside him, "Seriously, what are we doing here?" he asked.
"Keep your voice down," Mark whispered, "It's impolite to be so loud."
"When you said you were taking me out, I didn't think I was going to feel so out of place. Couldn't we have gone to a club or something? Someplace with music?" Bryan asked in a lower voice.
"There will be music," Mark said and smiled cryptically.
"What kind of music?" Bryan asked as he perked up at the thought.
"You'll see," Mark smiled.
"It better not be lame," Bryan warned.
"Shh, it's about to start," Mark said.
The curtains rose and Bryan rolled his eyes when he heard the first strains of orchestral music, but quickly fell under the spell of the powerfully driven music and the voices. He looked down once at his playbill that he had ignored up to this point.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra Presents:
Beethoven's Last Night.
Mark had to nudge Bryan when the performance was over to get him to move at all.
Bryan stood up slowly, "I..." he said, unable to articulate his feelings.
Mark threw an arm around his twins shoulders, "I told you you would like it," he said.
"Keep your voice down," Mark whispered, "It's impolite to be so loud."
"When you said you were taking me out, I didn't think I was going to feel so out of place. Couldn't we have gone to a club or something? Someplace with music?" Bryan asked in a lower voice.
"There will be music," Mark said and smiled cryptically.
"What kind of music?" Bryan asked as he perked up at the thought.
"You'll see," Mark smiled.
"It better not be lame," Bryan warned.
"Shh, it's about to start," Mark said.
The curtains rose and Bryan rolled his eyes when he heard the first strains of orchestral music, but quickly fell under the spell of the powerfully driven music and the voices. He looked down once at his playbill that he had ignored up to this point.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra Presents:
Beethoven's Last Night.
Mark had to nudge Bryan when the performance was over to get him to move at all.
Bryan stood up slowly, "I..." he said, unable to articulate his feelings.
Mark threw an arm around his twins shoulders, "I told you you would like it," he said.
Borrowed
"I know what you did last night," Mark said in a singsong voice as he stepped into the room where Bryan was working on a few sparring moves. The room was practically empty. Mark glanced around and could only see two other soldiers in the far corner.
Bryan's head snapped up, his eyes full of guilt. "I didn't do anything last night," he said. Even to his own ears, the denial was weak.
Marks laugh was low, his eyes glimmering with mirth, "don't kid yourself," he said, "you know exactly what you did."
Bryan swallowed hard, "you won't tell anyone will you?" he asked.
Mark's lips quirked into a half smile, "let's just say that I won't rat you out to the Commander. You are, after all, my brother. But if he finds out, I'm not covering for you," Mark said.
"Fair enough," Bryan said, "I don't think he will find out that I "borrowed" his car. And if he does, well lets just say that mastering this move will be the least of my problems."
Bryan's head snapped up, his eyes full of guilt. "I didn't do anything last night," he said. Even to his own ears, the denial was weak.
Marks laugh was low, his eyes glimmering with mirth, "don't kid yourself," he said, "you know exactly what you did."
Bryan swallowed hard, "you won't tell anyone will you?" he asked.
Mark's lips quirked into a half smile, "let's just say that I won't rat you out to the Commander. You are, after all, my brother. But if he finds out, I'm not covering for you," Mark said.
"Fair enough," Bryan said, "I don't think he will find out that I "borrowed" his car. And if he does, well lets just say that mastering this move will be the least of my problems."
I'll Do The Dishes
Bryan pounced on his brother as soon as he walked in the front door.
"Alright, tell me all about it. What happened? How did it go? Did you kiss her?" Bryan asked.
Mark just smiled and shook his head in response to his brothers volley of questions.
"Come on man, give me something!" Bryan demanded as he grabbed his twin by the arm. He always found it a little strange that even though they were practically identical in looks, they were far from the same when it came to their personality.
"I'm sorry," Mark said, as he shook off his brothers grip, "the information you have requested has been classified as need to know only." Mark loved ribbing his brother.
Bryan sighed, he knew that he would not be getting any information until Mark felt like giving it up. If he ever felt like giving it up. For now, Mark would keep his secrets.
"I'll do the dishes for two weeks," Bryan wheedled.
Mark laughed and walked down the hall to his own room.
"Alright, tell me all about it. What happened? How did it go? Did you kiss her?" Bryan asked.
Mark just smiled and shook his head in response to his brothers volley of questions.
"Come on man, give me something!" Bryan demanded as he grabbed his twin by the arm. He always found it a little strange that even though they were practically identical in looks, they were far from the same when it came to their personality.
"I'm sorry," Mark said, as he shook off his brothers grip, "the information you have requested has been classified as need to know only." Mark loved ribbing his brother.
Bryan sighed, he knew that he would not be getting any information until Mark felt like giving it up. If he ever felt like giving it up. For now, Mark would keep his secrets.
"I'll do the dishes for two weeks," Bryan wheedled.
Mark laughed and walked down the hall to his own room.
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