knock knock

she opened the door and looked out.

and when the only thing to catch her eye were the spiderwebs on the porch lattice across from her, she looked down. and there he was. dressed in a leathery hat and stained gloves, patched- knees trousers and a belt with pouches hanging on the side, the garden gnome stood.

his redrimmed eyes .. eyed her. he turned his head to the side and spat down the steps. he had a trowel tucked in one side of his belt. his skin was old mud and coffee grounds. the hair under his chin was lichen. the veins on his forehead reminded her of roots.
she didnt know quite what to say.

he glared, and harrumphed, and finally released these rough few words:

'mind you dont let those girl-brats tromp through the roses, i've just planted garlic round the base.'

chains dragging over muddy gravel would be a close comparison to his voice, grating up at her from less than knee height.

she raises her eyebrows and opens her mouth to respond.. but there, shes lost.
who talks to garden gnomes?
i mean really?

he sniffs. and fingers the pouch closest to his right hand. waiting.

she says, 'thank you?'

or meant to, truly, however only the sound of her intake of air is heard. a thin, slow gasping, and that is all. she closes her mouth, and opens it again, but still: nothing.

his wrinkly weathered brow wrinkles further, and he turns and spits again. before adding:
'you'll be wanting that garlic soon enough.'

and with that, he's down the stairs and disappearing around the side of the house.
in a moderately spritely fashion.

which should be expected, as they are related.

she shut the door. and blinked.
and stood there, absorbing or repressing the moment.
the inside of her house hummed electrically.
the shoes lining the side of the wall stayed in their patient spots.
she considered locking the door, and didnt.

she did walk into the living room tho,
and ask her children to stay out of the garden for the next few days.

and then she went to her desk and googled for the better part of an hour:
"fairy food, gnome cuisine, sprite snacks", til she found something she deemed appropriate, organic and healthy and not too tricky to prepare.

single moms need all the help they can get.


see this is way funner than bitching about relationships ;D