ODDS OF LOVE : SEASON 15

Episode 84

His father had told him last night to go to an AA or NA meeting at the UUC church but Richard didn't want to go to one there. First he knew the ministers , Jas and Joy. Second his brother in law attended that church. He did not want anyone he knew outside of his father even associating himself with a substance abuse issue. So he had found on his phone a NA  meeting at a Methodist church in DC in Foggy Bottom near George Washington University. He had made sure his son was still alright and that the other children were safe with Andrew and Glory. Then he told Nigel he had to attend to an important appointment. He hated not telling him the exact truth but he didn't want to see disappointment in his husband's eye over how far he had fell. Not that he believed he was an addict or an alcoholic or whatever his father called him but..... it still made him feel weak. The last thing he wanted was to be seen as weak in anyone's eyes but especially not Nigel's.

Which was why Richard was currently milling about the small brick walled room in the back of the imposing rock and stone church after listening to the small group of men and one woman telling their stories of substance abuse. All their tales sounded heartbreaking and more dramatic than anything he was going through. It made him feel odd. He had never woken up next to a person he couldn't remember. He hadn't ever driven impaired. He had never been arrested for doing drugs. Or anything really. Truthfully his life was rather boring outside of being shot numerous times. He didn't think his father was right about him. He didn't think he had an issue with pills or alcohol but now he could tell the man he had gone to a meeting.

A short thin almost nervy looking White man with shaggy blond hair and twinkling blue - green eyes that reminded him of his husband , only about ten years older than Nigel , came over to him with his hand held out. He wore a pair of well tailored beige chinos and a fitted red polo shirt with a black blazer. Atop his head was a pair of sunglasses. " Welcome ! Saw you sitting in the back. You're a shy one, aren't you? Don't worry. We don't bite. " He winked at Richard as they shook hands. " Name's Ryan Cooper. I'm a guidance counselor at Thomas Jefferson High School here in the city. Go , Wolves , but our football team sucks. " He laughed and rubbed his hands together as Richard watched him in cautious silence. " I'm thirty nine and been sober since I was thirty. Pills was my demon. Started when I was in a car accident. Had a lot of pain. I don't do pain good. Doc gave me pain pills and I liked them too much. It became a clutch. Lost me my partner Larry. I loved Larry. He was - is - a legislative assistant  to Senator Palmer Mayfield. Yeah , he's a Republican but a good guy anyway. Larry that is. But I loved the pills more.  But enough of my hard luck story, pal. Who are you? What's your story? "

Richard wanted to leave. He wanted to just walk out and go back to the hospital. To his son. His husband. His other children. His real life. But..... something was keeping him there. In that room. Listening to people like this man.

" I.... I'm.... Ron. Ron Nelson. I'm....an accountant. I do books for a living. Bookkeeping. Anyway my father wanted me to come here. He thinks I have a problem with pills and alcohol. Or something. "

Ryan smiled knowingly at him. He shook his head. Then he pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket and grabbed a pen off a nearby table. He scribbled something on the paper and then handed it to Richard. It said " Ryan Cooper 202 -555-3486".

" That's my cell. Call me anytime when you decide you have a problem. Not your father. Because it won't work until it's you deciding it for yourself. Trust me. I've been there, Ron. Or whatever your name really is. " Then his eyes fell down to the silver wedding band on Richard's hand. " Hope you decide fast. Before you get your own Larry. Anyway, I'm going to get some coffee. Hope to see you later, Ron. "

As the man walked off towards the long table with a coffee urn , paper cups and a plate of chocolate chip cookies on it Richard pulled out his phone. He turned it on to find several texts and missed calls from Nigel. With alarm growing inside himself Richard dialed his husband's number.

A nervous sounding Nigel answered with," Richard, are you okay? "

" I'm fine. I'm finished with my appointment now. Is everything alright? Lewis? The kids? "

Nigel said in a tight voice," Lewis is fine. Tania is with him at hospital. Your father and Glory got the kids off to school. " Then he stopped talking abruptly.

Richard became almost scared. " What is wrong? Are you alright ? "

"I'm over at my father's house with my brothers. I..... we're waiting on word. Dad's plane went down near Rock Creek Park. They're looking for him and Ariel. "

Richard instinctively replied," I'm leaving here now. I'm coming there to be with you. I love you."

" I love you too. Please be safe but hurry. I need you. "