waking

Chapter 23 

Barbara’s sharp words and intense look could’ve rattled anyone, but Naomi just stood there, all sweetness and solid like a rock. “Mrs. Fischer, Ill never turn my back on Mr. Fischer. I’ve got his back, come what may, she said, her voice steady as a drumbeat. Td throw myself in front of a train for him if I had to; wouldn’t think twice. 

Barbara nodded, a smile cracking her tough exterior. She was a good judge of character, and she knew she saw something real sturdy in Naomi right from the start. 

As for Shawn, he kept his poker face on. Promises were cheap to him. The woman who just got kicked out had sworn the same not too long ago. The kitchen was firing on all cylinders, bringing out plate after plate. Shawn was a rare presence here, and Barbara made sure to whip up all his childhood favorites: savory pot roast, spaghetti and meatballs, crispy fried pork chops, and, of course, seafood stew, to name a few. 

The dining room might’ve been cozier than that of Spring Villa, but with the doors thrown open to the rose garden, it was like a buffet with a view. Barbara knew well how to enjoy the finer things. 

“Naomi, these are all dishes from Shawn’s younger days. He left home at eighteen and we hardly broke bread since Who knows if he still likes them?” Barbara said, sounding kind of blue. “I just wanna see him settled and hear the pitter–patter of tiny feet before I hit the hay for the last time! 

“Don’t worry, Mrs. Fischer, you’ll see all that and then some, Naomi said, full of heart 

“Didn’t I say? Call me Grandma Barbara when it’s just us, Barbara reminded her with a grin 

“Naomi, cut the chatter. Didn’t your folks teach you it’s rude to talk loud while eating” Shawn’s voice cut through the warm moment, his look sharp. 

“My bad, Mr. Fischer, Naomi mumbled an apology and stayed quiet for the rest of dinner. 

Barbara didn’t push the convo either. Instead, she kept heaping more food onto Shawn’s plate, but he didn’t take a single bite and simply slid it over 

to Naomi, 

“Finish this off, he ordered, no room for argument. Naomi glanced at Barbara, who just said, “Do what Shawn says” 

Naomi dug in. These meals were hands down the best she’d had in her twenty years. In her family’s house, she never got to eat this well; she wasn’t even allowed to sit at the dinner table. Even with the leftovers she was permitted to have, she often found herself waking up hungry in the middle of the night. 

“You’re eating like it’s your last meal, Shawn said, his voice a mix of teasing and amusement as he piled her plate high with more food. 

Back at Spring Villa, he had seen how much she could put away. Naomi didn’t just eat; she enjoyed every bite, her eyes nearly closing in bliss. 

With a casual sip of his red wine, Shawn kept topping up her plate every time it got close to empty. 

Barbara, catching onto Shawn’s antics, got a mischievous glint in her eye. “Mike, let’s hit the wine cellar 

“Right behind you, Mrs. Fischer,” responded Mike. 

Before long, Barbara was back with a bottle that didn’t have a label, pouring a fresh round for everyone, and snagging some fruit wine for herself. 

“Shawn, Naomi, how about a toast?” she called 

“Sounds good. Shawn lifted his glass and nodded at Naomi, signaling her to take a sip too. 

Naomi, her cheeks full of spaghetti and meatballs, looked up and lifted her glass, following the lead. 

Watching Naomi wolf down her meal, Shawn couldn’t help but think of the hamster he had as a kid. It always stuffed its cheeks full, looking about as cute as Naomi did right now. A shame really, because Barbara got spooked one day and had the little guy taken away. 

Shawn knocked back his drink quick as a flash, and Naomi kept up, swishing down her wine just as fast. The wine was easy–going, with a sweet edge —not as sugary as fruit wine but equally inviting. She couldn’t help but savor the taste, her lips instinctively smacking together. 

Noticing her enthusiasm, Shawn picked up the bottle again, topping her off, thinking to himself, ‘She’s not driving tonight. Might as well let her have a good time: 

Naomi gave him a look that quietly asked, “Is it cool if I have more?” 

He shot back a cold look, but the corners of his mouth curling up gave away that he was actually enjoying this. So with a smile, Naomi hugged her glass and sipped away. 

Barbara observed the scene with a sly grin, silently cheering her on, ‘Drink up, girl, the more the merrier 

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By the meal’s end, Naomi was rosy–cheeked, a novelty for her, considering back in her old life with the Edwards family, she was scarcely allowed a drop to drink. 

“How about you both crash here tonight?” Barbara suggested as the evening wound down. 

“No need, Chandler’s on his way to pick us up.” Shawn replied, wheeling over to Naomi and clasping her hand. “Naomi, we’re leaving” Naomi bolted up but wobbled, tumbling into Shawn. In the scramble to right herself, her hand pressed down in a place that sent a jolt through Shawn. 

He sharply inhaled, a mix of surprise and irritation, and grabbed her hand. “What’s wrong with you?” 

“I’m super sorry,” she slurred, her words swimming in a sea of wine, looking up at him with those big, innocent eyes all misty. “M–Mr. Fischer, I didn’t mean to. 

Shawn clicked his tongue and asked, “You drunk“” 

“Nope… Not one bit!” Naomi burst into a giggle, her head thudding against his as she tried to stand up straight. Shawn’s face swarn in her vision as she saw double, and she planted her hand on his head thinking itd help. “Much better now. 

After locking eyes with him. Naomi spilled out a heartfelt compliment. “Mr. Fischer, you’ve got beautiful eyes, the best I’ve ever seen on any guy “Shawn was a heartbreaker back in the day, Barbara chimed in wistfully. Too bad we can’t find any of his old photos anymore.” 

“Why” Naomi didn’t quite get to finish her question before Shawn swept her up onto his lap and shot them out the door. “Dinner’s done, and we’ve said our hellos; now, we’re heading back” 

“You sure you don’t wanna stay over?” asked Barbara, 

“No, insisted Shawn. 

He rolled out, Naomi along for the ride, passing through the gate. There was Cheryl, still parked on the ground at the entrance, her eyes puffy from crying. She spotted Shawn, and desperate, she dragged herself towards him, begging. Shawn, I’m at the end of my rope; I need help. My family won’t get off my back. If you don’t step in. I’m done for 

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