This is a special edition of the continuing story of the Gather Gnome. For the whole story go to Gather Gnome Adventures.
Something clicked. Somewhere in the Siberia of my brain, synapses fired and just like that, I knew. My forgotten name engulfed me. Every part of me glowed with happiness, for what is a gnome without a name?
I tried out the name on my tongue. Slowly and softly at first, then out loud. "Inkvon." My toes tingled with joy. Great Odin's beard, it's working. I opened my mouth wider and said it louder. "Inkvon, Inkvon, INKVON! That's me!"
Dr. Martinez and nurse Rosa rushed into my room. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong. It's all good, wonderfully oakie dokey fine."
Dr. Martinez stroked his luxuriant moustache. The one I secretly coveted. "Today is the big day. All your bandages can be removed. Are you ready?"
"Am I ready? Is the Pope Catholic?"
He smiled and handed me a small mirror. A smorgasbord of emotions splattered my face. Surprise, shock, wonder, awe, glee and a flash of disappointment. Blue eyes stared back at me. My brown eyes were history. I thought I'd be ecstatic but these weren't blue like my limo driver and friend Bruce's or like Paul Newman's or even like those of my nemesis, Merlin the Siamese cat. "I thought they would be bluer." I must have sounded like a whiny brat. "And look my body it's a stumpy as ever."
Dr. Martinez purred, "You know we couldn't change your height but look at your skin, so much younger, glowing. The splotches are all gone." I had to admit I looked younger.
"But what about my beard? It's still grayish." I tugged at it's silky length.
"It's the best we could do. You are after all 225 years old. Besides, you'd look ridiculoso with a black beard." He of course was right. People didn't pay him a fortune to look ridiculoso and I did quite fancy my jauntynew monogrammed cap. My new antique golden hammer was the perfect finishing touch. I threw off my covers and hopped out of bed ready to say, hasta las vista baby when he glowered at me. "Get back to bed. We need to keep you overnight for observation. Tomorrrow you can leave. Maybe. I rummaged in my bedside drawer for my miniature Swiss army knife. I couldn't risk another night here without protection.
To be continued...
Congratulations to Gather Gnome Adventures member Juniper Valium for submitting the winning entry of Inkvon in the Gather Gnome new name contest.
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