ODDS OF LOVE - SEASON THIRTEEN

Episode 45

Oscar was a man of routine. He did the same thing every day of his forty years on earth. He woke up at the same time every morning. Exactly five AM. He showered, shaved , brushed his teeth in a brisk fashion. He ate the same breakfast. Oatmeal with just a mere hint of brown sugar and a little skim milk along with a cup of Earl Grey tea with milk and sugar. He checked on his elderly Aunt Agnes of which he lived. He read several newspapers. The Washington Post, The Washington Reign, The Wall Street Journal. He examined his stock portfolio which was always growing in financial size ; a fact that amazed many that truly knew him because most assumed he was poverty stricken. House rich and all that. But he wasn't. He came from old money and a family that believed in saving and not bragging about what one had in the bank. Then he would take a short walk around the block before departing for the school. And he never missed a day of work. Never.

Until that day when he woke up in a very depressed and dejected spirit. But who would not be to have been rejected by such a glorious lady as Matilda Swan. Of course he should have expected it since he often wondered why she was interested in talking to someone like himself. And why she would ever wish to sleep with him which she had. It had been so wonderful.... to him but not her apparently. To her he was so unimportant that she had forsaken him for another man. Another man who had put a bun in her oven so to speak.

That day he departed from his regular schedule. First he called in sick which frankly had alarmed Dr. HighTower who firmly told him to rest himself. Then he dressed in a sweater vest, button down shirt and khakis to go on a walk. A rather long walk where he forced himself to do more moving and looking about than thinking. Especially thinking about her. Her silky blonde hair. Her mysterious violet eyes with their hint of vulnerability and mischief. Her gorgeous long slim body with its smooth pale skin. She was the woman of his dreams and he had lost her because , well , because he was Oscar Francis Oswell. Wasn't that enough of a reason really? He didn't think he would ever be in another relationship again. With a woman or a man. Neither wanted him. They never had. He knew he was destined to be alone forever.

He walked so long and so far without even noticing the distance from his house that he was surprised to find himself before St. Paul's Hospital. Instantly he thought of Zipp Dennis who he knew was back in the hospital with some type of infection or something otherwise serious. He thought it might be a decent act to pay the man a visit. After all he had been a parent at the school before his daughter..... did what she had.

Then his eyes caught a pretty dark skinned Black woman sitting outside on a nearby bench. She was crying like her heart was breaking. He quickly went to her side and pulled out the crisp white hankie he was never without from his pants pocket.

He presented it to her and said," I don't mean to intrude, ma'am, but are you alright? "

She looked up with sad and very beautiful dark eyes. Eyes as pensive and mysterious as Matilda's. Maybe even more.

She hesitantly took the hankie and wiped off her eyes and tear stained face. " Thank you. No intrusion. I'm just being silly. " She tried to smile but it failed. " My son Jamal  is in the hospital. He was hit by a car. "

Oscar's heart went out to the woman who looked so familiar. He couldn't place her face though. " Oh , I'm sorry. Is he hurt bad? "

She shook her head. " He's physically okay. But.... he's not the same. Not like before. I'm Keisha by the way. Keisha Duncan. Thanks for the hankie. "

Duncan.... Duncan.... Oh dear....

" Your son was hit by the car driven by Dodie Angeletti. The one who also hit poor  Dr. Kendall's car and injured his son Alan. I am truly sorry. That was awful. I do hope she is convicted. I can't imagine the type of human to do such a thing. "

Keisha's face turned harder. It wasn't a good look on her. She wasn't meant to look hard. Not at all. " I hate that woman. I've messed up your handkerchief. Sorry. If you let me know where I can drop it off I'll wash it for you. "

Oscar swallowed hard. " That's not necessary. But I'm Oscar Oswell. I work at Barrington Academy. I'm the assistant headmaster. "

He held out his long thin hand to her.

She took it.

Keisha smiled softly. " Hello, Oscar. Good to meet you. "

As they shook hands he was startled to feel an intense electric current between them. And , from the surprised look on her face he knew she felt it too.