Chapter Four
House walked into to bar the next evening, a little hesitantly. As he walked in, he saw Melony up on the stage, looking over what looked like sheet music, with the band. He approached Melony and she glanced over at him saying, "Oh good you're here. These are songs that we will be performing. You can go over them with the rest of the band if you would like."
Right then two women came onto the bar and one of them loudly called out to Melony and rushed over to her. They hugged and laughed over a comment that was said about how the women looked in the outfit that they had on for the show. They were in military dress outfits that were the same style as the ones that The Andrew Sisters wore when off "entertaining the boys". The theme of the show that night was a tribute to The Andrew Sisters so the clothes were fitting.
Melony looked over at House who was watching them and called to him and motioned him over.
"Greg, come here and meet the other two singers for tonight. They are also my two best friends. This is Alexis Jones and Jessica Mansfield." House nodded to them not bothering to shake hands with them.
"So you two are performers like Melony?"
Alexis laughed an amused laughed and answered, "No. We're just doing this for fun. I'm a corporate lawyer with Richmond, Leet and Lewis. Jess here is a first grade teacher besides being a parent of three."
"You have three kids?" House asked a bit surprised looking at the woman before him who looked like she couldn't be a day over 12.
"No, I have two. Twin five year old boys." Jessica said after giving Alexis an annoyed look.
"And where are they tonight?"
"With my husband."
"See, what did I tell you. She has three kids."
"Alexis, stop calling Sean a child!"
"Hey, I just call 'em as I see 'em" responded Alexis, earning another annoyed look from Jessica.
House just stood there, taking in the interaction between them and looked both women up and down. Alexis had a no nonsense air about her and gave the impression that she was not to be crossed but also liked to have as much fun as she possibly could. Her skin was the color of coffee with light cream. She had chocolate brown eyes and short black hair, that didn't go past her chin, with chestnut brown streaks. She was lean and tall, his height to be exact. Jessica on the other hand was just pushing 5'5, if even that. She had straight shoulder length blonde hair, emerald green eyes, and a slight tan along with pink cheeks. She had the 'girl next door' look about her. She seemed to be bit more serious than Alexis and Melony, but he did have the impression that she also could have fun, seeing as whom her two best friends were.
Alexis broke through his assessment of them and asked him, "So what do you do Greg?"
"I'm a doctor over at PPTH. I'm surprised that Melony didn't tell you that in your gab fest last night."
She arched an eyebrow at him and said, "Gab fest?"
"You three hung out last night and it's common knowledge that women gab, gossip when together."
"Oh please." She waved her hand at House as if to brush away what he had said before continuing, "We don't 'gab or gossip'. We discuss. There is a difference." Alexis informed him, to everyone's amusement.
"Wow, so you're a doctor. Mel's….."Jessica started to say before Alexis grabbed her arm cutting her off and said, "I think we'd better go and check our makeup. We'll be starting soon." Light dawned in Jessica's eyes and she said, "oh yeah. We'd better go and do that. Nice meeting you Doc. I hope we'll get a chance to talk more later."
House just nodded to her and watched them walk away. Melony also watched them walk away with an amused look on her face. She then turned to face House again and inquired, "So are you all set with the music?"
"Looks good to me. So those are your friends huh."
"Yeah. They are really great. A little overwhelming at times but great just the same. We're always there for each other, no matter what. It's nice to have friends like that." She said with warmth in her eyes and House just nodded. She noticed that he seemed to do that a lot. He wasn't that talkative. She wondered if it was just because they were still new acquaintances or if he just wasn't that talkative of a person.
"Well, I'm going to go tell the boss that we're ready."
House watched her walk away, shaking her head. He saw her approach a man talking to the bartender and her nodded to what she said to him. She then went to where Alexis and Jessica had gone. All three soon came back and the bar was starting to fill. Everyone took their places and they started their first song. They got a good reception from their audience and many couples got up to dance. When the first set was over and the jukebox was put into use, Melony, House, Jess and Alexis walked off the stage together. Alexis was approached by a few guys who had 'cat called' her during a couple of the songs. She went off with them for a drink. Before following them she had said to the others, "this is going to be so amusing!" with mischief in her eyes. Jessica went off to call her husband to see how everything was going on at home. House and Melony went to get drinks. House ordered his usual and Melony ordered a rum and coke to "get into the mood for the next song". When they went back for their second set, they'd be singing Rum and coca cola.
"So are you having fun?" Melony asked.
"Yes." House replied simply.
"Do you think that you may want to continue to fill in for more than one night?"
"Depends. What's in it for me?"
"You mean other than the pleasure of my company?"
"Yeah, that doesn't go that far."
"Hey!"
House gave a low chuckle and drank his drink. Before he could respond, Jessica came up to them.
"So the boys are in bed finally. I guess that they gave Sean a bit of a time. They got in to his shaving cream and the toilet paper. They're like twin tornadoes!"
Melony laughed and said, "Poor Sean. I wish I could've seen his face!"
"He said that he wanted to get mad but the look on the boys faces were priceless he said. They looked so proud of their "art work". He joined in with them and decorated some of the walls with them. I told that it's good that they had fun but if it wasn't cleaned up before I got home, then we'd not have fun for a week!"
"Low blow! Why do women do that?" House spoke up. The two women laughed and before either one could respond, one of the band members came and told them it was time for the second set.
"Ready?" asked Melony.
Jessica answered with a "Yep!" and House with a nod. They got up and House went to the piano, Jessica to the microphones and Melony to find Alexis. She spotted her in the back, leaning up against the wall, an amused look on her face and two men leaning on the wall to either side of her and one in front of her. Each of the men was obviously trying to get her attention more. Melony approached and said, "Excuse me boys, but it's time for my friend here to get back on stage."
They looked put out but let Alexis walk away with Melony.
"How can you stand guys that fawn all over you like that?"
"They're fawning on me, that's how I can stand it!"
This was a typical exchange between the two. It was one of the first bits of conversation that the two had when they meet back in college and now it was a joke between the two. Melony did her usual eye roll and said, "Come on, everyone is waiting."
They walked to the stage, joined Jessica at the microphone and Melony nodded to the band to start. They played through the rest of the set and the audience enjoyed the show. They finished with "Boogie Woogie bugle boy". Melony had looked over at House during the song winked and smiled at him when they sang the word bugle and he responded in like. When they were done and patrons started leaving the bar, the ladies and House ordered drinks and sat at one of the tables to talk.
"So Doc, you think that you'll fill in for the whole time that Will is incapacitated?" Alexis asked.
"Yeah."
"Good. That was some great playing."
"I know." House grinned at her.
"Wow, aren't we conceited."
"Yes, yes we are."
Everyone laughed and Jessica said, "So Alex, I take it that it takes one to know one huh?"
"Oh hahaha." Alexis said dryly before breaking out in a laugh.
"I do hope that you are able to play the whole time that Will is out, Greg. I want to thank you again for helping." Melony said after their laughter had died down.
"No problem. After all I do get to spend time with three hot women." He winked at them.
"Oh, if you're all excuse me; I need to talk to the boss man for a moment. I'll be right back. Do any of you want me to bring back a refill?"
"Nah, I'm good." Jessica said and Alexis and House nodded a yes.
They watched Melony walk away. Once she was out of ear shot Alexis turned and addressed House.
"Tell me. What are your intentions toward our Melony?"
House raised an eyebrow at her and responded, "Wouldn't you like to know."
"Seriously, if you hurt her, I will come at you with all that I got and that is a lot more than you can imagine. You will wish, pray, for death when I'm through with you."
"What are you, a Soprano?" House asked and then turned to Jessica and asked, "Is she serious?"
"Yea, she is. I've seen her in action. There really is no hope once one crosses her. She sticks to a grudge like a fly to flypaper. I've seen her in action."
"You're kidding right?"
"I wish I were." House eyed the two women who were calmly sipping their drinks and looking right back at him. Just then Melony came back, sat down and asked, "So did they harass you? Threaten your life, manhood? Both?"
"Oh you know we'd never do that." Alexis said in an exaggerated innocence.
Melony rolled her eyes and said, "On please! Save the act. I know that twinkle in your eye."
"Why whateva do you mean?" asked Alexis in a Scarlet O'Hara impression and bating her eye lashes.
Melony couldn't help but laugh at her friends antics.
"Fine. Don't tell me."
"Wasn't planning on it."
"Smartss."
"You know it!"
"Okay, moving on. Richard said that tonight was great. He wanted me to tell you Greg thank you for filling in for Will. Also, Alex and Jess, he'd like for us to plan another night soon to perform together. He said that this theme night brought out more people."
"Well I 'm definitely in!" Jessica excitedly said.
"I'm in too. We wouldn't be the group that we are without me!" Alexis said with a look of importance and a flip of her hair.
Melony leaned over to Jessica and said, "Remind me again why we're her friends."
"Hmm I really don't know. Oh wait, I think it's because she usually brings the wine for girl's night. Free booze is always a good thing."
"That's it! She knows how to pick out a great pinot grigio."
"Oh you guys are hilarious. No really. You should do stand up here" said Alexis with a fake annoyed look.
"Ok, enough fooling around. When do you two want to do another show?"
"The last weekend in June is probably going to be my next free one." Jessica told her.
"I'm not sure when I'll be able to. I'll have to get back to you."
"Okay. And Greg. Would you be interested in reuniting with us whenever we come up with a date?"
"Why not."
"Okay that's settled then. We know we want to do another show soon and we know that we need to find a date. At least that's something."
"I hate to leave, but I better get going. Sean is probably wondering where I am."
"I'll walk you out. I have to go into the office early tomorrow."
They all said goodnight and Alexis and Jessica left. House and Melony sat in silence for a bit and then Melony said, "So dinner. Tuesday at 8 o'clock, right?"
"Yes."
"Do you have a preference on where you would like to eat?"
"Actually I know an Italian place that isn't half bad."
"Okay. That sounds good. You can call me with directions and we can meet there?"
"Or I can pick you up. Doesn't really matter."
"Oh. Okay. That may be easier." She took a napkin and wrote her address on it and handed it to House.
"Well, it's getting late and I am beat. I'm going to have to remember not to have a girl's night the night before a performance! Thank you again for helping out and I'll see you Tuesday. Good night Greg." Melony and House both stood up and she gave him a quick peck on the cheek before turning to leave. House watched her go before he downed the rest of his drink, popped a pill and limped out the door. For the first time in a long time, he was looking forward to going out with a woman.