The Mistake [Norman Reedus] Book One {{COMPLETED}}

Chapter 31

"How did you get here?!  How'd you know I was in jail?!" I wrote down after me and Austin pulled away from a long hug.

Norman sat to the left of me, his leg bouncing up and down and his eyes shooting Austin some glances that confused me.  I sat in the middle of the Johnston's car, Austin's parents int the front and Austin to my right.

"Well, my grandma lives in Georgia, and when my parents called me and told me that she was extremely sick with Demoxim, I came back to Montana.  College is on summer now and I figured I would take this time to go to Georgia to visit grandma.  But when the travel was canceled, I had nothing else to do.  I tried to get a hold of you, but none of your family answered.  I figured you would be at your house, so I went down there.  With all the police cars, I asked one man what was going on.  He told me that I was taken to the hospital.  Long story short, I went to the hospital, was told you were at the train station, then was told you were arrested.  And here I am." He explained, giving me a smile.  "Also, what was all of that about?" He asked, referring to all of the drama.

"Trust me, it's a long story.  I'll tell you when I can talk.  For now, meet Norman." I wrote, handing the paper to Austin. After he read it, I took it and wrote something else.  "I know you might be wondering why and how I am dating the Norman Reedus, and again, it's a long story.  But for now, just shake hands." I wrote. After Austin read it, he looked over me to the frowning Norman.

"So you two are dating?" He asked, his face flat.  I nodded enthusiastically and then took Norman and Austins hand, shoving them together.  They shook hands awkwardly and said a quick "hi" before retreating.

"So, Grace!  It's been so long!  How have you been?" Mrs. Johnston sang out.

I guess she didn't know I couldn't talk at the moment because she looked pretty impatient waiting for me to answer.  She even asked me if I was OK, and looked back at me in the rear-view mirror to see if I was even awake.  I had been holding up a paper that said my answer, and she couldn't see it so Austin took it and read it out loud.

"I'm great, Mrs. Johnston!  How have you and Mr. Johnston been?"

The poor old lady looked confused, and finally just said "We've been alright.  We've just been having trouble adapting to not having Austin in the house." She took her right hand off the wheal and gently rubbing it against Mr. Johnston's arm.

I smiled, and then it faded when I realized that Austin had been at college for more than a year now.  I was wondering how they havn't gotten used to not having him at the house yet, but hey, I'll understand one day.

After an uncomfortable amount of silence, Mr. Johnston spoke up.  "Do you guys have a place to stay?  Judging on how your Aunt's house looked, Grace, it looks like you might need a favor.   Do you and Norman have arrangements?" He asked.

"Yes." Norman replied, a bit too quickly.  I nudged him with my arm and he shrugged mouthing "What?" As if he didn't know what he did.

"Um, actually, my aunt passed away.  At last, I believe she did.  Someone told me she was killed in a car accident.  I was a bit "out of it" when that happened.  I hope it's not true, but for the moment, it is.  But since my mom is in jail, which I'll explain later, and the police men are gone from my home, then me and Norman will be fine staying at my place." I wrote, my wrist aching.

After Austin read it, Mrs. Johnston took a sharp turn as we made our way to my house.  The roads seemed so familiar and I felt as if I was back home too soon.  It was only a matter of seconds that I was hugging Austin goodbye.

I was still in mid-hug when Norman rested his hand on my shoulder as if he was telling me to stop.  I was getting fed up with him acting like this and I planned to talk to him later, but at the moment, I pulled away and shut the car door.  They pulled out of the driveway and I waved.

Me and Norman walked hand in hand into my house, and I froze when the smell of my mom's perfume hit me.  Norman had to stop and talk to me for a second to tell me she was gone and out of my life.  It calmed me down, but when my eyes met the dents in the wall from me kicking it to get the police's attention, I almost broke down and cried.

"Is this where she attacked you?" He asked quietly.  I nodded and pried my eyes away from the kitchen and to the stairs.

After I fixed the bed and me and Norman fixed something to eat, it was almost nine.  We sat in the living room instead of the kitchen and watched a movie while we drank tea and ate some pasta.

"Do you think they'll find a cure for Demoxim?" He asked ten minutes into the movie.

I looked up from the screen and shrugged, sipping at my warm tea.

About halfway in, I had dozed off and I could faintly feel Norman's heartbeat in my ear.  The house was silent and dark, and I was perfectly at peace until a loud thumping woke me up.

I picked my head up and looked around.

"Stay here." Norman said, gently getting up and turning on a couple lights, l looking around for the noise.

I couldn't ask him what it was so I got up and followed right behind him, wrapped in my fuzzy blanket.  I found his hand and held it as we crept through the house, finding ourselves at the door to the basement.  The noise was coming from down there.

Norman's extra hand turned the nob and I couldn't help but think to myself, Wow.  It's just like to horror films: "Oh!  A creepy sound in a dark house!  Let's go check it out unarmed!  LOL!"  I chuckled to myself and then got serious when he realized the door was locked.  I let go of his hand, and pointed to the top of the door frame.  That's where the key was.  Norman reached up and got the key with ease, unlocking it and swing it open.  He flicked the switch that lit up the stairs and we walked down the stairs as the thumping intensified.

As we got down, we looked around to chilly basement and as my eyes met someone else's, I just about fell into Norman.

My Auntie Beth was sitting in a chair, tape and ropes strung tightly around her.