She moved methodically, cautiously, taking slow steps as if giving him time to react. She came straight to where he stood, and when he didn’t turn away, she opened her arms and pulled him into a soft embrace. “I missed you,” she said and squeezed, her breath in his ear.
Bob Thurber is the author of six books. Regarded as a master of Flash and Micro Fiction, his work has appeared in Esquire and other magazines, been anthologized 60 times, received a long list of awards, and been utilized in schools and colleges throughout the world. He resides in Massachusetts. Visit his website at BobThurber.net.
Author’s Note: So, I ask, which character is the muse?
The He character is the muse.
What a gem.
I love the word choices, “methodically, cautiously”. The title throws me off because it steers me towards a different story than the one I want. The power of a title! If there must be a muse, I say it is the “she” in the story. The muse can be a temptress but can also carry heavy topics we try to avoid writing about but get pulled into anyway.
Delightful!
Just like a muse, to come and go — to be breathless, and then full of breath. Beautiful work.
Touching, “she is his muse.”