Chapter Nine

It was after six that evening when House returned to his apartment, He had picked up takeaways on his way home. He sprawled on the couch eating out of the plastic container. The session with Nolan had unsettled him more than any other for some reason, he felt like going out, getting drunk and picking a fight with some stranger. The only thing stopping him was the phone call he knew he would get later that evening, it was also the reason he reach for a beer, not bourbon. She would not ring till after nine. He reached over and picked up the phone and dialed.

'Hello.'

'Hi Mom'.

'Greg, this is a lovely surprise, is everything alright?'

'Yeah, Im fine, just thought Id check up on you.'

'Im doing OK Greg, its been hard but Im adjusting, I have good friends here, and we look after each other.'

'Im sorry I havent been there for you.'

'You're a grown man, with an important career Greg; I do know that if I need you, youd be there for me.'

'I was'nt much help at the funeral, was I?'

'You were there, I appreciate that.'

'You know Mom its OK to admit I was no help and I'm a slack son.'

'I think you've had enough criticism to last a lifetime. I am and have always been very proud of you. In many ways, Greg I regret not standing up to John and his constant criticism of you. I don't quite know how to put this, but your father treated you as he was treated, military men dont have sons they have soldiers, at least in his family. His father was the hardest man I ever met, I was terrified of him. John was just terrified of never measuring up.'

'Wow I thought he was perfect.'

'No, he spent his life trying to be, I'm glad you didn't buy into that rubbish'

House felt an overwhelming love toward his mother, she had always loved him unconditionally, he couldn't understand why shed put up with his father, even though he was sure she didn't know the half of what had gone on with his father and him.'

'I love you Mom.'

'I love you too Greg, always have, always will.'

'I should come and see you there are questions I need answered.'

'No time like the present.'

'You sure?'

'Ask away.'

'Who was my father?'

'I...'

'You OK there Mom?'

'Yes Greg, your father, well your biological father was actually your uncle, he was killed just after you were conceived, I found out I was pregnant a week after his funeral.'

'Did you love him?'

'I adored him'

'What was he like?'

'Funny, crazy, bullet proof, he thought nothing could hurt him, he was my hero.'

'How did he die?'

'John and Geoff were walking home from a movie on a Sunday night; it was a horror film, which is why I was not with them. A car lost control and went in the river, of course Geoff and John went to their assistance, a mother and two small children, they got them all out, John was resuscitating the mother when he realized Geoff had gone back down, by the time he got him to the surface it was too late he couldn't resuscitate him. I don't think John ever fully recovered, he felt like he had failed his brother.'

'Do they know why he went back down?'

'Pete Johnson, who had stopped to help said the little girl, who was about three, was crying for her rabbit. Geoff lost his life for a stuffed toy.'

'Did the mother survive?'

'Yes. Geoff was the only one to die. It was a terrible tragedy. I remember their father screaming at John for not looking after his brother.'

'Why didn't you tell me this?'

'I promised John, he never wanted you to know. I told him I'd only tell if you asked.'

'How did you meet? Tell me all about him.'

'We moved next door to them when I was twelve; he was the same age as me. I never really spoke to him for the first few weeks, although I had met John. Geoff wasn't in my class even though we were only weeks apart in age, he was in the class above me. He was brilliant, good at sport and a straight A student even though he had skipped a year. We met when some older boys were teasing me about my accent; Geoff appeared and told them to leave me alone. They fought. Geoff took quite a beating, but from that day on we were inseparable.'

House could hear the love in her voice as she spoke of his father.

'I'm glad you told me, Mom'

'Me too, dear'

'What happened when they found out about your pregnancy?'

'I was scared, I thought they would send me away and have you adopted out. I was planning to run away, when John found me crying by the river. I told him I was going to have Geoff's baby. He arranged for us to secretly marry a week later. Afterwards we told our parents they were furious with him especially his father. John had been dating a Generals daughter and his father was all for the match. It was the only time I ever saw John stand up to the man. We were posted away in another state and when you were born we said you were premature, when in fact you were 10 days overdue.'

'I can see why you always stuck by Dad now; he stood by you when you needed him'

'I don't think he ever recovered from Geoff death, he blamed himself. When ever he saw you being tardy or irresponsible, he would overreact. He was scared that you would end up hurt or in Jail. He spent his life running around trying to keep Geoff out of trouble, which took some doing! He never got over Geoff dying, with him just yards away.'

'What did he look like?'

'Just look in the mirror, Greg, you are his image.'

'Its a tragic tale, Mom.'

'Yes, Greg even now I think if only!'

'Would you like me to come down and spend some time with you?'

'I always love to see you, but don't feel you have to. Whats been happening with you?'

I'm in a relationship; its early days but Ive been seeing Lisa Cuddy.'

'Dr Cuddy?'

'Yeah, my boss.'

'I'm so pleased, Greg nothing would make me happier than to see you settled, with someone nice.'

'How about I ring you next week?'

'That would be lovely, Good night Greg.'

'Goodnight Mom.'

House sat and thought about what his mother had told him. He never even knew that he had had an uncle. He had never suspected any thing like the truth. He had thought his mother had had an affair and his father, was unsure of his parentage, or something along those lines. The phone rang.

House he answered.

'Greg. 'The voice he had been dying to hear answered.

'You are ringing early, nice surprise!'

I'm afraid not, I have to go into work, there's a problem it could be a long night'

'Wow and its not even about me!'

'Sorry, I hate to miss our chats'

'Its OK' he said, but inside he was screaming "I need you Lisa. Dam it, why tonight"

'If I get it sorted Ill call but don't count on it. Sorry'

'You are in fact a Doctor dont apologize, just take care, OK?'

'OK. Night House.'

'Night Cuddy'

House felt despondent, he went to his piano, and played continuously for the next couple of hours. The music washed over him calming his battered soul, he felt a deep sadness, it wasn't self destructive, and he thought of Nolan's words earlier that day. The man was right; it was time to man up and try to do things differently, which was why he was at the piano, not some bar picking a fight. The doorbell went. It was after eleven, it would be a neighbor, they tolerated his music till about eleven, but them they got annoyed. He wouldn't answer he thought. Then he got up an decided he would apologize to the guy.

'That sounded beautiful, I was loath to interrupt' said Cuddy 'I know its late but my car seemed to have a mind of its own tonight.'

'Always liked that car' he joked drawing he into his arms.

'Mind if I stay tonight?' she asked indicating her bag.

'Stay forever' he whispered into her hair.