By Bob Jobe
Jan 19,2010
About 250 words

 

A Postcard Story is one that is told in less than 250 words. About what fits on a postcard, hence the name. I suppose these days it might make more sense to call it a Tweet and a half story. After all when was the last time you sent a postcard?
BTW, Apparently to settle a bet Ernest Hemingway agreed to create a story in 6 words or less. His response: “For sale: Baby shoes, never worn.”
Here’s my attempt using 250 words.:

 

He was on the edge of the seat. Mesmerized. Third period, Game tied 1-1. A horn sounded, last minute of play.  Both teams regrouped for the final push. Great Hockey.

A wail started somewhere above him. The piercing sound breaking in on his concentration.

Not the goddamm baby again. It never fucking fails.

Then: Honey can you get him? I’m on the phone.

She was always on the phone. Yap, yap, yap. Who could talk that much?

He replied:  I’ll be there in a minute.
Hoping for the best. Maybe the kid would shut up on his own.

On the screen a Toronto player broke free. Heading down the ice, all alone.  Yes! He shouted. Do it! Shoot!

The shot went wide and a Montreal player picked it up. Swinging back behind the net, getting ready to make his run.

The crying continued.

A shadow fell across him. His wife, phone glued to her ear, motioning for him to get the baby.  But the adrenaline still held him and he said way too loudly:  Get him yourself.

She moved in front of him, covering the mouth piece.  Hissing:  Don’t you ever talk to me like that, you worthless bastard.

Fuck. He jumped free of the chair, darting to the side to catch the last play.  He’d deal with her later.

The little bastard was really wailing.

The sting of her slap surprised him. His response was instant and brutal.

Upstairs, the baby continued to cry.