Unexpected

Chapter 10: Heart Attackingly Angered

Putting his feelings on the shelf, Norman lays down in his recliner and turns on the tv. He feels like his heart is on fire from all the acidic problems in his life. It is as though God had intended him to mever be truly happy- a price he may be paying for asking to be rich and famous. Gluttony was all the rage when he was first starting out in Hollywood. He wanted everything money could buy- threw money away on usless junk that he ended upbgiving away through out the later years. Now what does he have to show for his success? A half empty house and 46 years down the drain without an ounce of true- true love.

A world without love isn't a world at all, but a Hell.

His phone buzzes and looking at the screen, it's Emily calling him. Too much pain from today- even the passed few days has him more than beat- so he hits ignore.

Funny. She chose her poison, but the moment it kicks in, she wants an antidote.

Turning his phone off for the first time in a long time, Norman stares at the blank white cieling and soon drifts off. He hasn't been sleeping well himself. Constantly up, constantly moving- he never catches a break- turns out this life he and so many have desperately wanted- isn't all it's cracked up to be.

***Two days later***

A pounding on the door stirs Norman from his prolonged sleep. Getting up and feeling very stiff and weak, he goes to the door as the person pounds on it over and over again- nearly crushing their fist. When he opens it, Emily throws herself at him and Andrew, Greg, a cop, and Mingus all take reassuring breaths.

"What's...going on?" Norman asks as he tiredly holds Emily.

"Norman! Where have you been! We've been worried." Andrew says and Norman looks confused at him.

"I'll tell the station to take the ad down now that we found him." The cop says and Greg thanks him before they start pushing Norman inside. Emily lets go and the others start to glower at Norman.

"WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN!" Emily yells and shoves Norman before Andy grabs her arm gently.

"Here... I was napping."

"Napping? You've been napping for two days? Jesus man." Greg says as he holds his head in disbelief.

"What? What day is it?"

"It's October 28th."

Wow, I really did sleep for two days.

"Why didn't you answer your phone Dad? Emily called me and I tried to call you, Andy tried, Greg did. We couldn't get inside cause the spare key is gone and the door was locked! We were scared to death!" Mingus yells at his father for the first time in his life and it startles everyone. "You don't get to do that to people who love you! It's careless! It's hurtful!!"

Andy claps Mingus on the shoulder, bringing him back from his rant and Norman just looks down at Emily crying and nuzzling her face into his chest. He just holds her close and looks at his friends and son sadly.

"I was just so tired Mingus...I didn't mean to scare everyone. I never meant to sleep so long, just take a short nap. I haven't been sleeping." Norman confesses and his friends eyes droop slightly. They know he's finally succumb to celebrity ansomnia- most famous people can't find sleep any after a while from staying on sets, tours, or partying: which leads to the eminent crash, not usually as drastic as Norman's, but close enough. "I'm really sorry I scared you."

"It's okay man- we get it. Next time keep yer phone on you so it'll wake you up- even if you just use silent mode alarms." Andy knows about the ansomnia- he's had it before when he was doing a movie in Australia.

"We better get going- if you need anything Norman. Let us know." Greg smiles softly, touches Emily's arm and she finally looks away from Norman and sadly lets go to head out with the guys. She weakly smiles at Norman with tear stained cheeks as she goes to the guys.

"Em...if you wanna talk- stay...you can. I'll take you home later." His voice fills her lungs and she sighs out of relief. Greg and Andy nod to her and she hugs them both before walking back over to Norman and Mingus. After the door shuts, Silence fills the apartment quickly. Knowing his place and the moment- Mingus excuses himself to his room after hugging Emily and his Dad. "Can I get you some coffee?"

"Please." She tiredly says and they go to the kitchen where she sits at his island, wiping her eyes.
Man, I really should talk to her about what happened.

"French Vanilla okay?"

"Yeah..." Putting the cup in the Kieurig, Norman grabs two coffee cups and waits for the coffee to brew. He feels terrible for the misunderstanding, but at the same time- it was much needed sleep.

"Em...I'm sorry."

"I was just so worried that something happened to you. I don't ever want to feel like that ever again, Norman. I don't care if we don't love each other- you're one of my best friends and I never want to lose you."

Don't love each other? Best friend? I got friend zoned?

"So...that's it?" Looking slightly confused and almost annoyed Emily doesn't understand what he means.

"What? What does that mean?"

"Come on Em. Do I have to say it outloud?"

"Um yeah!"

"If you came all this way and worried your little heart out cause you feel bad- then this is a waste of our time." Norman bluntly says and Emily's eyebrows furrow. "You came all this way to make a scene and then friend zone me? Why even pretend to care then? I'm just another old ass man! I'm done! I'm just gonna be dead one of these days that it really doesn't matter does it? I'm so glad you found an out!!! I wouldn't want you to actaully love me and then have to deal with me fucking DYING.....! Ow..."

Grabbing his chest, Norman leans against the counter and makes a pained face. Getting up, Emily goes to him. His tears pool down his face and as Emily tries to comfort him- he pushes her with one hand.

"Stay away from me...oww...just go. If... I'm gonna go...I don't want you to be here pretending I matter....OWW!" Collapsing to the floor, Norman goes still and Emily calls 911 as she tries to calm herself.

Don't you fucking die on me Norman! You can't go!