Norma walked into her kitchen to find Norman in her apron and food on the table. It wasn't cooked or anything but it was clear that he was making something.
"You're making dinner?" she asked as Norman turned to face her.
"No, I'm making some food to bring on our picnic tomorrow." Norman answered. He knew that the feeling that things were changing wasn't only evident to him but to her too and he wanted to spend some time with her to reassure them both that no matter what changed, they never would. Plus, he knew his mother deserved a break from the craziness of their every day lives.
"Aw I'd love to go on a picnic with you tomorrow but I've got class." She said a little sadly. It had been a minute since they'd spent any time together just the two of them and she was happy he had orchestrated this, but she'd just enrolled in classes that were going to help them promote the motel.
Norman was sure his disappointment shown on his face. He should have remembered that she had class. But all hope was not lost yet. "What about after?" he asked, hoping she would say yes. He had a feeling they both needed this.
Norma knew they both needed it too and her class, while important for them also, could wait. She shook her head. "Forget the class. I can go the day after tomorrow. This is more important." She said, grabbing his arm with a smile.
He smiled back at her, happy she had decided to do this with him. He was even more excited than he had been when it first crossed his mind. "You can help me make the sandwiches then." he joked, mostly.
She lightly pushed him but let go of him and picked up a piece of bread anyway. "This wasn't just a rouse to get me to help you make food was it?"
He laughed and looked at her as he picked up a piece of bread also. "Of course mother. I would plan an entire picnic just to get you to help me."
She couldn't stop herself from laughing also as they made sandwiches, two for each of them.
The next day, Norman got up early to make sure everything was ready and in the basket they'd be bringing with them on the picnic.
He remembered to pack a blanket and water and figured they'd find an activity to do themselves - they always did.
Norma woke up after him but not much later, and smiled at him when she walked in the kitchen. "You're really excited for this aren't you?"
He looked up and smiled at her. "And you're not?"
She shook her head. "No I am, I just didn't sacrifice sleeping in for it." She said, making a face at him.
He shrugged, his hands in his pockets. "I wanted to make sure everything was ready before something else crazy sneaks up on us."
She nodded. "Fair enough." She took it upon herself to grab the basket with one hand and loop her other arm with his.
He smiled at her, happy they had Emma to man the motel while they were gone.
They walked out to the car together and Norman held the basket in his lap as she drove so that he could make sure everything wouldn't spill out.
White Pine Bay had a lot of grassy fields surrounding it and on the sides of most roads, and they chose one as far from their house as possible. This town tended to house a weirdo around every corner and especially the corners near them - but not today.
Today was just about them.
Norma parked on the road and they both got out; Norman shuffling to open Norma's door for her.
She smiled and mock curtsied. "Why thank you."
He smiled with a nod and tugged her deeper into the field by the hand, the basket in his other.
It was a nice day and the green grass rustled in the gentle breeze as Norman set down the basket and opened it, pulling out the blanket.
Norma walked opposite him and grabbed the other part of the blanket and they both set it down together.
They wasted no time sitting down before it could start blowing in the wind and they both laughed a little at how this was going so far.
Norman grabbed the basket and handed her sandwiches to her, crossing his legs as his mother settled onto the blanket on top of her billowy dress so it wouldn't get blown up.
He smiled at his mother as he unwrapped his sandwich and took a bite. "So you really skipped your class for this?" he asked, chewing. "Will they miss you?"
She gave him a look. "Norman don't talk with your mouth full." She scolded. "But no, they won't miss me. They haven't even met me yet."
He made sure he had swallowed his food before he spoke again. "It isn't too late to drop the class altogether."
She looked at him in surprise, her sandwich pausing on its way to her mouth. "I told you, we need this. It's good for us to know how to market ourselves with this bypass inevitably happening." She rolled her eyes just thinking about it and bit her sandwich.
"Don't worry about it mother. I'm sure we'll be fine." he told her, sensing that his mother was getting annoyed. This was supposed to be her break and he didn't want her stressing over anything at all.
"You think so?" she asked, her voice taking on that quality it did when she needed reassurance.
He nodded, a big smile on his face. "Of course. We've been fine before. A bypass isn't going to stop us."
A smile to match his broke out over her face and she moved closer to him, laying on his shoulder. "I'm glad you did this. I hate getting so caught up in this town's crazy, but it keeps happening."
He understood that all too well and rested his head atop hers. "I'm glad I did this too mother."
They continued to eat their sandwiches in silence this time, content being in each other's presences and listening to the rustling of the grass.