ODDS OF LOVE : What You See

Episode 1

                                              Hyattsville , Maryland 

                                              August 26 , 2024

Spencer Norland - Lane was getting better at waking up each morning and deftly moving his newly paralyzed body from his side of the double bed he shared with his husband of eight years Dr. DuBuis Lane and into his constant companion and motorized wheelchair with its cup holder for his bottle of imported water and the small cheery pride flag his husband had clipped to the side. The chair that he had nicknamed Slow Ass 2 and that he regarded as his friend / enemy. His nemesis of sorts. His foe. He hated the chair because he hated needing it in his life. He wanted life to return to his previous one of being a forty year old confirmed genius and math professor with two functioning legs. Life before the accident at the local neighborhood grocery store that had left him shot twice in the back and once in the head. He wanted that so badly even after time spent in rehabilitation and therapy but as someone cursed with the highest IQ in the country he knew that was not possible. What after all was the realm of possibility of ever changing the past ? You couldn't change the past. Unless you were some form of time traveler and that was not his level of knowledge. No , he thought as he settled himself in his dark blue bathrobe over his X men pajamas upon the chair he also loved because it allowed some moderate amount of normalcy and control over his day to day life. To a point. For example he hated their bedroom being downstairs in what used to be their dining room because he could no longer use the long staircase to get upstairs. He loathed that the upstairs was now off limits to him. Even the room of DuBuis's young pre op transgender twelve year old niece Luci Moore who had recently come to live with them after her mother had banished her from her New Jersey home. It was not that big of deal but Spencer resented the lack of control in what he could do and where he could go. And he hated not having a dining room although his ER doctor husband seemed to prefer eating in the kitchen. At least that was what he said , Spencer mused as his blue eyes behind the horn rimmed glasses he slipped upon his plain fine boned face proceeded to examine the sleeping man that was not only his husband but his long time best friend. Lately the things that DuBuis said were not really matching up to what he actually did. Ever since the accident and Luci's arrival and the fact that Spencer's mother Doris had tried to have him killed in their own house DuBuis had been getting more quiet than usual. He was lost in thought more and more. He sighed a lot more. He was crankier. And he was sleeping too much. Spencer couldn't remember the last time the man had called him his favorite nickname of Genius or kissed him. Spencer was starting to wonder if the man was losing interest in him. Especially with his new disability. Was the man starting to realize that life with Spencer was now just one big burden ? , he inwardly worried. 

" Sweetheart , " he said as he touched him as he lay beneath the thick warm homemade blanket that had been so lovingly knitted long ago by DuBuis's Florida based mother Jenessa " Nessa " Lane Johnson. " You need to wake up. It's past time for you to get to work. I overslept myself. What are the odds of that ? I need to get Luci up. It's the first day of sixth grade for her. At a new school. "

DuBuis did not respond although his dark eyes were now open. His strong dark brown arms were holding his pillow tight like he never wanted to let it go again. Spencer chewed on his bottom lip nervously. This was highly unusual. In the past DuBuis was the first one to literally jump from bed , ready and eager to start the day. Yet lately he seemed to be the complete opposite....... Whenever Spencer would ask if he was alright the man would just abruptly say  that he was fine. No. Spencer had never been very good at social cues but even he could tell that his husband was not fine. There was something wrong with him. 

" DuBuis ? You're going to be late for work. Again. Are you alright ? " 

DuBuis sighed deeply and whispered , " Not feeling up to the ER today. Call in for me , would you ? " Then he closed his eyes again. 

" Again ? This is the third time you have had me call you in sick. Are you alright ? "

DuBuis was quiet for too long before he finally responded , " I'm fine. Just tired. Can't I ever just be tired ? " 

Spencer furrowed his brow at him. No. DuBuis was never tired. Never. Something was indeed wrong. But what was it ? , he fretted as he reached for his own iPhone 14 to call the hospital. Again.