In The Neighborhood

IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

(A Norman one-shot)

Victoria stepped out of the car at her dads country side home. The sun on her face and a nice was summer breeze blowing through her hair. She had told him over and over again that she would come down during the summer months but something had always come up. This would be her first summer home in two years.

College had proven to her and to him that it needed undivided attention and every time she had been ready to leave, something always came up and she had to cancel. This year was different, she was ahead of all her classes and had a bit of free time on her hands. Nothing better than coming home to see her dad and a little slice of childhood.

The house was just the same as she remembered but different at the same time. It always had that homey feel to it. A place that always makes you feel welcome and comfortable weither you were a part of the family or a total stranger. But her dad had done some work on the place. He expanded the back deck and added a pool with a little pool house that housed everything that was needed.

She looked around and saw her dads pick up truck in the driveway and smiled as she headed towards the house. She had neglected to tell him that she was coming, it had been so long since she was here and wanted to surprise him. After her mother had died it had been hard on him being alone which is why he kept after her about coming back.

Victoria knocked lightly on the screen door and almost cried when she saw her dad. He was also just the same, caught in a time warp where things never changed. It felt like she had never been gone.

"Victoria?"

She smiled and opened the door. Giving him a big hug that crushed them both together, "I wanted to surprised you. I'm sorry I have been gone so long."

He pulled back and kissed her face, "its okay Vicki, so happy to have you home."

*

Diving head first into the pool felt like her own private slice of heaven. The summers here were brutal and this was a welcome surprise. Her dad insisted on a welcome home dinner which he would make for both of them. He told her to unpack and relax at the pool until it was ready.

That's exactly what she did, laying flat on her back at the top of the water. The sun shining harshly on her face and the cool water surrounding her. The sky as blue as could be. This was the ultimate vacation and she sometimes wondered when she left here in the first place.

"Holy shit." Someone said behind her but the water muffled the voice.

Victoria jumped and stood on her feet, her jaw hitting the water when she saw who it was, it had been years since she saw him last and he had never looked like this.

"Norman?" She asked in disbelief.

He chuckled and jumped into the pool. Clothes on and all. Wading through the water to get to her, "damn girl, its been ages since Ive seen you!"

Victoria hugged him tightly. Norman had been her childhood friend, her best friend even though he had about 10 years on her. She spent a lot of time helping her dad with things around the house and Norman had been his right hand man. Always around, all the time. Dinner and vacation, family events.

"How long have you been here?" Norman asked, pulling away from her.

"Just got back today, a few hours ago. What are you doing here?" She was getting over the surprise of seeing him again but the way he looked took her by surprise.

He was taller now then he had been when she had been 10. His body had changed also, once a wiry frame and short hair. Hardly any muscles to speak of. This was not the same man. He was tall and dark now, his hair long and shaggy going below his chin. His body was muscled and fit, his arms powerful. Those long legs of his seemed to go on forever.