Chapter N°7
Daniel is officially a pain in the ass. Not surprising. But it would have been good, just this time, if he decided to play the part of 'the big brother'.
You've called your siblings from the washed white phone in your father's room, and, while has been a piece of cake convincing Buck and Charles that you weren't kidding, your older brother is still laughing thinking this is all a strange joke. Sure, it's April's Fools, but you would never pull a prank like this. And that's why, once your temper snap, every nurse two floors below can clearly hear you shouting
"Daniel James!!! If you don't bring your lazy ass here this evening I will never speak to you again. And for pity sake stop being a jerk for a minute will ya?!"
"…"
"For the last time: I'm not jerking you around!!! Mom told me just four days ago…"
"…"
"Yeah, well sorry for having other things to do…like preparing his hospitalization!!!"
"…"
"What are you on? Dan, I'm royally pissed right now, so do whatever you want, but know that pà is here…and it's not good, ok? Bye!"
You hang on him and you don't care that he is still spluttering something about respect of your elders. You're caught in a black pool full of mirth, and soon a rasping chuckle make its way from your dad's lips.
There isn't the sidles sound, and with a start you notice that every nurse and doctor in a mile radius, is looking at you with a gaping expression. Save House, that seems to be on the verge of tears, and is as red as Rudolph's nose. Or your face.
" Wow!!! That was brilliant!!! I could come in my pants from your shrieks alone!!!"
Oh. God.
Your dad is looking at you with the usual 'why is it that you know just strange people' look. On the other end, your boss is on the receiving end of the 'that's my baby you insulted here' look, and it seems that, strangely enough, is working. But then again, it's well after ten, and you could bet your last cup of tea that he is just coming from a round with your mother. And it seems that she has done a right number on him.
Your laugh dies in your throat: it wouldn't do for him to know that you prouposedly led him to this fate. But your eyes might have betrayed you, because his mouth is pressed in a thin line and an unforgiving mood selettles on his shoulders.
"Hullo. Fancying meeting you here, isn't it?"
A snort escapes you, and you know, just now, that if not for your father, he would chew and spit you in a matter of seconds.
"Yes…and where should I be? You told me to go and play 'grieving family' after all"
"Oh, well, I don't know…at your home maybe…since I also told you that I would bring news"
Your father has caught up in what you've done, and he's turning purple from repressed laughter
"And you know what? The strangest thing happened: when none opened the door, I let myself in…"
"You picked my lock you mean?"
"…as I was saying, I let myself in, and, surprise surprise, a monster tries to eat my crotch, and then a crazy old lady in an ugly bathrobe tries to kill me with an hairdryer. You wouldn't know anything about that, do you?"
You can't stop the giggles now, and soon your father's warm crackle joins you. You see House, haragged and tired and your conscience tries to ruin your fun. But then you see his pout, the way his eyes seem to acquire that wicked look he reserves just for you, and everything is right again.
Until your father begins to cough up blood, that is.