Chapter 8
It had been a little over a week since Jonah and his parents had gone home. He still kept thinking about him. It was a rare thing for him to think about a patient after they left, but this one was not only interesting because of the rarity of the disease but he was just a kid. Foreman had suggested House write a paper on it, but that was too much effort for House, but he did suggest that Foreman do it, so that there was up to date medical information out there in the community.
The week had been fairly quiet, no patient had come in, but he had had to make up his clinic hours. He had managed to get some much needed rest. He hadn't seen his neighbors either, which wasn't a bad thing. He didn't think he would be getting any more thank you dinners any time soon!
He sat at what had seem to have become his table, he now frequented The Yard as often as he could on a Friday or Saturday night, he really did like hearing the local young or even not so young talent. Some of them were really good and it made a change from sitting at a bar getting drunk on his own.
The music so far tonight had been ok. The bands tonight were Encores – they had had good audience responses so were invited back. He was eating his burger when he heard the sounds of the guitar being played, so he looked up. It was Ella. She started with a song called "I cant make you love me" originally by Bonnie Raitt and she was doing it justice. The "Battlefield" by someone called Jordin Sparks, he had no idea who that was, but it sounded pretty good. And her last song was "I just want to make love to you" a real nice bluesy soulful rendition that she made her own somewhere between Muddy Waters and Etta James. She really did have it!
She had seen him from the stage (well platform really) she was surprised to see him, she didn't really see it as his kind of place, he was probably the oldest person in there by miles. Her Mom had been called into work so she couldn't come, so it was kinda nice to see a familiar face, although she was slowly getting to know a few people, she didn't really have any friends yet. The audience seemed to like her music and her singing, this was probably the loudest cheers she had had so far. Which hopefully meant she might be able to come back again. She thanked everyone and got down from the stage. She put her guitar back in its case and headed straight for his table.
She slumped down on a chair without being invited and looked at him "What's up Doc?" She said smiling, seeing he had some fries left she went to steal some off of his plate, she just about managed it as he smacked her hand away.
"You stealing my food, that's whats up!" He growled, staring at her. They sat in silence for a moment.
"It's not your fault you know, about Jonah" She said quietly, hoping it would clear the air a little.
"I know, but thanks for the confirmation, that made me feel all warm and fuzzy" He quipped.
She smiled at his wit. She enjoyed the limited amount of conversation they had had.
"So where did you get that axe from?" He enquired, changing the subject.
"She's nice isn't she?" She said with pride looking down at the case. "It was my Grandpa's. He used to play it to me when I was younger. Then when I started playing he gave it to me for my inheritance" She said remembering his words "If I give it to you now, no one can moan"
"She is very nice and you play it very well. I bet he is very proud of you" He said unsure of where that was coming from, he ate the last of his fries.
"He died a few years back, never got to see me on stage" She said flatly, she missed her GrandPa. "You kinda remind me of him actually" She said with a small smile.
House was already in flight mode, this conversation had gone a little deep for his liking. "Well I gotta go, see ya" He said disappearing quickly.
She was left sitting on her own, almost like she had been dumped. She looked around cautiously, but no one seemed to be looking. She got up and exited the bar as quickly as could before anyone did notice. Once outside she was surprised to see House in his car, she assumed waiting for her. She walked towards his car
"You want a ride" he questioned. She got in without hesitation and grinned. "You're pretty good up there on the stage" He said glancing out of the window.
"Thanks. I enjoy it. I wish I could do more" She said secretly smiling, she had a feeling she had just been paid a huge compliment.
They sat in silence for the rest of the journey.
"Thanks for the ride" She said as they reached the entrance to the building. House just gave a slight nod as he stopped at his door "And thanks for coming to see me" She said as she passed.
House said nothing, just went into his apartment.
The following afternoon he was playing the piano when there was a soft knock at the door. He stopped playing took hold of his cane and limped to the door. There she stood again, her burgundy unruly curly hair like a main that framed her face, her faded black jeans, an oversized knitted jumper and slippers. Telling him that she was having a lazy Sunday. She held out a pot to him. "Thank you" She said gesturing at the pot.
He opened the door a little more inviting her in without saying a word. She took it straight to the kitchen, she noticed how tidy the place was for a guy on his own. She put it on the side and saw the casserole dish and picked it up. She turned to him "warm it through for about 15 minutes when you are ready" she started back towards him. "Thank you for giving Ella a ride home, it was much appreciated and for gong to see her. I had to go to work so I missed it. She said it went well"
He relaxed a little, no mention of Jonah at least. "I didn't go to see her, she was just there while I was" He was beginning to feel uncomfortable with these kinds of conversations. "But yes she played well. I like hearing her sing and play, she's good"
"well thank you anyway" She said heading towards the door. She was beginning to feel a little bit hot under the collar. Him standing there in is pj bottoms and a tshirt that curved out the muscles in his arms was putting her off.
"She has asked me to take her out on my bike one day" He stated, not sure why now was the appropriate moment to say it, but he didn't really want her to leave, but didn't know what else to say.
"That's not a surprise!" She said smiling
"you wouldn't mind if I took her out" He asked curiously
"No. She's an adult, she can do what she wants, not up to me" She stated, then leant towards him a little and whispered "but don't go too fast please" She said smiling as she left his apartment. She could find no more reasons to stay.
Half an hour later, he was banging on their door. Ella opened the door, House threw his spare helmet at her, which she caught.
"you said you wanted to go for a ride" He said turning abruptly
"Oh my God really?!" She screamed
"Just don't do that again" He retorted.
He took her out for a ride through the country lanes, didn't do over the speed limit, just in case. They were out for about an hour, that's about all he can tolerate in one session.
She was so excited when she got off the bike that she immediately gave him a hug, to which House froze and didn't respond.
"So you going to tell me now then?" He questioned. She gave him a quizzical look. "We had a deal, I take you out on my bike, you tell me whats wrong with you" He gestured with his hands.
"Oh, sure" She said "I was in a car accident a couple of years ago. I damaged the left side of my brain. Doctors weren't sure what mobility I would recover, if any. But as you can see I have recovered pretty much all of it. I will probably always have general weakness down that side. Some days are worse than others. But anything is better than being in a wheelchair." She said smiling at him.
And this time he was actually smiling back at her. He knew exactly what she meant and he was also glad that she didn't have some nasty degenerative disease too, he actually liked the kid.
As they parted at his door, she handed back his helmet "Thanks for that, you should take my Mom for a ride sometime. She would love it, she used to ride herself" She said smiling to herself and hoping that he would.
House went into his apartment, with a little glint in his eye. Maybe he would he thought as he went to the kitchen to warm up the pot that she had left for him.
The End.
OMG! I am so sorry for not completing this. I didn't realise until today that I hadn't actually finished it, I found it in an old note book as I was sorting out to move!