ODDS OF LOVE - SEASON THIRTEEN

Episode 122

     Manassas, Virginia

As Mozart played from her antique record player , filling the air of her small cozy house that was located on the large expansive green grounds of the Sweet Flower Retirement Community , ninety year old Edie Norland rested on the large overstuffed plastic cover sofa in what she still called the front room. Just like her mother had always called it.

A tender smile curved her lips as she closed her piercing blue eyes and allowed herself to fully absorb the music that flowed over her. So soothing. Then the telephone beside her rang sharply, disturbing her peace and solace greatly.

Who on earth could that be? , she mentally sighed as she stared at the offending item on the neatly organized oak wood end table next to her. Most of her and Mason's friends had long since passed on. She went to more funerals than get togethers these days. Her last one was for one of Mason's old lodge brothers Ralph Freeman. Ralph, his best friend, who had been such a big part of their lives really. He had given Mason the money to start his plumbing business. And he had been the lawyer who handled the adoption. Not that she had wanted Andrew really. It was Mason who wanted children. Who especially wanted a son. Andrew had been a fairly decent baby though. He didn't cry much although he was a very picky eater. And , thankfully as an adult she did not have to see much of him and his family. At least since Mason had passed away ten years ago. Andrew had been drinking at that point which she considered so distasteful really. If he had only listened to her and never married that Van Burden girl all that trouble never would have happened. But the boy was so stubborn. She had not minded not seeing the children. She didn't like children much especially those ones. Lorraine was untrustworthy and unstable and fickle. Spencer was a know it all that irritated her. And Richard saw way too much with those pensive grey eyes of his. She always thought that as smart as Spencer was Richard was even smarter. Of course Richard was more like that mother of his. Devious.

It wouldn't be Andrew calling her. He and that second wife of his, the social worker from the criminal family, sent a card to her every Christmas and called on Christmas eve and her birthday. That was enough for her really.

She sighed out loud and picked up the phone.

" Good day. You have reached the home of Mrs. Edie Norland. How may I help you? "

The voice she heard was one from a past that she had tried to forget. One that reminded her of her own inability to please her husband by giving him the biological son he wanted.

Alice Rose Parks said softly," Edie. It's me. Alice Rose. Parks. Well I'm Norris now but my Roger is passed on now. "

She rolled her eyes and sighed as she patted at her pure white hair that was pulled atop her head in a tight hairpinned bun. Alice Rose had always tended to babble. Apparently she hadn't changed at all. " How did you get my number ?," she demanded.

Alice Rose hesitated briefly. " Well , my great grandson, A.J. , he , I mean, they assisted me with finding your number. It was rather easy. I was surprised and alarmed how easy it was. He is very smart though. He started reading at four you know. "

Edie clicked her false teeth at the phone as she said bluntly," What do you want?"

" I've found him. I know part of the agreement was he could never know the truth but I think it is time. "

Edie sat forward on the sofa. " No. When you gave him to us you also gave away all your rights to him. Andrew is mine. "