Chapter 11
Sally stood by and watched Morgan put the last of her belongings into the trunk of the old beater she bought a few days earlier. She crossed her arms over her chest and attempted to hold back the tears that had made an appearance more than once that final week of the two of them together.
Morgan shut the trunk and looked over at her sister. She sighed heavily.
“Are you sure that thing will get you to where you are going?” Sally asked looking over the rusted Buick.
“It should,” Morgan said nodding. “Phoenix isn't that far, Sal. You can always come visit me.”
Sally nodded knowing that her sister was right.
“It’s not the same, Mo. We've never been apart,” Sally said shrugging.
“I know,” Morgan said sadly.
Sally wrapped her sister in a tight hug and both girls started to shake as they couldn't stop themselves from crying.
“I’m going to miss you so much,” Sally cried into her sister’s shoulder.
“Me too,” Morgan squeezed her sister tighter.
The held onto each other neither one wanting to break their embrace. When they finally broke apart, they wiped the tears off their faces and looked at one another.
“Call me when you get there,” Sally said squeezing her sister’s shoulder tightly.
“I will,” Morgan said nodding.
“Be safe, Mo,” Sally said hugging her sister again.
“I will,” she said again this time muffled in her shoulder.
Morgan pulled away knowing she had to do it now or she might change her mind.
“Love you,” Morgan said at the door of her vehicle.
“Love you,” Sally said and watched Morgan get in the car and slowly pull away.
She put her face into her hands as she bawled on the sidewalk. She didn't want to go into the apartment that was now void of her sister. It would make her situation all too real and she still wasn't ready to accept that her sister was indeed gone.
After about twenty minutes of standing on the sidewalk, Sally slowly walked upstairs and went straight for the phone.
“Hello?” she heard an upbeat voice on the other end.
“Hey Sean, is Norman there?” Sally asked trying to hide the fact that she was crying.
“No Sal, I’m sorry he’s out. Are you okay?” he asked concerned.
“I’m fine,” she smiled hoping he’d hear it in her voice.
“Sal?” Sean asked knowing something was wrong.
“Morgan just left,” she said and started to cry again.
She heard Sean sigh on the other side of the phone. She really didn't want to bother him with her sadness over her sister leaving.
“I’m sorry,” Sean said quietly.
Sally nodded even though Sean couldn't see her.
“Can you just tell Norman I called,” Sally forced out.
“Sure,” Sean said quietly and hung up the phone.
Sally curled up on the couch and cried. She missed her sister already.
---
Sally woke up from her position on the couch to knocking on her door. Her eyes stung from crying and she rubbed them trying to get them to stop burning.
She walked over to the door and opened it up slightly.
“Sally, let me in,” Norman said sticking his fingers through the cracked door.
She waited until her removed his hand before shutting the door and unlocking the chain. She opened the door fully and saw Norman standing in front of her smoking a cigarette.
She tilted her head slightly at his sight. He had been drinking.
“Can I come in?” he asked pressing his body against hers.
She stood to the side and he walked in stumbling on nothing and grabbing on the counter.
“Whoa,” he said laughing at himself.
“What are you doing?” she asked crossing her arms not amused by him.
“I’m visiting my girlfriend,” he said walking towards her with his arms outreached. He had his cigarette hanging from his mouth.
“You’re drunk,” she said putting a hand against his chest.
“I've had a few,” he said now nuzzling his face in her neck.
Sally wanted nothing more than to be held by Norman and comforted by him, but he wouldn't be able to provide her that support. Not with how intoxicated he was. Against her better judgment, she wrapped he arms around him, but jumped back when she felt a burning on her back.
“Ouch! Fuck, Norman,” she said touching her back where he accidentally burned her with his lit cigarette.
“I’m sorry. It was an accident,” he said laughing as he put his hands up to surrender.
“That hurt,” she said swatting at him.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Look, I’ll put it out,” he said reaching across the counter and putting the cigarette out in the sink. “See, cigarette free.”
Sally went back into his arms and hugged him tightly. He started his assault on her neck again and Sally inhaled in his chest deeply. She pulled back suddenly again when there was a foreign smell coming from his clothing.
“What?” he asked laughing at her facial expression.
“Do I smell perfume on you?” she asked shocked.
Norman stood there for a moment.
“Women’s perfume?” he asked picking his shirt up and smelling it. “I guess so,” he shrugged as though it was no big deal.
“Why do you smell like women’s perfume?” she asked taking a step back slightly.
“I dunno. I hugged some people goodbye tonight. It must be from one of them,” Norman said surprised by Sally’s accusation.
Sally stood there staring into Norman’s eyes that were glossed over from alcohol intake. She didn't say anything.
“Christ, Sally, what?” Norman asked annoyed.
“Nothing. I’m tired,” she said and started to walk past him.
“Are you serious?” he asked loudly.
“Yeah, I am. I had a rough day and my night isn't getting any better. I’m going to bed,” she said annoyed.
“Whatever,” Norman said annoyed. “I’m leaving,” he said and left the apartment.
Sally stood there with her mouth agape surprised that he left. She felt her eyes water and the last thing she wanted to do was cry again. She was disappointed with Norman and his lack of support. It was as though he had completely forgotten that Morgan had left earlier that day. Her heart dropped when she waited to see if he’d return and he never did.
---
“So how is Phoenix treating you?” Sally asked into the phone.
She was at work standing behind the register and painting her fingernails. Morgan had been gone for three months now and Sally still wasn't used to her sister being gone.
“It’s fabulous, Sal. You need to come visit me,” Morgan gushed.
Sally laughed at her sister’s enthusiasm.
“You know I can’t leave the store. Not during the holidays. That’s our busy time,” Sally said looking around the empty store.
“Bullshit,” Morgan said to her sister.
“What?” Sally asked shocked by her response.
“You are making up excuses. Come here for Christmas,” Morgan said to her sister.
Sally sat and thought about it. Norman had been even more distant lately than he had in the past. She wasn't sure what was going on with him. At one point she even asked Sean if he could possibly be doing drugs as he was moody and unreliable. There had been several times that he didn't show up to bring her to her performances and when confronted, he’d just say he was under a lot of stress from his publicist.
Sally didn't want to push him too much, especially if his behaviors really were work related. She didn't know what it was like to be under the kind of pressure he was, so she diligently supported him the best she could.
“Is he even going to be around?” Morgan asked after the silence.
“I don’t know,” Sally sighed and went back to painting her nails.
“He’s still being a jackass,” Morgan more so stated than questioned.
“He’s just stressed,” Sally said defending Norman.
“Well, if you change your mind, you can always come see me,” Morgan said cheerily into the phone.
Sally laughed at her sister.
“Will do, Mo,” she said allowing for the sisters to continue their conversation about Morgan’s adventure in Phoenix.
---
Sally paced back and forth waiting for Norman to pick her up. They were going to go to a movie since neither of them had family in town to visit for Christmas.
She looked at the clock that ticked away the minutes and was frustrated by the tardiness of Norman. If he didn't get there soon, they’d miss the movie.
Twenty minutes later, Sally gave up waiting for him. Either he forgot or he was standing her up, yet again. She went into her room and started to play on the keyboard. She needed to do something to keep her mind off the fact that she felt like she was losing Norman.
She started to play “Creep” by Radiohead as it was one of her favorites to play when she was feeling sad. She closed her eyes tight and sang the words loudly allowing her emotions to flow out of her and onto the keys in front of her. When she played the last chord, she allowed a single tear to fall.
“Hey,” she jumped when she heard Norman standing in the doorway.
Her shoulders dropped when she looked over at him.
“Hey,” she said quietly back. “I didn't think you’d show,” she said not moving from her spot.
“Sorry,” he said quietly. He didn't offer an explanation to his tardiness, which was common. There was usually just an apology.
“We missed the movie,” Sally shrugged and Norman nodded.
“I know,” he said quietly. “I thought maybe we could stay in,” he shrugged.
It was Sally’s turn to nod as she stood up. She walked towards him and Norman wrapped her tightly into a hug. She apprehensively put her arms around him and inhaled his scent.
“Do I smell Chinese?” she asked. Her voice was muffled as her face was still in his chest.
Norman chuckled slightly and pulled back from their embrace.
“You do,” he said pulling her out of her room showing her a table full of Chinese takeout boxes. “I brought us a Christmas feast,” he said leading her towards the kitchen.
“Yeah, you did,” she said shocked by how much food he got.
Sally looked over at him with surprise and Norman raised his eyebrows at her.
“Hungry?” he asked and Sally nodded.
They lounged around, ate Chinese food and watched movies the rest of the day. In between movies and gorging themselves with food, they’d find themselves unable to keep their hands off one another and would go at it like it was their last time together. Sally had to admit it was better than going out to a movie.
Sally and Norman collapsed on the floor after another session of sex this time not waiting until the movie was over.
“Jesus, Norman,” Sally breathed out finding it difficult to catch her breath.
She looked over at his naked body as he stared up at the ceiling. His chest raising and lowering quickly as he, too, was having a difficult time catching his breath. Sally wrapped her arms around his torso and laid her head on his chest as she listened to his heartbeat. Norman absentmindedly rubbed his hand up and down her bare back.
“This is nice,” she sighed contently.
Norman didn't respond, so she leaned up on her elbow to look at him. He was still staring at the ceiling.
“Norman, you with me?” she asked waving a hand in front of his face.
He looked down at her confused.
“I’m here,” he said quietly.
“You were zoned out for a moment,” Sally said laughing at him slightly.
“Well, you wore me out, woman,” he said tickling her sides flirtatiously.
Sally squealed out trying to get out of Norman’s grasp. He was able to get her arms pinned behind her back as his face was dangerously close to hers.
“Well, what are you going to do with me now?” she asked challenging him.
Norman smiled and kissed Sally on the lips causing her to sigh. She closed her eyes tightly focusing on the feeling of Norman’s lips on top of hers. She slowly opened them when he pulled away to see him staring at her. She stared back wondering if he was going to say what she thought he was going to say. It was the perfect time for him to finally say ‘I love you,’ to her.
“You are amazing,” he said three other words instead and kissed Sally quickly before letting go of her hands and jumping up walking towards the bathroom.
Sally sat there bewildered. She never understood his struggle with saying ‘love’ to her. She wrapped the blanket around herself as she suddenly felt cold out of his presence.
---
“Please come with me. It will be fun,” Norman all but begged Sally.
She sighed over the telephone as she chewed on her bottom lip.
“I don’t know, Norman. The last time we went to something like that together, we almost broke up,” Sally said knowing that going with Norman to the New Year’s Eve party he was begging her to go to was not a good idea.
“Sally, this party is different. It’s at a club downtown. It won’t just be all those Hollywood jerkoffs,” he said still trying to convince her to join him.
“I won’t know anyone,” she said quietly.
“You’ll know me. I won’t leave your side. I promise,” he said sounding convincing.
“You won’t leave my side?” she asked starting to cave against her better judgment.
“I’m asking you to come with me, so you can be with me on New Year’s. I’m not going to leave you,” he said.
Sally sat on the other end of the phone thinking back to that New Year’s Party that went so horrible fearing that if they had another night like that, they might not make it. Norman had been distant and even though his consistent excuse was pressure of his work, she couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more.
“Okay,” she said after a long pause.
“Yeah?” Norman asked shocked.
“Yes, I’ll go with you,” she said closing her eyes tight. She couldn't help but feel as though she was making a horrible mistake.
---
Sally’s hand shook as she attempted to put on her eye makeup. She threw the eyeliner into the sink with frustration. Her anxiety had been high all day and it only increased as the time got closer to when Norman was supposed to pick her up for the New Year’s Eve party.
She walked out of the bathroom and grabbed a lollipop that was sitting on the breakfast bar. She paced back and forth trying to calm herself down enough to finish getting ready. She walked into her room and started to play on the keyboard. She started to play a favorite of her and her sister’s that her mother would play all the time. Their mother loved Bob Dylan and even though Sally didn't care too much for his songs, “Forever Young” struck a chord with her and Morgan.
After she finished playing the song, she got up and went back into the bathroom to finish getting ready. She was thankful for the peace that music gave her.
Sally glanced over at herself in the mirror. She had on a silver tank top that had jeweled embezzlements and a pair of nice pants with heels. She figured since they were going to a club, she didn't need to wear a dress. She curled her hair, which she barely ever did and put it half up so it was out of her face. She jumped slightly when she heard that familiar knock on the door.
She opened the door and Norman’s eyes scanned her body.
“Hey,” he said sounding shocked by Sally’s appearance.
“Hey yourself,” she said smiling at him. He had on nice slacks and a button down shirt. He looked good and smelled even better.
“You look great,” he said still scanning her body.
“Thanks,” she said allowing for him to come in. “I just have to grab my purse,” she said going to walk towards her room. She was stopped by Norman grabbing her hand and pulling her towards him. He attacked her lips. His hands holding her head in place.
Sally looked at Norman with pure lust when they pulled apart and she noticed his face matched hers.
“Are you sure you want to go out tonight?” she asked holding him close to her body.
Norman kissed Sally again more quickly this time.
“Nice try. Go get your purse,” he said and slapped her butt.
Sally glared at him playfully and walked into her room allowing Norman a nice view of her ass as she did so.
The club was busy that night, but Norman was right, it wasn't just a bunch of Hollywood types. Sally felt more comfortable with the setting they were in than the last time. Norman also stayed true to his word and held Sally’s hand keeping her at his side for most of the night.
She stood off to the side and watched as he got them some beverages at the bar. She glanced around and noticed everyone talking and laughing with one another. She smiled to herself thinking that maybe 1999 was going to be a good year.
“What’s with the smile?” Norman asked walking up to Sally with two drinks in his hand. He handed her vodka soda to her and sipped at his whiskey coke.
“This is fun,” she said sipping her drink.
“See, I told you,” he said pulling Sally towards him and kissing her neck.
Sally smiled enjoying the feeling of his breath and lips on her neck. She suddenly felt Norman tense up and she pulled away to see what was wrong.
“Norman?” Sally asked looking at his face that looked as though he had seen a ghost.
She looked behind her, but didn't see anything out of the ordinary.
“You okay?” she asked looking back as him.
He looked at her as though he was confused by the question.
“Why wouldn't I be okay?” he asked swallowing hard and forcing a smile.
“You look like you've seen a ghost. What’s going on?” she asked watching his features.
“Nothing’s going on,” he said smiling and kissing her cheek.
Sally watched him carefully.
“Come on, I want you to meet some people,” he said leading her by placing his hand on her back gently.
She took a deep breath. Maybe she was imagining things.
Norman had introduced Sally to a small group of people who he had met while modeling in LA. They seemed nice and courteous towards Sally. They talked about the various projects they were working on and Sally tried to pay attention, but she couldn't help to notice the Norman seemed distracted.
“Do you mind keeping my lady entertained while I head to the restroom?” Norman asked the small group.
“Can you hold this?” he asked handing her his drink and kissing her cheek before heading off into the crowd of people.
Sally turned only half of her attention back to the people she and Norman were talking to. The other half of her attention focused on the direction that Norman went to. She finally spotted Norman talking to a tall, dark haired woman. She couldn't tell what kind of conversation they were having.
“Who is that woman that Norman is talking to?” she asked interrupting the person who was currently talking.
The woman who was talking craned her neck to see where Sally was looking.
“Oh, that’s Helena. She works for a magazine that Norman has modeled for in the past,” the woman said and immediately went to going back to her story as the others in the group listened. Sally just watched Norman.
Norman shortly came back looking slightly nervous. He grabbed his drink from Sally and downed it quickly.
“You okay?” she asked watching him.
“Great,” he said and smiled at her.
The rest of the evening was uneventful and Norman stayed by Sally’s side even though he seemed to be distracted and disconnected the entire time. He was less affectionate and quiet and Sally couldn't help but wonder if that woman she saw him talking to had something to do with it.
As the clock struck midnight, Sally turned to Norman wondering if he would kiss her. He looked down into her wondering eyes and leaned down. He kissed her sweetly on the lips and moved his mouth to her ear.
“Happy New Year,” he whispered.
Sally sighed heavily and hugged Norman tightly. They started to sway back and forth as the house band played “Auld Lang Syne.” Sally pulled back to look Norman in the eyes. He raised his eyebrows at her and smiled.
“It’s the last year in the nineties. Any big plans?” she asked as they continued to slow dance together.
“Making it the best year possible,” he said back.
Sally smiled and hugged Norman close. Her hand grasped the back of his neck as she felt his face next to hers. She had really hoped for the best year possible.