WfW ~ the heart of a gnome ...

 I am writing with Words for Wednesday, the words for which can be found here on Mother Owl's blog for the month of July.

The goal of WfW is to take given prompts, words, phrases, photos, colors, or music and create a story from them.

This week's words and color of the month are in bold italics.

If you visit her blog you can also read and cheer on the other writers participating in this weekly fun.

This is a continuing WfW story that started here on April 5th.

I left off on July 5th with the story of Sage. 

  "Simon, not to change the subject because I really feel for your loss, but to totally change the subject to maybe something that is not quite a downer.  What do you think about finding a nice silk scarf to give to Rose as an apology?  Not that I think you, or rather I, should try to buy her forgiveness, but I really have been a bit of an ass of a big brother to her lately with everything that has been going on."

  "You're pretty much an ass to everyone, Jack, so it would be tough to define the one moment that you were trying to make up for.  But yeah.  She might like something like that.  Maybe some flowers or a pair of Manolo Blahnik shoes.

  "Look, I just wanted to apologize for everything recently.  Not everything since the beginning of time.  I can't afford to do that.  Or buy her Manolo Blahnik heels."

  I glanced out the restaurant window and saw a bevy of quail running through some dead leaves left from last fall.  What a weird word.  Bevy.  I wondered who thought of calling a bunch of fluffy little alien-sounding birds [<link, listen to California May 10, 1991 Calls] a bevy.

  "Well, I guess we should get her something nice.  Simon, weren't you looking at the jewelry back at the coin shop?  What did the saleslady suggest?"

  "Hmm, not anything like olive branches, but she did make a good suggestion."

  "Which was?  Or am I going to have to be the unlucky jerk who gets her the wrong thing?"

  "She's your sister, Jack.  Pretty much anything you get her is going to be misinterpreted.  If it is clothing, you better make sure it is the exact right size because too small will make her feel like she's fat and too big will make her feel like YOU think she's fat.  If it is an unflattering color, she'll feel ugly in it.  If it is a pattern, you have to make sure it is vertical stripes, not horizontal because those will make her look and feel wider than she is.  Shopping for women is a tricky game, man.  It almost requires a Ph.D."

  "Wow.  No wonder Cori Ann fell for you.  Well then, Dr. Smarty Pants, what do you suggest for Rose?"

  "Honesty.  An honest apology.  Dinner at the Top Wind Sushi Restaurant every now and then.  Did you even know she loves sushi?  She doesn't want any major purchases, and I was just kidding about the Manolo Blahnik's.  I know you don't pay much attention to her since she's your little sister, but I've noticed things.  Like the fact that she's slightly obsessed with garden gnomes.  She counts on her fingers when she's stressed.  She giggles when she sees puppies.  All Rose really wants is for you to notice her.  You're all she has now that your parents are gone, and she's afraid of losing you too.  Don't just be her big brother.  Be her friend.  Be a part of her life, and let her be a part of yours.  Just don't blow it by letting your ego get in the way.  Be humble.  Life is too short for pride and arrogance."