ODDS OF LOVE: SEASON SEVEN

Episode 31

Life at the Moss Center had gotten boring. Ever since the death of the director Pamela Perkins who he had to admit had been fun in a perky annoying way , Hank Harmon thought as he parked his wheelchair on the patio of the upscale nursing and rehabilitation center in Montgomery County. That and the fact his nerdy little roommate had surprised him by actually going home to his husband. He kinda missed Numbers, he admitted reluctantly as he picked up the copy of today's Washington Post that someone had left on the glass topped circular table. He missed the chess games with Spencer but he was happy the man was back home with his family. He was happy that the man had overcome what he called The Curse. Although sometimes he wondered how long it would last before the husband would break and set him free. Often he thought about calling the little man.

He pursed his lips. He had been thinking about a lot of things lately. Like leaving the center and getting a little handicapped accessible place somewhere. After all he was only in his forties. Maybe it was time to start living again before the accident money ran out for good.

He glanced at the paper and shook his head. The usual trash about violence, carnage, dismay. That was all the media ever talked about, he mused with disgust. Now they were rambling about some shootings at a hospital locally.

St. Paul's Hospital Center over in PG County. Apparently some nutcase had shot some nurses and taken a doctor hostage.

He read the article and with growing curiosity he noticed they had released the names of all the victims involved.

Dr. DuBuis Lane. His bushy greyish black eyebrows lifted in amazed wonder. Numbers' husband? Shit. Article said the man was unhurt though so there was that. Good. He didn't think the little guy could handle anything happening to that man.

And one of the nurses shot was ........

Austin Anderson of Greenbelt, Maryland........

Austin.......

Angel.......

The paper slid out of his hand and he didn't even notice.

Someone had shot his Angel.......

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" This is actually my favorite restaurant you know," Penelope Perkins Hightower said as she looked from the black and white faux leather menu she held in her long fingered manicured hands over to her dinner companion. On her left hand glittered a huge diamond engagement ring on the same finger as a solid gold wedding band that was inscribed " Penelope and Her Gerald United Forever".

Faith Lane looked at her and smiled ironically. She remembered that last dinner she had had with Pamela here at the Cafe J. " It's ok but I know personally there will be a better restaurant opening soon. Across the street actually. Going to be called Richard and Nigel's. I know the owners. " Her smile increased. " They're not bad people. I wish them luck. Hopefully they won't end up on Kitchen Nightmares or something. "

Penelope laughed merrily and the tinkle washed over Faith like the waters of a warm bubble bath. " Well , " Penelope said," we'll have to try them out when they open. I'm always game for new things. "

                     -----------

London England

" So ," the taller boy sneered at him," I hear your father is a bender , Norland. Married a bloody man he did. That's right disgusting it is. Are you one too ? "

Lewis Norland looked up from the thick textbook he was trying to study and over at the boy who was actually from the upper school section of the school. Usually they left him alone because Niles always protected him but ever since the wedding his brother had stopped talking to him. In fact his brother treated him like he didn't exist anymore. Because he had chosen their father.

" Fuck off ," Lewis shot out tersely.

The boy's eyes narrowed. " Probably is one. You look the type. Did your father personally test you out, Bender Junior? "

Then he laughed and laughed and laughed in such a cold way that made hot anger burn in Lewis's heart.

He was fucking tired of them talking about his father. Fuck them.

Suddenly Lewis just snapped and threw the heavy book at the laughing boy's large head with his small eyes and big pink lips. Then he followed it with a punch of his balled up fist.

" Shut the fuck up about my Dad ! ," he screamed.