PROVIDENCE — It was one day last week, and I was sitting in a local hospice where my old friend Gerry Alaimo lay dying.
Also in the room was John O’Neill, the longtime Providence College swimming coach.
He had been there every day for nearly a week, essentially spending both days and nights there.
“I don’t want him to be here alone,” O’Neill said softly.
He paused for a second, as if looking for something only he could see.
Alaimo was in the bed that dominated the small room with pale walls. He was sleeping, an anguished look on his face, the sound of deep breathing dominating the room.