Chapter 11. Cars
The car dealership wasn't far from the drugstore where House had gotten some of their supplies during the storm. As they drove there in his car, he couldn't help noticing how different the town looked now that things were back to normal.
Jake had three cars he wanted to show Cameron. "These are the best ones I have on the lot right now," the affable car salesman said. "I'll give you a good price on any of them." He was grateful to the two doctors for treating him and his wife, but he was still a businessman.
House dismissed one of them right away, a 2007 Buick. "You don't need such a big car," he told Cameron. "Besides, it's a gas guzzler."
She resented him telling her what to do, but since in this case she agreed with him, she let it go. She looked over the other two, a 2006 Toyota and a 2008 Mini. "Was this one of the Toyota models that were recalled?" she asked.
Jake had to admit that it was. "But we did the adjustments and repairs the manufacturer recommended. It's perfectly safe. Why don't you take it for a test drive?" he asked, dangling the keys from the fingers of his right hand.
Cameron shrugged and took the keys. She turned to House. "Coming?"
"You couldn't keep me away," he said. He got into the passenger seat, pushing it all the way back to give himself as much leg room as he could, which wasn't enough. But she had to drive to see how it felt on the road.
They drove around town for fifteen minutes, giving House the opportunity to see parts of Shelby he hadn't seen before. It was actually a pretty little town. As they drove back to the dealership, Cameron asked, "What do you think?"
House hadn't been impressed as a passenger but that couldn't be a deciding factor. "There's got to be something better," was all he said. It really was up to her.
"The handling is a little rough," she said. "I...I don't think I'd be comfortable driving it."
"Then that's your answer."
She nodded and they pulled the car in the lot. Getting out, she handed the keys back to Jake and said, "Not this one." She eyed the mini. She knew right away that it wouldn't have the comfort or power of her old car. Could she manage with something that was less of a car than she was used to? Maybe a test drive would help her make up her mind. "OK. Let's try this one," she said, reluctantly, holding her hand out for the keys.
"You're not serious!" House said.
"House, I need a car, and there aren't that many options." But she didn't drive it far. It took only a few blocks with House grousing the entire way to convince her that this wasn't it. She drove back to the dealership. She didn't have to say a word, just shake her head and hand the keys back to Jake.
"I'll call you if I get something else in," he said apologetically.
It was House who said, "You do that." He turned to Cameron and said, "C'mon. I can desperately use some pizza right now."
The pizza place was small, in another strip of stores like the clinic, but the aroma of cheese and oregano were strong the moment you entered, and practically every table was taken. There was a line snaking out the door of people ordering their pizza and other food or picking up take-out orders. By the time it was House and Cameron's turn to order they'd decided on a whole pie, half loaded with sausage and pepperoni and the other with mushrooms and peppers. House knew that Cameron wouldn't finish her half and he was cool with what she wanted on hers.
The man who'd waited on them handed them their drinks and promised their pie would be out in fifteen minutes. They found the last empty table, near the rear door to the kitchen. Besides the pizza ovens behind the counter up front, the back kitchen also prepared the usual Italian pastas and soups.
House could see that the people around them had mostly opted for pizza, either Sicilian or Neapolitan, and everyone seemed to be enjoying what they were eating. He'd been thinking about Cameron's car situation and had a few questions for her while they waited for their pie.
"Why don't you look at new cars?" he suggested.
"If I bought something new, it would be a hybrid, and those tend to be more expensive," she replied quickly. She'd certainly considered it.
"Not necessarily," he said.
"I guess it's still an option," she agreed.
"And what about the car Mrs. McClelland offered you?"
"I suppose I should look at it, but it's probably just some old sedan. It might even need some work to get it running," she said.
"We should talk to her about it when we get home," he said, as the big round metal plate holding their pizza was slid onto their table. That got his attention. He took a slice, heavy with meat and cheese, and took a big bite. It burnt the roof of his mouth, a string of cheese still connecting his lips to the slice. His head went up and down and he smiled. Once he could talk again he said, "Now that's good pizza!" All discussion of cars was put aside while he relished the taste and texture of some of the best pizza he'd ever had.
House finally let out a satisfied burp as he finished the last of their pizza, then washed it down with his beer.
"Did you want some dessert?" Cameron asked. She'd watched him enjoy his meal with a big smile on her face, fascinated by the way simple things could sometimes please him.
"Maybe later," he replied, crumpling his paper napkin and dropping it on the pizza pan. "I know you expect me to make a crack about you being the best dessert," he said.
"No! I mean, it wouldn't have surprised me," she said.
"But first things first," he went on.
"And that is?"
"I thought we were going to take a look at Mr. McClelland's car."
"I thought you'd forgotten about that," she said.
"You know me better than that! Onward, Cameron," he said, rising.
"I just hope you haven't got your hopes up that it's some classic something or other, or a fancy sports car," she warned.
"Or both? A classic sports car. Now that would be something," he told her. "And don't tell me you wouldn't enjoy driving one."
"I...I never even thought about it," she replied. But she was smiling. "Now you've got me hoping!"
"Do you know anything about them?" he asked. He remembered that she'd never been to a Monster Truck show until he took her, but she'd enjoyed it. In fact her enthusiasm was quite memorable.
"Not really," she said. "I've heard names. Guys are always talking about things like that, and I guess I've listened."
"Well, no sense anticipating, Let's go see what Mrs. M. has."
He drove them back to the house and parked on the driveway. As they entered, Cameron called out, "Mrs. McClelland? We're home."
"Oh, Allison," the older woman said, coming through the doorway to a room to the right of the entry hall. "I was just watching the television. Hello, again, Doctor. Have you two eaten?"
"We had some pizza after looking at cars," Cameron replied. "I'm afraid mine is a total loss. I just hope the insurance adjuster sees it that way."
"Did you find anything?"
"Not really. Um," she glanced at House before going on. "Could you show us the car you were talking about this morning?"
She led the way to the back door, and out to the yard and detached garage. Cameron helped her lift the heavy door while House held back, watching. The car inside was covered, and as Mrs, McClelland lifted it, dust went flying.
Underneath was a shiny, cherry red Alfa Romeo sports car. House couldn't hold back his exclamation. "Wow! I'm not sure I've ever seen one of these in the flesh!"
But Cameron had to ask, "What is it?"
"It looks like a 1992 Giuletta," House said, running an admiring hand over the hood. He was practically salivating.
"1993, I think," Mrs. McClelland said. "Hamish took very good care of it."
"It looks like it," House agreed.
Cameron smiled at his reaction. Men and cars! "Would you like to take it for a spin?" she asked.
House looked at the two women with an almost childish excitement. "Mrs. McClelland offered it to you, not me," he reminded Cameron.
"Then we each drive for a while," she replied. "I assume it still starts, and has gas in the tank."
"Oh, yes. My son comes by ever couple of months and starts it up. He says you have to so the battery stays charged or something."
"Shall we?" House asked with a grin.
"After you," Cameron said, heading for the passenger's side door.
