ODDS OF LOVE - SEASON THIRTEEN

Episode 118

" I do love you," Alfred said as he sat in the chair that his mother had left vacant when she had rushed out of the room to go find Andrew. His walker was beside him.

His sister still slept on in the hospital bed with the tubes and monitors and IVs attached to her. She looked more peaceful and tranquil than he had ever seen her before in her entire thirty six years.

" I do love you. You're my sister. We grew up together. We played together. You protected me. Once. Even if I didn't want you to. I was older than you after all. I was supposed to protect you. Not the other way around. "

He closed his eyes. In his head he began to replay so many moments in both their lives.

Holiday dinners at the family compound.

School outings.

Watching her prepare for the prom as he stayed home and created a crossword puzzle.

Looking at her nearly gliding down the aisle of their family Catholic church in Connecticut to marry her high school sweetheart Tony Angeletti. She had been so joyous and almost glowingly beautiful that day. And he had been so envious because he wanted what she had. Not Tony. He couldn't stand that man. But the life she had. The love of their father. The friends. Being able to go hiking and jogging. Not having to take medicine and have surgeries. Getting married to the man she loved and who loved her at the time.

Dodie had it all. The life he had wanted. The promise. The privilege. The good health. The strength. And she had never appreciated any of it.

" I love you. But I also hate you. You destroy everything you touch. You tried to destroy Gerald and myself. You are destroying Momma and Drew. " His face twisted with sudden pain. " If I lose the man I love as a father because of you....."

He reached for the pillow beneath her head and opened his eyes. He stared at her unmoving face with the oxygen tube and closed eyes. His sister.  He lifted up the pillow over her face.

Then his hands froze in mid air and a tear slipped from one eye down his thin cheek.

As he sobbed gradually he lowered his hands and the pillow.

" I'm sorry," he cried out as he placed the pillow back beneath her head. " I'm sorry. "

Then as he continued to sob beside her bedside his sister Dodie Angeletti opened her eyes and stared at him unblinkingly.

Dodie said slowly through her dry cracked lips," Why are you crying? "

Alfred looked up with his tear stained face at her. " Dodie ........"

Dodie asked," Are they teasing you at school again? Really you should tell Father. They're won't pick on you then. You're Franco Giadello's son. In spite of everything. But do stop all that noise. You need to help me pick my dress for the prom. "