Chapter 3
Susan's Choices
Susan Friday had never known a day in her life without food or shelter. Her family was among the quiet rich that lined the Hudson River in New York and lived lives filled with invitations to important events. Originally into shipping, by the twenty-first century the Fridays had diversified so much that there was no longer one thing that defined the Friday Group. Susan had grown up beautiful, rich and smart. But, despite her outward bravado, she always felt as if someone was going to see her for what she was—not good enough.
Like many women before her, Susan felt as if she was a fraud and someday people were going to discover it. It meant that she spent years of her life trying to prove to herself and her influential family that she wasn't a fraud. She chose difficult classes, impossible men and a specialty that made most people wince. Pediatric Oncology had proven to be more difficult than she had imagined, not because of its technical requirements, but because of the emotional toll it was taking on her.
In her eighth year as a physician, she finally broke down and began a daily regimen of Zoloft and Buspar to control the depression and anxiety that had slowly crept into her life with each death of a child and each tear of a parent. Just when she thought she'd have to quit, Susan was recruited by James Wilson, an oncologist at Princeton Plainsboro Teaching Hospital (PPTH), to join the staff. It meant that she could spend half her time on cases and half her time in the classroom, teaching and thus giving her a breather.
They had met at a symposium, both fans of each other's work. She was fairly sure that James Wilson had seen symptoms of burnout in her and had offered the PPTH position as a way of saving one of the best in the field. One of the best. Just like Finley, she had risen to be the cream of the crop, but she knew only too well that if James Wilson had not thrown her a lifeline, she would have crashed and burned.
And now she had the chance to save Finley. Susan smiled when she thought of Finley moving to Princeton and staying with her. Finley hadn't recognized her own depression; but Susan did. It was obvious that the proximity of her ex and his new bride was taking a toll on Finley's disposition. A few weeks in Princeton and Finley would get her old spark back and Susan would have her best friend close by to ease her recovery from the dead back to the living.
Susan had been at PPTH for four months and was scheduled to start teaching in the fall semester which was scheduled to start in eight weeks. The hospital had a friendly staff and she had made some 'friends', the kind you could talk to and go for drinks, but not the kind that you tell your deepest darkest fears to. Only Finley was blessed with that honor.
The phone call came while she was in rounds. Susan stepped to the desk to take the call. "Hello?"
"They came up with the money—as if you didn't know."
Susan smiled to herself. The foundation had agreed to donate an additional $500,000 to the surgical department for department operations, i.e. salaries. It would give the hospital ten years of the difference between what they wanted to offer Finley and what Finley wanted. After ten years, Finley's department would more than pay for the extra, Susan was sure of it.
"So you took it?"
"Yes. I start in a month."
"Great!"
"Great?" Finley sounded anxious. "I only have a month to shut down a profitable practice, sell my house and move!"
"I could fly out and help."
"You better." Finley said with conviction.
"I have to go, I'll see you tonight."
"No you won't. I'm taking the next flight back to Los Angeles to get the ball rolling. I need all the time I can get."
"Fine…I'll fly out in a few weeks to help you pack. Now, have a safe trip…and get a haircut. The one you have is crappy."
"Oh, good God! I'll see you in a few weeks! Bye!"
Susan gave out a little squeal of happiness and then grabbed the next file.
Two weeks later Susan flew to Los Angeles to find a manic Finley running around town trying to put her life in order so that she could move. Susan took over the packing and the sale of the house so that Finley could concentrate on shutting down her practice. A week later Susan flew home and cleared out a room for Finley. She also arranged for storage of Finley's furniture and possessions in a storage facility.
When Finley arrived, Susan could see that she was exhausted, but she still had a big smile on her face when she saw Susan. The fact that Finley was beautiful inside and out was lost on Finley. Susan and just about anyone around Finley could see it, but not Finley. Susan knew that she was classically prettier than Finley, probably even beautiful, but Finley had something inside of her that made everyone feel safe around her. It was an attractive quality, especially in a cardiac/transplant surgeon.
"I'm so excited that you're here." Susan bubbled as she hugged Finley.
"I am too. I wasn't looking forward to this two weeks ago, but now I am."
"Tomorrow night I've invited some of the staff from PPTH over to meet you. Cuddy is coming and so is my boss. You'll like them."
"Oh, boy! You move quickly. Well, let's get home."
Finley liked the two bedroom, 2,500 square foot, penthouse loft. Finley's bedroom was the mirror image of Susan's and more than ample in size. Both bedrooms had full baths. The remainder of the loft was completely open except for a half bath and a small, but adequate office. The kitchen was modern with all granite counters and high end appliances. Two French doors off the living room exited onto a large balcony overlooking a local park with a large pond and then a view of Princeton. Finley walked around the new digs, trying to find the mail boxes and where all the exits were in the building. The loft had a washer and dryer, but there was another two commercial sets in the basement for the residents. After getting the cook's tour of the building, Susan made a salad and the two friends sat down for an evening in front of the television.
The next morning, Susan woke to find a summer storm brewing outside. She got up and wondered if Finley was up. She didn't have to check the bedroom; she could already smell the coffee brewing. It was like old times, Finley, an early riser, would already have breakfast ready.
"Morning!" Finley called out as Susan crossed the room towards the kitchen.
"Ugh. How can you still be so perky in the mornings?"
"I just am. I made biscuit sand gravy for breakfast."
"Oh, I love you! I haven't had biscuits and gravy since…your house two weeks ago."
Finley grinned at the sarcasm in her voice. "Yeah, but you love it."
"I know! But, my figure doesn't."
"Who's coming tonight?"
"I invited James Wilson and told him to bring a friend. Lisa Cuddy will be flying solo so I invited two more doctors from work, Kale Chopra and Michael Torino. I also invited my new best friend, Matilda Kosinsky, my hairdresser."
Finley raised an eyebrow and rose to the bait. "Best friend?"
"Well, you weren't around, so I had to culminate a new one."
"Oh, really."
Susan put an arm around Finley and gave her a sideways hug. "Don't worry, nothing can replace you."
"Yeah, remember that, especially since I have access to your food source."
Together they spent the morning bicycling around Princeton. Upon returning, Susan grabbed her shopping list and they went to the grocery store to pick up the food for that evening. They decided on beef bourguignon, egg noodles and a side crab salad. Susan already had a large selection of wine in the wine cooler. She chose several: a2001 Barolo Bricco Rocche, Ceretto; a 2007 Two Hands Wines Shiraz Bella's Garden Barossa; and a 2007 Mantazas Creek Chardonnay Sonoma. All were good wines, none were over $100, but all were destined to please the palate.
At six, they both went back to get ready for the party. Susan picked out a well-draped purple jumpsuit with a crisscross halter top and flared legs. She garnished it with large hoop earrings and pulled her hair back into a ponytail. Applying makeup and perfume, Susan then slipped on some comfortable gold sandals. The mirror didn't lie; she looked sexy and sophisticated at the same time.
Walking across the hall, she wanted to see what Finley was going to wear, knowing that she'd probably have to make some substitutions to her outfit. Opening the door, she stuck her head in, finding Finley drying off from her shower. She didn't attempt to cover up; they were like sisters and had seen each other nude on numerous times. Susan noted that Finley's figure was a little thicker around the waist and she didn't have the inverted heart shape butt that Susan had, but Finley's breast were definitely superior. They were high, round and a healthy C cup.
"Damn, you have great knockers." Susan lamented.
"Yeah, I do. Now what do you want?"
"What are you wearing?"
"Oh, you already want to work your magic? You haven't even seen what I'm wearing!"
"Doesn't hurt to get in on the ground floor. Come on." She motioned for Finley to show her.
"Jeans and a shirt." She picked them up from the bed and watched as Susan frowned.
"What else do you have?"
Rolling her eyes, Finley motioned for Susan to come on in. Once in, she opened her closet and held up a hand, "Be my guest. I'm going to put on underwear unless you'd like to choose that too?"
"No, just make sure they aren't granny panties."
After a minute or two, Susan shook her head. "Don't you have anything that can show off those two assets of yours?"
"You mean my brain and beautiful voice?"
"That's it. Come on…my bedroom."
They went across the hall where Susan dived into her closet and pulled out several hangers of clothes. In the end, they picked out a sleeveless white blouse with a deep V and a pair of black Capris that hit just below the knee. Susan applied makeup lightly on Finley's face and eyes. Finley put on a coat of coral lip gloss and then added a pair of long teardrop black earrings.
"Well, am I ready for my close-up?"
Nodding, they laughed.
Dr. Chopra showed up first and assured Finley that he was not related to Depak Chopra. They all had a glass of wine while Susan went into the kitchen to stir the pot. Finley followed her to get the appetizers and so they could have a quick whisper.
"He's good looking, huh?"
Finley nodded. "Yes. He's very nice too, which means you have no desire to jump his bones."
Susan grinned and shrugged. "Can I help it if nice guys do nothing for me?"
"What about your boss?"
"James? He's a nice guy too. Only, he's not as nice as Kale; he comes up with some racy comments from time to time. Besides, he's bringing someone and I'm not sure if it will be male or female."
"And this other doctor, Michael?"
"I don't know him too well. There might be hope."
The doorbell rang and Susan hurried to answer it while Finley took the vegetable tray out to the coffee table. There were noises from the front door, both male and female before they wandered into the living room where Susan made the introductions.
"You already know Lisa, but this is James Wilson, my boss."
Finley liked what she saw. James Wilson looked to be in his late thirties, maybe early forties with nice brown eyes, brown hair and a very acceptable body. He was dressed in a crisply pressed purple shirt and deep brown slacks. He looked very handsome.
"Glad to meet you, James."
The doorbell rang and the remaining guests joined them.
Susan and Finley took the drink orders and stood pouring them on the kitchen island. Susan looked up at the group in the living room who were all engaged in lively talk. As she gave Wilson his glass of wine, Susan asked, "I thought you were bringing someone?"
Lisa spoke up, "Yes I thought you were bringing your famous roommate?"
"He is coming. He was late getting home from the Collegiate Pillow Fight Contest. He'll be up in a few minutes."
Susan turned to Finley, "James lives two floors down."
"Oh."
Michael turned out to be slightly odd making strange segues from topic to topic. It was obvious that he was brilliant; he was just not that comfortable in social settings. Lisa Cuddy took him on; making it her burden to keep Michael entertained. Half an hour later Susan asked if she could serve dinner even though the final guest had not shown.
"Don't wait for him." James said, somewhat annoyed. "He'll catch up."
"Your roommate is the talk of the hospital." Susan said.
Lisa Cuddy sighed. "He's the bane of our existence."
Susan and Finley exchanged amused glances.
Dinner was served and, just as they were all ready to eat, the front door opened and slammed shut. Finley, whose back was to the front door dropped a piece of lettuce in her lap, looked down and picked it up before turning to see who had come in.
"It's about time!" Wilson scolded.
"Sorry, but my favorite hooker called and asked if I needed a back rub tonight."
Susan spoke up, "Hi, I don't think we've met. I'm—"
"You're the hottie that Wilson keeps jerking off to in the shower."
It was the voice that sent chills down Finley's spine. She recognized it even though more than a decade had separated them. Closing her eyes, she began to shake her head.
"Oh, God, no. Please don't tell me…" Eyes still closed, she turned in her chair and opened them. Susan was now standing by their new guest, welcoming him. She had stopped because of Finley's odd behavior.
"Finley?"
Finley opened her eyes and felt the blood drain from her head. It was him. He was older, more disheveled and he carried a cane, but she recognized him easily. Her whole world started to whirl around her.
Gregory House grinned mischievously as soon as he recognized the woman who had turned around in her chair. He had to admit, she was more woman now with more curves, more character in her face and a certain air of confidence, but she was still the woman who had hired an attorney and forced his departure from his second position at a hospital when he was second in command of the infectious disease department.
"Finley, what's wrong?" Susan asked.
Finley pushed away from the table and asked in a terrified voice, "Please tell me that House doesn't work at PPTH?"
Lisa Cuddy stared at Finley. "Yes, he's worked at PPTH for over ten years."
There was a guttural sound that escaped from Finley as she attempted to stand. Her knees were wobbly so she sat back down.
"Well, well, if it isn't little Finley Doyle. " House said with a delicious sneer.
Susan looked at Finley. "Do you two know each other?"
House continued to grin as he walked to the open chair across from Finley and sat down.
Finley sighed. "Oh, I'll never forget when we met. I keep trying, but I can't forget."
"Ouch." House said, pretending to be wounded. "So, have you turned your dogs loose on any other doctors?"
"Nope. I've only had to sic them on you."
"Sorry to disappoint you but, as you can see, I managed to land on my feet."
No one was eating, everyone was transfixed, certain that someone was going to fly across the table and strangle someone.
"Finley, how do you know Greg?" Susan asked as calmly as she could. She knew Finley and had never seen her so distraught .
Finley looked down at her plate and tried to calm herself. "He worked at the hospital when I was a resident in surgery. He sexually harassed me to the point that I had to hire your uncle to confront the hospital about his behavior. The hospital fired him."
Susan's eyes grew wide. "Oh my God! It was Greg House?"
Finley nodded. "And now I'm going to be working at the same hospital again."
There was dead silence as everyone contemplated what this meant. Lisa Cuddy sat back in her chair and stared forward into the air. She realized that, without knowing it, she had just dropped the atom bomb in the middle of the hospital. Her two prized physicians, the two that she was hanging the future of her career on, hated each other. Could it get any worse?
Wilson fidgeted in his seat. Talking in a low voice he leaned into House, "House, please behave. Remember that you're a guest."
House announced very loudly, "I wasn't the one who got fired."
"You were a pig!" Finley shouted. Looking around, she saw the looks of shock and embarrassment. Taking a deep breath, Finley stood up. "I'm sorry, Susan, I have a really bad headache. I hope you all forgive me. I think I need to lie down."
There were some mumblings of approval and then Finley took off down the short hall to her room. Closing the door behind her, it dawned on her that she had just left one hospital to get away from one asshole only to end up in a hospital with an even bigger one. At least her ex didn't try to make her life miserable at work, he only did so by proxy. Angry tears finally came to her eyes, but she refused to give in to them. She had a one year contract and she was going to make it work and then she'd find a new job.
The door opened and Susan slipped inside with a plate of food. "I know you don't have a headache, that you're avoiding House—actually we all know that—but I thought I'd bring you a plate of food."
"Thanks, I'm really hungry."
"I better get out there, but we'll talk more later." She tried to encourage Finley with a smile. "I'm really sorry."
"It's my own fault. I should have done my homework. Go ahead, get back out there."
Susan left ; joining the group at the table. Finley turned on the television and watched a little tv. Occasionally she heard loud peals of laughter and the general murmuring of a dinner party. She was happy that she didn't cause it to break up. After an hour of watching television, Finley felt her eyes closing. Before long, she was asleep.