Thanks for the response to this story. Hope everyone continues to enjoy it. I also hope your reading the stories now running by some of my friends: Winter Revels by Brighid45, Remember When by Pyewacket75 and The Meaning of My Life by hilandmum, all wonderful OC stories.

Chapter 2

An hour later, Tom wandered back in the bar and she put a drink in front of him.

"Why are you buttering me up?" he asked her.

"Need a favor."

"You always need a favor."

"And you always oblige."

"Can I help that I have a soft spot for you?"

She smiled at the older man, who had been a mentor and substitute father to her during the years they'd worked together. After he'd left, the connection hadn't ended, it was just further away. When she needed him, he was there for her. She knew he wouldn't refuse her.

"Greg needs a job and a place to live?"

"Who's Greg and why is it any of my concern who he is or what he needs?"

"He's the bum, as you called him. And he's a runaway too. He needs a place to be for awhile."

He looked at her and considered. "You like him?"

She shrugged, "I barely know him. He just needs some help."

"Hummph. Bring him in tonight to talk to me and we'll see."

Later that evening, House walked into the bar. Julia had brought him over, but told him to go in by himself and talk to Tom. He saw the older man behind the bar, watching the old television set that barely got any channels.

House went up and sat at the bar.

"Hi." He said.

Tom glanced at him, then back at the TV. "Julia said you're running away from something."

House started to talk, but Tom interrupted him. "I don't give a shit what it is, except if you killed someone. Are you here because you killed someone?"

"Nope. I'm not here because I killed someone."

"Rape?"

"Nope."

Tom nodded. "Okay. All the other crap, who gives a damn?" he sighed. "Julia is a good lady. She wants to help everyone. And she's had too damn much pain in her life that she didn't deserve. If you do anything to mess with her, you'll be sorry. And don't think because I'm old, I can't take care of it, cause I can."

House nodded. He had no doubts that the tough old man could cause him a good deal of pain. "I won't hurt her."

"She's lonely. Needs a friend. And one who's closer to her age than an old fossil like me."

House just looked at him.

"Okay, you can tend bar a couple of days or whenever Julia doesn't want to. But don't let her give you all of her days. She makes some tips here."

"How about the piano? Can I play?"

"You tell me, can you play?"

House just smiled and limped over to the piano. He sat down and tried out a few keys. It was out of tune, but not as bad as he'd anticipated. He tried a few scales, then went into a simple jazz tune, enjoying the feel of the keys under his fingers again. He missed his piano. After the first tune, he played a more upbeat song, then ended with some Sinatra.

When he stopped, the few people in the bar clapped lightly. He limped back to the bar.

"Okay," Tom said, "You can play any night you're inclined. I'm putting a sign out saying 'Live Music.' Folks like that."

"Okay."

"Julia will take you to one of the beach cabins you can stay in. She's probably outside waiting for you, so go ahead and let me get back to this game."

House realized they hadn't discussed money, but he figured what the hell. Just getting a place to stay that was cheaper than the motel was an advantage. He'd figure out the rest.

Julia was waiting outside, sitting at one of the two tables that had been placed optimistically outside the bar and that none of the patrons ever used. She looked up at him when he came out.

"I'm in." he told her.

"That's great."

"Right, like you didn't know I would be."

"Hey, you never know. Anyway, let's stop at the motel and get your stuff, then I'll take you to your cabin."

They'd met at the bar, but he saw that she was driving a vehicle that looked like a golf cart. He'd seen her riding around the island in it, as did Tom. It must belong to the older man, but he let her use it as well.

House was curious about their relationship, though it certainly didn't seem to be as lovers, more like father and daughter. Was he really her father? If he wasn't, why did he act like it? Having such a contentious relationship with his Dad, he wondered why anyone would choose another one.

But he decided he had plenty of time to find out her story.

All the time in the world right now.

Reviews are like chocolate during PMS!