ODDS OF LOVE SEASON TWELVE

Episode 155

" I think Rufus needs vitamins," Lyle murmured as they sat on the bench at the nearby doggy park. They were watching the dogs, Rufus and Flora , playing with a few other dogs. Well , Flora was playing with a barking sniffing poodle. Rufus was curled up and sleeping next to them. " He seems so lacking in energy. "

Angel cut his eyes at his husband , his lips twitching slightly. " Yeah. I think vitamins are just what he needs. How old is he again, babe ? "

Lyle looked perplexed as he shrugged. " I'm not sure exactly. He was an older dog when I rescued him. Flora was little more than a puppy when Dave gave her to me. "

Angel was slightly surprised over the origins of Flora. " Dave HighTower gave her to you? "

" Yeah. One of his less selfish moments. It was on the anniversary of my mother's passing. I was upset. Really upset. Then Dave gave me Flora. " He smiled gently. " I guess he wasn't a total dick. He just wasn't the dick for me. "

Angel's face softened as he watched him. " Thank God for that. I'm the only dick in your life. And don't forget that. " He fell silent once more before saying after a couple seconds," Wish I could have met your mom. "

Lyle agreed. " I do too. She would have liked you. A lot. She was always partial to blond men. My father was blond. So am I , of course.The abandoning son of a bitch. You're nothing like him though. After all anytime I've fallen apart or had one of those weird dreams you're still there. Right next to me. Even with Roman. "

Angel reached over and squeezed his hand. " Hey , where the fuck else am I supposed to be? I'll always be there for you. And I promise I won't dirty the guest towels again. "

Lyle laughed. " Oh , who cares? I always thought Mother having guest towels even at Project W was unspeakably snobby. And , you're right about the water wasting. I'll just rinse the dishes from now on before I put them in the dishwasher. "

They both went back to being quiet as they sat on the bench, watching dogs folick playfully, listening to birds chirping overhead in tall oak trees, feeling the sun dancing lightly off their exposed necks and arms.

Finally Lyle spoke again. " Jas says it takes time. Maybe it does but I hate being home all the time. I can't go back yet though. I'm not ready. I keep seeing Diamond..... Even in my head I see it. I talked to Gerald. I'm going to take a sabbatical of sorts from work until the end of the winter term. I've enough vacation and sick leave heaven knows , and Gerald never accepted my resignation anyway. I'm actually applying to attend that college of Faith's. Part time to start. I can't afford full time. So I'll probably graduate when I'm sixty."

Angel laughed out loud. " Go full time. It's a good school. What's more loans right? Least President Brandon cancelled what we have already because our employment falls under public service. Grad school? "

Lyle swallowed. " I feel like I'm taking a risk. A very expensive risk. I'm not used to taking risks. Except when I got on Harts and Flowers and met you. But I want to do this. I think I need to. Yes. Grad school. Masters. Environmental science. Concentrate in environmental sustainability. " He hesitated. " I want to teach at the college level. I also sent in my resume to the college. For a teaching aide  position that was marked urgent; probably because it's for this semester and still open. For a sociology 101 class. "

Angel smiled softly. " I think that would be perfect for you. Whatever you choose to do I will be here to support you. I love you. "

" I love you too. Oh , the college really wants to fill this position. I got an email before we left the house saying they wanted to interview me via video on Monday. "