ODDS OF LOVE : SEASON ELEVEN

Episode 139

" They say you can go home tomorrow," Nigel said as he and Richard were enjoying the lunch he had set out on the wheeled food tray. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches he had made at home and potato chips,  as Richard called them , along with two bottles of diet soda.  Nigel needed a bit of comfort food today.

Richard put down his sandwich and stared at the man who said he was his husband. " Home? Your home? You mean. "

Nigel, all of a sudden, lost his appetite. He said softly," No. I mean our home. With the kids. "

Richard picked up the remote control and switched on the flat screen television on the wall. As he turned on what looked like a game show he asked cautiously," You really want me there? I mean..... we're..... I can't..... We're pretty much strangers now. "

Nigel narrowed his tired eye. " No. We are not strangers, you silly wanker twat. You are my husband. Whether you remember me or not. We've known each other years really. We've been married since September. Of course I want you home again. Since you got shot that's all I've thought about. Having you home again. Where you belong. " He swallowed hard. " If it's bed arrangements you are worried about.... I can sleep on the sofa. In the living room. You can take the bed."

Richard shook his head and watched as a woman tried to guess a certain theme song from the eighties. " It's the theme to Family Ties," he said casually. Then he gazed over at Nigel. " I can't put you out of your bedroom. You told me you are not well. You have lupus and asthma and allergies. You need proper rest that a sofa will not give you. I can go to a hotel. I believe you said we have a joint checking account and a savings account. "

The woman on tv eagerly guessed Family Ties and it was right. Nigel thought bitterly that his husband would remember that.

" You don't have to go to a bloody damn hotel. You have a house right here in Hyattsville. Ok ? A perfectly nice five bedroom house that your father and stepmother gave us as a wedding gift. You are coming home tomorrow. Like it or not. To our children and dogs King and Queen. I can sleep on the sofa. It's no big deal. Maybe if you're home it'll start jogging your memory more. "

Richard was quiet. Then he said," You aren't sleeping on the sofa. We can share the bed. " He smiled slightly. " We are married after all. "

Nigel smiled faintly. " I won't take advantage of you. Unless you want me to that is. "

Richard laughed at that and after a second Nigel joined him.

Then the game show was interrupted by a local news station breaking news about a bomb threat at the courthouse in Upper Marlboro.

" Fucking blimey hell ," Nigel exclaimed as he watched the news report with a  wide astonished eye. " Today is Faith's trial start day. What the hell is going on? "

Richard narrowed his eyes at the tv and leaned forward. " The trial about the bogus charges of her attacking some uniform cop in Montgomery. I bet it's the people that put the noose in our tree. "

Nigel was even more astonished as he stared at his husband. " Richard. Do you remember all that? Is your memory back? Do you.... remember me ? "

Richard's grey eyes went from the tv to Nigel. He licked his lips in hesitant frustration. " I remember that detail yes. I don't know why but it came to my head. But no I can't remember anything else. I still can't remember you. I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. I don't want to hurt you. "

Nigel shook his head and reached for Richard's hand. " It's fine. No need to be sorry. It's not your fault. I'm not hurt. "

But even as he said the words his heart was beginning to break.