GREGORY HOUSE, MD (An Alternate Story)

Chapter IV

House

These hallways feel so familiar and strange at the same time. I feel uncomfortable just looking around the hung pictures. I look at them and I don't recognize the people in it. I don't remember the last time I took a photo. I don't even remember being that. Being that boy who was happy.

Once I heard the click clack of shoes I know she's coming. My mom. It's weird that I'm here. I can't remember the last time I was home. I can't remember the last time I felt home.

"You didn't bring stuff with you?"

"Well, I wasn't expecting to be here let alone stay."

"We'll buy things later..."

"Mom...."

"I've already thrown your dad's clothes I got nothing left for you to wear"

"Okay"

A long silence preceded that conversation. We continued eating then my mom asked.

"How are you son?"

I hesitantly answered, "I'm... I don't know"

She let a long sigh out.

"Tell me what happened."

I told her everything that happened from when I was admitted to Mayfield up to what happened last night.

"Maybe they're right mom. I will always be alone."

"No they're not right. You are not alone. You have me."

She looked at me and smile. A smile full love and appreciation. I smiled back

"You are perfect son. You value the people around you that's why you keep your distance because when they leave, you get hurt. That is normal."

She paused and looked straight in my eyes.

"It means you care."

She paused a while then proceeded

"Now, you just have to open up a little to the people who matter."

It was night time and I'm about to go to bed when my mom stopped me with an invitation.

"That's an invitation to the fire fest."

"Fire fest?"

"Yes. The ones you had when you were young. At the camp."

"They still do that?"

"Yeah. This year they invited us because they are honoring your father"

"Oh. I don't think he'd want me there"

"Of course he does. He loved you Greg. He just doesn't show it in obvious ways."

"But..."

"He was proud of you. It's just that he saw you suffer and he thinks that you being in that hospital makes you suffer more because that place is a reminder of when and how you lose your leg, when you lose all hope"

I wasn't able to answer. That really got me thinking. Am I really miserable because of the hospital? My mom interrupted my thoughts.

"Are you coming?"

"Okay. I will"

We both went to our beds. But as I was drifting, I started thinking about what mom said. Was my dad right?