Her Eyes

Chapter 26: GOODBYES

Over the past month or so, the town was slowly rebuilding itself. The DEA had come and burned down the fields, arrested some people—Alex was falling apart, though he knew this was the right thing to do. He knew the people of the town would be pissed at him and it sure wouldn't look good with the sheriff's election coming up, but he needed this—the town needed this. White Pine Bay would never be the same and Alex knew that. It was time to say goodbye.

            "It's always beautiful to watch it burn," the guy from the DEA stated gazing off into the field. This was the last one, then all this mess would be over...for good. Alex sighed a bit, observing the small fire ahead of them. The guy turned to face him. "What was that total?"

            "Twenty seven," he mumbled through thin lips.

            "Twenty seven fields burned down, twenty three arrests. Town's free of this trash now. You should be a happy man." The man smiled at him before walking off. He should have been relieved, but he wasn't. All he could think about was all the crap he was gonna get for this. He ground his teeth together. He needed a break.

He headed over to the diner down by the docks. After he had his usual cup of coffee, he spotted Dylan on his way out. He climbed into the booth across from him, not caring if he wanted the company or not—they needed to talk. They hadn't seen each other since the night at Jodi Morgan's house. "Whatcha got there?" he asked, glancing down at the papers the kid was fumbling with.

            He hesitated for a moment as if he was surprised to see him...or that he cared enough to ask. "Plans for a barn."

            "For the motel?" The sheriff gave him a funny look.

            "No, some place else." He handed the papers over to Alex, who inspected them. "You joining me for lunch?"

            He quickly handed him back the papers. He didn't like to get too close to people. "No. It's just a quick drop by. I thought we could continue our conversation about the future of things around here. I'm gonna have to take a more active role—"

            "Sheriff," he cut him off. He was a bit tentative. "I think I've had my fill of what it's like to work in the drug business. As a boss I mean." He softened his voice. "I just wanna have my own little farm and be legal about it. Help people out who have glaucoma and anxiety." Alex loosened up. He really was a good kid. "Just make enough to get by. That's good enough for me. Ninety-nine plants legally with a permit."

            The sheriff was happy for the kid, though it angered him that he'd made such a decision without consulting him. "I protected you. I went out of my way to protect you—"

            "I know. I really appreciate that. I do." And he meant it. Alex knew that.

            He hated not being in control of things, but he knew this was right for the kid. "We're not working together. I can't protect you anymore. You know that right?" He studied him for a moment. He wanted to help him, but couldn't—he was smart enough to handle things himself. "You'll be on your own."

            Dylan gave him a confused look. "Yeah, but what I'm doing is legal so that shouldn't be a problem, right?" Worry was playing on his face.

            "Shouldn't be. Doesn't mean it won't," the sheriff warned. He got up from the booth. He didn't want to stay too long. "All right. I'll see you around."

After a long day of paperwork, Alex headed over to the bar near the motel. It was packed since it was a Friday night. Alex was drinking his usual glass of scotch when two men approached each side of him.