ODDS OF LOVE - SEASON THIRTEEN

Episode 44

Nigel let the dogs off their rhinestone leashes at the dog park and both ran over to the same tall oak tree to relieve themselves.

He then sat on the nearest park bench and sighed deeply. He was feeling much better since the transplant. Although he was developing rather strange liking for food he had not cared for before. Food that his new friend Reese Malden said his husband, the donor, had loved. He had at first been reluctant to befriend the man because of the whole " he had Eric's heart thing " but eventually he realized that it seemed to help Reese with his grieving process to talk with him occasionally. And , he laughed inwardly, it didn't hurt telling people that he knew The Reese Malden.

He was actually enjoying not working. The company had him on medical leave until he decided he was ready to return or if he was going to come back again. He hadn't wanted to keep receiving his salary but his father refused to consider not giving it to him. The restaurant was running well with a new manager at the helm. They had even been featured in the Reign's list of the ten best restaurants in the metro area. In fact he and Richard were even discussing opening another one in PG.

He liked staying home and taking care of his family. The children needed him. Tanisha was blossoming in the special education class at Barrington and was speaking a bit more with speech therapy but she was still fairly timid and shy. Richie was accepting them all as a family more and more especially Lewis although he was leery of just how close the boys were becoming. He and Richard considered thirteen too young to be dating anyone especially when they both lived in the same house. In fact they told the boys they could not officially date anyone until they were sixteen. Lewis himself was still very troubled after the shooting and suicide of Diamond Dennis. He had regular nightmares and was even more quiet than before. Which was why they had made him an appointment with a well respected therapist at St. Paul's. His first official appointment was next Monday. Rebecca.... Rebecca was the most well adjusted of all the children. At ten she was their little fashionista who still wanted to be a doctor one day. She was constantly talking about four  things: science and medicine , fashion and her new bestie Nora Sams who was very sweet and shy.

And , he realized more about how much Richard needed him. Especially now that he was a judge. A judge with a very troubling complicated first case that hit close to home. Richard was always so confident and sure of himself usually but now he seemed so uncertain of his every move. Especially as it applied to Chief Judge Bernard Arnett.

He watched as King and Queen played merrily with a couple of other dogs; a poodle in a pink frilly dress and a golden retriever. He smiled as his phone rang. He glanced at it. His brow furrowed as he saw it was a unknown number. Actually it was coming up as private.

What on earth? , he wondered idly as he answered it.

" Hello," he said.

A muffled sounding voice said in a low tone," Tell your hubby to do right by that White girl Dodie Angeletti or we'll not only end his race traitor ass we'll end yours. And , those mixed up kids of yours too. "

Nigel widened his eye in a great deal of alarm as he demanded," Who the bloody hell is this? You cowardly wanker ! "

Then they hung up.

Nigel looked quickly around the half filled with other people and animals park even as he dialed a number he was still fairly new to knowing.

" Judge Norland's office. This is his court clerk Betsy Burns speaking. How may I help you? "

Nigel took a deep breath and exhaled. " Hello, Betsy. This is Judge Norland's husband Nigel. Is he available? "