ODDS OF LOVE - SEASON 14

Episode 60

Friday October 3 , 2025

" All rise ," the short stocky bailiff bellowed out," for the honorable Judge A.R. Van Owen ! "

All present in courtroom 564 rose to their feet swiftly from Richard and Nigel Norland with their attorney Hillie Pierce at one table to Tania and Wilson Kaye with their attorney Edward Pierce at the opposite table. As did the few people gathered in the observer seats including Andrew and Glory Norland directly behind Richard and Nigel.

A.R. Van Owen , in her black robe over her conservative dark grey pantsuit and sensible low heeled pumps, swept into the courtroom with her perfectly coiffed head held high , a cool smile upon her attractive face and a confident step to her stride as she approached the bench to settle herself down.

She paused for a long second before banging the gavel , saying sternly," Be seated. "

They all took their seats and she immediately put on her reading glasses before opening the file in front of her. She said matter of factly ," So , today we have the matter of Kaye vs. Norland in the disputed custody of thirteen year old Lewis Norland who is the biological son of Richard Norland and his former wife Tania Kaye. Is that correct, counselors? "

Hillie Pierce stood up and said crisply," Yes , your honor. My client Judge Richard Norland is a highly respected member of the Washington DC metropolitan area , a distinguished member of the legal field as a lawyer for many years and now a judge in his own right. He is married as well in a stable and loving relationship. There are also other children residing in the home with young Lewis. We can provide numerous character witnesses to attest to the stability of Judge Norland as a parent. I also have entered into record all of his and his husband's financial statements. There is no reason that we see to remove custody from my client. In fact Judge Norland wishes to modify the original custody order to offer weekend visitation and one month in the summer to his ex wife Mrs. Kaye with the full physical custody remaining to Judge Norland. We believe, your honor, this to be  a most suitable and beneficial to all arrangement. "

The serious faced Hillie nodded at the judge and sat back down just as her older brother Edward stood up and smiled smoothly at A.R.

Edward Pierce said," Good morning, Judge Van Owen. You're looking well today. My client , Mrs. Kaye , does not believe this arrangement my opponent has just mentioned is very beneficial to herself or her precious young son. Mrs. Kaye believes her son is in immediate danger within his father's home. The boy attempted suicide in the home while his father and stepfather were out " partying" with friends. We have also submitted financial records for Mr. and Mrs. Kaye to the court record and can furnish many character references and witnesses for the two of them. I also would like to submit as immediate evidence to the court of the very young, only twenty nine year old , Mr. Nigel Norland's current instability and unfitness to be a stepparent to a thirteen year old boy or any child really. "

Nigel sat up straighter in his chair and looked at Richard with concern on his scarred face, whispering," What is he talking about? " Richard shook his head in equal confusion as he placed a comforting hand atop Nigel's own one. Hillie looked at her clients and then over at her brother with thinned lips and cold eyes. She stood up and replied," Your honor , my client and his husband were not out " partying " the night that his son attempted suicide. They were enjoying a very rare night out with family and a few close friends who are all respected members of the community. They left the two thirteen year old boys home to babysit the ten year old daughter and six year old daughter for only a few , very few , hours. It's no different than any other parent in America really. And , as for this new evidence this is the first I have been made aware of this. I kindly request to know more about this evidence before it becomes official court record. "

A.R. pursed her lips in thought before saying," Yes. Mr. Pierce, what exactly is this new evidence you have against Mr. Nigel Norland , the stepfather and Judge Norland's husband? "

Edward picked up a beige folder and handed it to the bailiff who took it to the judge. As A.R. opened it and began to read the contents Edward continued on ," As you can see , your honor, it clearly states that Mr. Nigel Norland was once in the United Kingdom a long term male escort at an exclusive agency that catered to a " certain type of client ". I don't want to be crude but he was a sex worker, Judge Van Owen. And, my clients don't believe a man of his low caliber should be allowed near young Lewis or allowed to have a hand in raising him. Which is why my clients wish to have full custody of the boy with twice a month visitation to Judge Norland. "

The onlookers began to whisper loudly and turned to look at Nigel who grew pale in the face. He shook his head and stared at Richard who looked back at him as well. Nigel whispered ," I'm sorry..... This is my fault...."

Richard shook his head and just squeezed Nigel's hand as Hillie stood up to retort ," Your honor, I wish to request a brief recess to confer with my clients and examine this so called evidence. "

" Granted , Ms. Pierce , we shall recess for a half hour. "