*Norman's POV*

I hear something scoot behind me and roll over to see a book on the floor in front of my door. Once I sit up I notice it's my journal.
Quickly grabbing it I flip through it hoping nothing has been messed with, but a new note in the back catches my eye.

'Dearest Norman,

You must've accidentally put this in the box of books you were giving back to me. I hope you aren't angry with me. Everything I said to you was with the best of intentions. I hope to see you again someday. You're one of the kindest people I've ever met.

Sincerely, Jolene Peterson.'

Was she here? I jump up, running to my door and slinging it open to get in the hallway. No one other than a few patients in the lobby.
My shoulders sink and my chest falls as I exhale. She had to have been here, but I just barely missed her.
Maybe if I'd gotten to her in time I could've explained to her what's going on.

As I start to walk back to my room I notice something out of the corner of my eye. The nursing station is unattended, and one of the medicine cabinets is cracked. Making sure the coast is clear, I run over and open it, scanning for my name.

After a minute I see it and reach in, grab the pill bottles along with my folder, tuck them into my waistband, leave everything as I'd found it, and speed walk back to the lobby, not stopping until I reach my room.

Once I'm back I grab my desk chair and jam it under the doorknob. I spread the pill bottles on my bed and skim the files, finding out which pill was for what and how much I need to take of it.
Next, I gather the bottles and folders and lift my mattress, throwing them under there. I drop my mattress carefully and sit on it, a smile spreading across my face.

I'm getting out of here one way or another.

*Jolene's POV*

Getting back to the house was one of the biggest reliefs of my life. Hopefully, I can find another job and pretend the last one didn't even happen.

Well, I wish I could.

I know I can't.

Dr. Vincent's words of Norman keep playing in my head. Are they hurting him?
Although with someone like Norman I doubt there's much hurting left to do. That seems mean, but it's true.
I think he just needs someone to care about him. I care about him, but not in the same way he cares about me.
The poor thing has been so isolated that he took my kindness for flirting.

Maybe I just attract the wrong type of fella.

My mother, her name is Vivian, really wanted a man with a steady foundation and a good income for me. My father was very abusive to all of us and left us when I was just a child, leaving my mother to care for my sister and me alone.

She made a small income from cleaning people's houses which was the only work she could get. I raised my younger sister part of the time.

Speaking of my younger sister, let me tell you about her.

Her name is Louise. She was born five years after me, making her twenty years old. We're very much alike personality wise, but lifestyle wise we're opposites.
She had a short-term fling with a man she hadn't known very long which resulted in her getting pregnant. The man left her to raise the baby alone, the baby being my two-year-old niece named Judy.

She's a doll and I love her so, but her arrival has definitely added more to my sister's plate.
When I still lived near them, which is in San Diego, I would keep her during the day while Louise worked as a waitress at a local diner.
Then Richard and I got engaged and he wanted to move me from my family so I could focus on him, and being a good wife. I don't think it seems quite fair that he gets to live near his family and I don't mine, but whatever.

I often wonder if there is more to life than just being a rich man's fiancé. I doubt I'll ever get the chance to find out.

I'm not saying I am miserable, I have a lot to be grateful for, the thoughts just cross my mind. Sometimes I wonder if I'd be with someone like Richard had my father been a different person. My guess is probably not.

He does love me though. I know he does. He gets really angry with me sometimes, but it's usually me that provokes the anger. If I could just be grateful for him and not second guess his choices I know things would be different.

Speaking of him, he'll be home any time now, so I guess I should start on dinner.

Yeah, this chapter was boring. Just a short filler. I have a terrible headache right now! Also, I'm sorry the chapters haven't been as good lately. I'm not necessarily having writers block, it's just that I know all of the major plot points I want to hit without knowing exactly how to get to them. Like I said, it's my first story. :)

Also, thanks again for more feedback! I look forward to reading more. :)