Short Stories
Theology Illustrated
Brandi contemplating on a rainy day at Foolish Things with churches in the distance in Tulsa, Oklahoma on 05/12/14. ___________________ Drawing by Marty Coleman ___________________
The Witness – A Short Short Story
Chapter One Penelope was a Tour Guide of impeccable reputation. She knew everything there was to know about the art in the museum, including the current exhibition. She would explain in great detail why the artist made the choices she made and...
The Judgment – A Short Story
Prologue Beatrice was raised by a very judgmental mother who didn't like her much. Chapter One Beatrice saw the mother and daughter on the street outside of gallery as she went up the steps. As she juggled her keys and coffee to unlock the door...
Never – A Short Short Story
Prologue Millicent had never been the subject of a short story before. She had been mentioned in a weird poem her 10th grade boyfriend had written for her when he was high on pot, but never a short story. Chapter One Millicent had never been in an...
The Disillusioned – A Short Short Story
Chapter One Rita got the invitation the same day her date stood her up (she hadn't had a successful second date in 2 years) so she decided to go to the opening alone. She knew the show would have nudes in it, but didn't realize every single...
The Hand Model – A Short Story
Prologue She didn't realize today would be the most important day of her life. Chapter One The Waitress was waiting tables, depressed and annoyed at having been in the city for months and still not having made any friends or making any progress in...
The Trip to the Museum – A Short, Short Story
Prologue She was born in 1975 in Tupelo, Mississippi but moved with her family to Paris, France at the age of 2. She had been married but her American husband had been killed in the Iraq War. She was an accountant and liked to do crafts. She had one son....
The Belly Dancer and the Wolf – A Short Short Story
Prologue The Belly Dancer was glad the final pose in her debut as a figure model for the art class was laying down. She was also glad she could close her eyes because then she wouldn't have to look at the hideously scary painting of a wolf that...
Short Short Stories From the Cemetery
The Super Hero Earlier during my cemetery walkabout, right as the sun went down, I happened upon a lone superhero starting her overnight vigil overlooking the city. She was strong and disciplined. I asked her how she got to be a superhero. She said she always...
The Dress and Blushing Woman – A Short Short Story
Prologue Liz didn't grow up in the church but she had been attending for many years. Chapter One She got the dress from a new online shopping service. She loved it and was excited to wear it to church where she was going to get up on the alter and...
The Blue Woman – A Short Short Story
The Blue Woman Prologue She born in 1977 in rural west Texas. When she was born her lips were blue and her father exclaimed, "Well, HELLO Blue!" and the nickname stuck. Her real name was Trinity Amelia Forsyth. No one ever called her Trinity...
The Knitter in Love – A Short Short Story
__________ Prologue She moved to Denver and told herself she was going to change things, get out and start living again, even if it was just to go get coffee in the morning. ___________ Chapter One The Knitter liked to go to Starbucks to knit....
The Best Friends – A Short Short Story
Prologue They had their conversation in the shade. Chapter One She was talking about her pain. She told of her silly assumption that her best friend would overlook a very minor annoyance given the circumstances and how it hurt to realize no benefit of...
Your Turn – The Untitled Short Short Story
Your Turn I liked doing my 'Unnamed Series' so much last week that I decided to try a variation on it. This time I am showing a drawing from my sketchbook. It has no title. What I want you to do is tell me the story you imagine, then post the story in the...
Practicing at a Church I Usually Don’t Go To – A Short Short Poem
Practicing at a Church I Usually Don't Go To - A Short Short Poem She is walking out of church with very long legs and very short shorts. I am behind her, noticing, with a remnant, a wafting of judgment, That I discard and think instead, You are...
A Drawing of Five Seconds of Her Thinking
A Short Short Story Transcript: 5 seconds in her mind while we were in a church and she was in front of us and I watched her for a while before I made this up Second One: I am alone, I am still cold, I wish I was married, I wonder if I am getting...
The Tutored Tooting – A Short Short Story
Prologue I knew these girls. They were the girls I liked in High School. Not always the smartest, but definitely the smartassiest. Chapter One They were way too smart for school. Nonetheless, school they were in. And they weren't doing very well....
A Portrait at Starbucks – A Short Short Story (True)
#1 I've gone to the same Starbucks in Tulsa about 3 times in a row now. It is not where I usually travel but I had to get my car serviced a number of times and it's the coffee spot closest to the dealership. Each time I've spent time working and drawing, usually...
Shades of Brown – An Illustrated Short Short Story
Shades of Brown - An Illustrated Short Short Story She was intensely focused on her writing as I had a Prague Mocha & Oatmeal Raisin cookie and drew her. The End _______________________ Drawing and story by Marty Coleman...
The Interview at Starbucks – An Illustrated Short Story
The Interview Prologue My car was being serviced. I was sitting at Starbucks. Chapter 1 She was there a long time before he arrived. She had nothing to eat or drink. She had pale and rosy skin that glowed against the gray painting behind her. Chapter 2...
The Shower in 1992 – An Illustrated Short Story
The Shower in 1992 Prologue Shannon was excited to go skiing but she didn't realize until they got there that they were going to be living dorm style for the week. It made her nervous because she was very shy about her body. Chapter One The first 2 days...
The Love of Art – An Illustrated Short Story
Chapter One Art lived in a museum. Many people touched her. Even the guards would touch her when no one was looking. She liked being touched. A few people thought she was stupid or that she was ugly. Some thought she was old looking. Some thought her...
The Woman with the Cell Phone in Church – A Short Story
The Woman With the Cell Phone in Church She sat in the front row of the balcony with wild burgundy hair and blue eyeshadow, which matched the color of her pants. Many people down below looked up at her. She was in a salmon orange hoodie and had her...
The Missionary – A Short Short True Story
The Missionary - A Short Short True Story Prologue Our connecting flight was late. Chapter One She had been a missionary and now lived in California. She had interesting skin that I liked looking at. She did most of the talking. Chapter...