“Hello, ‘writer.’
Her voice was so sultry, even her insults excited me.
“Arabelle. It’s been a long time.
She turned the chair around and sat facing me, legs crossed, her dress holding on to hips that promised the fruits of her hours of research.
My face heated at the thoughts I thought.
She sighed. “So predictable. Are you even looking at how infrequently you’ve written this year?”
“I just did. That’s why I’m writing now.”
She sat on the edge of the bed, looking at me.
“You are too easily distracted.”
My eyes traveled against my will. “It would help if you…”
“I’ll help you.” She got up, walked over to me, and lifted my chin on her finger so I would look at her eyes, but I didn’t quite make it, and she grabbed my chin and tilted my neck until I was finally looking at her eyes.
“They’re up here.”
I pulled away and snapped back. “I was actually writing until you showed up!”
“Drivel.”
“It’s a start. I can make it not drivel.”
“I suppose.”
“You’re not helping, Arabelle. Go away.”
“Are you sure?”
“You get mad when I pay attention to you, and then when I ask you to leave me so I can work, you ask me “Are you sure”
“Yes, I’m sure. Go. Away. Arabelle.”
“Can I at least read what you’re writing?”
“You already said it was drivel. Weren’t you watching from…wherever it is your kind dwells?”
It was her turn to blush. “Not really.”
I sighed. “Here.” I moved away from the screen.
She read it, a warmth emanating from her closeness, the whisper of fabric against her body. I pushed my chair further away, and she put her hand on the armrest.
I let her finish, and she turned to me, smiling. “I like it. Considering how few and far between you’ve worked, this is okay.”
“Glad you approve. Now, will you go away?”
“How about if I stay in the background?”
I shrugged. “Suit yourself, Muse. Clearly, you’ve got nothing better to do today.”
She sat on the edge of the bed again, humming.
“That’s not ‘in the background.’
“It’s the best I can do.”
“No, it’s not, and I don’t know why you’re here trying to distract me, but it’s not going to work.”
She smiled enigmatically, and began to swing her right leg as it crossed over her left.
Muses, man…
Beyond Panic 