( Texts )
Richard : I am not a very good brother to you. I never have been. I freely admit that.
Spencer : True. You are the only one I have though.
Richard : I am sorry for that. How are you ?
Spencer : How am I ? I can not walk. I am wearing a diaper like a baby. I am trapped in a miserable hospital away from my husband , my cats and my home. I am eating the most horrible food.
Richard : Well of course I know all that. DuBuis sends me and Mother regular updates. You chose a life mate very well , brother. I do like him. I respect him.
Spencer : I just told him to leave. He did. What have I done , Richard ?
Richard : God knows I am no relationship expert. I've been married three times with ungrateful children from each marriage. In fact Sarah and I are discussing a trial separation. Those were her words. She and our daughter Rebecca and those yapping rats she calls poodles will remain at the house in Arlington. The house I hate. She can have it. Niles and Lewis are away at boarding school. Another alimony payment. I will be broke soon lol. No wonder I work so much. I will get a condo close to the office. Maybe I should live at the office. It feels more like home. But Nigel found what he says is the perfect condo for me. He says it has a wonderful fitness room and sauna. I don't know what I would do without Nigel. Once I move I will send you my new address. If you want it.
Spencer : I'm sorry , Richard. No. I'm not sorry. Sarah is awful. All your wives have been awful. Nigel is the only one who loves you.
Richard : Do not be silly. Nigel is merely a very good and respectful employee. I would be lost without him. He earns every penny and more that I pay him.
Spencer : And you're not gay.
Richard : I'm not gay. Of course I'm not gay. I am a forty two year old man escaping another failed marriage who has no friends. I am a workaholic whose children hate me. I am a bastard brother. I'm sorry I ignored you all your life. I'm sorry I missed your wedding. I'm glad you lived. If you had ..... I am going to pay all your medical bills. I have already spoken to the billing office at the hospital. What the insurance doesn't cover I will. You and DuBuis will not receive one bill. I will. Sarah never looked at me the way he looks at you. If I was in your position she would never take care of me. I would not have had to send her away. She would have left me. She would have left me lying in my own waste.
Spencer : Nigel would take care of you.
Richard : Yes. Because I pay him. I am just a checkbook to so many people. My money is all I can offer anyone. I've never been special to anyone in my life. Call him. Tell him you made a mistake. Beg him to forgive you if necessary. I know it's difficult for us but apologize to him.
Spencer : You are special to me. You're my only brother.
Richard : Thank you.
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Spencer : DuBuis ? Are you at home ?
Spencer : If you are at home don't forget to feed the cats their special food. Remember that Plus likes hers mixed with skim milk. Minus will eat anything. He takes after his mother.
Spencer : They served dinner. It is hideous. Some type of cold undercooked meat. Broccoli as hard as a rock. I believe my milk is circa 1944.
Spencer : My brother texted me. He was very odd.
DuBuis : I fed the cats.
Spencer : Good. What are you doing ?
DuBuis : I was over at Mark's for a bit. Susan made chili. She's a good cook but not like you. I miss your cooking. Especially that one thing you made once. With the thick crust and green stuff. It was good. Hearty and filling.
Spencer : The spinach quiche ? One of my coworkers gave me that recipe.
DuBuis : Yeah. It was good. Real good. When you get back home maybe you can make it again.
Spencer : I will.
DuBuis : I'm back home. In the bedroom watching an old movie with Plus by my side. Singing In the Rain.
Spencer : Your favorite. Our favorite. Which channel ?
DuBuis : A&E.
Spencer : I just turned it on. The hospital has decent cable anyway. We can watch it together.
DuBuis : Why was Richard odd ? Is he mowing the lawn of his palace in something besides a three piece suit ?
Spencer : He was nice.
DuBuis : The world is ending.
Spencer : DuBuis , I will go to that awful prison. as long as I can come back home afterwards. Please let me come back home.
DuBuis : Good. And of course you are coming back home , baby. Where else would you go ? This is your home. This will always be your home. The house is not the same without you. Even the cats miss you.
Spencer : They like me ?
DuBuis : LOL hell yeah. After all you feed them McDonald's French fries.
Spencer : That was Faith.
DuBuis : ROFL no that was you , baby boy. It was Faith that got you hooked on Big Macs.
Spencer : I wish I had one now.
DuBuis : I'll bring you one tomorrow. Yes I'll bring fries and a strawberry shake.
Spencer : DuBuis , I'm sorry we fought.
DuBuis : When did we fight ? I don't remember any fight. It's ok , baby boy. I understand.
DuBuis : I love you , Genius.
Spencer : I love you too , Dr. Lane.
YOU ARE READING
ODDS OF LOVE
General FictionOnce upon a time two very different young men met in college and fell into a most unusual friendship. Then over the years they fell into a most unusual marriage. Then one day a tragic event occurred that tossed them both upside down and had them que...
