ODDS OF LOVE SEASON TWELVE

Episode 144

" Don't worry about the morals clause business, Gerald," Richard said as he leaned back in the chair opposite his friend's desk in the headmaster's booklined , plant filled office at Barrington Academy.

Gerald smiled brightly as he tapped his silver ballpoint pen on the desktop. " I don't care about the morals clause. Or that dreadful Mayfield woman. I would love it if she and her equally annoying husband pulled that child out of the school. "

Richard laughed dryly. " I never expected you to say that. Not about the school and your position here. "

" Yes. I never expected to say it. Alfred is more upset about it than me. He blames himself. Which is nonsense. I.... still care about Barrington but it's not my entire being anymore. It's not what I live for anymore. "

Richard smiled in amazed wonder and a little understanding at him. " I can relate to that myself. I lived to work once. It  was more important than anything in my life. Building my firm and my reputation. The firm that I ended up losing anyway. My former wives. My children even. My other family. Then ..... came Nigel who is ironically enough as big a workaholic as me. Perhaps bigger actually. "

" Then came Alfred. " A tender look came over his handsome slightly lined narrowing face as Gerald thought of his partner.

" You love him. I'm glad for you, Gerry. And I still want you to know that I have your back at the board. Since the Great Student Uprising and Revolution as spawned by Luci the board doesn't want any more trouble concerning you. Oh , and Nigel wants you to know he is bringing a dish to the potluck on Sunday. I think it's a shepherd's pie. You all are in for a treat with his shepherd's pie. "

Gerald laughed heartily and rubbed his hands together in anticipation. " I look forward to it ! Although I won't be eating as gustily as I once did. " He patted his much flatter belly proudly. " I do have to say I'm enjoying eating healthier and exercising more than I thought I would. Know that leg of yours gives you a bit of hell but if you want I can get you a guest pass into the Fitness Blast over at the mall. Not that you need to lose weight mind you but we're getting up there you know. "

Richard smiled slightly as he touched his own stomach that was beginning to develop a small pouch of its own. Most likely from Nigel's too delicious cooking. Yes. That had to be it. Gerald was right. He probably should start doing better exercise wise. Especially since he was a grandfather now.

" Might take you up on that, Gerry. Us older men with younger husbands need to keep our game up , don't we ? "

Gerald's mind  went off to a faraway place only he could see. " Yes. Husband. What a lovely word. "