ODDS OF LOVE - SEASON 14

Episode 89

" You look well ," Richard Norland said as he stood beside the hospital bed of his former law partner and once close friend Ethan Stone. He had been debating with himself over paying the man a visit since he had learned about Ethan donating a kidney to Zipp Dennis. After all , a lot of the memories he had retained were concerning their old law school days. Days that , outside of his marriage to Nigel  which he was recalling more and more , had been some of the happiest and most enjoyable of his life. He could so easily see them back at Harvard.

Ethan.

Zipp briefly before he left in his second year.

Claire.

And , even the one night he had tried to ,  pre amnesia ,  keep barricaded in a small distant corner of his mind. That night so long ago in their old Boston student apartment...... Beers , laughs , talking for what seemed like hours about everything....... And, the kiss..... The rest..... The next morning he had awakened on the living room floor and he remembered exactly what happened but when he realized that Ethan did not or was acting like he did not Richard had decided to keep his silence. After all , he had not been out of the closet as bisexual or even willing to admit his true self to himself. And , even if he was he didn't know if he really wanted Ethan Stone for anything other than friendship.

Ethan looked at him from the bed , his eyes almost seeming like they were intensely searching Richard's face for something. " I feel well. I didn't expect it to be as easy as it was," Ethan replied. "My part went fine. And , so did Zipp's thankfully. He's doing good. Not as tired anymore. Plenty of energy. And , no longer on dialysis although he is on antirejection medication for the remainder of his life. "

Richard nodded. " I know. Nigel is much the same after his heart transplant. It's a small concession for renewed life. I'm glad everything went well for you both."

Ethan seemed to bristle as he heard him mention Nigel. But his face reflected nothing as he said," We should be released tomorrow. I'm not returning to the firm , the new firm that is , for at least a couple of weeks. I'm in my early forties after all. Can't bounce back from things like in my younger days. Although this is my first time giving up a body part. " He laughed softly. " Zipp is taking time off too. I'm literally making him. The man is just too stubborn. But he's still mourning his daughter Diamond and getting past what Flower did as well. I'm having him move in with me. For a while. It's the only way I can think to look after the man. "

Richard sat down in a chair next to the bed. " I dislike what that child did to my son but I do feel sorry for Zipp. I'm also sorry I lost touch with him friendship wise. Last time I saw him was at the funeral. Sad day. "

It was also the day Zipp's domestic partner Flower had had a psychotic break and kidnapped Spencer's daughter Miracle, Richard mused silently.

They both sat in silence for a long time. Both were lost within their individual thoughts of the past , present and future. Until Ethan cut his eyes soulfully over at Richard who looked back. Ethan murmured," I'm glad you visited. I.... I missed you. I missed our friendship. "

Richard smiled slightly. He so clearly saw the two of them sitting in the Harvard University library studying and whispering legal facts to each other. So eager. So determined to do good for the world and make a fortune as well. So young. So damn young. Now look at them both. Two forty three year old men who were both damaged tremendously in their own ways. " I missed you as well, Ethan. I'm glad you came out of the surgery fine. Zipp as well. "

Then the hospital room door slowly opened and in slid Zipp Dennis in his hospital issued manual wheelchair. The man looked frail and too thin in his hospital gown and footie slippers but his eyes seemed to have new energy in them. Although they faded slightly and his skin paled a bit as he saw who was visiting Ethan.

Zipp swallowed harshly. He blinked his eyes and said almost bitterly," Oh...... hello, Richard. I wasn't expecting to see you here. "