Note: I got out of the way again and this happened, I think itās more special than I know, I hope youāll find it too.
Somehow, she was sleeping while standing up when he entered the office.
Hardly believing his eyes, Sheriff Romero studied the woman breathing softly, her countenance showing just how tired she was. His lips parted as he searched for words to call her, trying to decide the best way to do it; in the end, his effort was to nothing given that she opened her eyes as if sensing she was being watched. The surprise took over her face as soon as she had the time to process his presence.
āOh, Jesus! Youāve got to stop sneaking up on people!ā said a startled Norma, one hand laying over her heart. She observed his face as if wondering just what he was doing in the office and then something shifted in her face and she knew. āDonāt worry, I know what youāre looking for!ā she went for the door but he stopped her with a hand on her arm, something that made Norma turn in surprise at the contact, her eyes studying his hand before she faced him, brows furrowed at his actions.
āIs everything okay?ā
Her shoulders grew tenser, he could feel the stress under his hand. āDid something happen?ā
He gave a quick smirk before denying with his head and proceeding to explain himself. āNo, I mean, are you okay?ā
āIām fine,ā she said quickly, not an ounce of emotion passing through her face as she did.
āNorma, you were just sleeping in the officeā
She made a face and got her hands to her waist as soon as his grip on her arm was gone. āItās justā¦ Itās just a lot to handle, I just feel like Iām always just trying so hard and thenā¦ā she was quiet, the quick shake she gave with her head told him he had just lost any chance of her opening up any further. āItās fine, itās not your problemā Ms. Bates finally said, eyes finding his and a small smile appearing on her mouth. āI just need to take a napā
āYou shouldā he agreed.
āYeahā¦ā a long pause. āI- I should go get your shirt,ā she said. āIāll be right backā
Norma left, gone from his reach way too easy.
He had just stopped by to pick up a shirt that had been forgotten among the laundry she insisted on doing for him. It was just a coincidence that he ended up witnessing the demonstration of just how tired she was.
It took her less time than he would have expected it to, she was probably waiting for him to stop by looking for the item.
āHere you go,ā she said handing him the perfectly folded shirt.
āIād invite you for dinner if I hadnāt just told Norman to go for the leftovers andāā
āItās fine, I canāt stay anyway, have to go,ā Alex said but didnāt move, finally he faced her. āNorma, can I do anything? Other than tell you to go to bed?ā
She smiled a little, the type of smile that made your chest warm, a smile that could light up the darkest day. He wondered just how she managed to have such power.
āThank you, Alex,ā The motel owner said in a kind and grateful tone. āFor offeringā
āDo you want me to have a car around?ā
Norma took a deep breath and looked over his shoulder, her expression contorting in a pain she wouldnāt address, there was a conflict going on her mind and he could almost see it. āWhere did you even come from?ā she questioned letting out a chuckle. āIt would make me calmer, yes, thank youā
He nodded, a small smile on his own lips, glad that he could be of use.
There was a quiet moment and their eyes met, the moment stretched, uncertainty filling the air as they had no idea of how to handle with whatever was going on at the moment.
A confused but very satisfying hug, a gesture that just felt like it clicked, felt like falling into place. Hugs were underrated, clearly.
āYou do need to rest, everythingās going to be fineā Alex whispered and felt her relax much to his delight. Suddenly it seemed as if the weight of the world wasnāt in her shoulders anymore, he couldnāt help but smile at the thought.
āHave a good night, Normaā they finally broke apart and he walked towards his car, saw something in her eyes but neither of them addressed it.
He left and she waited for him to do so before going back to the house, tired, definitely needing a pause.
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