Many Muse-ical Moments

Many Muse-ical Moments

Prologue

A politician, an edutainer, a voice actor and a writer walk into a bar. Does this sound like a bad joke? I guess it kinda does, huh? Well, to me it’s called, ‘last Friday’, and it was one of the best days of my life. My Crittermess, Easter, and unbirthday all rolled up into one.

We weren’t at a bar, we were at Disneyland. Actually, no—a bar at Disneyland. Yeah, that was it. I was there with my favorite guys...I call them my muses. That’s creative-speak; it means someone who inspires you in daily life so much that you dedicate most of your art to them.

Still confused? Be patient with me. I’m just warming up.

Sir Horse

It all started a week before, when I wheeled into work looking like a bedraggled ball of fur. Sam smiled at me from behind the cash register, but her eyes suggested she was as harried as I felt. “Good morning—I think. Are you okay?”

“Mmm...so-so,” I mumbled. “How ‘bout you?” I said brightly. I genuinely hoped her morning was going better than mine.

“Busy,” she shrugged, then added with a wink, “But I like it that way.” She gave me another once-over, adding, “What happened to you?” She tried keeping her tone light, but concern flashed across her face.

“My neighbor was up late watching T.V.” I told her. “He doesn’t have the best hearing, so...” Sam grimaced.

“He blasted it on you, huh?”

“Language, Samantha!” I was so exhausted that I didn’t hear the bell over the door, or see Sir Horse walk in. My face lit up, and the laugh-fest began. “I’m so glad you’re here!” I finally managed. “Just what my day needed! By the way, my neighbor had his T.V. up too loud last night,” I scolded him. “I’m a light sleeper; it’s the ears.” Sir Horse gave me a sympathetic smile.

“Well, now that situation is settled, but what are we going to do about you, my friend?”

“I’m a wreck, aren’t I?”

“I wouldn’t say that...” Sir Horse assured me.

“What you need is a weekend getaway,” Sam chimed in.

“It’s already Wednesday,” I whined. “Where am I going to go on such short notice? I like to plan stuff…?!” I went over to the window and looked out; I needed to calm down before this day got any worse, and window-watching usually helped.

Except when it didn’t. So I closed my eyes and tried to imagine the most relaxing place I could think of. I couldn’t come up with a place, but I did see a few faces: Johnny, Lory, and… “I have an idea...”

I opened my eyes and found my friends giving me curious glances. “Sir Horse, if I can get something together by Friday, will you come with me?”

“Called it,” Sam said suddenly, and while I was sitting there wondering if I’m really that predictable (I guess so!) he answered, “Wow! Sounds like a definite possibility.” I beamed.

“How can something be ‘definite’ and ‘a possibility’ at the same time?” I asked him. But I was only teasing. That exchange was more than enough to perk me up and get me through the day. Having something to look forward to didn’t hurt, either.

Johnny

That afternoon, I was home reading Mammals magazine while I waited for Johnny to call me back. I was reading an interview with Fawn Legend, where he said that, growing up, he got his sense of morality from his faith. But then he pointed out that you can learn morality from any culture, religious or not. I like that; it puts things in perspective.

I was pondering this point when the phone rang—and startled me. I flung the magazine by mistake, but I picked up the phone on purpose, before it could do anymore damage. “Hello?”

“Hi, darlin’. How are you?” I smiled.

“Great! But I had quite a morning…!”

“I reckon so. What’s this I hear about a mates’ night out?” I’d told him the plan so far in my message.

“Exactly what it sounds like. I’m exhausted; I need a break.”

“You’ve got the whole city to pick from, and you choose us?!” He laughed. “You poor sheila.” I hate it when Johnny says stuff like that...but right then it reminded me that I used to dream of being his secretary—with benefits. Remember, we were an item once; I’d needed some way to convince him that I don’t mind having him around…!

Sweet liquid heat settled in my stomach. It was a second or two before I spoke again. “Stop that!” It’s what I always say to him when that happens, even if nowadays it’s mostly nostalgia.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.” It came as no surprise that my silent struggle was obvious to Johnny, even over the phone. We know each other that well.

“It’s okay. But you’re worth more than that, sweetheart.” I’d meant to sound seductive, but I was getting all sappy and sniffled instead. “So, wanna come?” I asked, hopeful.

“I wouldn’t miss it.” I could hear the smile in his voice.

“Awww...thanks, Johnny. Love you.”

“Love you, too, darlin’”.

After we hung up, I realized why the Fawn Legend quote meant so much to me; it made me think of Johnny and his activism. All good mammals care about others—we just express that care in different ways. Johnny’s an activist, and I’m an artist. They’re two sides of the same coin.

Lory

That left Lory. He told me he prefers e-mail (like me), but that sending him one doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll get in touch faster (not like me, but I get it).

So, I sent him this:

Hi, Lory,

I’m having a little get-together with some friends this weekend, and was wondering if you’d like to join us. It’ll just be me, Sir Horse, and Johnny. I haven’t decided where we should go yet, but I promise it’ll be somewhere quiet, so we can actually talk. As you know, anything less bothers me, too.

Take care,

Hannah

I sent that e-mail feeling pretty self-satisfied, because never in my life have I been more qualified to do something. Why? Well, not only do we have the same pet peeves, but we’re also (as Lory would say), “delighted” by a lot of the same things.

Spending time with Lory feels like celebrating myself—in the least ego-trip way possible—because even though our choices seem odd to some, we’re comfortable with ourselves. Lots of folks like that about us, and we like that about each other. That’s why it works.

I settled in to start reading a romance novel. It’s what I do when I want to think about someone else’s life instead of mine. Don’t get me wrong, life was good at the moment—better than good, because if I played my cards right, I’d be spending some time with at least one of my muses this weekend. But that was part of the problem; I didn’t want to get too excited before I knew what was going on. I had to distract myself.

Several hours went by before I allowed myself to admit that my neck was sore, and it could use a rest. I reluctantly went to check my e-mail. My book was getting really juicy, so it wouldn’t matter if Lory hadn’t written back yet. (At least, that’s what I told myself.)

He had!:

Greetings, fellow introvert!

I’m flattered that you’d invite me to your gathering, especially since we have similar misgivings about such settings. As luck would have it, I think I have some space in my schedule around that time...You say you haven’t decided on a place yet; I may know just the spot, if you’re interested.

Let me know, and I’ll tell you a bit more about it. Inquire IF YOU DARE.

--LB

I laughed so hard that I almost threw my neck out again. Did I ‘dare’ to find out more? Yes, yes I did.

Our Secret Club

Okay, so maybe I’m exaggerating. But it sure felt like it as Lory led the way to a private table in Club 33. I could hardly believe it...And yet I could, because I’d been through so many highs and lows, nearly all of them colored or calmed by a muse in some way. My muses are many things, but above all they are generous.

You’ve probably noticed that my muses do pretty well for themselves—that’s because they possess talent, patience, and passion. But if you really want to talk about resources...I’m interested in, ‘if you have it all, what do you do with it?’

I’ve spent most of my life feeling like I don’t have enough of something: time, energy, money, occasionally a mix of all three. But when I’m with a muse, they’ll share whatever they have with me. It makes me want to give back—not just to them, but to others.

But from the moment we sat around that table, I could only focus on them. I took a few minutes to gather my wits while Sir Horse and Johnny introduced themselves to Lory; I’d told them about him—and him about them—but this is they first time they’d officially met. Once they’d done that, all eyes were on me.

“Look at us, hobnobbing--All thanks to you, Hannah. You're quite the social animal!” I burst out laughing when Sir Horse said this, because—let’s face it—that’s the last thing in the world I am.

“Thanks. I needed that.”

“That’s why I’m here.” I smiled.

“Fair enough, but I say it’s because you’re my wingmammal.” Sir Horse looked surprised, though I honestly couldn’t say if it was put-on or not….which is saying something, ‘cause usually I can tell.

“I beg your pardon, miss, but I do believe that if one of us were to be your ‘wing-’ something-or-other, it would be me...indubitably.” Lory said this with a posh accent that made the rest of us crack up.

“Well, there’s that,” I agreed, “But you guys”--I looked from Lory to Johnny, and back again-- “are my leads.” I felt bad for making both of them blush, but I just couldn’t sit by and let them give me all the praise…

“There is a forthrightness to you that is worthy of admiration.” Sir Horse told me, smiling. Then he got that sneaky look of his. “And there it is again, in the form of subtext.”

I’ve always felt that I don’t have much to give, but I do have one thing...attention. And as we all laughed at that, I felt so grateful to have a limitless supply...At least when it comes to my muses.