Untold Secrets

Chapter Three

Alex hadn't slept so well since his early high school years. Sleeping next to Norma and Dylan had made Alex feel warm and loved. This warm feeling ended as soon as his eyes opened.
He found himself laying in the bed by himself, feeling cold. For a moment, Alex had thought the previous night might've been a dream. He quickly sat up and looked around at the empty motel room. Her stuff was gone along with the mess she had made during her stay.
All that was left was a small piece of paper on the bedside table with Alex's name written on it. Alex reaches over and grabs the paper, his eyes slowly reading Norma's beautiful handwriting.
Alex-
I'm so sorry for calling you and interrupting your night. Things can't change between us, I know that. I've left town, you won't see me or hear from me again. I'll always keep you in my heart. You were my best friend, square.
Love always,
Norma
Alex could feel his eyes burn with tears as he read her words. He didn't want things to end how they did. He wanted to save her from whoever had left those marks on her beautiful skin. He wanted to divorce his wife and start a life with Norma like he should've all those years ago. Maybe he wouldn't be so sad and lonely now.

Almost two years had passed by but it felt like a lifetime for Norma. So much had changed since that night with Alex. She married Sam and had a child with him. She was happy. For the first time in a long time, she felt happy.
She and Sam moved to Arizona with Dylan and Norman to start a life without John around to harass them. Norma was living in pure bliss. But, like all good thing in Norma's life, it didn't last very long. It first started with verbal abuse from Sam.
"I swear, you can be such a bitch sometimes." Sam says as Norma cleans up his empty beer cans.
"Sam, please, not in front of the kids." she says gently as she glances over at Dylan and Norman who were sitting together in their crib.
"They can't understand us. They're just little shits. Can't understand anything." Sam says, throwing his next empty beer can at Norma.
"Sam, stop this! You're being ridiculous." she tells him angrily.
"Why don't you go for a walk. Cool down." she suggests. He sighs and nods, standing up from his chair to grab the car keys.
"I'm just gonna go to my buddy's house down the street. I'll be back tomorrow." he says, walking out of the house.
Norma would've stopped him from leaving in his state but she didn't want to argue with him any longer. She just wanted to put her boys to bed and then get some sleep herself.
This was their routine almost every night, arguing with each other until he storms off to his friend's house or to the local pub.
"Need some help, miss?" Norma asks, pausing  at her mailbox, the mail in her hand, as she watches the young woman next door struggle with a stack of moving boxes. The brunette looks over and smiles kindly.
"Yes, thank you." she says, her voice sounding pleasant. Norma rushes over and takes a box from the young woman's hands.
"I'm Norma." Norma says, looking over at the beautiful woman. She had a dark complexion, beautiful dark locks and dark eyes but her skin was rather fair.
"I'm Katie." she says, leading Norma inside.
"I just moved here from California. My husband is in the military and I just wanted to be closer to my parents. They live a few neighborhoods over." Katie explains, setting the box down in the living room.
"Oh wow. I guess I'm your new neighbor. I live there with my husband. And then I have a four year old, Dylan and a one and a half year old, Norman." Norma replies.
"Aw, I hope to meet them soon. My husband and I have actually been trying. Well...he doesn't know that I'm off the pill. But it seems nothing is taking. Besides, I barely ever get to see him so.." the young woman trails off sadly, her hand rubbing her own baron stomach.
"Well I am going to go check on my boys but...I can swing by later if you'd like. To make sure you've settled in and what not." Norma offers.
"Wow, thank you. That would be great!" Katie says.
"I'll see you." Norma says, walking out. When she walks into her house, she finds Dylan sitting on the floor next to Norman, rubbing diaper cream all over the infant.
"Oh.." Norma gasps, pausing in her place.
She knew she should be angry at Dylan for the wasted cream but she couldn't help but laugh when he turned around and smiled innocently, his blue eyes staring into her own. She quickly grabs the camera from the table and snaps a picture of the pair.
"I painted, momma." Dylan says happily.
"You made quite the mess, didn't you?" Norma asks, grabbing a towel to wipe Dylan's hands clean.
"Up to the bath." she says, picking up Norman. Dylan runs up the stairs ahead of Norma to turn on the water. It was his favorite part of taking a bath.
"Not too full, Dylan." Norma says, walking in with Norman. She glances at the water level and sticks her hand in, making sure the water isn't too hot.
"That's enough, darling." she says to Dylan who quickly shuts the water off.
"Strip." she says, already peeling off Norman's clothes which were also covered in cream. Dylan quickly removes his clothes and starts jumping up and down with excitement.
"Ready?" Norma asks, turning to Dylan.
"Bath time!" he says, raising his arms to allow Norma to pick him up and set him in the tub. Norma smiles and grabs Norman, sitting him in the tub beside Dylan.
"No splashing." Norma says when Dylan becomes a little too excited.
"Can I have duck?" Dylan asks, gazing at the bath ducks that sit on the sink across from them. Norma smiles and reaches back to retrieve the duck and hand it to him.
"Dylan, don't paint with the cream again, okay?" Norma asks as she washes the cream from Norman's chubby body.
"Pane?" Norman asks. He just started talking a few weeks ago but Norma still got excited every time he said a word. She giggles at his attempt at saying 'paint'.
"Paint, right. No paint." Norma tells him.
"No, pane?" he asks.
"No paint, Norman." Dylan says, leaning in front of Norman's face.
"Go back to your duck. I need to clean your brother." Norma says gently.
"Norma?" Sam calls out. Norma gasps and checks her watch, realizing she still hasn't made dinner and the house is a mess.
"Sam, I'm up here." she calls back. She hears his loud steps coming up the stairs to where they are.
"Why is the house a mess?" he asks, appearing in the doorway.
"I'm sorry. I just...I was going to clean but the boys made a bit of a mess so I had to wash them-"
"I don't want your excuses, Norma. What I want is to come home after a long day of work to a clean house and a hot meal. Do you have either of those to offer me?" he asks.
"No. I'm sorry." she says, staring up at him with fear. He sighs and shakes his head.
"I'm going to the pub." he says. It was his way of telling her that he is pissed.
"I love you." she calls out. The only response she got was the slam of the front door.
"Okay. All done." Norma says once she is finished bathing both boys. Dylan stands up and reaches for Norma. She wraps him in a towel and picks him up, setting him outside of the tub.
"Okay. Go wait in your room." she says. He runs off and Norma turns back to Norman.
"Stand up." she says gently, holding his hands as he slowly stands up. She grabs a towel and wraps it around his small body before picking him up and cradling him against her chest. She inhales the smell of his shampoo and smiles.
"I love you, Norman." she whispers, placing a kiss on his chubby cheeks. Norman laughs, displaying his toothless smile.
She stands up with Norman, carrying him to the room he shares with Dylan.
"You have jammies picked out?" Norma asks, seeing Dylan grab something from his dresser, his underwear already on his body.
"I got race cars!" he says, showing her the onesie with race cars on it.
"Very cool." she says, helping him into his pajamas. She zips up the fabric and turns to Norman.
"Any special requests?" she asks Norman as she helps him into his pull ups.
"Boo!" he shouts.
"Blue? I think I have just what you're looking for." Norma says, grabbing a royal blue onesie.
"Yeah?" she asks, helping him into his pajamas.
"Yes." he says, his small hands holding onto her shoulders for support.
"Very cute, honey." she says, placing a kiss on his chubby cheek.
"Let's take a trip next door to meet the neighbor. Yeah?" Norma asks, carrying Norman and reaching for Dylan's hand.
"Yeah!" Dylan says, grabbing onto her fingers. They make their way across the lawn to Katie's house. Norma knocks and waits patiently.
"Evening." Norma says once the door opens.
"Oh, hello! And who do we have here?" Katie asks, squaring down to look at Dylan.
"I'm Dylan." he says confidently. Dylan was never a shy boy, never one to hide behind his mother's leg. He had always been independent.
"I'm Katie." she says sweetly. She stands back up and steps aside.
"Please. Come in. I was just ordering a pizza. You guys hungry?" she asks as they walk inside.
"That's alright. They're got mac and cheese at home." Norma says, setting Norman down.
"Okay. I'll be right back. Make yourselves at home." Katie says before walking into the kitchen.
"Norman, don't touch that." Norma says, watching Norman reach for the decorative glass bowl sitting on the center table. He looks back at her and runs to her lap. Norma looks around at the pictures that have been set on the shelves. There were many of Katie and what Norma assumed to be her parents. The one Norma was most interested in was one of her and her husband. But she couldn't seem to find any.
"How are you settling in?" Norma asks as Katie walks back in.
"It's been tiring moving everything in. But it's not so bad now." Katie says, looking around.
"When does your husband get back?" Norma asks.
"Next weekend actually. We are throwing a party at my parents' house. You should come. My friends and family are driving up. It'll be great." Katie says.
"Yeah that would be great. I'll just have to find a sitter." Norma says, brushing Norman's hair away from his face.
"I was looking around and...do you have any pictures with your husband?" Norma asks.
"No. Not yet anyways. I mean we have a wedding photo but it's with him. Whenever he is home I just always forget to take a picture. It's strange, I guess." Katie says with a slight laugh. Norma smiles and nods, making a humming sound.
"How long is he staying this time?" Norma asks.
"For good. He promised he would come home for good this time." Katie says. It seemed as if she were trying to reassure herself more than anything.
"Mommy my tummy." Dylan whines, patting his small stomach.
"I know, sweetheart. We will go back soon." Norma tells him.
"You're so lucky." Katie says, looking at Dylan with admiration.
"I mean..I just want a baby so bad." she sighs sadly.
"I'm sure once your husband is home for good then there will be more time to...you know." Norma says, not wanting to say it in front of her kids.
"Oh I think you're right." Katie says with a laugh.
"Mama." Dylan whines again, pulling at the sleeve of her dress.
"Okay, well I should better get these kids fed and tucked in bed." Norma says, grabbing Norman and standing up.
"Well thanks for coming over. I guess I will see you next weekend. Or maybe before then." Katie says, walking them out.
"Say bye, Dyl." Norma says to her son.
"Bye, miss Katie!" Dylan shouts, waving at her. Katie laughs and waves back.
"Bye, then." Norma says, walking across the yard to her own house to feed her children.