ODDS OF LOVE - SEASON 14

Episode 32

As Nigel was getting Lewis settled into his room at the Moss Center and meeting his new roommate Jamal Duncan who Nigel and Richard was surprised to learn was one of the victims that Dodie had hit with her car Richard received a phone call from Lewis' mother Tania which he stepped out into the hallway to take so his son and his husband would not hear the conversation.

As he walked down the corridor towards the vending machine that was filled with bottles of water, fruit juice and soda he heard her say on the other end of the phone line," I got your voicemail, Richard. What exactly were you thinking taking my son to some mental hospital? Are you mad ? That's hardly where he needs to be right now. "

Richard fought back the urge to sigh out loud as he replied coolly ," Tania , this is a plan I and Nigel negotiated with the social worker at the hospital. And it is not a mental hospital in that particular sense. It's the Moss Center. A highly recommended and recognized nursing and rehabilitation center that also specializes in mental health services for youth like Lewis. He's not staying here forever. In fact he is still going to be in school remotely so......"

Tania was in the kitchen making in her deluxe blender a dairy free strawberry smoothie as a treat after her two hour long exercise routine and talking on her iPhone's speaker phone. She retorted ," I don't care about his school. I care about his emotional well being. Being in some locked mental hospital all doped up on Western medicine like a zombie is not what he needs right now. This is all Nigel's idea , isn't it? Seriously, Richard, that young man of yours has far too much influence over my son. He......"

Richard shook his head as he placed his fingers on his throbbing suddenly temple. " Tania. He's not doped up. In fact Reverend Lynn who is also a trained psychologist is not going to treat him with medication. Unless she determines it to be necessary. "

" It's not necessary ! Western medicine is very dangerous......"

" Listen to me for a change please, Tania. This is just like when we were married. The hospital doctors said he is deeply clinically depressed. Reverend Lynn from talking to the social worker and us agree. He attempted to kill himself twice. This is where he needs to be. For now. Here he will get therapy. Individual and group. Unless he needs medicine. And if he needs medicine he will get it. There is nothing wrong with taking medicine. My brother in law takes medicine for his bipolar depression with no issues. "

Tania snapped," I don't care about your brother's husband and his issues. There's nothing wrong with Lewis but the negative vibes in your house and the pushy influence of that husband of yours. Nigel....."

Richard shot out," Nigel has been there more than you have. Or Wilson. Nigel has tried his best to be a good stepfather and friend to our son. He was there when Lewis was shot. He was there during his nightmares. He was there to take him to therapy. He was there the whole time by my side. You will stop belittling that man's role in our son's life. Whatever our son's issues are they have nothing to do with Nigel. Now he can't have his cell phone here so I will text you his room phone number. When you call please do not stress him out. Please. "

Tania huffed ," Who do you think you're talking to? I am his mother. I hardly stress him out. He never tried to hurt himself with me. He did it at boarding school and with you. You anal retentive bastard. Maybe if you had been a better father in the past he wouldn't have a troubled soul and aura. "

Richard's hand tightened around the phone until his knuckles turned white and his other hand went to his chest which felt tight suddenly. " I'm going to hang up now. We're getting him settled in his room here. I will text you the room number. I'll see you at the mediation on Wednesday."

Tania said sharply," I will not be at any mediation with you and that pushy man who thinks he has a claim on my son. No. I'll see you in court on Friday. And when I get custody of Lewis I'll take him out of that place. Don't push me, Richard. Or I'll make damn sure you not only lose Lewis but those foster children as well. And , Rebecca. I really don't think you need any children. Then you can go party or work every day. "

" Tania....."

Tania hung up and he stared at the phone with fury in his grey eyes as he sank against the wall.

Then a sudden pain hit his chest sharply and he moaned softly.

Nigel stepped out of the room looking for his husband and saw him down the  hallway slumped over as though in pain.

" Richard ! Are you alright ! ," he called out as he ran over to him with alarm on his scarred face.