I belong, as a contributing member, to a talented group of writers who are responsible for A Muse Bouche Review, a literary newsletter. It gives me a chance to write something new each month around a given theme, which I’m enjoying. The theme for July, 2024 is Missed Connections and my contribution this month is a short story titled Just Five Minutes. Here’s how it starts:

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The Greyhound shuddered to a stop on the shoulder of the road, the high-pitched squeal of the air brakes piercing the summer air like screaming birds. The bus driver stood up and stretched, mopping his sweaty head with an already sodden towel. The air conditioner had been fighting a losing battle against the August heat since crossing from Oklahoma into Kansas, wheezing out meager puffs of barely-cooled air. “Sorry, folks, we need to make an unscheduled stop and let the engine cool off or she’ll blow before we reach the depot at Cottonwood Falls. Feel free to get out and stretch your legs. The way she’s ticking, it could be a little while.”

Bill Shepard groaned and shuffled off the bus with the other half dozen passengers. He looked around and shook his head in disgust. They were deep in corn country, the tall rows crowding the narrow two lane road on both sides, and Bill preferred to be surrounded by asphalt and tall buildings. He had thought it was hot inside the bus, but out here, even with the sun beginning to set, it was brutal. The corn was absolutely still, not a breath of wind, and the road shimmered in the heat. He looked at his watch, groaned again, and tracked down the bus driver leaning against the back bumper smoking a cigarette.

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To read the entire story, and all the other pieces from this talented crew, check out the July A Muse Bouche Review, available here:

https://mailchi.mp/2a53b50cb149/a-muse-bouche-review-plots-parties-17842376?e=46f6fd2a9e