Hiding In Plain View: Normily

Chapter 14: As You Leave I Shall Follow

Chapter 14: As You Leave I Shall Follow

She left early in a car for the airport. Her first show was in a few hours at Eddie's Attic and she was horribly nervous. Had she messed up last night? Had she messed up any shot of being happy? She's 28 and unsure about everything she's ever done in life.

For Norman, he wakes up knowing he's probably lost the most important person in his life. Without a second thought or guess, Norman speeds off to the Marriott in just his pj pants and slippers.

"Sir, you need a shirt to be in this establishment." The desk receptionists scolds Norman as he runs to the desk.

"Hi yes. I don't care. The love of my life is staying here. I need to know which room Emily Kinney is in."

"Sir, you need a shirt." Another receptionists buts in.

"Mame, I really don't care about your policy. I need to know what room my girlfriends in. It is a dire emergency. An if I don't find that room in the next ten seconds your establishment will be less uncomfortable with my naked top and more disgusted by my naked bottom to match. Now give me the room number and key... please."

The receptionist hands him the key to room 106 and he rushes to the elevator. Taking it up he paces patiently in the elevator as two old ladies gawk at his naked chest. When the elevator opens up he finds her room with the made cleaning it. Running in he looks around. Nothing's left. Heading into the restroom he sits on the lid of the toilet and puts his head in his hands. Out of the corner of his eye, white plastic with a purple cap catches his eye. Grabbing a tissue he picks it up and knows exactly what it is. His eyes widen as he lets his hand droop to the side of him an the piece of plastic drops back into the waste basket.

"I gotta stop her. I gotta go!" Racing out the door, he throws the room key card back at the receptionist and runs to his car. Getting in he calls his mother to watch Mingus. Getting to the airport he buys the next ticket to Georgia to make his way to Eddie's Attic in Decatur.

Setting up on the small stage, Simon makes his way over to Emily, who is mindlessly staring at a picture of a woman and a baby. She sighs and Simon can see her pain.

"Are you okay Em? You've been.... well not you this whole time."

"Yeah," He shakes herself from herself and takes her guitar out to time it. "I've just had a very long week."

"Been having boy trouble?" Simon untangles an amp chord as they talk.

"I guess you could say that."

"You wanna talk. I know my wife loves to tell me her problems. Says I'm a great listener. I could help." Emily smiles at he dear friend and fellow musician.

"What does it mean if he says he loves me, but can't ya know... show it in public or let others really know? Is he ashamed of me or what?"

"Emily, sweetheart, I don't think Norman's ashamed of you. I think, huhh, I think he wants to make this relationship work better than all the others you've both had."

"I never said it was Norman, Simon." She gives him a half smile.

"You didn't have too. I knew from the moment you were freaking out on stage when you saw that ridiculous poster he held up." Smiling, Simon can see her year up a bit.

"It's just hard to love him when it's a closet relationship. It's like I can't share with the world how wonderful he makes me feel because in some way it's wrong... Is it wrong, Simon? Am I just too stupid to realize that?" Her tears become harder and Simon brushes them away. He's always been a great friend to her, and he's also been through troubles with his wife and past girlfriends. Holding her close, he kisses her head.