I didn't want to admit it. How could I, Emma Decody, ever like my boyfriend's brother?
Well, it's actually not very surprising. Norman, my boyfriend, was insane. Like, clinically psychotic, yet I still loved him. I knew he meant well and I knew he genuinely cared for me. We had a very special bond. I think he trusts me so much because I try not to treat him any differently just because he has these blackouts. But when he has these blackouts, it scares the living daylights out of me.
He's killed people before without knowing. It's quite sad actually. When he has a blackout I try to snap him out of it but he just completely isn't there. What makes it even harder is that I have to carry around this oxygen tank that helps me breathe. I have cystic fibrosis. It's a pain in the ass and I'm not sure how much time I have left but I'm bound to make it a hell of a good time.
Anyway, two days ago, Norma ran off in a rage after she found out her brother, the man who raped her, had been living with Dylan, her first born, leaving Norman and Dylan to fend for themselves. This was bad for two main reasons. First off, Norman and his mother have this weird relationship... It's like they are both in love with each other or something. I try not to think too much into it though just because it's so gross. Second off, of course, Norman blacked out after freaking out. I heard plates breaking and glasses smashing in the house right next to the hotel, so I ran inside in a panic.
"Dylan, what's going on?" I asked once I saw him in the doorway.
"It's Norman. He is freaking out. I don't know how to stop him."
I ran into the kitchen where he was making the ruckus and called out to him.
"Norman! Norman, listen it's me. It's Emma!" I yelled over the clattering of Norma's china.
"Emma, he's not gonna listen. I have to do something. Stand back okay, and close your eyes." Dylan commanded. I did as I was told. Suddenly all was quiet. I opened my eyes only to find Norman on the ground. Dylan knocked him out.
"Dylan!" I screamed. "What have you done?"
Dylan suddenly wrapped me in his arms and told me to go home.
"No, I'm not leaving. Who knows what Norman will do when he wakes up? I can't put you in that situation all by yourself. I'm staying and that's final."
"But what about your health? Emma I can't have you in danger," he expressed to me.
"Don't worry. I'm fine. I know my limitations."
"Thank you, Emma," he smiled at me.
"Sure," I blushed. "Now let's get Norman up to bed."
I strapped my oxygen tank to my back. We picked Norman up, Dylan lifting him from his shoulders and I from his feet. I laughed.
"What?" Dylan asked.
"It's just that... We are carrying Norman like he's a piece of furniture." I giggled. Honestly, Norman weighed so much more than I could've guessed. And it's not that Norman being unconscious was funny, it's just the way we were carrying him.
We slowly went up the long flight of stairs leading to Norman's room. Once we got there and laid Norman down on his bed, I took his sheets and covered him up. He looked so peaceful for someone who just got knocked out. I kissed his forehead. He was burning up. I quickly got up to get him a cold washcloth and when I returned, Dylan was bent over him, a tear sliding down his cheek. I walked over to him. He turned to me as I applied the cold, wet washcloth to Norman's forehead.
"She has to come back..." Dylan said to himself.
"She will," I blurted out. "She can't leave Norman alone for long. It's impossible. I just know it."
"I wish Norma would care about me just as much as she cares about Norman," he said quietly. I felt very sad for him. I hugged him and murmured in his ear that I could care about him as much as Norma cares about Norman.
Wait. That sounded so much more sexual than I intended. I only meant to console him, and I really did mean what I said. He backed away from me slowly and told me he was going to clean up the kitchen and that I should stay and watch Norman.
"If he wakes up holler out my name okay?" he asked.
"Yeah, okay," I replied, my cheeks burning thanks to my previous comment. So, I pulled up a rocking chair, sat down in front of his bed, and without warning, fell asleep.
