ODDS OF LOVE - SEASON THIRTEEN

Episode 167

" Good morning, darling ! ," Tania Kaye said with great enthusiasm and many jangly bracelets on her very skinny - bony overly tanned arms as she stood on the front porch of Richard and Nigel's house that morning when Nigel opened the door to her. " It is a wonderful day where I detect on the wind much change and contentment. Today new relationships shall be formed for the better! "

As Nigel wondered why the woman sounded so much like a bloody damn fortune cookie she gracefully stepped into the foyer and embraced him with messy kisses and hugs. Her scent was an almost overwhelming combination of weed and incense and cloying woodsy perfume that very nearly overwhelmed his nasal passages as he deftly pulled away from her.

He tightened the knot on his bathrobe and blinked his eye at her. " Tania ? Do you realize what time it is? It's eight AM on a Saturday morning. The kids are still asleep. They tend to sleep in on a weekend. " Which he himself had also been about to do after seeing Richard off to Manassas with loving kisses and hugs and good wishes. Ever since Andrew had disappeared neither of them had gotten much sleep really. Had this woman ever heard of a telephone? , he mused in a rather irritated voice within his head.

Tania laughed warmly. " Nonsense ! Children should not waste time in bed sleeping. They should be enjoying their lives and childhoods. Having so many wonderful adventures and fun and such. I thought you would understand that although I know Richard doesn't. He's so set in his ways , poor thing. Anyway do wake up my darling Lewis. Wilson is in the car outside. We're taking him out to breakfast. I heard about this lovely new gluten free vegan cafe that opened in Alexandria. The woman who runs it is a professed psychic. "

Nigel gaped at her in amazement. " I will not. Lewis is sleeping soundly. He hasn't been sleeping that well and what little he gets he needs, Tania. You really should have called first you know. "

Tania's cheery smile slipped from her long bony face with its pensively vacant blue eyes. Her fingers reached up to tug at her long tangled black hair with its slight hints of grey streaking through it. " I don't think I need to call being his mother. And you hardly have a say in it. You're not his parent after all. Where is Richard? Richard! Lewis ! Yoo hoo , darlings ! "

Nigel narrowed his eye at her. " Please be quiet. I have four children trying to sleep in this house. Thank you. If you leave now once he wakes I'll ask him if he wants to meet you later for lunch. And Richard is away currently visiting his grandmother; his father's mother. "

Tania wiggled her nose. " Why on earth would he visit that old woman ? He hasn't seen her since he was a child. And I meant to talk to Richard about his father's being missing. I sense that he is in  some type of traumatic conflict and on a journey of some sort. I can always read the tarot for him if Richard chooses. And , no , lunch is not an option. Kindly awaken my son. "

Nigel shook his blond head at her. " Breakfast is not an option. Go away. When he wakes up I'll have him call you about lunch. Oh and I talked to Richard. Full custody is out. We're willing to discuss joint custody with you but Lewis shall remain here with us. "

Tania's eyes chilled at him. " I don't think so. Richard has never been exactly father knows best. I'm sure he is bored of playing Daddy anyway. And again this is between him and myself. You're no participate in this conversation. At all. From his track record I give you six more months anyway. Go get my son now or I'll have to call my Daddy. You know him I'm sure. Calloway Fuller. Chief of staff for President Walker Brandon. "

Nigel was about to respond sharply as suddenly Lewis appeared at the top of the stairs in his pajamas, rubbing his eyes sleepily. Lewis blinked at his mother in shock as he gaped at her.

Lewis asked," Mom , what are you doing here? "