Mark is an everyday man.
Nondescript, soft-spoken, shy guy who mumbles most responses when questioned
rather than speaking outright.
He prefers not to talk a lot.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Typically, wears a closely cropped crewcut, Levi jeans, Polo shirts in varying shades of blue
with always a slight trace of grease under his fingernails
remnants from working as a grease monkey at Mel's Automotive Garage.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Thirty years old, he still resides in the basement at his mom’s, Beulah’s, house.
She longs for him to marry a nice church gal.
Muttering he says, “I don’t want anyone.”
He figures a steady gal will be more trouble than fun.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Takes care of his manly urges discreetly once a month at Motel 6
with a Lady of the Night.
Treats himself to what he considers a luxury meal of Salisbury Steak, mashed potatoes,
gravy, and green beans
at Dino’s Diner most Saturday evenings.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Watching his big screen TV fills his pastime.
Never outgrew watching cartoons and Slime Time
kiddy shows that reminds him of his childhood
before his world became complicated by adult responsibilities and expectations.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The other mechanics at Mel’s Garage tease him about his odd, reclusive ways.
Quietly, he accepts the ribbing.
When he has had enough, he blurts his standing zinger.
“At least I don’t believe that Bigfoot lives lives as you do.”
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Then they laugh together with this everyday man who does not feel the need to be anything else.
9/12/2026
The Words That Got to Me
who mumbles most responses when questioned rather than speaking outright. *And boom! Right out of the gate, compliments of your writing prowess, we get this guy! Polo shirts in varying shades of blue *Yep! We have an even better focus now, building on the information you provided right at the beginning. a slight trace of grease under his fingernails remnants from working as a grease monkey... *What I like about this is that it lets us know he's not a slob. 'Remnants' and 'slight trace' tell us that he washed and washed and TRIED to get the grease out...but there's only so much effort one can exert, and then it becomes nonsense. He is what he is, and there's no shame in what he does. Beulah’s *Ohhh, the picture this name has always painted in my mind! Love that you choose it for this Everyman's mama. his manly urges *done with class. Understated, like our Everyman, but it also gives us the nod that he's not "a weirdo." He's not living in Beulah's basement and scrolling porn sites. Treats himself to what he considers a luxury meal of Salisbury Steak, mashed potatoes, gravy, and green beans at Dino’s Diner most Saturday evenings. *I have to say that this tableau tugged at my heart a lot. I began to feel sad for him. But then I heard my Little Voice say, "You snob, Rachelle Allen. He thinks this is his little weekly slice of heaven. Why does he have to want a fancy steak place just because that's YOUR idea of luxury?" And then I said, "That Sandy Nelms' Ludwig is a writing genius, because she KNEW that people would think this. And then she trusted us to think it through a little more and come to the same realization I did. I consider this writing gold; I honestly do. Quietly, he accepts the ribbing. *Another fascinating and encouraging facet: he's not a "loner." The guys 'rib' him, but don't taunt or bully him. He's one of them. He's not going to come after them with a crowbar. This was an important add-in that was very illuminating.
Suggestions / Possible Tweaks
Bigfoot lives lives *Bet you didn't realize that second "lives" was still there. I feel like he should do something once a week with Beulah - go shopping with her so she doesn't have to cart the groceries all by herself? Drive her to and from church? Carry the laundry baskets to and from her bedroom? Something. Oooh! How about this: he goes for his Salisbury steak dinner after dropping her off at Bingo, then picks her up afterward and they go back home together.
What a finely drawn portrait you have created of this fascinating man. It's like the quiet children in the classroom: there's so much more happening in those still waters than meets the eye. In this case, although it might appear that he's "failed to launch," what he's really done is carve out a niche of satisfaction and contentment for himself. We should all be so lucky! I love the slow, steady, gentle way you painted this portrait and the way you made no comments written between your lines as to what kind of a person he is. You gave us just the facts and let us draw our own conclusion. That's what all the best writers do. THOROUGHLY enjoyable piece. Thank you, Sandy. This gave me a lot to think about today. xoxo