Member-only story
The Muse Reclaims the Land
It’s been a long time coming.
James Harrington had dropped out of art school because he couldn’t afford the tuition after his father died unexpectedly. The whole notion of being an artist had always been a pipe dream, he knew, but he had fancied that he would at least have a few good years before he had to lay his paint brushes and watercolors down, bound to the path of a corporate job that would sustain him till retirement.
His mother, who had suffered from chronic illnesses most of his life, had sighed at him time and again in the weeks since the funeral service. “Jamie, you need to understand something. If you let your dreams die on the vine, you’re going to regret it. You don’t belong here, cooped up in this small house with me, while all your other friends go out and have adventures.”
“I don’t mind,” he said, his voice quiet as he threaded his hands together. “You’re worth it.”
A crease formed between his mother’s eyebrows before she leaned over and placed a hand on top of his. “I don’t want you giving up anything for me. Do you hear me? I don’t want you to have any regrets.”
Feeling embarrassed, James shrugged off his mother’s hand and laughed. “It’s too late,” he said. “I’ve made my decision.”
