Her Eyes

Chapter 64: WATCH ME SQUIRM

It was noon by the time she returned. Alex had hidden his car a quarter mile down the street. They never knew how Norman was going to react to things these days. Norma said he was getting better, but Alex would have to see for himself.

He peered at them through the opening in the curtain. It was sweet how much she cared about Norman. She loved her son more than anything in the world. That was the way it should be. He waited till they got up the steps to sneak out of his room and into the office for his morning coffee.

She came back down a few minutes later. He smiled at her as she passed through the door. "You seem happy," he muttered, taking a sip of the hot coffee.

She took a seat at the front desk, her gaze again meeting his. "I am happy." It was the truth. She bit her lip and turned to the computer screen. "Are you heading to work soon? Norman's gonna be heading down any minute."

He raised an eyebrow playfully. "Trying to get rid of me?"

She smiled at him, taking the mug from him. "Yeah. Now go."

He shot her one last look before leaving. He hadn't been this happy in a long time. Things were finally looking up. Norman was getting better. Norma was less stressed...Alex was less stressed. The day was going well for Alex.

That was until he got to work. He sighed at the sight of the sheriff. He had the audacity to sit at Alex's desk in Alex's chair. He grimaced as he yanked his jacket off and tossed it on the seat beside him. "What are you doing in here?" It was bad enough he already took his job.

"I wanted to talk to you about Norman Bates," Sheriff Arbogast stated, leaning back.

Alex cringed inside. He wanted to throw him through the window. If it were anyone else he probably would have. "What about Norman Bates?"

Milton stared through him. Everyone thought they could control him. Everyone. He couldn't go anywhere anymore without someone undermining him. Alex hated it. He hated what this had come to. He could never be happy. "I spoke with Bradley Martin's mother recently. Apparently, Norman and Bradley were friends. Used to come over to her house asking for her."

Alex shook his head slightly, fighting back the urge to grab the man by the collar and drag out of his office. "What does this have to do with her death?"

The sheriff folded his hands in his lap. "I never said it did. But I figure they must have been close. He might know happened to her."

Alex hated how comfortable he made himself. He was tired of everyone in this town. He couldn't escape them. "Why are you telling me this?"

Milton chuckled softly, leaning closer to whisper to him. "It's no secret that you and Mrs. Bates are close..."

He could have killed him, but he couldn't risk anything. He wouldn't. Alex glared at him. "You don't need my permission, if that's what you looking for. I'm not involved with the Bates'."

The man got up from the desk and headed towards the door. "Glad to see you're finally on our side."

Alex watched him leave then made his way to his desk, taking a seat in his chair. He rolled his eyes. Another Bob Paris...

When Alex left the station he called Norma to make sure the coast was clear to come back to the motel. He smiled at the familiarity of the route. The motel had somehow become home. He felt out of place without it. Alex parked his car in the woods and walked the quarter mile back to the motel. He got back around five. Norman had already headed back up to the house to work on an owl he'd found at Pine View. So Alex went straight for the office, hoping to find Norma.

She smiled at him as she glanced up from her computer. "How was work?" He loved coming home to her. She was the perfect woman.

He shrugged indifferently. He couldn't tell her the truth. He needed to protect her. He was struggling between safety and contentment. He didn't know which was more important. "How's Norman?"

She glanced down at the desk, a slight shade of red flushing her cheeks. "He's good. He's doing better." Her eyes meet his, illuminating him. He could see the happiness radiating off of her. She really was beautiful. She got up from the desk and stepped closer to him, her hands playing with the collar of his shirt. "I'm gonna go make dinner. Do you want me to bring something down for you?"

He let his hands fall to her waist, drawing her closer. "You don't have to."

She smiled up at him. "I'm going to anyway."

They stared at each other for a moment, each other looking for confirmation before leaning in. But the sudden sound of gravel picking up sent their gaze to the window. "You have a guest?"

She sent him a small glare, returning back to her spot behind the desk. "People do come to my motel, Alex."

He shot her a look before turning towards the door the view the woman entering. His heart dropped for a moment. "Sally?"

She stared back at him. "Alex? What are you doing here?"

He couldn't muster a response. Norma's voice broke through the silence. "He came by to fix a leaky pipe in one of the bathroom's." She smiled at Alex.

Sally laughed softly, making her way towards the front desk. "You own the Bates Motel? What a coincidence. I—"

"What are you doing here?" Alex interrupted her.

Norma glared at him. He knew she needed customers, but not her. Anyone but her.

Sally glanced over her shoulder at Alex. "My house is being fumigated. I need a place to stay for a few nights. I live just down the street."

Alex stared back at Norma. "Well I'm gonna go fix that leaky pipe." He could never catch a break.