Part Two - The Reluctant Muse

If you missed it, click here for  The Reluctant Muse - Part One

How will I know what type of Muse I need to be? I asked myself.

"Listen to the speech and you will know," the immediate replying thought came into my mind.

Shrugging my shoulders, if I had shoulders, since I was invisible I don't know if I had shoulders or a body. I know I felt like I had a body but since I couldn't see myself, I could only surmise that I had one.

"Will," spoke the young woman, "Father will be most upset with thee should ye not be about the work he gave thee."

The young man did not respond. I didn't know if it was he, or the young woman I was to inspire.  "Doth thou not hear my words? Hast thou gone deaf?"

They walked quickly. He remained mute. Suddenly she stopped and turned to him, pulling him to face her.

"Thou canst not deny thy father, dearest brother. It is his command ye marry Anne Hathaway post haste. Dost thou deny the child she bears?"

The young man, whom I assume is named Will, pulls himself from her grasp. She stands still watching him move away from her.

"Answer me brother. Wilt thou deny thy father?"

He stopped. As he stood steadfast to the spot, I saw his neck redden, his fists clenched and unclenched at his sides.

"Thou knowest my deep desire to be an actor, dear sister. To portray a character upon a stage that would move those watching to tears or laughter beyond their control. Dost not my father deny me that which I am to be?" He breathed deeply, turned and faced her.

I watched her demeanor turn from accuser to defender.

"Alas dearest brother, I knoweth thy pain, but thou canst not retreat from thy duty. Yea she be older by far than thou art, and I lament that thou lovest her not, but thy duty must prevail. It has been ruled thou art the father of the babe she bears. Can thou deny thy fatherhood?"

"Yea dear sister, I didst bed her and I shall wed her, but I shall not be denied my future, for it hath been foretold by a gypsy at King's Cross. Tis in London I shall find my fame and fortune. The stage shall be my destiny."

"Oh Will," the young woman began walking forward, "thou be a dreamer of fantasy. Thou shalt remain here and be a glover and money lender just as our father hath been to feed and clothe us. Shake thy sill notions from thy mind and be that which thou art meant to be.

They entered a dwelling, which I assumed was their home. I remained outside, perplexed, worried about why I had landed in this area.

Oh my. I was really confused. How does one be a Muse to a glover or money lender? When I was in the crystal study chamber reading about authors, artists and musicians, I never read anything about glovers, whatever that might be, or money lenders.

Oh dear. I must have landed in the wrong earth zone. What was I to do?

Without warning and actually giving me a fright, Melatio appeared.

"Little friend, why do you look so confused?"

"Whom am I to inspire? The young man is getting married and going to be a glover, whatever that is, and I don't think it is his sister. I am unsure."

"Have you searched your inner knowing that you received upon your travels here to earth?"

"Not really." I was ashamed to reply.

"Go within. You will find the answer to many questions."

He was gone. Poof, just like that.

There I was, unsure, afraid of failure, and he tells me to go within. Easy for him to say, he's not an apprentice Muse who doesn't know the first thing about being a Muse.

What else could I do? I didn't know how to get home. How was I going to get home if I ever did what I was sent to do, and was done? On my, oh my, so many questions to ask whatever it is within that holds the answers.

(to be continued)