To be honest, Norman wasn't expecting to see anyone around the motel. He felt like he'd been gone for a while, but maybe he hadn't. Maybe he'd just been in a state of waking sleep. Was that possible? It was better than the alternative, he supposed. The alternative was that Mother had been in control these last few months. And Norman wasn't sure how he felt about that. Actually, he did know how he felt about it. He just didn't want to think about it and risk Mother finding out.
Mother had a way of knowing things. That's what Mothers were all about. Knowing things.
As he headed down toward the motel office, he saw the figure of a woman heading up towards him. Odd. He glanced about. She must have been coming from The City. A customer, perhaps? Oh dear. Norman hoped that all of the linens had been cleaned. It was important to keep the rooms fresh, even if they weren't being used. He wondered when he'd last washed the linens.
He slowed his walk on the hill and stopped when he reached the wooden porch that wrapped around the motel. Then he sat down on the outside bench he had and ate another piece of candy, all the while watching her suspiciously. She looked like the type that Mother hated.