ODDS OF LOVE - SEASON THIRTEEN

Episode 10

DuBuis Lane sat at his desk in the clinic watching the small tv in the corner that was showing actual live details of the hostage crisis at Gerald's house as Angel was at his own desk texting Lyle to convince him not to go to Gerald's.

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Spencer watched it all unfolding on the tv in their living room as he held tight to a sleeping Miracle for comfort.

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Richard reached over to grab Nigel's hand and squeezed it as they sat in his Mercedes Benz two blocks from Gerald's barricaded off home.

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Tony Angeletti sat on the Giadello Enterprises' private plane , texting Jacob that he was very close to his destination.

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Zipp nervously watched the unending news report from his hospital bed  , a look of intense pain on his face. Ethan sat by his side , watching his friend watch the news.

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LuLu sat on the sofa in her living room with a big bowl of buttered popcorn, her potbellied pig sleeping at her bare feet, between her father Bubba Joe and sister Nettie Jean. They were all avidly munching popcorn and watching the news reports like it was the newest most popular soap opera.

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Faith ran into the church office where Joy and Jasper sat discussing the juvenile detention facility. She grabbed her fiancee to her shaking body and whispered into her thick mass of jet black hair," Why the hell didn't you answer your phone, woman? "

Joy whispered back," It's been low battery all morning. It's charging now.  "

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Alfred sat tensed on the edge of the sofa. He knew he was about to die. At the hands of this woman who stared at him so coldly. He had wanted this moment to come to him all his miserable life yet presently he didn't want it. Today he didn't want to die.

He wanted, yearned , to live. He wanted to live for Gerald. He wanted to see the man one more time.

Please, God, he prayed silently.

Pamela's smile turned oddly sad as she looked at him. " Well , I guess you know just how much they value your life. I am sorry. I really have nothing against you. You didn't do anything to me after all but what's a girl to do when pushed. " Her hand tightened steadily on the gun pointed at him.

His heart quickened and his hand reached out for his walker , his Stan.

" You know, Alfred Giadello , I am a strong proponent for euthanasia. I know you must have suffered so much already in your life. I am a nurse. I know this. It's almost a relief what I'm about to do. You're welcome. "

Alfred replied tightly," I don't want to die. Please don't do this. I can give you money to escape. Tell them you want a car , a plane, anything. I'll give you money to get away. Please. I don't want to leave him. Please. "

His phone began to ring once more.

Pamela shook her head. " No. They have to learn their lesson. Once I kill you they'll realize I'm serious. Then they'll give me what I want to save the other two. Goodbye....."

" What are you doing ! ," Flower Dennis shouted as she rushed from the open doorway to the living room over to Pamela's side with wide stern eyes and her doll. " You promised nobody would get hurt ! You said it would just be fun and a lot of games for Diamond. "

Pamela sighed in a long suffering way. "You stupid crazy bitch. I lied to you. I'm going to kill everyone who has wronged me. I'm going to kill him. And most definitely you. I'm beginning to think you are to be a lesser loss than him. "

Flower said loudly," No ! No more violence ! I hate guns ! Zippy and I hate guns ! Why did Diamond have a gun ! You're evil. Just like that silly girl Zora Mayfield. I told Diamond so many times not to play with her. I told her and told her. She never listened to me. Zipp let her do everything she wanted. He never gave her discipline. Well I don't want to play with you anymore, Pamela Perkins."

Pamela turned on Flower Dennis with a roar and the gun.  Then Alfred threw his sturdy metal walker directly at Pamela. It thudded into Pamela and knocked her off balance with the weapon slipping from her hand to fall onto the floor.

Pamela landed on the floor as well and she quickly rebounded to reach out for the gun.

Alfred stood up and instantly fell down to his knees from the weakness within his body. He also reached out for the gun , crawling to it.

" I don't want to die ! ," he screamed out loud in desperation and anger. His fingers gripped the gun , pulling it towards himself. " Not today ! "

Then a horde of uniformed police officers wearing SWAT vests rushed into the room, pointing their guns at Pamela and a confused looking Flower.

Alfred lay on the floor, also pointing the gun at Pamela. He looked at the cops with almost disgust. " Took you long enough. "