Who’s the Dog Now? novel Chapter 5

“Naomi’s here…”

“Everyone, Merry Christmas.”

By the time Naomi's family arrived, some of the other families—the Lewises and the Lopezes—were already there. Only the Spencers and the Whites were still on their way.

Naomi greeted everyone politely.

Among the families in the neighborhood, there weren't many girls. Besides the Lopez sisters and a girl from the Spencer family, there was only Naomi. With her sweet and gentle demeanor, she was well-liked by the adults.

But everyone knew she was practically engaged to the Hughes family.

Mrs. Hughes was delighted to see Naomi. She led her and Mrs. Gonzalez into the living room, had the housekeeper, Nora, serve tea, and then said to Naomi, “Zebulon probably isn't up yet. Naomi, would you mind going to get him for me?”

“Um, Mrs. Hughes, I… I probably shouldn't.”

In the past, Naomi would have jumped at the chance. Having their relationship acknowledged by family and friends had always made her happy.

But things were different now. There was no future for her and Zebululon, and hearing Mrs. Hughes ask her to wake him up just felt incredibly awkward.

“It wouldn’t be appropriate. Maybe you could have Nora go instead.”

Naomi shook her head, declining the request.

At her words, the adults exchanged glances, sensing that something was amiss.

But it wasn’t the right time to press the issue, so Mrs. Hughes just asked the housekeeper to go upstairs.

Upstairs, Nora knocked on Zebulon's bedroom door as instructed.

“Young master, the annual neighborhood gathering is at our house this year. The adults have pretty much all arrived. Your mother asked me to wake you.”

Zebulon sat up in bed and called out, “Got it, I’m getting up.”

Nora replied, “If there’s nothing else, young master, I’ll head back down.”

“Wait,” Zebulon stopped her. “Is Naomi here?”

Was he here?

When Naomi heard the housekeeper's announcement, she felt a strange sense of nervousness. Before any of the adults had even stood up, she shot to her feet, her eyes fixed on the entrance.

“Naomi, what’s wrong? Why are you so excited?”

Everyone looked at her, a little confused by her reaction.

Naomi didn’t know how to explain herself. Thankfully, the elders from both families walked in just then, drawing everyone’s attention.

Naomi watched them come in, from the adults to Herbert, and then… there he was. He… had come too.

The man walked in last, holding the hand of a little boy who looked to be about three or four.

Naomi knew that was the youngest Spencer child, Herbert's little brother.

But… she seemed to recall hearing that the youngest Spencer, the treasure of the family, wasn't close to anyone except Lennon.