ODDS OF LOVE - SEASON THIRTEEN

Episode 100

She blamed Richard.

Andrew leaned back against the brick wall of the outside of St. Paul's Hospital Center ER. He reached into the brown paper bag they had given him at the little mom and pop convenience store down the road just a bit. He pulled out the pack of cigarettes and the new lighter he had just purchased. He didn't drink anymore. Not since Faith Lane had confronted him at the restaurant and told him if he continued drinking he would not be allowed to see her , Joy or the baby she was carrying now.

He couldn't afford to keep drinking.

The only things that he held dear in his world were his family. His sons. Even Spencer who wasn't his biologically. Faith who had in his heart replaced the daughter that hated him. His stepson Alfred. His grandchildren.  His son in laws. Joy. He ripped open the sealed pack and took out a single cigarette, placing it in his mouth to light with the lighter. And Glory. His wife who in her own grief and anger had just blamed his oldest son.

How dare she?

Richard was not a perfect man but he meant well. He strived to be the best in all aspects of his life. What else could he have done as a judge with his first major case ? Andrew was so proud of Richard. The man at forty three had achieved something career wise that he never would because of lies from Doris and Lorraine. Damn it all.

He took a deep drag on the cigarette and blew out the first smoke ring that drifted up towards the bright blue sky with its slight sprinkling of fluffy white clouds moving about.

And damn Dodie. This was all her fault. More than anyone else. It was her fault what happened to the boys and the poor doctor. And it was her fault now. Richard had been right keeping her in jail. If not he could so easily see her getting any ankle bracelet off her leg and running away.

The bitch.

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" Are you okay, my constipated wanker ? ," Nigel asked as he held up the cell phone to his ear while sitting on the porch enjoying fresh air and watching the dogs playing in the front yard. He was desperately trying to control the anger he felt inside from watching the news. That news conference. Claire Lowen. Marcus Simms. People saying it was Richard's fault which was ridiculous. Richard did nothing wrong. He commanded himself to breathe slow and easy and relax. He couldn't afford to stress out and wear out his new heart. To get sick or worse. His husband needed him. Especially now.

Richard said on the phone," I am now. I love you. "

Nigel smiled and the anger almost melted from himself at the mere sound of the man's voice. " I love you too. Pay no mind to them. Any of them. Nobody is removing you from the bench. Unless they want to deal with my father. "

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As he leaned heavily upon his walker Alfred shook his head at his mother who sat beside the hospital bed with his unconscious sister on it. Dodie was hooked up to numerous beeping machines and IVs and oxygen. And , one of her hands was tightly cuffed and secured to the bed railing. She was in a coma but still under arrest pending a verdict.

He had left Gerald home with the boys while he took a Uber to the hospital. In the ride share he had texted his brother in law to tell him what happened. With Dodie's current situation he didn't know what to do with the boys. He had discussed it with Gerald. They could stay at the house but it might be better for them to be with their father and other siblings. He didn't know really. That was up to Tony Angeletti who had never been the most overly devoted father in the past. When he had arrived at the hospital he had met his stepfather coming out of the ER entrance.

" Momma , please tell me you don't really blame poor Richard for what Dodie did? Please tell me that. You know it's not Richard's fault. He was just doing his job. "