ODDS OF LOVE - SEASON THIRTEEN

Episode 72

" Please state your name for the record, ma'am," Paul pronounced with a slight hint of frustrated  fatigue in his voice.

Ariel Kendall, in a pretty pink and white lace trimmed dress and a gold locket that Nicholas had given her the night before as a " cheering up " gift , lifted her perfectly coiffed head of hair to say crisply," My name is Ariel Kendall. "

" Mrs. Kendall, I offer you my sympathy on your own loss. What is your relationship to the victims in this case?"

" The man that was killed was my husband Gordon. And the second boy in the car was my son Alan Gordon Kendall. My miracle child. "

" Your miracle child, ma'am? "

" Objection ," Claire said. " The relevance of this line of questioning is......"

Paul looked at Richard, saying," Please, your honor, allow me as much leeway as the defense. "

" Overruled. But please hurry with your point, sir. "

" I call him my miracle child because he had leukemia as a boy. He survived though. "

Paul smiled gently. " I'm glad. He survived his cancer. And he was in the car with his father that day of the hit and run. How is he now? "

Ariel's eyes went to Nicholas who watched her carefully with compassionate eyes. She drew strength from his eyes. " Not good. My son was always a sweet gentle kind boy. He always had so many friends. He cared about everything before. Now he is trapped in so much anger about what happened to him. And his father. And physically he is.... unable to walk. Now. "

" Your son used to run track? He was very good, wasn't he ? "

Ariel's smile softened. " Yes. Very good. He enjoys - enjoyed - it so much. He even went out running, jogging, on weekends with his boyfriend Theodore."

" Your husband. Was your marriage a good one? "

" We had our issues like all couples but yes it was good for the most part. "

" And your sons ? Did they have a good relationship with their father? Do they miss him ? "

Ariel thinned her lips. " Of course. My sons loved their father. Of course they miss their father. Gordon was a good father. "

" No further questions, your honor. "

Paul went back to his seat.

Claire glanced at Marcus before saying," No questions asked , your honor. "

Richard said softly," Mrs. Kendall, you may step down from the bench. "