ODDS OF LOVE - SEASON THIRTEEN

Episode 145

                 The REBEL Show

Rebel : That was amazing ! I'm not a very big fan of the man upstairs but I'm a believer that there's something more out there besides you and me. But, Miss Bliss Jones , I adore your name by the way, your voice singing that song sent chills down my spine. I got goosebumps, I tell you. Pure goosebumps. And, you are not a professional singer? I can't believe it.

Bliss : Thank you, Rebel. Praise from you humbles me. It really does. No. I'm not a professional singer by any means. Like you said I own and operate a day care center in Landover. But I grew up in the church practically. My father Thomas Jones was and still is a deacon in the church. And my mother Muriel Jones was always singing gospel when I was growing up.

Rebel : The church is a big part and influence in your life as well. I was told you have ministers in your family. Your sister and brother both preach?

Bliss ( smiling charmingly at him ): Yes. My sister Joy is an openly lesbian minister at a local progressive church in Hyattsville. She is a definite influence in my life but also because she is living and surviving with HIV.

Rebel : Your sister has HIV? That's sad but also very inspiring, yes , that she is managing to overcome it in her daily life.  Is she doing well? And your brother is a preacher as well?

Bliss : Yes. She's doing very well. She's even engaged to a wonderful woman whose a former police officer. And yes my brother preaches too.

Rebel : Well , your family sounds very interesting. Now it's time to find out what the judges thought of your singing. Let's see if they got goosebumps too.

Mother Maddie: Goosebumps? Rebel, darling, I am one big old goosebump over here ! Bliss Jones , little sister, you are in the very league as Whitney, Mahalia, Billie. All the great ones. You even make me a little envious. ( She gave a loud bellowing deep laugh. ) You ain't no amateur to me, sister. I'm giving you a ten. A perfect ten.

The audience clapped enthusiastically in agreement as Rebel joined them and Nettie Jean began to glare at Bliss who just smiled demurely.

Scott : Like Rebel I'm not a big church goer but you and that song made me want to drop to my knees and beg for forgiveness for my sins. If I have sins. Ten.

River : I agree with everything said. You may own a day care center but I think you have a good future as a singer if you want it. Ten. Ten. Ten !

The audience clapped. Bliss blew kisses at the judges as Rebel smiled approvingly at her and Nettie Jean began to pout openly.

Rebel : Tens from all the judges. That's very impressive. Our next contestant has some major competition to follow with you, Bliss. He's a local boy as well from Maryland. A teacher, a science teacher, from Barrington Academy. Let's give some Rebel Show love to Mr. Lyle Anderson !

Lyle swallowed hard as he stumbled out on the stage in a simple dark suit and ruffled blond hair. His brown eyes looked nervous and unsure as he gazed at the audience and especially his husband Angel in the front row. He walked over to shake Rebel's hand and hug both Bliss and Nettie Jean. Then he moved over to the performance area.

Lyle : Thanks. I , ummm , I'm not a professional. Of course. I'm.... I thought this would be fun and it is. I .... I'm a little nervous. I'm sorry.

Rebel ( smiling warmly at him) : Don't worry, Lyle , honey. We don't bite. Well , Dom says I do but I'll try to restrain myself !

The audience laughed as did Bliss and Nettie Jean.

Lyle : That's good to know. I'm going to sing a song my mother used to love. She passed on a while back but I always think of her when I hear it. It's a Broadway song. My mother loved Broadway although she never got to see a play there in person.

Then , he took a deep breath, and exhaled it to open his mouth and began to sing " Summertime " in a deep velvety voice that stunned everyone in the studio into total silence including Rebel.

                  ---------

Richard was in between cases in his chambers and debating whether to call his father again. He didn't want to say he was worried exactly but he was definitely concerned that Andrew was not returning his previous calls and texts.

Then he received a call. It was not from his father but his husband whose own voice was ripe with a worry of his own.

" Are you alright, Nigel? ," he asked as he leaned back in his chair behind his desk.

Nigel sighed. " No. I'm not. And, before you even ask , I took all my medicine. I'm fine physically. It's..... Tania called me. She and that husband of hers are coming back from Japan. They're moving to Maryland. And they want custody of Lewis. Full custody. Richard, they want our son. "

Richard sat back speechless in his seat.