Odds of Love: Past Wounds

Episode 1

Wednesday September 4, 2024
St. Anne's Hospital
Arlington, Virginia

Glory Norland kissed her husband atop his thinning grey head and handed him a white styrofoam cup of coffee.

Andrew took the cup with a slight smile and reached out for her hand which he kissed. His hand shook. Tears glistened within his eyes.

She sat next to him, her eyes also going to her stepson Spencer who sat in his wheelchair by the large window looking out at the bright blue sky outside. Or maybe nothing at all really. DuBuis was behind him , silently massaging his tense shoulders. Then she looked over at Nigel who was pacing back and forth in the hospital's waiting room.

" He'll be fine," she said in what she hoped was a cheerful and positive voice.

Andrew said blankly," I got the numbers from his phone. Nigel had his phone. I called his ex wives. They didn't seem to care. But his children should know. My grandchildren. Niles. Lewis. Rebecca. I sent a text to Lorraine. I haven't heard back. " He looked at his wife. " Should I call his mother? Doris is not my favorite person. I know she's not Spencer or DuBuis's favorite. But she is Richard's mother. She has the right to know? Right? "

Glory thought about all he had told her about his first marriage. The lies. The cheating. The betrayal. The loss of his law license. The separation from his children. She had never met the woman but she loathed this Doris woman. Because she had hurt Andrew. She didn't want him to talk to her but as a mother herself she knew she would want to know if it was one of her children Dodie or Alfred.

" I'll call her for you," she said firmly. And she would. She would call the woman and inform her of Richard's condition.

And she would also stand between that woman and the people she held dear.

Andrew.

Spencer and DuBuis.

Richard.

And , her eyes went to the still pacing Nigel who looked so vulnerable and scared and alone at the present moment, Nigel.

Glory sighed and reached for Richard's phone that Andrew held in his hand.

Then the doctor came to the doorway of the waiting room. He looked tired to the bone.

He said wearily," Is the family of Mr. Richard Norland here ? "

Nigel turned around swiftly and strode over to the man , saying," Yeah ? Is he all right now? Please say he's all right. "