A House Holiday
By: purpleu
It was a few days before Christmas, which as always annoyed House.
His lack of holiday spirit led everyone to call him a louse.
He never counted up anything (except the results of a Monster Truck Rally.)
Blessings and kind thoughts? Of these he never kept a tally.
As he walked through the halls of PPTH, he did his best impression of Scrooge.
Those who wished him Merry Christmas, he wanted to send downhill, backwards… on a luge.
House never lit any candles, and he didn't have a Yule log.
Despite the presence of a bit of rum, House didn't even like egg nog.
So imagine his annoyance when Wilson appeared at his door.
"I came to say 'Merry Christmas,'" he said. "And to do just a little bit more.
I know you don't celebrate the season, it goes against your grain.
But I got this for you, in spite the fact that you can be a pain."
He handed his friend a neatly wrapped package, which House accepted with surprise.
Wilson knew his friend was shocked; he could see it in his eyes.
"I don't understand," House said. "We don't do this kind of stuff."
He thought maybe it was a joke, House was ready to call Wilson's bluff.
"You always spend all the holidays alone, House; each one, each year.
And even though you say you don't care, for once I wanted you to have some holiday cheer."
House felt a wave of guilt; he had acted badly toward his friend.
Wilsons's folks were away for Hanukkah, and he, too was alone in the end.
House had done nothing to reach out to his friend, he didn't think it was a big deal.
But this small gesture, let him know for some, the holidays' meanings were very real.
He thanked Wilson for the gift, then slowly closed the door.
Pondering what to do, he eased himself down onto the floor.
Then a thought came to him; it only took a little while,
But the idea was so perfect, it even made House smile.
The next day was Christmas Eve, and House went into work.
He barely spoke to anyone; they dismissed him as a jerk.
Later that night, as Wilson sat home, at his door there came a knock.
Imagine his surprise, when he opened it, and on the floor, he found a boom box.
He laughed as he heard the tune; "One" from "A Chorus Line."
And behind the box sat a shopping bag with food that smelled very fine.
"I don't feel like being alone tonight," House said as he stepped into view.
And there's enough Chinese food in there for three or four… well, maybe just two.
By the way, thanks for the ticket to Dr. John's concert, it's a gift I'll really enjoy
I've been wanting to see him all my life, since I was a little boy."
"Glad you like it," Wilson said. "Just so you know, I bought two.
You see, you'll have some company… I'm coming along, too."
"What makes you think I'd want you there?" House asked with a slight grin.
Wilson was going to try and argue, but he knew he wouldn't win.
The friends sat on the couch as they ate their Chinese food.
Both were noticeably relaxed, both in a happy mood.
Wilson poured some whiskey for them, and their glasses, they clinked.
Both were quiet for a moment, as Wilson began to think.
"If I ever tell anyone that you did this, there's no way they would ever buy it."
"Wilson, you tell anyone I did this, I will soundly and loudly deny it."
"Merry Christmas, House; nice to see you're doing the holidays right."
"Merry Christmas," House said raising his glass. "And to all of purpleu's readers…. Good Night."
Happy and Healthy Holidays to All of My Readers!
Love, purpleu
