ODDS OF LOVE : SEASON 15

Episode 78

Richard Norland sat in the driver's side of his car in the parking garage of St. Paul's Hospital Center. He was drinking another couple long gulps of the small bottle of whiskey he had purchased earlier. As the warm liquid passed down his throat a sense of peace also flowed through himself. Peace and contentment.

He blinked his eyes faintly as he then shoved the bottle back into the brown paper bag and placed it into the glove compartment of the car. As his phone began to ring he stuck a stick of spearmint gum into his mouth along with a couple of mints and answered it.

" Richard, " Nigel said in concern. " Where are you ? Lewis is waking up and starting to make a little more sense now. He wants you. He wants his father. Oh , and the doctor said they're scheduling the bone marrow transplant on Monday. They've already contacted Winston about it. "

Richard smiled slightly. " Tell him I love him and that I'll be up in a few moments. "

Nigel hesitated. " Where are you? I woke up and you were gone? You are bloody well ok ? "

Richard paused briefly before saying," I took a walk. I'm just cleaning my car a little. I'm on my way upstairs now. I love you. "

" I love you too. We're going to make it through all this. I promise. "

After he hung up he stepped outside the car and came directly in front of his father Andrew who peered at him with worry on his rugged face.

" Richard? What are you doing down here? Is Lewis okay? Are you? "

Richard smiled vacantly at his father. " I'm fine, Dad. Just fine. Let's go see my boy ! "

Andrew stared at his son who was swaying slightly in front of him with a sinking feeling of despair inside himself. As well as anger. He had been down this road time and time again. So many times he knew it by heart. He wasn't going to allow Faith Lane to be on this path and he especially wasn't going to let his son lose his soul, his family, his life , his everything upon it.

He just wouldn't allow it.

Andrew grabbed him by his arm. " No. You're not fine. Don't bullshit a bullshitter , son. You're drunk."

Richard rolled his eyes and leaned against the side of the car to keep himself up. " No. I'm not. You see drunks around every corner. " He laughed easily and casually. " I'm fine. "

" I see alcoholics when they're drunk. You're drunk. So you lost the pills and turned to booze ? This is what you do when your son is sick upstairs? This ? "

Richard yelled ," I'm not drunk ! What is wrong with you, Dad ! "

Then he took a swing at his father who easily ducked it and grabbed his son's arm tightly, twisting it slightly behind his back. Andrew leaned closer to his son's outraged suddenly face. " I meant what I said. I'm not letting addicts near my grandson. Or any of my grandchildren.  Stop this shit or I'll tell Nigel. I'll make sure you never see Lewis again. Or any of your children. I'm not watching you destroy your entire life. Drinking now ? In your car ? Do you even realize how stupid that is? I can tell you stories about driving and drinking. In fact I have one. Glory is waiting for me in the cafeteria. We're having coffee before we go see Alfred in HIS hospital room. And, that's what you are doing. Getting coffee and then going to a damn NA or AA meeting. Today. "

                   -----------

" I'm never going back to the school," Alfred murmured in a soft low ashamed voice as he woke up in the hospital bed with Gerald by his side.

Gerald shook his head. " Ridiculous. Of course you are. Oscar and I are handling this internally. We know who drugged you. It's Zora Mayfield. She's suspended now and going to be removed permanently from the school. Don't worry. I love you. "

" I yelled at my kids. I remember some.... I screamed at them..... I .... They must be so scared.... of me. "

" Shh. " Gerald's fingers gently stroked the man's cheek. " Just rest. The kids are fine. They are just worried about you. All the kids are. And , the staff. "

Alfred began to cry softly. " I'm so sorry. I didn't mean.... I'm never coming back there again. Dodie is right. I can't handle.... handle life. I ..... I pissed myself..... Gerald, I'm so sorry..... I'm sorry......"

Gerald pulled his fiance into his arms and held him as he sobbed mightily. " It's alright. None of this is your fault. None of it. And, your sister is never right. About anything. Everything is going to be alright, my dear teacher. "

As Alfred cried himself back to sleep Gerald thought how much he suddenly hated the school and Zora Mayfield. He never dreamed he could ever hate a child but so it was. It was justified. The girl had hurt the man he loved more than life itself.