We'll Make It Work

Norman

"Tonight on E! News, The Walking Dead's, Norman Reedus likes younger women? Earlier in the week, Norman was on Conan and was asked, "Are you single?" He replied with a no and said he was dating young intern, Genevieve Monroe. Now, she is nineteen, but that's still a little young, right? There had been rumors before about his seventeen-year-old son, Mingus, and Miss Genevieve, but denied it many of times, and now I guess we know why. Norman told reporters, and I quote, "She's young, but very mature. If you were to talk to her, without knowing her age, you would think she was in her thirty's. Genevieve and I have been seeing each other for months now, and going public isn't going to change anything."  I am not perfect, and neither is Mr. Reedus and Miss Genevieve, and as long as theyre both happy, I will be happy too. That's all that counts. I'm Christian Waters, see you tomorrow on E! News."

"What the hell were you thinking?" Helena asked turning off the t.v. "One of the reason I married you was because you were a smart man, but this? This was not what I had in mind when we decided to get a divorce and see other people. God, Norman! This isn't right." She shook her head.

"Why? Why isn't this right? She's an adult, isn't she? Legally, she is an adult. There's absolutely nothing wrong with this. Men date woman thirty years older than them all the time and no gives a damn. So why the fuck is this so wrong!" I screamed. "I love her, Helena! What do you want fro me? What do you want me to do? Just stop loving her?"

"Does it not bother you that you're old enough to be her father? She is young enough to be your child. Imagine how her father feels right now, Norman. His little girl seeing someone who could be her father. This isn't just going to affect you, or her, it's going to affect the people around you, too. It's going to affect Mingus, it's going to affect her parents, her love life, your career, your love life. What happens when you two break up? You're taking away her innocence. Or is that something your into now? Taking peoples innocence? Oh my god, she has daddy issues, doesn't she? That explains why she's dating you."

"No, she doesn't have daddy issues," I laughed to myself. "Look, when we first had sex, it was an accident, I didn't mean to. It just happened. But then, it just started getting more frequent and feelings started to appear and I just.. I fell in love with her, Helena. You love who you love, right? So, why can't I just love her? Why can't you let me be happy? You, out of all people, should understand. Why can't there be one person, just one, that is happy for me?" Helena stood there silently, her eyes falling to the hard-wood floors. She doesn't having anything to say because she knows I've done nothing wrong. "That's what I thought." I grabbed my keys and cigarette's from the table and left. I couldn't take it anymore. I couldn't take being cooped up in that house. That walls were closing in on me and I just couldn't. I drove to the only place I was wanted at.

Genevieve's.

The house was dark and quiet. The only thing that could be heard was the shower running. I walked to the bathroom door, pushing it open slowly. I could see her shadow through the curtain, I pulled it back and there she sat. Her knees were pulled up into her chest and her head rested on the back of the tub.

"Darlin', what are you doin'?" I asked sincerely. "How long have you been in here?" She shrugged her shoulders. I turned off the shower and grabbed a towel, rapping her in it and picking her up. "Are you gonna talk, or are you just gonna let me hear my own voice?" She shrugged her shoulders again and I sighed. "Come on, Genevieve, talk to me." She sat up and frowned.

"Can I ask you something?" She asked quietly. She's been crying. 

"Of course."

"Is this, is us, really going to work?" A tear ran down her cheek. She's still crying. "I know you love me, and I love you, too, more than anything in this world, but I want to be able to grow old with someone. I'll be twenty-nine and you'll be fifty-five. I'll stay young, and you'll grow old. You and I, there's nothing wrong with that, but everyone thinks there is. My parents won't talk to me. And Mingus? Have you even thought about him? About his feelings? I told him that you and I were no longer a thing, and then I turn right around and do this? He called me this morning. A few days ago he told me he would be happy with whatever decision I made in my life, but guess what? He called me this morning to tell me that he never wanted to see me again, never wanted to talk to me, he told me he didn't care about me. I've lost my best friend. He won't even talk to Helena. Did you know that? I'm thinking about what's best for us, and you're thinking about what's best for you. Norman, I want children. I want two little babies running around my house making messes and tearing shit up, but can I have that with you? I mean, have you even thought about all of the physical illnesses that can pop up at any minute? I think way too much about the future to go on with this relationship. I can't be with someone like you, Norman." She stood up throwing on a shirt, underwear, and sleep pants.

"Genevieve, please don't do this," I begged.

"We're holding onto something that can't work. God, I'm so fucking in love with you." She ran her hands through her hair. She rubbed her eyes, removing all of the tears, but that didn't do anything.

"If you're so in love with me then why are you doing this to me!" I shouted, making her jump back.

"Because if I don't do this now every dream I've ever had to travel, to try new things, to have a family, to make mistakes, all of that will just be nothing! I have to do this!" She shouted back.

My body became week and I fell to the ground. My hands covered my face, but soon became soaked with tears. She was right. She was completely right and I was just being selfish with her. I found my strength and stood back up, pacing back and forth in front of her. My furry got the best of me and my fist made contact with the wall, making a hole. I pushed and pulled at everything in sight. Breaking lamps, pictures, dressers, everything that I could destroy, I did.

"I'm sorry, but I have to."

"You don't have to do shit." She shook her head and began to talk but I cut her off. "I should've know from the beginning, from the first time that we had sex, that you were going to do this to me. You're just an immature child. I shouldn't have done it. I'm an idiot."

"Nor-"

"Don't." I brought my hand up, telling her to stop talking. "I hope you find whatever you're looking for, Genevieve."  I walked out of that house as fast as I could and drove home. I sat in my car outside of my house thinking about my life. I wasn't going to let this bother me. I needed to move on and that's exactly what I was going to do. Focus on the show and then find someone my age to settle down with.

I love you, Genevieve Monroe, I always will. You changed me, you made me the person I am. You made me a happier person. Thank you, for every laugh, every smile, every small gesture that made me fall me in love with you. I hope you find it.

*****