Norman's Neighborhood

Eleven

Zane was quiet for a while, staring in apparent deep thought at the dog - who, having taken a drink from the bowl of water, had closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep at the old woman's feet. The boy furrowed his brow and commented,
"That dog looks like the one that was at Todd's house today."
"I didn't know the Bensons had a dog," Valerie replied.
"They don't. It was the neighbor's dog. A little dog came and tried to pick a fight, and the big dog left."

Zachary came into the room, waved at his grandmother, and said,
"Hello, Yaya!" Then he continued,"She doesn't look any worse for her escape attempt. I have to go deliver some food - does someone want to come with me?" He looked first at Zane, who was still sprawled on the couch, and then at Zoë, who stood behind Yaya's chair with her crossed arms resting on its back.
"I'll go," Zoë responded. "I've been here all day."
"Then I'd better go out front," Valerie realized. "Zane, you look after Yaya, and ring the bell if you need anything."

**********

As Dena was descending the dim staircase, her phone rang. It was in the pocket of her cozy yellow sherpa hoodie, so she waited until she was at the bottom of the stairs before pulling it out. The ringtone indicated family; looking at the screen, she saw that it was her mother.
"Hello!" she answered.
"Hi. Did you lose power?"
"Yes, it's still off. Is yours?" Dena's parents lived just a couple miles away.
"Just came back on. That was sure a wild storm!"
"Yes, it was! We got caught in it - we were all out looking for Norman." Dena explained briefly about their dog's disappearance.
"Oh, the poor boy! I hope he comes home soon..."
"Mom - I'd better get off the phone. I don't know how soon we'll have power, so I need to watch my battery."
"Right. Why don't you all come over and eat with us? You can charge your phones while we're eating. I just ordered hot food delivery from the Greek market. It'll be here at six, but come any time!"

**********

Valerie scurried to the front counter to answer the phone.
"Thessaloniki Market, may I help you?"
"Hello, this is CC. I just called in a delivery order. May I add to it, or is it too late?" inquired the lively-sounding woman on the other end of the line.
"Hold on a second - I'll check." Valerie pressed the "hold" button and called out,
"Zach!"

Her son stepped out of the kitchen, where he and Zoë had gone to collect the delivery order.
"Yeah?"
"It's the lady who ordered - can she still add to it?"
Zachary disappeared into the kitchen briefly, came back out, and replied,
"Sure, as long as it's not a special order! It might take a little longer, though."

Valerie relayed the information.
"Oh, wonderful! Thank you. My daughter's family's power is out, and I've invited them to join us. If you have fresh dolmas, give me a dozen...a half pan of spanakopita...extra tzatziki... and - why not make it a real feast? Give me six pieces of baklava."
Valerie repeated the order back, adding,
"And that goes with the moussaka and souvlaki you've already ordered. Give us about ten more minutes to get it packed - thank you very much!"

**********

Yaya had fallen asleep in the recliner and was snoring gently, her canine guardian still dozing at her feet. He was apparently dreaming; occasionally he smacked his lips, or let out a little snuffle into his fuzzy paws. Zane had picked up his tablet from the side table, and was absorbed in studying about volcanic activity in Santorini. Combining his two passions, he was reading it in Greek.

Barely seven years old, Zane was very precocious. He learned how to read in English before he was four years old, and was already beginning to read Greek when he started kindergarten. Halfway through the year, he skipped to first grade. He was almost through second grade now, and was able not only to keep up, but to reach the top of the class in academics.

Large for his age, and socially self-assured, Zane thrived in the atmosphere of "higher learning". He had soon made friends with Todd Benson and Joey della Grazia; the three boys were always together at school. Zane, although inclined to be pedantic about his pet subjects, was generally an easy-going boy who was well-liked. School staff referred to him among themselves as "the little professor".

Zane was devoted to his γιαγιά. He didn't remember much about her when she still had normal brain function, but he did remember when she used to read to him when he was very young. Now, γιαγιά had difficulty reading and he could read to her. He was fascinated by her varied reactions to daily events - she could make life quite exciting sometimes!

Norman opened his eyes, closed them again, reopened them, and lifted his head. He sniffed delicately, taking in the mixture of food smells that lingered in the air. He wasn't hungry - his belly was still full of chicken and rice, but he could appreciate the smell of good food. The elderly woman, Yaya (or γιαγιά) stirred in her chair and uttered a small "Hhrrmph".

The room was softly lit by one lamp, which stood on the table by the couch. Through the windows, Norman could see that evening was approaching.
Again, he was reminded that he needed to be getting home! He stood up, shook himself, and padded slowly to the door. The boy, completely engrossed in the wonders of Greek geology, didn't notice. Norman stood patiently for a while, finally allowing a pleading "Wrrf?" to escape. The old woman opened her eyes, looked straight at her grandson, and directed him,
"Zane, that dog wants to go out."