*Several hours later*

"So, yeah. That's pretty much it. My mom and sister are really poor and they live together in a house they rent from Richard but they can't really keep up with the bills. He's gonna evict them because he's angry with me." I rant, leaning back against the wall.

Norman sighs, crossing his arms. "Jolene, I really don't want to be a burden. I'll just leave. I can go back to the institution. Really, I'll be ok." He starts to stand up.

I grab his wrist, stopping him. "No, I really don't want you to leave Norman. Especially not now."

To anyone else it may seem silly that I want him here, but I feel safe with him around. I'd feel safe with anyone around so that I don't have to stay with Richard alone.

"Jolene, you're the first person I've ever met in my life that actually wanted me around for a good reason. "II smile sympathetically at him.

"I guess I should get these clothes washed for you. Those are are probably getting grungey huh?"

He nods. "I also really need a razor. My face is getting pretty scruffy."

Although I barely see any hair on his face, I just nod. When he was at the institution they'd have someone to come once a month to cut their hair and shave their faces.

"Yeah, well, we can go buy you stuff like that soon. I promise."

I grab an arm full of the clothes, shuffling downstairs to the laundry room.

Just as I open the washing machine the phone rings.

I speed walk in and Norman steps out of the way, since he was waiting for me.

"Hello?" I pick up the receiver.

"Jolene? It's your mother."

My stomach drops. "Oh, hi mom..how are you?"

"I'm good. I assume you know why I'm calling?"

Do I play dumb or apologize?

"Uh, why's that?"

"Ava Jolene Peterson, you know what I'm talking about. Why are we getting evicted? And what's this I hear about you letting Norman Bates stay at your house? Are you asking to get killed?"

Norman, who can hear her through the phone, looks at his bare feet, kicking one of them around.

"Now isn't a good time to talk about that. About the eviction, I had no clue about it until just a few hours ago."

"You realize your sister and I have no where to go, right? Your sister has a child, remember?"

"Mom, I'm sorry. I would let you stay here-"

"Oh, I don't want to stay under the same roof as a murderer. I'm smart enough to not endanger myself."

Glancing up at Norman I see his face is completely red from embarrassment.

"You raised me to always give second chances and to see the good in everyone. Does that not apply anymore?"

"Not when you've murdered seven people. People like that would be better off dead."

My mouth slightly falls open, taken aback by her words.

"Mom...I...I can't believe you're being like this.."

There is a long pause on the other end.

"You've changed Jolene."

Why does everyone keep saying that?

"Mom, I haven't changed. If anything I've grown as a-"

"Richard has already told me how you've become defiant of him."

"Well, Richard has changed quite a bit too."

"It's almost as if you've forgotten one of the reasons you got with him to begin with!"

Now I'm embarrassed. Norman is still standing there and I just know he's observing every word.

"You know Mom, you don't put this kind of pressure on Louise. If you want money, why don't you marry someone who has it?"

There it is.

"I can't believe you would say something like that to me."

"And I can't believe you're gonna deny that I'm right."

I hear her mumbling in the background, no doubt talking to my sister.

"Jolene, I'm speaking on behalf of your sister and I when I say I have absolutely nothing to say to you. As far as I'm concerned, I only have one child."

The line goes dead.

I feel like a zombie as I hang up, slowly walking into the living room and falling on to the couch.

"Are you ok?" Norman comes in and sits next to me.

"Norman..I really have no one other than you and Richard. I have no friends or family..I've lost all of the people in my life."

He wraps his arm around my back, pulling me into him.

For someone who's supposedly non empathetic, he sure does do a good job of comforting.

"If it means anything, you have me. I'm not going anywhere." He says.

"It does Norman. It does. But, I miss the way my life used to be. I miss all of my friends and my family. I miss my fiancé before he turned into an ass. I miss my life before I came here, even before I went to Fairvale. Too many more things like this and I have a feeling I'm gonna snap."

"Oh don't say that. You're strong I just know it. You can get through it. It'll be ok."

His words play in my head a few times and I scoot over, laying my head on his shoulder.

"Oh Norman. Why is it people like you who they fail to see the good in? I just don't get it."

He begins to gently run his fingers on my arm, relaxing me somewhat.

Just as I start to close my eyes the back door opens and Norman and I scramble away from each other to separate ends of the couch.

Richard walks in, glancing at both of us. "Jolene, go in the bedroom."

"Why?"

"Do as I say."

I glance over at Norman, putting my head down and stalking into the bedroom.

*Norman's POV*

Richard turns to me, glaring.

"Be honest with me. What do you want with Jolene?"

My heart begins pounding. "N-nothing. Jolene is an amazing person. I'm lucky to have her as a friend."

"Friend, huh? Nothing more?"

I shake my head.

"You don't like her?"

"No sir."

"Did you spend the night with her last night?"

I freeze, my mouth falling slightly open. "No of course not."

He smugly laughs. "Good. Now, listen here. You keep to yourself or I won't hesitate to do something. I may regret the outcome but I won't regret the action. Got it?"

I nod slowly.

"Good. Stay out of my way and we won't have a problem."

He walks by me, bumping his shoulder on my chest, knocking me over.

/

Short chapter. Something big is happening VERY soon!