Maybe This Time

Chapter Thirteen

The night before with Alex didn't end very well. It ended up causing him to get up quickly and leave the house. Norma lay in bed, snuggling with her soft comforter. She felt such horrible heartache and she knew it was her own fault. Last night, Alex told Norma for the very first time that he loved her and all Norma did was scream at him, he left immediately. He was crushed and pissed at Norma for being angry with him. Norma wasn't used to this. Real true love. It wasn't ever in her cards, at least she thought anyhow.

Norma sat up in bed, running her forehead and slipped on her soft slippers. Getting up from the bed she grabbed her light blue robe that draped over her vanity chair, put it on and walked downstairs. She walked slowly to the kitchen, sighing as she reached for a mug from the cupboard. While putting on a pot of coffee, Dylan startled her by greeting her with "Morning..."

"Oh hi honey, good morning..." She turned her head back slightly as he walked into the kitchen fully dressed for work. Norma put on a fake smile in hopes that Dylan wouldn't notice her sadness.

"Want me to make you some breakfast before heading out?" She asked while pulling out ingredients for buttermilk pancakes.

"Sure, I haven't really enjoyed a nice breakfast in a while since Emma has been in the hospital. Just been grabbing muffins from the cafe in town." He opened the fridge grabbing cream for the coffee while Norma grabbed a mixing bowl.

"Oh, how's Emma?!"

"She's doing great, recovering very well and the organs are responding perfectly. I was so scared I'd lose her." Dylan truly cared for Emma, now his girlfriend. Norma could hear the love in his voice.

"Oh honey! That's so great... I'm so happy she's doing well." Norma smiled and then turned her head back to stirring all the batter. She remained quiet for a few minutes and Dylan knew something wasn't right. She missed Norman, but this was more than that.

"Mom, you okay?" Dylan asked with concern and Norma completely zoned out and didn't hear a word. She just stirred and poured the mix into the griddle.

Listening to the batter sizzle, she remained quiet.

"Mom?"

Nothing.

"Mom?!"

Norma jumped and snapped out of whatever daydream she was in. "Oh yeah, what?"

"Are you okay?"

"Yes I'm fine, just a lot on my mind is all..." She didn't want to get into it. She felt like Dylan wouldn't understand and give her shit for not contacting Alex.

"Okay, well I'm here to listen. I don't have to leave for another hour." He genuinely wanted to listen and comfort his mother. She seemed so lost.

Dylan set the table and Norma placed the cooked pancakes onto the plate in the middle of the table. Both sat down and ate. Should she talk to Dylan about it? He's a man, he might be able to give some sort of opinion?

"I think I love Alex..." She just blurted it out without any thought. No hesitation.