ODDS OF LOVE SEASON TWELVE

Episode 82

" Why did you do it? ," DuBuis asked Theodore as he sat with the boy at the kitchen table. Theodore was listlessly picking at a slice of pepperoni and extra cheese pizza that DuBuis had ordered from the family's favorite pizza restaurant Sal's.

Theodore shrugged his shoulders. " Why did I buy condoms ? I don't know. Me and Alan just wanted to be.... prepared. You know. Just in case. I doubt we would have actually done anything though. Allie's family is so Brady Bunch friendly,  you know. I don't think they do things like...... you know sex outside of being married. "

DuBuis laughed. He took a bite of his own pizza slice. " I don't care about condoms. I'm glad you all are smart enough and mature enough at your age to take precautions. Not that I am recommending you all have sex at your age. Fifteen is too young. What do you know about Alan's family? "

Theodore shrugged again. " They're alright. They seem to like me. They liked Luci too when she and Allie were hanging out. Alan doesn't talk much about his family. Except his brother. He adores Jeff. Jeff's kinda his hero."

Then as they ate in silence they heard the sound of Sol and Luci playing video games in the living room. Finally Theodore replied," I took .... the drugs because I just..... I don't know..... I wanted to feel like more than a loser. "

DuBuis looked at him in amazement. " You are not a loser. You're a good student. Not as good as Luci but you're getting there. You're a good musician. You're not perfect, son , but you are not a loser. "

Theodore put the remaining pizza down on the plate before him. " Then how come my parents don't want me? How come they hate me? "

Tears filled his eyes and he removed his glasses to wipe at them.

DuBuis shook his head. " I don't know why Lorraine and Jeremy treat you the way they do but..... I can relate. My sister Sylvia hates me and I don't understand why. I don't know what I did to her to warrant that. What I do know is that you are loved in this house. Your uncle loves you. He does. He just has issues showing it sometimes but that's basically Spencer. Sol and Luci love you. "

Theodore laughed through his tears. " Luci ? "

DuBuis smiled slightly. " Yeah. Even Luci. She cares about you and I know you care about her. And I love you. You and Sol are the sons I'll probably never have biologically. We love you. We want you here in this house. We will never abandon you. We just don't want you ruining your life. Your future. You have too much promise. "

Theodore put his glasses down on the table beside the plate and burst into tears  saying,"I'm sorry. I'll never do it again. I don't want to disappoint any of you again. I'm sorry. "

DuBuis didn't hesitate as he reached out and hugged Spencer's nephew. " I know, son , I know. You're still grounded for a week though. "