ODDS OF LOVE - SEASON THIRTEEN

Episode 106

Betsy quickly opened up the door to Richard's chambers where he was inside sitting at his desk reading through case folders and ignoring media calls on both his cell phone and office phone.

He looked up at the woman whose face looked irritated, frustrated and disgusted. He swiftly stood up, saying," What is it ? "

" Judge Norland, there's a fight in the jury room. The bailiffs are breaking it up. "

                   ----------

Andrew stepped into his step daughter's hospital room. His wife and stepson looked at him.

Glory said softly," I'm sorry for what I said about Richard. It wasn't his fault. "

Andrew tried to smile but couldn't. He loved his wife. Usually she could always coax a smile from him but not today. Not at that particular moment.

" I don't accept it. I love you but I love my children too. I never put my children over yours. Never. Not Alfred or Dodie. I think we need a little alone time. "

Glory shook her head at him. " What do you mean? What are you saying? "

Alfred felt coldness creeping over him as he watched his stepfather carefully. Suddenly he felt like he was about to lose something very special to him. And it was all his sister's fault.

Andrew sighed , looking so much older than usual. " I think you should stay with Alfred and Gerald. I'm going back to the house. For a while. "

Glory suddenly stood up and stared at him in disbelief. " You're leaving me? Over what I said about Richard? Are you serious? "

Andrew shook his head. " No. I'm not leaving you. I just need to be alone for a little while. I'm not leaving you. I don't want a divorce. I just need...... to be alone. "

Then he turned and quietly left the room.

            ----------

" So," Nigel asked as he sat with his stepson in an ice cream shop a few blocks down from the therapist's office," how was your first session today? Learn anything interesting?"

Lewis picked at his banana split with cherries and whipped cream. " It was okay. "

Nigel finished off the low fat low calorie yogurt in the bowl before him. " Just okay? Nothing you want to discuss? "

Lewis picked up a cherry and bit into it idly. " Yeah. It was okay. But I don't want to talk about it. So can we not talk about it? "

Nigel watched the boy's face closely and saw nothing at all. He sighed. " Sure. Is it okay to discuss what I should make for dinner tonight? Your father is having a bit of a difficult day. I want to fix something special for him. What do you think? "

Lewis thought for a few seconds and then said quietly," Granddad's chili. And your Shepherd pie. He loves those. Can you make those? I'll help you. I kinda like cooking. It relaxes me. "

Nigel smiled at him. " Sure. Why not? And we can pick up a peanut butter pie on the way home. For dessert. "