Saving Us

Chapter 12

Alex Romero sat in his office staring at the photos of Bob Paris's body. They were disturbingly graphic. One of the them showed Bob face up in the water and the other showed him lying in the morgue looking unnaturally blue. The bullet holes were very prominent in both photos.

Alex shook his head. He had done this. Bob had always been a scumbag but he was also someone Alex grew up with. It hurt him to look at these especially knowing he still had photos of them when they were kids. He turned the photos over and put his head in his hands.

To make matters worse the DEA bitch was investigating him. She didn't trust that Alex had nothing to do with Bob's death. He knew that it was unlikely that they'd find a connection. He had been careful enough to erase the phone call to Bob so that it wasn't traceable.

It only bothered him because if by chance they found something against him he would lose his job. His job was the only thing he had had for so long that he didn't know who he'd be without it. He had become the sheriff to show that he was a better man than his father. He knew now that he really wasn't.

What he was worried the most about was how he'd protect Norma if he wasn't the sheriff. She was the only thing Alex truly cared about. Norma had said herself that if she lost Norman she would die. He couldn't let that happen he had to close Bradley's case now.

Alex stood up sadly. He didn't want to think about Bradley Martin because every time he did he remembered opening that trunk. He had visited her mother yesterday to tell her the news. Being a mother she had cried and insisted on seeing her body. Alex had taken her to the morgue where she announced that Bradley's official funeral would be on Thursday. Two days from now. The whole situation was terrible and it made Alex sick.

He decided that he needed to get out of the police station. Alex grabbed his coat off its hook and left his office. He attempted to leave without being noticed but was stopped by Regina.

"You heading home sheriff?"

"Yeah it's been a long day." He replied shortly.

"Okay." She smiled. "Oh the police ball is next Saturday."

Alex cringed. "I'm not going."

"You have to go, you know that."

Alex shook his head. "I really don't want to. It's stupid."

Officer Lopez clapped him on the back. "Come on it'll be fun. You could bring a date?"

There were a few snickers around him. Alex was instantly embarrassed and felt his skin warm up. Regina laughed. "Yeah okay."

Alex opened the door and walked out. Regina called after him apologetically but he kept walking. He left the station and got into his SUV annoyed.

He was driving home when he remembered that he told Norma he'd stop by. "Damn." He said out loud before turning on to the highway.

Alex pulled into the motel lot and parked behind her car. He saw Norma leaving the office so he got out. She smiled at him and he immediately felt better.

"Hey." He said awkwardly.

She raced over to him. "Hi Alex."

Alex looked over at what used to be a giant hole. It was nothing but a section of disturbed dirt now. "That's better."

"Um yes it's a lot better!" Norma grinned at him. "I don't know how to thank you. Gah this is incredible!"

She ran over to the dirt and jumped around happily. "Like look at this! It's like it never even happened."

He shook his head at her and laughed. "You're insane." He called to her.

She ran back over to him smiling widely. "I thought you liked that about me?"

"I do." He looked down at her. The sunset reflected in her hair perfectly. He almost told her how beautiful he thought she was. He resisted and another thought came to mind.

"What are you doing next Saturday?" He asked without thinking.

'Shit shit shit. Idiot!' He panicked internally.

She put her hands in her pockets and leaned towards him. "Nothing why?"

"Uh never mind." He said flustered and walked away from her.

She seized his arm and turned him around. "Alex tell me."

"Fine but if you laugh I'm 'cuffing you to a pole and leaving." He said seriously.

"Okay, okay. Just tell me!"

"There's this stupid police ball thing. It's next Saturday. I have to go but I thought maybe you could uh come with me. If you want. I don't know it's really stupid." He said feeling super uncomfortable.

Norma smiled and Alex felt his heart beat triple its speed. He was such an idiot. He bit his lip and turned to leave again.

Norma ran in front of him. "Alex stop! I'm not smiling because I think it's stupid. I'm smiling because I'm flattered. I want to go with you."

"You- you do?" He asked nervously.

"Yes. Don't make it weird. I like to dance." She said blushing slightly.

"Okay." He said allowing himself breath again. "I should uh get going."

"Alright. Thanks again for this." She said nodding her head at the filled in pool. "I can't explain how grateful I am."

"I'm glad. Bye Norma." He hurried away to his vehicle.

He jumped in and Norma waved sweetly at him before strolling up stairs. He waited until she was at the house before yelling "Yes!" while hitting the steering wheel. This was progress and progress felt amazing when it was with Norma Bates.