Unfinished Muse Read Online Free PDF Page B

proper piles. My steps were measured and
careful as I left the lecture hall. If I didn’t keep control of
myself, I’d bolt down the hall, through the building, and out to my
car—possibly cackling like a crazy woman the entire way.
    A few people gathered in a group, griping in
hushed voices. I grimaced at them on the way past to express
solidarity, but I didn’t stop. In the reception rotunda, I scooped
up my potted companion and strode out the door without a word.
    “Well, that was rude,” Phyllis said as I
shoved her into the car and wedged her in between the bucket seats
so she wouldn’t topple over in traffic. “You didn’t even give me a
chance to say goodbye to Madge.”
    I didn’t have any idea who Madge was. As far
as I’d seen, Phyllis had been sitting by herself on a shelf with no
humans or plants around her. I didn’t care enough to ask, though,
and pulled away from the curb without a word.
    “I had a lovely day, thank you for asking,
Wynter.” Phyllis slapped me on the arm with one of her braches. “I
know you’re listening. Don’t make me sing to you, sweetheart. Tell
me how your day was.”
    I glanced at her quivering leaves and back
at the road. “It was a big, fat, stupid waste of time. How the hell
should I know whether you’re supposed to feed marshmallows to a
flying horse after it’s taken a dump? Why would I ever need to know
that?”
    Phyllis’s leaves shook and she emitted an
odd, high-pitched giggle. “Are you concerned about your score?”
    I scowled. “No. I just don’t see why they
made me answer questions that made me look stupid.”
    “Oh, honey. Everyone looks stupid when they
take that test. That’s part of why they give it.”
    I snorted. “Excellent. You’ve dragged me
into a workplace that intentionally demeans me. I might as well
sling burgers. At least there I might retain some dignity.”
    Phyllis sighed. “Be patient, Wynter. By
Friday, the assessments will be over and you’ll get your
assignment. I’m terribly excited for you!”
    “It’s only Tuesday. Can you at least tell me
what to expect tomorrow?”
    She was quiet for a moment. “I suppose it
won’t hurt to tell you a little.”
    “Thank you.” Finally, we were getting
somewhere. “More tests?”
    “Of sorts.”
    I turned onto the turnpike and headed east.
“What does that mean?”
    “Tomorrow is a little different.” She drew
her words out, obviously stalling.
    My grip on the steering wheel turned my
knuckles white. “Different how?”
    “Well…tomorrow is the physical
challenge.”
    I dropped my head back against the seat.
“Seriously?”
    She sighed again. “Of course, dear. If they
don’t assess your physical abilities, how can they tell which jobs
won’t kill you?”

Chapter 4
    An hour later, I pulled into my mother’s driveway,
grabbed my talking plant, and stepped out of the car.
    On my way up the walkway, I nodded at a
ceramic garden gnome riding a lawn flamingo. “Frank, good to see
you, buddy.”
    For a split second, the sun glinted off the
statue and made it look as if he’d winked. I glanced away quickly
and kept walking. Frank gave no other indication of coming to life
and answering me—he never had before when I’d greeted him but my
understanding of what was real and what was make believe had become
a little skewed. If my mother’s tacky yard decorations were about
to come to life, I didn’t want to be around to see it.
    A person can only take so many impossible
things in a single week.
    As always, I paused at the front door and
debated whether to walk in or knock. Mom always made faces at me if
she had to answer the door, reminding me that I have a key for a
reason. But what if she had a boyfriend in there and they were
getting freaky? Or she’d decided to become a nudist—again. Or had
the furnace cranked up and was in her underwear doing hot yoga?
    I raised my knuckles to knock, then changed
my mind. Whatever my mother was doing, it was bound to be