ODDS OF LOVE : SEASON ELEVEN

Episode 78

Later That Night
Richard and Nigel's Restaurant

" This is a very nice restaurant," Muriel Jones said as both the Jones and Norland - Lane families settled around the large polished table in one of the event rooms that Nigel had reserved for them. Her kind dark brown eyes went from her family's faces ( her husband Thomas, her son Lazarus with his new girlfriend Shawna , her daughter Bliss and her daughter Joy with Faith Lane) to those of Faith's own family ( her brother and wheel chair bound brother in law DuBuis and Spencer with the four children including the little White baby in the high chair between DuBuis and Spencer and her mother and stepfather. It was not exactly the gathering she and Thomas had planned, she conceded to herself, but it was probably for the best. Her eyes drifted over to her son. Maybe at a family dinner with guests especially a rich billionaire Lazarus would be on his best behavior. Maybe but knowing her son she wouldn't bet on it.

The dinner started out well enough really. Everyone had mixed well upon meeting and even Lazarus was polite. Or at least quiet as he sat next to his latest girlfriend who was eagerly talking about music with young Theodore once she had found out he played the violin.

Shawna blinked her big brown eyes at everyone as she cooed out , " I love music ! I used to play the recorder in school when I was a kid ! "

Bliss laughed out loud. " And that was what ? Last year ? What are you ? Eighteen , dear ? "

The tall bony - skinny Black girl looked confused at the question as she said , " No. I just turned nineteen actually. "

Bliss burst out laughing from where she sat near Faith and Joy. " Oh but of course ! Damn , bro , they get younger and younger. I hope this one is potty trained. "

Sol and Luci looked at each other while trying not to laugh themselves as Theodore hid his own face and wiggling lips behind his menu.

Lazarus merely lifted his lip at his sister as he said to his girlfriend , " Girl , hush your words. You are embarrassing me. "

DuBuis and Spencer exchanged concerned glances with each other as did Nicholas and Jenessa.

Nicholas said quietly , " I have always felt that age is just a number really. As long as it is legal of course. My beautiful wife and I have our own age difference. "

Jenessa smiled lovingly at her husband , saying , " And we will not be commenting on what that number might be ! "

Lazarus snapped tersely , " I am quite sure nobody is interested in hearing the opinion of a rich bougie cracker like yourself. And a foreign one at that. "

Quiet settled upon the table until the server came in to take their orders. Everyone was pleased by their menu choices and options except for Lazarus himself who slammed his menu shut and said distastefully , " There is nothing for me to eat in this ..... establishment. All I see is fancy White people food. And a lot of pig products as well. I do not eat pork. Pork is from an unclean animal. " He shoved the menu at the server who took it in her hands with a small forced smile. " Just bring me some of that roast beef. Sliced very thin. Medium rare. If it is not precisely medium rare I shall be making an one star review on Yelp. Leave off the potatoes and carrots. I can not stand either. Give me broccoli instead. Steamed broccoli. And that spinach salad I saw on the woefully inadequate menu. Make sure the chef , if he can be called that in this place , washes his greens properly. And his hands. And , to drink, bring me a glass of water. Not bottled. Tap but let it run for at least two minutes until it is nice and cold. In a clean glass. "

Faith glanced at the man who was the same age as Joy , forty , yet seemed so much older at the moment. Maybe it was the sourness of his personality. He seemed more set in his ways than any of the elders at the table. " I am sure you will enjoy the meal. Nigel gets rave reviews on the food here. "

Lazarus smiled thinly at her , tapping his long artistic looking fingers on the tabletop. " I don't think I will. Let's get past this obnoxious " let's be nice and respectful mess " here. Girl , we here to inspect you to ensure Joy doesn't make another mistake. Like she did with Bethany. We all know the result of that union. Well my parents want to inspect. Bliss just wants a free meal. And I am forced to endure a night with crackers , race mixers and queers. " His smile spread on his long lean dark face. " I'm nothing if not honest. Right , Joy ? "