Norman's Neighborhood

Epilogue

Coffee, ham, eggs cooked in butter, melting cheese... Norman stirred in his sleep as the tantalizing aroma tickled his sensitive olfactory receptors. His brain was sending conflicting messages: One was, 'Try to ignore the stimulus; go back to sleep!' - while the other was prodding his digestive system, 'Get up and go downstairs; you don't want to miss out on the food!'
It was David's voice that finally prompted the somnolent animal to open his eyes, David's long fingers that gently ruffled the drowsy dog's ears.
"Norman! Wake up, boy - let's go have breakfast!"

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Replete with ham, eggs, and a bit of melted Swiss cheese, Norman settled himself in a sunny patch on the living room floor and closed his eyes. He wasn't completely asleep, neither was he completely awake... He found himself thinking of the friends he'd made on his brief perambulation. After sharing breakfast with old friends Bill and Marguerite, he'd checked in with the Benson children until Hansel, the volatile badger hound, had interrupted his visit -

Norman's train of thought stopped to consider a conundrum: What role did Hansel take? He had come on the scene with apparently hostile intent - which would place him as a foe. His appearance, though, was the catalyst which had sent the big dog in search of more congenial companionship - and here was the serendipity: save for the combative cur, Norman would never have met his new friends!

Norman remembered nimble-minded Millie - who seemed to have quickly developed a nostalgic attachment to him - and soft hearted Evelyn, the kind ladies who had fed him and sheltered him from the unexpected storm. He thought of sweet, befuddled Yaya, whom he had saved from possible injury, and her assortment of caring kinfolk. Finally, there was the lively Penrose family and Paul de Laurentiis, who had reunited him with his own family.

Six weeks had passed since Paul and Perry had arrived at the clinic with Norman. During those weeks, Paul had arranged "modeling" sessions at each known stop of the dog's trek. Norman was unaware that he was posing for reference photos; he was simply happy to see each of his friends again.

"I want to tell his story in pictures, and use it in my designs. Maybe it sounds crazy to you," Paul acknowledged to the Scotts, "but I feel inspired and I think it will go over well."
"No, no!" Dena protested, "It sounds perfectly reasonable to me. You know, my mother is an artist - she specializes in illustration with colored pencils - so I'm used to being around creative overflow... But it doesn't overflow to me; I can't draw to save my life!"

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Paul was inclined to be, in his cousin Sylvia's estimation,  a hermit. He didn't often invite company, and when he did he usually just had a few people. However, he felt impelled to host a celebratory gathering of Norman's family and friends - old and new. Sam Ganas, though an invited guest, insisted on cooking the food.
"It's what I love to do! It's my art form," he explained.

The day had been set: the first Saturday in June, when David would be home from college and the weather could be expected to be pleasant enough for two elderly ladies to sit outside. Everyone who had been involved in Norman's journey was invited; even Hansel and his owners. Rosalinda was openly delighted, and had prodded her more reticent spouse to agree to attend.
"I won't be responsible for Hansel's conduct - or misconduct," he warned her.
"That's good, mahal; I'll be responsible for Hansel and you!" Wilford knew that, when his wife used a Tagalog word of endearment, she was affectionately regarding him as a little boy who needed guidance. He, at least, would behave!

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Norman recognized his surroundings; they were near Paul's house. His tail waved slowly, expressing his pleasure. He liked Paul and the Penrose family, and it was especially nice to visit them with the whole Scott family. Even Ray and CC were joining them; they followed in their own car.