ODDS OF LOVE : SEASON TEN

Episode 39

" Sir , do you require anything before bed ? ," Dawson asked. He was getting quite concerned about his employer. The man had returned home in an almost depressed state of being. Even more so than after they had located poor Mrs. HighTower's body in the garden. Gerald had returned home to his study where he sat in his favorite chair with his favorite hardbound edition of A Christmas Carol. Only he had not turned a single page of the book in several minutes. That was not like him. The butler pursed his lips. This man was not just an employer to him. He was more of a son. After all when he had first began working for the family at the old manor house in England he had been in his thirties and Gerald then ten. Now Gerald was fifty and himself seventy five. He was slowing down, he knew, but he wouldn't dream of retiring. If he left who would watch out for the man ? His wife, may she rest in peace, certainly had not. He had been hoping his going to the young handicapped man's home for dinner would perk him a little but it looked like that had not been the case at all.

Gerald looked up at him and said," No. I'm fine, Dawson. You should be in bed. It's late. "

Dawson nodded. " Of course, sir. If you require anything please just ring me. "

The man smiled but it failed to reach his eyes. As the butler slowly exited the room, shutting the door behind him, he sighed deeply. He was worried about Alfred Giadello. Which was ridiculous. The man was nothing to him. Just an employee. Nothing more. Nothing less. He was with his parents.

And his fiance.

His very handsome, confident, self assured slender, young fiance.

Gerald closed the book and placed it on the circular end table near him. He leaned back against the chair.

It didn't matter anyway. He himself was not out of the closet and probably would not ever be. And even if he was what chance did he have going up against a man like Scott Sands ? Everyone knew who Sands was. If there was a warzone Sands was there. He had interviewed serial killers and terrorists. He was currently on the short list for Press Secretary at the White House in President Brandon's second term. He ..... He was everything Gerald HighTower was not.

It did not matter. He needed to concentrate on planning his wife's burial. He needed to concentrate on the school.

At least he still had the school.