Chapter 21: Wondering the Hospital
Kennedy was sitting alone in the classroom reading. Mr. Clash had stepped out to run copies. Kennedy had the book set up on the desk but she wasn't reading. She was thinking of her dad, there was a small tear running down her cheek.
"Is something wrong?" Mrs. Clash walked into the room looking for her husband. When she saw the small girl crying she was concerned. "Where's Mr. Clash?"
"He's making copies." Kennedy sat up straighter, adjusted her book and adverted her view so the other teacher could not see the tears.
Mrs. Clash walked over closer to her. "Honey, why have you been crying?" She placed a loving hand on her back and knelt down to her level.
"I'm fine," Kennedy didn't take her eyes off the book.
"Why don't you go out and play with the other kids during recess? Recess is a good time to make new friends."
"The kids don't like me."
"I bet if they got to know you…"
"No, they think I'm weird. I'm new here and I have two dads and that makes me a freak, at least that is what Megan says. She is friends with everyone and because she doesn't like me none of the rest want to be my friend."
"Is that why you are crying?"
"No, I don't care what others think. My daddy's sick and in the hospital. I am just getting to know my daddy, and I don't want him to die." Kennedy's tears returned.
"What makes you think he's going to die." Mrs. Clash wiped her tears off her cheek.
"My mommy died when she went to the hospital."
"What's wrong with your daddy?"
"He's sick. His medicine made him sick."
"Is it Dr. House that's sick?" She asked.
"Yeah he's my daddy, and Jimmy is, now, my dad."
"You know, your dads saved my life a few years ago." She said smiling.
"Yeah, my daddy's the best doctor ever." Kennedy smiled. "But he's not a nice doctor."
"But if it wasn't for your daddy being mean I would have given up and I wouldn't have gotten married and I wouldn't have a baby. So even though he's mean, it helps him save lives."
Kennedy smiled. "You think he's going to be better?"
"I'm sure of it," Mrs. Clash smiled.
Mr. Clash walked into the classroom.
"Mr. Clash, can I talk in the hall?" Mrs. Clash stood up and walked towards him.
"Umm, sure," He turned and followed her out.
"She was in here crying. Did you know Dr. House was in the hospital?" She asked concerned.
"You, Dr. Wilson came in and told me, he's in rehab! They haven't explained it to her yet." He said leaning on the wall.
"She said his medicine was making him sick. Is that what he is in rehab for?"
"Pain medicine."
Mr. Clash walked back into the class.
"What's rehab?" Kennedy asked when Mr. Clash when he reached his desk.
"What?" Mr. Clash asked.
"You said my dad was in rehab. What's that?"
"It's the hospital."
"I've never heard it call that."
"It is part of the hospital like Diagnostics or oncology." He covered his tracks.
"Oh."
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Wilson picked Kennedy up from school but had to bring her back with him to the hospital. He had a few patients to see so he had her go to House's office to play.
"Hi Kennedy," Chase said when he walked into the office.
"Hi Chase," she grinned her face got red.
"What are you doing here?" He asked sitting in one of the chairs in front of House's desk.
"My dad is with a patient and Daddy's sick."
Chase stared at her confused. "House is with a patient?"
"No, Jimmy is. My daddy is sick," She sat in the chair next to him. Her crush was cute for by standers, awkward for Chase.
"What's wrong with your daddy?" He asked reaching for the tennis ball. Wilson had told them House would be gone for a while and Foreman was in charge until he returned. As well if they needed anything he'd be available to them. But he didn't know House was sick.
"His medicine, he's in rehab. At least that's what my teacher says. Jimmy just said he's sick."
Chase missed the ball when Kennedy said House was in rehab. "He's what?"
"He's here in the hospital." She said.
"Umm, excuse me. I need to go check on my patient." He placed the ball back on the desk and headed for the door.
Kennedy watched as Chase left the room and she sat in the chair for a few more minutes. Then she decided to go fine her dad.
She wondered around the floor she was on for a few minutes. Then she decided that she should talk to a nurse and ask where to go.
A nurse walked past her and she stopped her. "Excuse me, miss, where is the Rehab part of the hospital?'
"Rehab?" The nurse questioned.
"Yeah, my dad is in rehab and I want to talk to him. He's sick."
"Umm, I can take you up there." The nurse extended a hand to the little girl.
They walked up to the forth floor to the rehab center and the nurse walked up to the desk. "This little girl says her dad is here. Is there anyway she can talk to him for a little while?" She asked the other nurse at the front desk.
"Hi sweet heart, what is your dad's name."
"Greg House."
"Dr. House?" She said shocked. "I didn't know he had a child." The second nurse came our from behind the desk and took Kennedy's hand. "Let's go see your dad."
Kennedy took her hand and walked with her into the lounge of the center. "Dr. House you have a visitor."