ODDS OF LOVE - SEASON THIRTEEN

Episode 63

                ( Texts )

Alan : I'm sorry I told you to leave. You and Luci. I shouldn't have done that. You both didn't deserve it. Tell her I'm sorry.

Theodore: It's alright. I'm not mad. Neither is Luci. We care about you. I love you. Are you alright?

Alan : No. I can't walk. My Dad is dead. I'm missing so much school. I can't go to the track meet tomorrow.

Theodore: I'm sorry.

Alan: Nicholas , Mom's friend, he told me to call him that , sent a specialist in to see me today. Dr. Chen. They ran a bunch of tests but it won't do anything. I know it won't. I'm still not able to walk. Or run. I'm wearing some damn diaper like a baby. I'm not a baby. And you'll probably break up with me. Why wouldn't you?

Theodore: I'll never leave you, Allie. I love you. I loved you before the accident and I love you now. How can you think I would do that? You didn't leave me when I was deaf ? Did you?

Alan: No but you thought I would. And your deafness was temporary.

Theodore: Maybe your not walking will be temporary too. Even if it's not I'm not dumping you. My uncle can't walk. DuBuis would never leave Uncle Spencer. Maybe you should talk to my uncle. Or Mr. Giadello. He can walk but not good without the walker. Or even Uncle Nigel. He has a disability. I know it's rough but I'm always going to be here. So is Luci. And Sol. And Richie. And Lewis. All your friends. We love you. Don't push us away. Please.

Alan: I'll try. But I don't want to see anyone. For a while. Is that okay? We can talk and text but I just don't want to see anyone.

Theodore: I don't like it but I can accept it. Until you're ready. And I can bring you your class assignments in the hospital. That way you won't be behind much.

Alan : Thanks. I'd like that. Mom wants me to go home but I don't know how that'll work. She said I'd have to give up my room for Dad's study. I don't want to be down there. That room is depressing and dark. The doctor is trying to convince her to send me to the Moss Center for physical therapy. 

Theodore: Uncle Spencer went there. He still goes to therapy therapy there. Did your Dad really beat you?

Alan: Yeah. Me and Jeff. Jeff hates him. I don't know how I feel about him. Sometimes I hate him. Sometimes I don't. I'm dumb. I know.

Theodore: No you're not. You're Alan. And I love you.

Alan: I love you too. I love the rabbit. I sleep with it.

                ---------

" Jimbo ! ," Bubba Joe yelled from downstairs. " Telephone , boy ! "

Jimmy took the steps two at a time with confusion on his face. Who the hell was calling him? He didn't have any friends anymore. They all drifted away when he was locked up. He didn't even have friends in juvenile. There he kept to himself. He headed to the landline and took it from his grandfather who then ambled back to Jonah's recliner chair and the Washington Commander game on the tv he had been watching with the fat snorting pig next to him , both of them crunching on pork rinds and drinking beer.

Jimmy said," Yeah ? "

From his hospital room Jamal Duncan said haltingly," It's.... It's.... Jamal. I ..... I wanted to say.... sorry about you know. It was nice to.... nice ..... Thanks. "

Jimmy couldn't help himself. Hearing the boy's voice made him smile. It also made him feel oddly warm inside. " You okay? "

" No. "

" Can I come see you again? ," Jimmy asked instinctively. Then he kicked himself. Why would this guy wanna see him again? Just because he called didn't make them boys or nothing. " You don't have to. Sorry. "

" No. It's okay. You can..... Can..... If you want to. "

" Touchdown ! ," Bubba Joe screamed as he jumped up and hooted and hollered at the tv.

The pig also snorted.