ODDS OF LOVE - SEASON THIRTEEN

Episode 51

" Hey ," Theodore said from the doorway of Alan's hospital room with Luci beside him. Theodore held a stuffed rabbit with floppy ears in his arms and Luci had a giant get well card they had gotten all the middle school and high school students to sign ( minus Niles and Mary and the Angeletti triplets that was ).

Alan opened his eyes and from the bed looked at them with an odd coldness in his brown eyes. " What do you want? ," he asked as a  stiffness overtook his attractive young face.

Theodore glanced at Luci who looked back at him as well. Then they both looked at Alan who just stared wordlessly back at them.

Theodore came to his boyfriend's side and handed him the stuffed toy. Alan took it from him.

" Cute ," he grumbled.

Theodore said," Like you. I'm so glad that you are okay. "

He leaned forward to press a kiss to his lips only for Alan to turn his head away.

Alan's eyes shined with anger and pain as he shot out," You call this being okay? Seriously? "

Theodore sank down in a chair and tried to reach for his hand to no avail. " I just meant that it could have been worse....."

Alan eased his bed up just a little more. "Really? And this isn't worse? "

Luci interjected as she walked over to him ," Theodore just meant you could have..... I mean it could have.... Ummm. We're all sorry about your father. "

Alan snorted ," Don't bother. I hated him. He hated me. "

Theodore and Luci looked at each other. Theodore said," I'm sure he didn't....."

Alan interrupted harshly," I'm sure he did. He hated me. He fucking beat me ! "

Theodore looked stunned. " Allie....."

" Don't Allie me ! My fucking all perfect all knowing father hated me ! He beat me. He beat my brother too. Until Jeff started fighting back but I was too much of a bitch wimp to fight. I tried to be good and nice and sweet and kind. All my stupid life. Hoping he would love me and not hurt me. But it never worked. Never. My own mother hates me. She never wanted me ! I was an accident that stopped them from breaking up ! The only person who loves me is my brother and my mom won't let him come back home. "

Theodore's face reflected a lot of hurt as he pushed back his glasses with trembling hands. " He's not the only one. I love you. "

Luci put the card down on the bed. " Yeah. I do too. You're my bestie. My first Barrington friend. The one who accepted me from the beginning. Everyone at school loves you. "

Alan clutched the stuffed rabbit in his arms. He looked lost and hopeless. " Yeah right. Look. I'm tired right now. Just go home and ghost me like you two always do when something goes wrong in your life. I'm not in the mood to be Barrington's goddamn Sweetheart right now. "

Theodore reached for his hand and Alan said ," Just go home. Ok ? Go home. Just forget me. I don't feel like a visit right now. For once I'm ghosting you all. Deal with it. "

Theodore replied," Allie ........"

" Get the fuck out of here ! "

His sudden outburst alarmed both Theodore and Luci who had never seen him this upset before. They looked at each other uncomfortably.

Luci put her hand on Theodore's tense back as she said," Maybe we should go back home. Give you time to rest more. "

" Yeah , maybe you should," Alan snapped.

The tension in the room seemed to increase as they all looked at each other until finally Theodore and Luci chose to leave with Theodore giving Alan one last wistful stare and a " love you , Allie".

After they left Alan kept holding the stuffed toy in his arms as he began to cry and tried to force his legs to move.