She's Lost Control

Confusion in her eyes that says it all

As he stepped out of his police car, feeling the obvious pain that shot from his chest down to his left arm. He couldn't help but to care more about the heavy pain that had been building up in his chest after knowing the truth about Norma Bates. That in fact, her late husband, had not been killed by a shelf in their garage. That her little story she had made up, was just one thing, and one thing only; a lie. She had lied to him. After everything that he had done for her and how the things were going between them lately Alex thought she trusted him completely. But maybe all that he felt was one-sided only? What if Norma was actually just using him? And that thought killed him, he couldn't help but to feel like a failure. All he ever wanted, was to protect her, to keep her safe. But he can't do that unless he knows the truth. The whole truth.

He passed her car on his way up to her house. The car he had brought her back, knowing how much it meant to her. If he could put a smile on her face, he gladly would. Why had he done it? Was it because he was a cop and observant? No, not exactly. It was not that, even though he tried really hard to convince himself that it was the case. Was it because he couldn't stand the thought of her being sad about it? Yes, partly yes. But deep down, as much as he tried to hide it, to deny, Alex Romero had feelings for Norma Bates. The car was a gesture of something more than just a kindness and deep down he knew it. She did too maybe, at least he hoped so. But for the sake of his sanity he needed to know the truth, even if that meant to confront her about it.

Alex made his way up the stairs to her house. It was around 6pm, she was probably going to have dinner soon. He knocked on her front door with a little too much force for his likeness.

"Hi Alex." she greeted him with a soft voice lightly leaning on the door frame. Why did she had to look so pretty? With her bouncy small, blonde curls framing her delicate face he would more than willing to call a piece of art. That's what she was. Art.

"I'm just heating up some leftovers. You want to come in?" she asked while he gazed at her. He was right about that she was probably going to eat at this time. Alex Romero knew Norma Bates too well.

His response to her question was a tired sigh, which she clearly noticed. The look on his face made her worry a bit. He turned around, away from her, trying to keep some sort of distance between them. Her closeness made him lose focus and he had to stay focused if he wanted to confront her. If he wanted the truth.

"What?" she asked quickly, feeling him pull away from her.

"You remember the first time that I talked to you on this porch, Norma? It's kind of funny 'cause you were standing right over there, and you were lying to me, and..."

"What are you talking about?" Norma interrupted. She looked at him, trying to tell by his facial expressions if he was showing some sort of emotion at all. She knew exactly what he was talking about.

"Do you want to come in? Did you talk to Bob Paris?" she asked right after, just wanting him to say something. She wanted him to elaborate his sudden statement.

"Yeah, and I talked to Bob, but I don't want to come in, and I want to ask you something, and don't tell me a story, okay? Tell me the truth. I know what your impulse is gonna be, but don't do it. Just this once." Alex said.

"Just this once?" Norma frowned. She felt slightly offended at his words but let it slip aside because she was too worried about what Alex was gonna ask her next. Even if deep down she could guess.

"How did your husband die?" he asked.

"You know how he died. In an accident in the garage. A heavy shelf fell on him." she blurted out like it was no big deal. She had told this lie so many times that the lines of that story were in her blood. It felt like the truth to her. Norma tried to act casual like she had no idea why he was even questioning it. As much as she tried to keep her posture cool her heart was beating painfully hard and fast in her chest.