Robert Bloch's Psycho by Chet Williamson

where you were born?”
    Norman nodded. “The house. I was born at home. Dr. Mayhew, our family doctor, delivered me. Just me.”
    Dr. Reed shook his head. “That’s not what the investigator found. Dr. Mayhew died some years back, but his daughter still had his records. And at the entries on the date of your birth, Norman, was one that said that twin sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. J. Bates, and that the firstborn, whose skull was partially crushed in the area of the left parietal bone, was taken to the Wilkins Charity Home for Babies and Children, to be cared for ‘until its imminent demise,’ I believe was the wording. Dr. Mayhew didn’t expect it to survive the birth trauma.”
    â€œBut … it did.”
    â€œYes. And recovered. The investigator tried to find this Wilkins Home to match it up with their records, but there was an S&H Green Stamp redemption center at the old address. The home shut down decades ago, no records surviving. It’s about a hundred miles north of Fairvale.”
    â€œWas this Wilkins place where the man was adopted from?” Norman asked.
    â€œHis parents would never tell him,” Dr. Reed said. “They didn’t want him to obsess over his background, so he says. He had no idea he might be a twin until seeing your picture. Then the thought occurred to him, and the rest…” Dr. Reed shrugged. “It looks as though it’s a distinct possibility, Norman. I’ve seen the documents, and they’re legitimate. I do believe this man is your brother.”
    Norman didn’t know what to say. So he shook his head and tried to make a little joke. “Too bad for him. To finally track down your brother and find out he’s a…” Norman gestured to his surroundings.
    â€œHe says it doesn’t matter, Norman.” Dr. Reed’s face was serious and, Norman thought, a bit sad. “He says he wants to meet you.”
    Norman opened his mouth, but found he couldn’t say anything.
    â€œI’ve been considering it,” Dr. Reed said. “You’ve told me that you felt very lonely during your childhood. Very isolated. I think if you’d had a brother, someone with whom you could have shared your childhood, well, things might have turned out differently for you.” He smiled. “And when it comes to family, they say it’s never too late. I’ve met your brother, and he seems to be a good man. He has a family, his own business, lives not all that far from here. He could visit you frequently, if that would be acceptable to you. And to him, of course.”
    Norman couldn’t say anything. It was all too much.
    â€œWould you like to meet him?” Dr. Reed asked. “Afterwards, you wouldn’t have to see him again if you didn’t want to. And you don’t have to see him now, if you’d rather not. It’s your decision, Norman.”
    â€œWhat … what do you think I should do?”
    Dr. Reed took a deep breath. “He seems very sincere about meeting you. And I don’t think it would be harmful for you. On the contrary, I think it would aid in your socialization skills, and that’s something that we’ve been concentrating on. You also may find it very meaningful to be in contact with the person with whom you shared so much … yet so little. But as I said, it’s your choice.”
    Norman sat for a moment, staring at the floor, then said, “A brother…”
    â€œYes, Norman. Your brother. He’s here now.”
    â€œ Now? ” Norman’s head shot up. He felt dizzy.
    â€œYes. It’s after visiting hours, but he works during the day—on weekends as well. He and his wife have a diner, so he’s kept pretty busy. I kind of bent the rules to accommodate him.”
    â€œWhat’s his name?”
    â€œRobert. Robert Newman. His foster family’s name, of course.” Dr. Reed cocked his head and