Chapter 7

Not Sure Why

Days turned into weeks and weeks into months. Fall classes started and Finley found that she was a damn good instructor. Her classes started out two-thirds full and, unlike other courses, she only lost one student in the first two weeks. The buzz on campus was that she made the class entertaining and informative, that she was strict, but fair. By the time her first evaluation was completed by the class, she was scoring a high four out of a perfect five.

It was a good thing that she had her class to look forward to because she no longer had much time with Susan. House, now firmly entrenched in Susan's loft, occupied most of her free time. Although Susan had tried to carve out a day or two each week for time with Finley, House always managed to find a way to cut it short or monopolize Susan when they were all together.

It was obvious to everyone that House did it out of spite, but he did it so skillfully that there was no way to call him on it. As a result, Finley and Susan spent most of their time together within the four walls of PPTH on lunch breaks. Occasionally, they managed to grab drinks together or a movie when House had a patient that made him stay late.

Susan felt guilty most of the time. She had persuaded Finley to move to Princeton so they could be together and then "House" happened. Finley was lonely and Susan could tell. After several months of long hours at had no friends in Princeton and so Susan decided to hold a party so that Finley could meet some single women she might be able to befriend.

When House heard that he was going to have to spend a night at his own apartment, he balked. But when he heard it was because five single women were going to spend the evening at Susan's apartment, his wheels began to turn.

"Come on in!" Susan opened the door and allowed the two average looking women inside. Bottles of wine were presented to Susan and the appropriate introductions were made. Finley, who had spent the last half hour in the kitchen putting together the barbeque chicken salad and garlic bread, smiled and waved at everyone from the kitchen island.

Drinks were poured and dinner served around the coffee table. Susan was excited; Finley and Emily Fredrix seemed to have hit it off and were laughing quite a bit. Elated at their obvious connection, Susan was ebullient, joking and having a good time.

"Susan, you're a glutton for punishment." Catherine Smith said. "I don't know how you hooked up with House of all people."

Susan groaned. "Et tu Cate?"

They all laughed.

"I'd like to see it from your point of view, Susan, but I just can't get my head that far up my ass!" Matilda said.

Everyone laughed and then there was a voice from behind them, a male voice.

"Keep talking, one day you'll say something intelligent."

Susan's shoulders dropped at the sound of his voice. "Greg. What are you doing here?"

"My heater is broken. It was freezing. I'll just hole up in the bedroom, watch some television."

Susan was obviously disappointed and aggravated. "Finley was going to sleep in our room with me since we turned the guest room into an office."

"That's fine with me as long as she doesn't snore. I'll warm the bed for her."

Finley rolled her eyes and stood up to take her salad bowl to the kitchen just to get away from House. "Suze, it's okay. I'm not feeling that well anyway. I think I'll call it a night and go downstairs."

Susan jumped up and stood in front of Finley, whispering, "Just stay for a few minutes ,okay?" Then she turned to House. "Can I see you in the bedroom?"

"You can see all of me in the bedroom. If any of you care to join us, the door will be unlocked." House said over his shoulder as he followed Susan into the bedroom.

Within seconds the yelling started and within fifteen minutes the women had all cleared out except for Finley. She cleaned up the dishes and straightened up. As she started out of the apartment she knocked on the bedroom door. The screaming stopped and Susan opened the door.

"Everyone's gone. I've done the dishes. If you need me, I'm downstairs. Good night." Finley started towards the front door.

"Fin?"

Finley turned to face her. The frustration and disappointment Susan saw in her face caused Susan to wince.

"I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. I'll come down at nine and take you to breakfast, okay?"

"No, I don't think so. For now let's just enjoy what we have…lunch."

"Finley, please! I'll be down at nine and we'll go to breakfast…please?"

Finley could hear the desperation in her voice and couldn't say no. "Fine. I'll see you at nine."

Turning she left and trudged back to her apartment where she had a glass of wine and then went to bed.