ODDS OF LOVE SEASON TWELVE

Episode 67

" Dad , I want to go to school today," Lewis said with a frustrated and slightly whiny tone to his voice as he attempted to eat the watery oatmeal his father had cooked.

Richard cut his eyes at his son before returning to the Wall Street Journal he was reading. " I don't think you are ready yet. You just got out of the hospital yesterday, son. Take a few days to rest yourself before jumping back into academic life. "

Richie poked Lewis lightly in the arm and Lewis rolled his eyes at him. " Yeah , Poke. Wide Load is right. Getting shot ain't like a cold or something. " He turned his nose up at the breakfast Richard had made that morning. " This is gross. When is Pirate Man getting home? Even with a new heart I bet he cooks better than this. "

Rebecca stuck her tongue out at Richie, saying," Daddy can't help being an awful cook. He's a lawyer after all. " She flipped her hair over her shoulders and then looked at her father with big eyes. " Daddy. I think Tanisha should go to Barrington with us. She doesn't need those special classes. We have special education at the school. They just don't call it special education. They call it special needs. She wants to go to school with us. Right, Nisha ? "

Tanisha stared at Richard with her wide innocent brown eyes and then clapped her hands happily, saying," Right, right, ' Ecca. I go school 'ith ' Ecca. "

Richard looked at Lewis who was pouting to Richie who was now depositing his breakfast into the trash can to Rebecca and Tanisha who were showing a united front in their current quest. He sighed. Parenting without Nigel by his side was not easy. Or enjoyable. At all.

Rebecca drummed her small ten year old hands on the table as she also ignored her food. " Daddy ! Why aren't you saying anything? Can she come to Barrington or not!"

Richard gave in. " Of course she can , Pumpkin. I'll make arrangements with Gerald."

Rebecca narrowed her eyes at her father as Lewis and Richie began to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Richard averted his eyes from his daughter's intense stare. " Today. I'll do it today. "

Then Rebecca burst into a  radiant smile. " Thank you, Daddy ! I love you ! "

Tanisha also was smiling softly as she came over slowly to hug him tightly. " Luv you, ' Ichard. "

Richard smiled as he hugged her back. Alright. All parenting wasn't annoying.