ODDS OF LOVE : SEASON ELEVEN

Episode 11

" You're going to enjoy the shooting range, baby," Angel said as he drove himself and Lyle in his sports car up to his favorite range in Howard County. " The instructors are great. You'll learn a lot. Trust me. They're tops on safety training too. And after I know this great barbecue place we will stop at. The pulled pork is to die for. And the nacho platter is superb ! "

Lyle made a face. " Let's skip the range and just go eat then. I don't like the thought of inflicting violence on another human being. "

He leaned forward to slip in a CD of jazz songs and soon the car was filled with the sound of Ella Fitzgerald singing " It's A Lovely Day Today". Ella was right, Lyle thought. It was a lovely day that morning. Too lovely to spend at a gun range. Or thinking about mysterious phone texts and gifts from a stalker the cops refused to see as serious. He was tired of this man. Whoever he was. Because of him they both were now carrying guns and had an overly complicated expensive security system in the house. Because of him Angel was insisting on him actually learning to use the thing that scared him spitless. Because of him Angel was starting to bring up the possibility of them leaving the house that he liked to rent a house somewhere else; a place that hardly anyone knew the address. What was next? Them quitting their jobs they loved and moving to another country? He cut his eyes at his husband who looked relaxed for the first time in a long time as the wind briskly waved through his silky blond curls, his blue eyes hidden by sunshades. Lyle knew that Angel meant well but he didn't want to live like that. He had spent his whole life afraid. He did not want to be afraid now.

Angel said," I bet you will like it. And after lunch we can check out some antique shops. And bookstores. I know you will like that." He looked at him briefly before returning his gaze to the road ahead of him. " I just want you protected. I want you to know how to protect yourself. Can't be with you all the time. You may be alone one day at home and if you are and this guy shows up..... I love you. "

Lyle sighed and leaned back against the seat. He allowed the music to drift over him , the slightly polluted air to caress his skin which tended to burn in the sunlight at times , as he watched his husband driving. " I love you too."

Then his phone beeped with a text from another unknown number. Damn. Everytime he blocked one number the man called from another. It was getting ridiculous.

He read it to Angel," Nice day for a drive. That's what it says. "

Angel pursed his lips. " Yeah. We're going to the gun range today. "