Chapter 21

In mid-November, House spent another weekend in New York with Casey. The weekends were too few and far between for his taste, but he didn't want to push it. She had gotten a part in an off-Broadway production and had been busy, so he hadn't pushed it. But finally, he was going to see her.

She was performing on Saturday night and seemed a little reluctant to have him see it.

"It's just a little musical. And it's not just off Broadway, it's way off Broadway. A little avant-garde, if you know what I mean."

"I don't know what you mean, unless you mean weird."

Her face said that he'd hit the nail on the head. "Come on, how bad can it be? You're in it, right? It's got to be pretty good."

She sighed and said, "Okay, If you really want to."

It wasn't just weird, it was downright bizarre. And even Casey's performance couldn't save it.

When he saw her afterwards, she avoided his eyes, knowing how he would feel about it. They were both silent for some time, she didn't want to hear his opinion of it and he didn't want to hurt her. But eventually, neither of them could hold it in.

"Okay," she began, "Go ahead and tell me. What did you think?"

He stared at the table of the Irish pub they were in and didn't say anything.

"Come on, you can tell me."

His blue eyes stared at her. "Are you sure you want the truth?"

"Yes, I do."

"It was the most God-awful thing I have ever seen. And I have seen some pretty bad things in my life."

"Wow, when you're being honest, you don't hold back."

"You wanted the truth."

"I did."

"Casey, I don't get it. Even you couldn't save that piece of crap. What the hell are you doing? You've got a lot more talent than that?"

"Times are hard, there aren't a lot of shows casting right now. Might be better in the spring. In the meantime, I have to eat."

"If you need money…"

She stopped him. "No! Do not offer me money. I can make my own way. I always have in the past. I'll make it through this."

What she didn't tell him was that it wasn't that shows weren't casting, the truth was they weren't casting her. She had tried out for dozens of shows, plays, off Broadway, repertory productions, everything she could think of and that her agent could find. She had contacted everyone she knew to call in favors.

It didn't matter. She'd gone to numerous auditions, but no one hired her. Even producers and directors that she worked with before and who had always liked her, avoided her eyes when she was finished and said they'd contact her. But they didn't.

The only reason she was in this piece of crap show was that no one wanted to do it. The writer and star of the show was a spoiled rich kid. He was financing it with his own money. The audience was sparse and usually consisted of his friends and those who hung around hoping to get a piece of his fortune. It was known around town as the show that people worked in when they couldn't get anything else.

In the past Casey wouldn't have been caught dead in a show like that. But when you have no money, you do whatever you can.

She didn't understand what was wrong with her. She'd always been able to get work, even if it was just chorus work. But she'd always worked, always been able to pay her bills.

Had the time she'd been away to take care of Tiffany caused her to lose her talent? She didn't know the answer, but she couldn't tell House this. She didn't want his money or his pity.

So, she tried to brush it off while he was there. "It's not a big deal. There are some new shows casting soon. I'm sure something will come up. So I do this for awhile. It won't kill me."

She smiled at him and he smiled back. He didn't know why she was doing this show, but he knew that what she was telling him wasn't the truth. He thought about pushing her on it, but they hadn't been together for several weeks and he didn't want to spend this one fighting with her.

Even though he knew there was more that she was keeping from him. Like the vagueness about her moving. She told him something about Lani needing the sofa for someone else. So she moved in with some other friends. What she didn't tell him was the Lani needed Casey to chip in on the bills and when she couldn't, she had to move. Casey found a spot with some other friends, actually three guys, but they lived in a really bad part of the city. But their apartment was a lot cheaper and since Casey volunteered to cook and clean for them, they didn't charge her anything.

Casey went back to Princeton for Thanksgiving and helped Wilson cook dinner for the three of them. It was nice, relaxed. They tried to avoid talking about Tiffany or New York. She returned to the city on Friday. House had a case, so he couldn't come with her.

At December's visit to her niece, Casey asked the housekeeper if she could speak to Mrs. Pendleton before seeing Tiffany.

When Muffy appeared, Casey asked her, "Do you think Tiffany could come and spend Christmas with me?"

Muffy appeared annoyed. "That wasn't in the visitation agreement. One Sunday a month. And since this is December, you've used your visit for this month. And she's to stay here during your visit."

"At the time the agreement was signed, it was supposed to be temporary, until Tiffany adjusted to her life here. It's been several months now."

"And she has still not adjusted. Frankly, I was going to speak to you after the holidays. I am concerned about your friend, Dr. House."

"Why?"

"It has come to my attention that Tiffany continues to communicate with him."

"They are very good friends."

"It's unnatural for a middle-aged man to have a connection with an adolescent girl. I'm worried that he might be a pedophile."

"Are you crazy? Greg? No way!"

"I'm sure if I brought this situation to the court, they would agree with me. And since I am Tiffany's guardian, I must look out for her welfare. So you will make sure these communications stop. Immediately. Or I will see to it that these visits cease as well."

Casey couldn't hold it much longer. "You bitch! How dare you? You lied to the court, all that bullshit about making it up to your dead sister. You didn't give a fig for Beth. You disapproved of her choices and took yourself out of her life. And now the only reason you wanted Tiffany was so that your husband could run for office."

Muffy was not flustered by Casey's outburst. The smug look on her face remained. "I hope you enjoyed your little tirade. Yes, my husband is running for office. And he will win. His family has been involved in politics for many, many years. He has excellent connections. He plays golf weekly with important people. Senators, congressmen, judges, district attorneys.

"And those connections will help to ensure that we avoid unpleasantness like this in the future. Enjoy your visit today. It will be your last. And be sure to tell your boyfriend that if he continues to communicate with Tiffany, he will be arrested as a pedophile. And we can do it."

She gave Casey an icy smile and left the room. Casey was floored. How could she tell Tiffany? They were just starting to talk a little more each month.

When her niece came in, she went immediately to the window and turned around in disappointment when she saw that House's car wasn't there.

"Tif," Casey began. "We need to talk."

The child looked up at her warily. She had learned recently that when someone said those words, the next ones weren't going to be any that she'd like.

"I was talking to Muffy to find out if you could spend Christmas with me."

Her niece's eyes brightened a bit which broke Casey's heart when she had to continue.

"She won't let you. That's not in the visitation agreement, so she said no."

Tiffany shrugged. "It's okay."

"Honey, there's more. Your aunt and uncle think that it's best if you don't communicate with Greg."

The girl was suddenly animated. "Why? He's my friend!"

"I know. And I know how much you care about him. But they don't think it's a good idea for a young girl and an adult male to be friends."

"I don't care what they think! They can't stop me!"

"Actually, they can. They can get Greg in trouble. They could have him arrested."

"He could be arrested for talking to me?"

Casey nodded. "I'm sorry, sweetie. I know how that must hurt."

Tiffany seemed to withdraw into herself as she shrugged again. "Whatever."

Casey bit her bottom lip, wondering how she was going to tell this next part. "Tif, one more thing. Your aunt thinks that it would be better if I didn't visit you either."

The girl looked up, anger in her eyes. "Do you think that?"

"No! Of course I don't. I want to see you more. But she's your guardian."

"Because you gave me to her!"

"I know! I kick myself everyday for what I did! It was the stupidest thing I could ever have done. I'm so, so sorry."

"Are you going to just stop coming?"

"No, I'm not. I'm going to the court and find out what I can do. They promised I could see you and I'm not going to let them stop me."

"You need to get a lawyer."

"Honey, I don't have the money for a lawyer. I have to do what I can through the court."

Tiffany stared at her for a few moments, then nodded. "Okay, whatever."

"Tif, just give me some time. I will work this out, I promise!"