Her Eyes

Chapter 15: PRIVACY

Alex waited till morning to head over to the Bates Motel. He hadn't gotten any sleep at night and sleep was something he needed—desperately. He pulled up near the office to find Norma peering at him through the window. As soon as he got out of the car she ran back behind the desk and pretended she was working the entire time.

            "Why are you here?" she asked plainly, looking up from the computer.

            "Might wanna rework your greeting for your guests," he mocked, closing the door. "I need a room."

            She smiled at him playfully as he approached her. "Why do you need a room?"

            He chose to ignore her. "Need a credit card?" He opened up his wallet to search through it, slipping the card from its place and setting in on the desk in front of her.

            "What happened?" she asked curiously, leaning in a bit.

            "Can I just check in? I don't want to talk about it." His voice was hoarse and he was getting increasingly annoyed by the minute.

            "Okay, fine." She turned back to her computer to type in his information. "How long will you be staying?" She kept her eyes on the screen, so he set his on the floor.

            "Uh, a while probably. I don't know," he mumbled awkwardly. "A few months." She looked at him aghast. He hated to be pitied, but she was pushy. "Somebody torched my house. They burned it down to the ground," he let out. He was about to explode. "Now can I check in?"

            She couldn't take the hint. "They torched your house...your house? Sheriff Romero the big daddy of White Pine Bay?" He blushed and winced at her little nickname for him. He liked that she called him that, even though it embarrassed him. He was still upset, furious actually, though he wouldn't show it. He wouldn't look at her—he couldn't. "I mean what kind of a crazy lunatic would torch your house?"

            "That's a good question," he stated over top of her. He needed better ways to release his anger.

            "I mean if I had torched your house, I'd be getting the hell out of town cause I'd figure you'd be coming for my ass," she cried. She put her gaze on his. "What are you gonna do about it?"

            He sighed clearly exasperated. This woman was so nosy. He hated it and loved it at the same time. "Can I just check in?"

            She gave up. Her eyes met the card on the desk. She picked it up and fiddled with it in her hands before handing it back to him and giving him a motion that said 'don't worry about it'. She reached behind her and grabbed a set of keys. "Room 11," she smiled. "Maid service is usually around noon. Any special requests?"

            He was at the door when her words hit him. He turned around to find her biting her lip. "Privacy." He made sure their eyes met; he needed to make sure she knew what he meant. He left the office and made his way to his new home. Maybe now he could get some sleep, though he didn't think that'd be possible with Norma Bates around.