ODDS OF LOVE : SEASON TEN

Episode 124

Richard was in his study at home on his laptop researching criminal defense strategies because he very much intended to stay involved in Faith's case wherever it might end up going. Although he had also sent an email to Jeremiah Duncan assigning the case to him as well. If it did  end up in a courtroom setting he wanted Jeremiah as first chair with himself as the second. If Kenneth Zoss wanted to play hard ball the firm was going to be ready for him.

He had also texted Faith about all that was happening concerning the case and she was not happy. Especially about the possibility of her family and colleagues  finding out. He didn't know what to tell her because he didn't really see how it could stay secret. In fact a case like this just may end up with some media attention.

He sighed and pulled up his email to send one to an old college friend of his. State Attorney for Montgomery County Vera Marsh. Vera was by nature a fair and reasonable woman. Had always been that way. Surely she would realize how weak the state's case against Faith was. No witnesses. No camera evidence. Just he said, she said. He wanted her to override Zoss and accept the plea bargain he wanted for just a five hundred dollar fine and no jail time. Faith didn't want a plea but she could be convinced that it was the best option.

As he hit send he heard the door opening and lifted his head towards it , expecting to see Nigel wanting him to put work aside and join them for family time. Which he was planning on doing anyway after hitting send on this email he was finishing up.

But it was not Nigel.  It was Richie and he looked more uncomfortable than he had ever seen the boy look.

" You got a moment, Wide Load ? ," Richie asked as he stepped into the room. He was not as skinny as he was when they had first taken him and his sister in. Richie ate well. Very well , Richard thought with an almost affectionate fondness. But the wary look in his eyes was still there. The boy still didn't trust them. No. Richie related to Nigel very well. Almost like they were brothers. Or father and son. It was him the boy didn't completely trust. And that hurt Richard for reasons he hadn't even tried to examine as of yet.

" Could you please not call me that ridiculous name, Richie? "

Richie rolled his eyes and said cockily," Why not? It fits you. I mean your bottom is wide and you loaded. So Wide Load. "

Richard sighed, shook his head and hit send on the email.  Niles hated him and tried to kill him once. Richie disrespected him. And he didn't understand what was going on in Lewis's mind at all. At least the girls, Rebecca and Tanisha, liked him.

Richie shuffled his sneakered feet as he looked at the wall just beyond Richard's head behind the desk. At the picture with the cheery picnic scene that Nigel had found at a yard sale. It was actually becoming Richard's favorite picture because for some reason it reminded him of his husband. " Do you have a problem, Richie? "

Richie suddenly sighed and looked like he had the weight of the world on his just turned thirteen year old shoulders ; ironically he and Lewis had both turned the same age in February. " Look , Richard, I..... think you being too hard on Lewis. "

Richard lifted his eyebrow at him. " Maybe so but I consider what he did a serious offense. You don't mistreat people. And you certainly do not mistreat people with disabilities. I expect more from my children. All my children. "

Richie was quiet. Then he spoke again, saying," What if he didn't do it? What if he lied ? To protect someone? Someone who doesn't deserve it. "

Richard stood up from his chair gingerly."Who?"

" I don't like snitching but he's going to get in trouble at school over this. I'll probably get in trouble for snitching. Lewis don't deserve this. He.... taking the L for....."

Richard gripped his cane and slowly walked over to him. He placed his hand gently upon the boy's shoulder. " Who ? If you know I want to know. I do not care about this snitching nonsense people go on about. The proper people should be punished for what they do wrong and this snitching business just ensures that won't happen. "

Richie shook his head. " I'd only do this for him. Only for him. It was Diamond from school. She did it.  But it was probably that snooty Zora behind it all because she does all the sh... crap at school. "

Then he turned around and ran out of the room.