Alex didn't know how to help her, but she was looking so desperate, he wanted to try. "Norman, you're really sick, and your mom isn't equipped to help."

"I want to stay here with her. It's the only place I feel safe," he whispered, forgetting his anger at Alex for a moment because he was so afraid.

"We know you want to stay, Norman, we do," Norma said. "We understand, but we have to be apart so you can get better."

"You can't leave me. You promised after that night that you left me and Dylan that you'd never leave again. You promised." His voice filled with fear,and he snuggled into Norma even tighter. "Please don't make me go. Please. It's lonely and dark there."

Alex knew Norman really needed help, but his heart ached hearing how frightened he was to go back, so he said, "Norman, how about we just try it for a little while, and if you still don't feel safe, you can call us, and we'll come see how we can help. Will you just try?"

"Yeah, it'll be all right, Honey," Norma said, rubbing his back..

"No, it won't be!" His voice was sharp. "You... you won't be there."

"Honey, I won't be far away. You can call me anytime day or night."

"It won't be the same. You protect me when you're here. Who knows what will happen if you're not around?"

Before Norma could answer, Alex said, "Maybe once you get well, you won't need her to protect you."

Norman was immediately enraged by this, and he leaped off Norma's lap, turning on Alex. "You're just trying to get between us," he seethed. "No one can ever get between us!"

Startled by Norman's sudden change of mood, Norma rose and caught him by the shoulders. "Norman, no," she whispered. "Alex just wants to help you."

"Mother, no one's ever helped us. You said so yourself, and now he's proving it by wanting to lock me up so he can have you all to himself. You always said it was just the two of us and that there was no room for anyone else."

"Sweetheart, I was wrong about that. I really, really was."

"How?" he asked, curious. He'd never heard her admit being wrong before, and it intrigued him. "Because it's okay to let other people in. I did with Alex, and he loves me so much that it makes me feel safe." She smiled over at Alex, and he returned it before kissing her. "I'm glad you feel safe, Norma," he said and grinned again.

"So, where do I fit in?" Norman asked her, genuinely not sure.

"Honey, I will always love you just the same, Just because I let Alex in doesn't mean I let you out. I really think you will feel much better if you let the doctors help. I will always be here for you no matter where you are."

"Promise?"

"Absolutely. The cord is tight between our hearts, and it can't be severed that easily. Even while you're at Pineview, I'll only be a call away."

"Okay, Mother. I would like to feel a little safer in my own head. For you, I'll go."

Norma smiled. "My brave boy."

"Is it okay to still be a little scared?" he asked, gripping her hand in his.

"Yeah, of course. I understand that you're scared, and I would be too."

"But you're never scared of anything."

"Norman, right now, I'm scared for you. I'm scared of what might happen if you don't get the help you need. That's what scares me." Norma held him tight for a second. "I will never leave you. I'll always be wherever you are because we're bonded in a way no one else ever will be."

He nodded "Will you come with me to Pineview, just to the doors?"

She glanced at Alex, who nodded. He was going to be wherever she was. He knew this was agony for her.

Turning back to Norman, she said "Of course. Are you ready?"

He gulped and nodded. "Let's go before I change my mind."

About half an hour later, they pulled up at Pineview. By this time, Norman was curled up in the seat, afraid to move. Norma touch his arm and said, "Come on, Norman. I'll walk you to the door."

Norman shook his head. "I can't. I'm scared to. I can't go in there."

Norma groaned inwardly and sent Alex a "give me strength" look.

"I'm right here, Norma," he said and kissed her cheek. "You can do this. You have to do this."

"You're right, but it really hurts." she whispered.

He squeezed her hand and whispered back, "You're a warrior. You're doing so well. You just have to get him to that door."

Norma didn't know if she could do it, but she turned back to him and said a little more firmly. "Come on, Norman. Come to the door with me."

"I can't. They'll eat me alive."

"They won't. They just wanna help you. Come on, Norman, please. For me. You said you'd do it for me."

He turned and took her hand. "Don't let go til I get through that door."

"I won't," she promised. "Come on."

They walked to the door and as they stepped through, she felt him turn into her shoulder and start to cry. "Be brave, Norman, okay?" she whispered. "Remember..."

"You're always where I am," he finished tearfully. "Mother, please don't go."

"I have to. I'm sorry. I have to. Be brave," she said again, hugging him tight one last time as she stepped back and walked out the door. Her heart ached because she could still hear him pleading for her, but she didn't turn back. She walked straight back to the car and climbed in next to Alex.

He didn't speak at first. He simply pulled her close and held her, feeling her tears soak his shirt. After awhile, he rubbed her back and started whispering, "You did the right thing, Norma. You did. I'm so proud of you."

"You are?"

"Hell yeah. I know that must've been so hard, but you did it."

"I did it because I love him."

"Yeah, and he'll understand eventually."

"Alex?"

"Yeah?"

She let out a weary sigh. "Take me home."

He nodded and drove home. He carried her upstairs and tucked her into bed

"Come in with me?"

He smiled and climbed in beside her. "I'm right here, Norma. I'll always be right here."

"I'm gonna hold you to that."