Frobenius Norm takes the train back to his hometown, Dogacre. He travels with Chris Keller, who was hostile towards him when they met, but who would now call him a friend.
The first train they take has almost half of the Rock’s population aboard. It’s mostly transfers, but there’s some locals too. Norm laughs and jokes and reminisces with the other passengers and, when they inevitably part ways, he says goodbye.
When the train pulls into Dogacre’s one train station, Max is waiting for them. She didn’t know when Norm was coming home, or if he was coming home at all, but she sits on the bench anyway. She’s tense, eyes fixed on the train doors. Her face is scrunched up with worry.
And then Norm steps onto the platform.
Max stands up. She chokes, her face twists into a smile, and she runs into Norm’s outstretched arms. He catches her, and they embrace. Max buries her head in Norm’s shoulder, and his plaid shirt quickly turns damp. He grips her tight, and her fingers clutch at his shirt.
The pair just stand there, holding each other. They don’t say anything; they don’t need to. When they finally pull away, their fingers are laced together.
Norm introduces his wife to Chris. She’s pleased to meet him – glad Norm had some friends in Anchor Rock, and happy there will be a new face in Dogacre.
As the three walk through town, Norm waves hello to each person he hasn’t seen for a week. He doesn’t let go of Max until they reach the house.
For three years, Norm and Max were the only people living there. Then they had twins, and the family shared it together, until the children moved out eighteen years later. For twenty years after that, Norm and Max were alone again. Now, for as long as Chris chooses to stay in Dogacre, the house has a new resident.
L21 is barking before Norm even walks through the door. Gerald’s assistant greets them, and the Not-Yorkshire terrier jumps up at Norm, who sweeps the dog up into his arms and kisses his face. He carries L21 inside, and the five of them squeeze into the living room to share stories over ginger ale.
Over the next few months, Norm teaches Chris how to fish, and how to set traps for the crayfish and the eels. He shows Chris all the best fishing spots in Dogacre. Sometimes, they go out alone, and sometimes they go in a group with other fishermen of the town.
When they get back from fishing, Norm often helps Max cook lunch. He learns how to bake a casserole, and lasagne, and fish pie.
Now, when Norm sleeps, he puts a CPAP mask over his face, and he dreams. Sometimes, he dreams of the people he knew for just one week. Many of those people, he will never see them again. But that isn’t true for all of them.
By Isaac C.