The Little Things

Chapter 3

We headed out down the street. Luckily Foreman offered to take my gifts to the hospital in his car since I was being escorted around on a motorcycle and would have no room for the gifts. House started heading towards the hospital but as we came to the hospital he kept on going, passing by with no word as to where we were going.

I didn't question him though since I thoroughly trusted him and he couldn't have heard me even if I did question him. We drove for about a half hour before pulling up to a stadium parking lot. He parked the motorcycle and took off his helmet. I took the spare helmet off and decided that I might as well ask the inevitable question that I knew I just had to ask.

"So, what are we doing here?"

"It's a surprise," he responded. "If you get off the bike then I'll be able to show you the surprise."

"Awwww, but I'm comfortable," I said.

"There'll always be the ride home to look forward to."

"Okay, okay! I'm getting up," I said while dismounting the motorcycle.

"That's the opposite of what I need to do," he said while laughing. I gave him an intrigued look and he said, "Just kidding!" He then dismounted the motorcycle himself and said, "See, I was a good boy," while gesturing towards his pants.

I struggled to not look down and instead just looked him in the eyes and laughed. We attached the helmets and then he grabbed me by the arm and said, "Come on, come on! I don't want to miss it."

He waved something at the guards at the front gate and walked passed with no problem. We then walked into a full stadium with revving engines and loud cheering sounding throughout. He led me to our seats which were right up front. He turned to me and placed my pass over my head so that in hung around my neck.

"There you go. What do you think?"

"Wow! This is great! I've wanted to come back to a Monster Truck show ever since we went the first time but I never got around to it. Thank you for doing this for me."

"No problem. I was planning to ditch work either way to come but I figured, it being your birthday and all, you might like to join me. Plus, it gave me a good excuse to ditch work. Cuddy was all for it," he said as he winked at me. "Hey, you want a beer or anything else for that matter?"

"Sure, I could go for one," I responded.

"Cool, I'll be right back." He got up and went to seek out refreshments and he returned with a gigantic yard length beer in his left hand and sat down.

"I hope you don't mind but I figured getting one big beer would be easier then getting two smaller beers. You don't mind sharing do you?"

"No, not at all."

Soon thereafter, the best entrance in Monster Truck history happened when Gravedigger came barreling into the middle of the stadium jumping up and running across twenty seven trucks, lined up two by two and when it reached the end fireworks were set off. It was amazing. Both House and I were on our feet cheering. Gravedigger is our ultimate favorite. We had a great time there. As we left he swung by a souvenir shop and got me a T-Shirt to remember the day. I ran to the women's restroom to put it on so he could see how it looked on me. He seemed to have liked it.

We got back to his motorcycle and rode back to the hospital so I could get my car. It was a wonderful evening and probably the best birthday I had had in fifteen years.

When he dropped me off at my car, I got off the motorcycle and attached the helmet. He took his helmet off as I walked to the front of the motorcycle to say goodbye. I leaned over and hugged him and said, "Thank you!" During the hug, he placed his one free hand around my back and kind of hugged back. It was good for House. Usually he doesn't hug anyone back when they hug him. It's a step in the right direction. I wonder if he's starting to open up to me.

After I released from our hug, I turned and walked to the front driver side door to my car and opened it. I was about to step in when House said, "I hope you had a great birthday Allison!"

Before I could say anything he put his helmet back on and was speeding out of the parking lot. This was definitely an interesting day. I hope there are more days like this to come. Maybe I can break down those walls he's built around his heart yet. I guess I'll know with time.