Chapter 3
He's Coming
The phone rings in Dr. Rosenblum's office at the secretary's desk. Dr. Rosenblum casually walks from his office, through the opened doorway, to his secretary's desk. She was running late that day but Jeff wasn't that much of a stickler. He slowly reaches down and picks up the office phone, "Dr. Rosenblum's office, this is he, how can I help you?"
"She's dead," the voice says on the other end.
The doctor stood straight up, "Wha… uh… who's dead?" The doctor could hear soft crying on the other end.
"I can't stay here. I have to move."
"Norman, is that you?"
"I can't stay here," the voice whispers.
"Norman, calm down, tell me what happened."
"The wreck… the w-w-w-reck, from yesterday. Connie was in the wreck w-w-w-with, Adam."
Teresa walks into Dr. Rosenblum's office.
Jeff cups the receiver, "It's Norman. His wife and child were killed in that wreck yesterday. I need you to call 9-1-1 and get a unit and ambulance over to his house, right now," he whispers.
Teresa nods and runs into Jeff's office and picks up his phone.
"Norman that is your choice. Where would you move to?"
"Back to Fairvale."
"Well Norman, where would you live?"
"Back in my old house. It's the only place I know," he mutters.
"Do you feel safe there Norman?"
"O—of course," he says, "I have to move back there. I don't want to be anywhere else. I wouldn't know how to be anywhere else. Not without Connie and Adam," he says, as a knock falls on the door, "S-s-s-s-omeone is here," he says.
"I had Teresa call some help for you. Are they there?"
Norman goes to the door and sees a policeman and paramedic standing there, "Yes, they are here now," he says.
"Norman, stay put, I am coming over."
"Okay," Norman says.
Norman hangs up the phone as the paramedic and police officer help him over to the sofa. They were both asking him questions, but Norman really couldn't hear what they were saying. His mind was wandering so badly, he didn't even realize that Dr. Rosenblum had gotten there and was sitting next to him.
"Norman, are you going to attend the funerals?"
"No. I can't…I just can't do that."
"No one will force you to go Norman."
Norman looks out across the living room and sees a random person walk through and out the door. He turns and sees Dr. Rosenblum, "Do you know a moving company?"
Dr. Rosenblum nods, "I do and I can handle everything for you, if you like? I even have a colleague in that part of the state, if you would be interested in seeing him?"
Norman nods but still stares off into space.
"Norman," the doctors takes his hand, "We will help you get through this. I promise."
Norman slowly lowers his head on Dr. Rosenblum's chest and begins to bawl.
Norman didn't remember how much time passed after that or even when the good doctor left. But true to his word, the doctor did set him up completely to the point that Norman only had one more task to complete and he was simple waiting on someone to pick up the phone to finish that task.
"Riverside County Sheriff's Department. How may I address your call?"
"Yes, may I please speak with the sheriff?"
"May I ask what this pertains to Sir?"
"Oh cer-er-tainly. As part of my parole, I have to notify the locale police-police-police department that I will be moving back into town."
"Certainly Sir, hold for one second for me."
The line was hushed. There wasn't even hold music to listen to. The unbearable silence could be conceived as deafening to the nervous man. He waited patiently and went over in his head what he was going to say but no matter how many times he practiced he knew he would never be ready until the moment came. After a few minutes pass by the sheriff gets on the phone.
"This is Sheriff Hunt here. How can I help you?"
"Hello Sheriff, I thought you would have retired by now."
Sheriff John Hunt's smile slowly fades as he believes he recognizes the voice on the other end. That voice that could send chills up even the meanest, nastiest, and hardest criminal's spine. Surely to God, he was imagining that voice. But he knew he wasn't.
The Sheriff has been waiting for the moment he knew would come. He knew this day would happen but no matter how many times he thought he would have avoided it, the day was finally here.
"Norman," the Sheriff says, "Norman Bates. How have you been Norman, it's great to hear from you. I heard you made parole bout six years ago. Is that right?"
"Oh, that's right. As part of my parole, I have to inform you that I will be moving back to Fairvale."
Normally things didn't shake John but Norman Bates was nowhere near normal. A long silence follows.
What could you say to a man that was arrested twice for murdering several people? What could you say to a man that spent over twenty years in an insane asylum for a split personality disorder? What could you say to a man that thought he was his own Mother?
John took a deep breath before he continues.
"Alright, Norman. When are you coming back and what are the stipulations of your parole?"
"I should be back in a few days. I'll be moving back into my mother's old house, that is, if it's still standing. I have to do a-a-a- blood test…once a month, to prove I am taking the medication I'm supposed to be on."
"Ok, then. Tell you what, when you get into town come on by and we'll meet at my office and take a look at your papers."
"Thanks, sheriff. I appreciate it."
"No problem, see you in a few days Norman, you take care now."
Sheriff Hunt hung up the phone and pinched the bridge of his nose with his index finger and thumb. Norman Bates was moving back to Fairvale. Norman Bates was coming home.
The Sheriff picks up the phone and makes a few quick phone calls to get some updates about Norman. He spent the greater number of thirty minutes on the phone with Jack West, Norman's current parole officer. From what Jack told him it sounded like Norman had made a full recovery back into society. At least he hopes that was the case.
The Sheriff sat for a few more minutes waiting on a fax from Jack. When it finally came through he made some notes, grabs the fax, and walks into the main office area with the other officers.
"Jamie is everyone here right now?"
"Yes, Sheriff."
"Good," he says. Holding up his arms he exclaims, "I need everyone's attention. Hey, everyone please settle down and take a seat."
"John you look like you've just seen a ghost."
"No, I didn't see a ghost, but I did just talk to one a minute ago."
The perplexed looks went hand in hand with the commentary. Everyone there including the secretaries exchanged the same glimpse to one another.
"What's up John?" Deputy Driver asks.
"I just got off the phone with Norman Bates."
The gasps throughout the room were all in unison. The baffled expressions turned to revulsion as one by one the famous name rang more than just a bell.
"Norman tells me," Sheriff Hunt continues, "that he will be moving back to Fairvale. He'll be here in a few days. He claims as part of his parole he had to notify me and he also has some other stipulations for his parole."
"We can't let that crazy freak move back here! People start dying when he comes around!"
"Vera, hold your tongue. Norman Bates has been on his best behavior since he moved away. According to his parole officer in Los Angeles, Jack West, he has been an outstanding citizen, he is never late for his appointments and he has never missed an appointment either."
"He was an outstanding citizen before too when he wasn't stabbing people," Vera retorts.
"Listen here now, that boy has not once complained about anything, even after they searched his house AND his property because a neighbor claimed he saw Norman digging up the backyard. Or should I say, he saw Norman digging up his own backyard. As that turned out he was putting in a pipeline for a drainage system.
He does everything that has ever been asked of him and Jack West claims he wishes all of his parolees were like Norman. Jack even said I could quote him so I will."
The sheriff brought out his glasses and pulled the fax paper out of his pocket. He opened it carefully and then he read out loud,
"I have loved being Norman's parole officer. Norman has an amazing sense of humor but he has to get to trust someone before they will see it. I would suggest for his new parole officer to work hand in hand with his psychiatrist. The state of California recommends this as the state also recognizes that Norman is a special case, but it is not a requirement of his parole.
Norman does still have trust issues but we were working to get past this. I will suggest for he to get familiar with many of the officers in the new department as this will help him re-associate himself in the community. I will hope that your department will extend this courtesy to him.
Some back history on Norman's treatment; normally the state facilities do not discuss treatment for their patients but in Norman's case, this is different. He is required to take anti-psychotic medications. The paperwork he will bring will describe the blood work requirements that follow the medications.
It is recommended that Norman be observed frequently when he relocates to Fairvale. Once he has reestablished himself the observations can be reduced to normal parole visitations.
On a side note: he has never been in trouble while under my supervision. Norman has however helped me out when I needed it.
I had an incident with another parolee at one point before Norman's appointment. As usual, Norman was early. My door was open to my office and the conversation got a little heated. Norman stuck his head in the door just as I was about to call security into the office. I will never forget what happened next as long as I live. When Norman walked into my office my parolee was becoming belligerent. Norman walked in front of my desk in between me and the man I was having trouble with. He politely asked the man what his intentions were. The man's only response was acting like he was going to strike Norman. Norman, for the record, didn't even flinch. Norman did, however, tell him, and I quote, 'there's nothing you can do to upset me. I lived with a sexually and physically abusive, schizophrenic, manic-depressant, overbearing tyrant that claimed herself to be my mother. You can guess what my childhood was like. I eventually got fed up with her and her boyfriend, so I poisoned them both when I was twelve. My mother was the Anti-Christ. Do you honestly believe that you can frighten me?' The man stood wide-eyed for a minute. He then apologized to me, apologized to Norman, told me he would fulfill the requirements, and left without further incident. I have never had a problem with him since. I will be sad to see Norman go and we will all miss him around here.
Please send my best to Norman when he arrives and tell him to keep in touch with me. He owes me a Thanksgiving Dinner.
Jack West
By the way, if you want a good laugh, ask Norman about the Christmas tree incident. This will always be a good memory for him.
The Sheriff put the paper back in his pocket and takes his glasses off.
"For those of you that are in the dark ages and don't own a TV and don't read the newspaper, Norman Bates was a serial killer. He killed his mother and her boyfriend like he said when he was twelve years old and that's just where it starts. He was declared not guilty by reason of insanity and spent twenty-two years in a psych ward. After that, he got out and came back here. He went back to his old tricks after a couple of the victim's family members drove him back to insanity. After that, he went back to another psych ward where he got paroled after a few years. He got married to his psychiatrist and moved out to Los Angeles. Now I don't know why but he's moving back here to Fairvale. I'm sure we will all, and I mean all, make him feel welcome."
"Sheriff, did you just say 'he married his psychiatrist'?"
"Sure did. It seems that ol' Norman fell in love while at the last institution. He got his act together and got the courage up to ask this nice young woman out. She agreed to go out with him when he was fully recovered and released. There couldn't have been a better incentive for him so he worked hard and made serious progress with his treatment in a very short amount of time. From what I was told they have been happily married for four years now and he even has a three-year-old son."
"Norman Bates has a son?"
"That's right. Norman was even against that at first."
"Why John?"
"He was worried that the world would have another one of 'him' to deal with. He was worried that his son would be disturbed like he was…but no he isn't; perfectly normal and adorable too according to Jack. He says Norman is an ideal father and every time he sees them together both of them are all smiles."
"I had hoped this day would never come, but I will do as you ask John," Vera says.
"John, why is he moving back?" Deputy Driver asks.
Sheriff Hunt sighs, "I don't know, but I suspect that something happened to his son and wife."
Vera closes her eyes, "Jesus," she whispers, 'I told you."
"Not like that, I mean, it's just Norman moving back. And Jack only said there was a traumatic event in Norman's life, but he wouldn't say what it was."
"Damn," Officer Dunn says.
"I bet you I know what happened," Officer Regan says. She stands, "I bet you they got hurt in that wreck on the news."
"They didn't get hurt," Vera says, "They likely got killed. Why else would he move back?"
"Why else indeed, Vera," John says.
"Alright, I suppose we should get ready," Vera mumbles.
Deputy Driver leans over to Vera, "Get ready for what?" he whispers.
Vera crosses her arms and stands up, "The psycho is coming home."