Where the Lost Things Go

Naomi's First

After the Gathering, Naomi felt as though she was walking on air. Daisy and Frances had had the time of their lives and didn't get burned, thank goodness, Pippa had talked with people and didn't run away, and she had danced with Judah. She smiled as she scavenged, just thinking about it. 

  Ever since she had been old enough to understand what crushes were, she had had one on Judah. She liked him as a person, goodness knows, liked that he was such a strong leader and a kind person. But oh, his curly hair that fell onto his forehead, and oh, his growing body that was thin, but so fine. 

 And his eyes. She remembered when she had fallen into the Lost World, when Judah had found her alone and grieving, and she had looked straight into his eyes, so deep and brown, full of compassion.She had been twelve, and she fallen head over heels in love, love that matured over the years. Judah had always valued her as a friend, a stable right hand man who was happy to help him. However, last night, it had seemed like he was seeing her for the first time. 

  "Naomi, I found a doll!" She was jerked out of her daydream by Daisy, holding up a dirty rag doll. 

  "It's lovely, sweetheart," Naomi said, absently. Normally, she was very attentive to the small five-year-old, but today her mind had been elsewhere. Lovesick twit, she scolded herself. She noticed Pippa lagging behind, her eyes on the ground. "Pippa, what's the matter?"

 The younger girl looked up, her eyes worried. "Nothing, Naomi. I'm just tired after the Gathering."

 Naomi gazed at her suspiciously, unable to ascertain if this was something very bad or just Pippa's normal anxious state. The new girl had brightened up considerably since she had arrived, but her mental health was still recovering from the apparent neglect she had suffered.

 "All right, but let me know if there's something else," she finally said. Pippa nodded slowly. 

 It was late in the afternoon when they reached the camp, with a small offering of food for the evening meal. Naomi made sure Frances didn't hog the stale oreos, which she loved, and settled down to eat a little. There was never quite enough, which was troubling for her as she wanted to make sure Daisy's growth wasn't stunted by lack of nutrition. 

 "Naomi?" Her heart skipped a beat when she saw Judah standing over her. "I was wondering if - that is, would you like to take a walk to the shore? It'll be dark soon." 

 Naomi nodded, smiling up at him. "That would be lovely, but I have to put Daisy to bed." Why did you say that, she thought, groaning internally as she saw Judah's face. 

  "I'll do it," Pippa spoke up, surprising her. She talked so little. 

 "And I'll help," Frances piped up, giving Naomi a knowing smile. As if she could possibly understand things like walks with boys. 

  "Then I will come," Naomi said happily, rising from the ground. "Shall we go?" He smiled, and she was dazzled by him once again. 

 They walked down to the Sea of Caroline in silence, until Judah broke it. "Do you - that is, how are you?"

  "I'm fine," said Naomi, wondering what he was doing. He sounded unbelievably shy, as if they had just met, when they had known each other for four years. 

  They stopped, looking out over the sea. Judah made a sound like he was trying to speak again, and Naomi realized that if this was going to get started, she was the one who would have to give it a nudge. 

  "You know, I've always liked you," she said, surprised how easy it was to finally say what had been in her heart all this time. He looked over at her, as if he was too. 

 "I have too," he said, sounding nervous. "Not in that way, I mean, I've always thought you were really nice, but you were younger then."

  "And now?" Naomi grabbed his hand, amazed at her boldness. "What do you think now?"

 "I'm trying to figure that out." Judah leaned in close, and Naomi reveled in the closeness. "Would you...like to figure it out with me?"

  Naomi exulted. "Yes," she whispered, and now they were kissing, like they almost had last night, when Judah had backed away, abashed. He was not backing away now. 

  "I want to be with you," she said, more sure of anything than she ever had been. She gently unbuttoned his shirt. "I want to be with you now." She didn't care if he wasn't ready, if this would all be gone in the morning. For one night, she wanted her dreams to become a reality.

  Judah enthusiastically kissed her again. 

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