Misfire at Close Range
By Daryl F Mallett
To this day, he swears he aimed correctly.
Cupid stood in my kitchen, wings drooping, arrow bent like a bad joke. He muttered about “faulty fletching” and “cosmic drafts,” but the truth is obvious: he hit the wrong heart.
Mine.
Now every passing stranger glows like a sunrise, every barista becomes a sonnet, every grocery clerk a tragic ballad. I can’t function. I’m drowning in affection for absolutely everyone.
Cupid apologized, offered a refund, even suggested a reset. Shoot me again?
But I shook my head. If love must misfire, let it misfire wide. The world feels warmer this way.
Daryl F. Mallett is an American author, editor, publisher and actor known for work across science fiction, fantasy and horror, including a story in Star Wars: Tales from Jabba’s Palace and contributing to the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode “Birthright” storyline. He also writes history books, poetry and screenplays.
A lovely piece of writing. Economical and full of heart.
Love this!