Back Door Man 
 

Fightertown U.S.A. was made famous in the Tom Cruise movie, Top Gun but we
were familiar with the Naval Air Station, Miramar, California, long before
the movie came out. My Dad was a Navy pilot who received orders to report
for a teaching position at Fightertown in January, 1977. His duty station
was for three years, so that meant that my mother, brother and I could
actually live in a house and not Navy housing. We were going to be around
long enough to make it worth it to my parents to purchase a home. 
 

The new orders meant that, once again, we were being dragged from our
schools, our friends and our home and transplanted to a new environment.
My half-brother, Jeff, and I were suppose to suck it up and adapt to the
new surroundings just like we had a dozen times before. Jeff had just
graduated from high school, so he was going to college. He wanted to be a
chemical engineer so he talked Dad into taking him up to register for the
fall semester at UCSD.	
 

My parents found a house on Sierra Drive in Rancho Penasquitos, a newer
community just north of the base. It was a two story house with Spanish
roof tiles. The house was three years old. Next door was a larger single
story house with a big swimming pool in the back that I could see from my
back bedroom window. It was a neat pool with a patio off to the side and a
big built in barbeque. The back yard looked like a Hawaiian paradise. Our
back yard was rocks and dirt and weeds and it would stay that way until I
moved out of that house.  
 

When we first moved in, I could hear a lot of yelling next door. It was
obviously a father yelling at his son. It happened so often that I learned
to ignore it. I tried to concentrate on my diary each night rather than
the voices down below. But over the weeks, I began to feel sorry for both
of them. They sounded more frustrated with each other than angry. It was
if they were talking but not really communicating to the other what they
really wanted to say. Occasionally I would hear a woman interject her
voice and ask John to calm down or Greg to listen to his father. But she
sounded sad and lonely when she did.  
 

My Mom didnt yell, she didnt say much at all. She once told me I was a
huge disappointment because I didnt want to take ballet or go shopping.
She thought when she had a girl that we would share our souls, play
Barbies, shop for clothes, engage in girlie things. I knew I had
disappointed her, I wasnt sure if my Dad had similar feelings. He was
rarely home, spending most of his time in the cockpit or at the officers
club. My Mom spent most of her time trying to find the bottom of a gin and
tonic.	
 

About three months after we moved into the Sierra Drive house I came home
and found my Moms room torn apart and clothes strewn around but I couldnt
find her. I called my Dad and he came home right away. I was nine years
old and my Mom had decided to run off with the construction guy that had
been working on the roof across the street.  
 

My Dad was very sad so he spent most of his time taking comfort at work.
My brother was in charge of me, but Jeff was usually stoned on weed most
of the time. I ended up learning how to make myself dinner, clean my
clothes and get myself to bed. But I didnt have anyone to help me with my
homework. I was in advanced classes but I was struggling. We were working
on fractions and I was having a hard time dividing a fraction with a
fraction. I couldnt figure it out and I was so frustrated I had started
crying. 
 

I decided to wait for Dad or Jeff to get home, no matter how late it was.
So I went outside and sat on the front doorstep. My brother was at his
friends house so I doubted he would be the first one home. He usually
stayed out late these days or didnt come home at all. Dad was teaching the
fighter pilots some tricky maneuvers and that meant Dad would be late too.

 

I could hear a guitar playing in the garage next door. The door was
partially up and I could see feet and tennis shoes and an amplifier. I
listened to the guitar rifts and wondered who was playing. Could it be
John? Was it Greg? I hadnt met our neighbors. I had seen a woman, she was
pretty with lovely dark hair. She didnt look at all like my Mom did. She
looked graceful and manicured, like she cared what she looked like. She
had a military sticker on her car so I knew that her husband must be in
the service. She even smiled and waved at me once. I waved back. 
 

Our front yard still had patches of grass but they were going brown
quickly. The planters had weeds and the tropical plants were overgrown. I
dont think the neighbors appreciated our landscaping talents. Everyone
elses yards were cut, mowed, trimmed, fertilized and green. We had become
those neighbors. 
 

The music stopped next door and the garage door opened up. A skinny guy
about my brothers age stepped out into the driveway. He went over to a
1966 Blue Mustang and leaned on it as if he was waiting for someone to
come. He had on 501 levis and a blue plaid cotton shirt. He had shoulder
length reddish brown wavy hair. I could only see the back of him as he
looked down the street. I sneezed and he whipped around and looked at me.
His eyes were blue, this cold, cold blue. He looked at me as if he could
read everything about me. He looked me up and down. 
 

What are you looking at? He snarled at me. 
 

Nothing. I looked away from him and down at my shoes. 
 

A few minutes later a car drove up and he went to the window. He reached
in his pocket and pulled out a twenty and gave it to the boy next to the
window. Another guy in the back handed him something out the window. The
car left and the guy looked around and saw me again. 
 

Whats your name? he asked more like a demand than a simple question. 
 

Maggie. I said. 
 

Maggie? Or Margaret?  
 

Just Maggie. 
 

He walked over to the step. Man when they say, there goes the
neighborhood. they must be referring to your family. Doesnt your old man
water or weed? 
 

Hes working late.  
 

What about your Mom? 
 

Shes not here. 
 

What do you mean, not here. 
 

She left last month and hasnt been back. I said, still looking down at my
shoes. 
 

Whats that in your hand? 
 

Fractions. 
 

Let me see. He grabbed my homework out of my hand and looked it over. He
scowled, Youve got this one wrong. Its a stupid mistake. You dont multiply
here, you multiply this number. 
 

Why? 
 

Because you always multiply the inverse number in these equations. Hand me
your pencil. 
 

He spent about ten minutes showing her and then said. Dont they teach you
anything in school? Or are they all as dumb as you are? 
 

Im not dumb. Im only in fourth grade and fractions are hard. 
 

Yeah, well, so is life. He started to look around when he heard a car
approaching. Crap its the old flyboy himself. 
 

Who? I asked. 
 

My Dad, he commands the Marine squadron of pilots down at Fightertown.
Well, youre boring me, time to go. He started back over to his driveway. 
 

Hey, whats your name? I yelled at him. 
 

Greg, Greg House. 
 

Thanks Greg. 
 

I waited on the step for my Dad anyway. With my fractions done, there was
nothing for me to do and I was bored.  
 

The lady next door came out, waved at me and then got in her car and drove
off. About two hours later she pulled back into her driveway. It was dark
but I had the front porch light on. She got out of her car, stopped in her
driveway and waved again at me. I waved back. She started to go back
inside, looked over her shoulder at me, paused as if she might come over,
but changed her mind and continued to go inside. 
 

At 10:30 pm my dad pulled up in our car. Hey Pumpkin, what ya doin sitting
out here? You waitin for me? 
 

Yeah. He gave me a peck on the cheek and I could smell the beer. 
 

What did you have for dinner? 
 

I had a sandwich and some soup. I lied, I had forgotten to eat but I knew
he would just get all upset if I told him the truth. 
 

Wheres Jeff? 
 

You just missed him, he went to his friends house. Another lie, to protect
Jeff. 
 

Hey kiddo, do you think tomorrow you could do a load of laundry? I need
some skivies. 
 

Sure Dad. 
 

Pumpkin, you need to get to sleep, now go to bed. Give me a kiss before
you do. I kissed him goodnight and went up to my room. 
 

I heard some yelling from next door. Now I had a face to put with Greg and
one to put with John. When I would hear voices I would picture them
arguing.  
 

One day there was a knock on the door and when I answered it, the pretty
woman from next door was standing there. She was in slacks and a cotton
top.  
 

Is your Mom home? 
 

No, maam. 
 

Your Dad? She asked. 
 

No, maam. 
 

Are you here alone? 
 

My brother Jeff is in his bedroom. 
 

I see. Can I come in? 
 

I opened the door for her to come inside. Im Mrs. House, I live next door.
My son says that your Mom is gone. Is that true? 
 

Yes, Maam. She left a little over a month ago.	
 

Mrs. House was looking around the room. I tried to keep the house clean
but I couldnt get our vacuum to work anymore. It was plugged up. The
kitchen was pretty clean because I had just finished the dishes and wiped
down the counter.  
 

Have you eaten? You look pretty skinny. Whats your name? 
 

Yes, Ive eaten Maam. My name is Maggie Malloy. 
 

What did you eat for dinner? 
 

A sandwich and some soup. 
 

Show me what you put in the sandwich. She was nice but authoritative. I
felt like she was a principal and I just got caught cheating. She seemed
like she could tell that I was lying. 
 

I ate it Maam. Theres nothing left. 
 

Maggie, I dont think there was a sandwich or soup. Every time I see you
youre skinnier. Let me see your refrigerator. 
 

I took her into the kitchen and she opened the refrigerator. She turned up
her nose and took out the carton of milk and threw it out. She also
grabbed some of the bad vegetables and threw them away. Honey, theres
nothing in here to eat. 
 

My Dad is going to go to the grocery store when he gets home tonight. 
 

Honey, its 8:00 p.m. He wont be going tonight. I want you to come over to
my house for a snack and talk to me. Go tell your brother. Ok? Come on. 
 

Yes, maam. I went into my brothers room but he was sleeping. He wouldnt
miss me. So I went with her next door. 
 

Occasionally, I would make friends with new kids and get invited to their
houses and their homes would look like this, clean, decorated, nice
furniture, sparkling floors. I felt funny being there because I knew my
Dad would be upset with me. But I was hungry. Mrs. House sat me at the
table while she went into the kitchen. A man with gray hair, the flyboy
that I assumed was Mr. House, came into the dining room and said, Hi
sweetie, who are you? 
 

Maggie, sir. 
 

Oh, youre the little girl next door, right? 
 

Yes, sir. 
 

Are you Commander Rory Molloys daughter? 
 

Yes, sir. 
 

Sorry about your mother. 
 

Thank you, sir. 
 

He went into the kitchen and asked his wife what I was doing there. The
voices were muffled but I could hear Mrs. House tell him that my house was
messy, there was no food and no one watching me. Mr. House told her that
my dad was doing the best he could but that the training was going late
most of this month. She told him she wasnt going to let me go home hungry.

 

I kept looking around for Greg but I didnt see him. A few minutes later
Mrs. House brought me out a plate with roast beef, potatoes and gravy, and
some green beans. She gave me a glass of milk to go with it. I thanked her
and tucked in. It was great. My mom didnt cook much when she was around so
I wasnt used to having a hot meal for dinner.  
 

Mr. and Mrs. House watched me like I was an alien that just landed in
their dining room. I tried to eat with my mouth closed and sit up
straight, but they were still staring when I finished a couple minutes
later. Maggie, would you like some more, you ate that rather quickly. 
 

Yes, maam, if you have some more and it wouldnt be a bother. 
 

She took the plate into the kitchen and I heard her tell Mr. House, I told
you that girl was hungry. 

  

Mr. House told her that he would talk to my Dad. Mrs. House brought me
another plate when I heard the front door open and close. My heart made a
flip flop motion. I tried to look over by the front door but couldnt see.
Then I heard his voice. Mom, have you got ... What are you doing here? He
stopped and looked at me with those eyes. 
 

He was standing in front of the table in brown corduroy pants and a short
sleeved shirt. He reached over and took a piece of roast beef off my
plate. His mother slapped his hand. Whaaa? He looked at her. 
 

Dont take food off her plate, shes hungry. What did you want? 
 

Do you have five bucks for the movies? Theres a new movie out called Star
Wars and were going to go see it. 
 

Yes, but when are you going to get a job like your Dad told you?  
 

He scrunched up his face like he found the idea distasteful. Im going to
look next week. Can I get that $5.00 now? 
 

Mrs. House went to get her purse. Greg looked at me, Dont they feed you at
your house? 
 

I shrugged my shoulders. I fed myself when I could find food. I ate lunch
every day as long as my Dad remembered to leave me lunch money. Sometimes
he forgot. All I knew was that the last meal I had was breakfast and the
milk on the cereal had tasted terrible.  
 

My brother told me he was going to take me to see Star Wars some day. He
saw it a week ago and said it was cool. I tried to make conversation so
that he would stay and talk to me. 
 

Yeah, yeah...well we know what a loser your brother is, dont we? Youll be
lucky to see Star Wars when youre old and your boobs are scraping the
floor. 
 

His mother came into the room and handed Greg $5.00. Greg was off. I
watched him go towards the door and I heard the door close. Are you done
honey? 
 

Yes Maam. Maam? 
 

Yes Maggie? 
 

Could you please ask Mr. House not to tell my Dad I was here? My Dad wont
like the fact that I came here for dinner, he thinks I fix my own dinner. 
 

But honey, your Dad needs to know you need help taking care of yourself. 
 

My Dad works hard and I dont want him to worry about me. Ill ask him for
grocery money this weekend and Ill get some food to cook with. Please dont
say anything. Hell ground me. 
 

Ok, Maggie. But if you get hungry, you just come over here and Ill feed
you, ok? 
 

Yes, Maam. 

 *** 

Over the next few months I ate a lot with Colonel House and Mrs. House.
Greg rarely was in the same room as his father so I didnt see him much
when I was at the table. There was some real tension between them. But
Greg and my brother became friends. Greg liked the pot my brother had and
the musical equipment he owned. They jammed together in Gregs garage for
awhile but then realized there were no adults at our house and so they
moved the music into our garage. 
 

I watched Mrs. House clean up and I tried to clean our house like her. But
I still couldnt get the vacuum to work. I dragged the vacuum out to the
garage to see if Jeff could fix it. There was a haze of dope hanging in
the air as they got high. Jeff was laying back on an old sofa smoking pot
and Greg was sitting on a stool playing various songs on his guitar. 
 

What do you think youre doing? Jeff asked me. 
 

Can you fix this darn thing. It wont work and I cant vacuum. Please? 
 

Get out of here, Im not going to fix a stupid vacuum so that you can play
Suzie Homemaker. Christ, you are about as dumb and ugly as they come. Jeff
was waving me away.  
 

I was pretty sure he was right, I was ugly, thats what the boys said at
school and I must be dumb if I couldnt even figure out how to make a
vacuum work. I dragged it back inside through the back door and sat down
next to it in the kitchen to see if I could figure out why it wouldnt
work.  
 

The back door opened and Greg walked into the kitchen, opened the
refrigerator and grabbed a beer. He opened it with a bottle opener and
looked down at me. What happens when you plug it in? 
 

It makes all the right noises but it doesnt pick up any dirt. 
 

He sat his beer down and opened up the back of the machine. Your problem
is that you need a new vacuum bag, this one is full...really full. Do you
have a bag? 
 

Ill go look. I went in the closet where the vacuum was kept. I found some
bags. I brought one out to him. 
 

Now watch me, because Im only going to show you this once and dont you
dare tell my Mom that I know how to change a vacuum bag. 
 

He showed me step by step how to change it. It was pretty easy. I plugged
it in and it picked up dirt really well. I smiled at him, Thank you. He
just nodded, took his beer and went back to the garage.  
 

My brother had a job at the local Farrells Ice Cream Parlor in Mission
Valley. He waited tables on snotty kids and fresh teenagers who came in
for ice cream specialties after the movies. Whenever he left for his job,
Greg would stay behind in the garage and play his various musical
instruments. Greg had found a job too, but it was only twenty hours a week
working at the local ambulance company. He cleaned and stocked the
ambulances after they came in for the night. He said that a lot of times
he cleaned out blood and body parts. It paid well for 1977, $4.97 an hour.
He liked it because it allowed for him to have the rest of his summer days
and nights free. 
 

When he was alone I would go out in the garage and sit on the sofa and
listen to him play. He ignored me for the most part. But every once in
awhile he would ask, Did you like that one? when he was working on a new
song. 
 

The truth is that I would have liked anything that Greg House played. I
had a huge crush on those eyes. Sometimes he would break my heart by
bringing some 18 year old girl over and make out in the garage on the
sofa. Sometimes I would see underwear on the floor and when Greg would
hear the garage door open he would yell for me to get out of there. The
girls never lasted long. My brother told one of his friends that it took
Greg House about two weeks before he started tearing apart his
girlfriends. If they lasted two weeks Jeff would tease Greg about it
getting serious. 
 

When the other guys would come over they would jam. They had drums, bass,
treble guitar and a keyboard that was humongous. I would sneak in and sit
on the floor under some old furniture and listen. I dont think my brother
knew I was there, he was too stoned but everyone once in awhile Greg would
look under to see if I was ok. You still alive? He would ask. 
 

Greg was teased a lot by my brother because Greg wanted to be a doctor.
How are you ever going to make it through med school? Youre as lazy as I
am...and youre going to have to be a slave to residents and
attendings...and so on...how are you going deal with that? You dont
exactly respond well to authority. 
 

Greg would make a snide comment about Jeffs lack of cajones, Yeah, well if
you really wanted to be a chemical engineer, why didnt you apply to Cal
Tech or MIT? Oh, thats right, your Mom got the hots for the hot mopper and
now youre stuck babysitting your sister. 
 

They would always end up in a yelling match that would be resolved by a
rift war. There was no doubt in my mind that Greg was the best musician in
the group. I envied him being able to play an instrument. I had wanted to
play the violin but my mother wanted me to play flute. I refused to play
flute, so I didnt get to play anything. 
 

One Saturday my brother and Greg had decided to take off for the beach and
cruise for chicks. They got into their trunks, t-shirt and zorries and
took off. They didnt know that I had hidden myself on the floor behind the
front seat. When we got down to Ocean Beach they parked the car and got
out. I stayed down for a few minutes and then stuck my head up. I took off
my sweater because it was too hot and left it in the back. I got out and
started to walk around Belmont Park, an old seaside amusement park. It was
next door to the Plunge, a large indoor swimming pool that sat a football
field away from the ocean. 
 

I walked around oblivious to time. I rarely got to go anywhere. My brother
never took me out and my Dad was either working or at the Officers Club.
It was fun being out somewhere new. I loved the smell of carmel corn, the
ocean and the sound of the waves pounding the shore. 
 

Apparently when they got back to the car Greg spotted my sweater. Hey man,
your sister must have been hiding in the car...look her sweater is in the
back seat. 
 

Nah, she probably left that when I took her to school the other day. Lets
go, that party should be fun. 
 

Hey, shes here somewhere. That sweater wasnt on your back seat when we got
in...I would have noticed it. Jeff looked at Greg like he was crazy. I
WOULD HAVE NOTICED IT. I notice things and that sweater wasnt there. 
 

Jeff started looking around the parking lot. Damn it, where would she go? 

 

Greg and Jeff split up with a rendezvous point and time. Here at the
roller coaster in half an hour. 
 

They both looked but it was Greg that finally spotted me. He later told me
that I was squealing and giggling as I ran in and out of the ocean,
letting the waves catch up to me and then standing as the sand was pulled
out to sea around my feet. He said that I looked so innocent and happy. 
 

When I saw Greg I thought I was in trouble so I almost ran away. But he
took off his shoes and joined me in the water. He splashed me and I
splashed him and we chased each other around in the surf playing tag.
About ten minutes later he grabbed my wrist. Times up. We have to get
back. 
 

As we were putting on our shoes he said, You act like youve never been in
the ocean before. 
 

I just kept my mouth shut and looked at my feet. 
 

Well, have you? 
 

Yeah, I saw some pictures where my Dad is holding me at he edge of the
water and my feet are dangling in it. I was still wearing diapers so I
really dont remember it. 
 

How old are you? 
 

Nine. 
 

And this is the first time you can remember being in the ocean? Thats
pathetic. Youre pretty pathetic, did you know that? 
 

Yeah, I guess. 
 

When we got back to the car, Jeff hit me hard upside the head about a half
dozen times until I got a headache and Greg told him, enough. 
 

On the way home Greg asked Jeff, Doesnt your sister go anywhere or do
anything? 
 

Nah, shes such a loser that she doesnt have any friends here yet. Shes in
those brainiac summer classes and so she only meets geeks. She just sits
at home and does her loser stuff. 
 

Dont you take her anywhere? Didnt you promise to take her to see Star
Wars? 
 

Yeah, but when I went the second time with Sam, my Dad said it was too
late for her to go, so... her loss. 
 

It made me mad that he talked about me like I wasnt there. I told them, I
got to go to the shopping mall with Dad the other day and he bought me
some new underwear and shoes. 
 

Whoa...now thats the high life for you. Greg shook his head like I was
crazy. 
 

I could tell he was making fun of me but I didnt know why. 

*** 
 

In August, Greg and Colonel House had a big blow out. I could hear
everyones voices from my room.	
 

I dont understand you...youve been given a good home, food on the table
and an allowance and you do stupid things like this. Youre always testing
the boundaries. You shoplifted guitar strings when you had the money in
your pocket to pay for them? What were you thinking? If you want to get
into med school, you better start acting like an adult. 
 

Yeah, like you didnt do stupid things like run off and join the Marines so
you could kill those commies. 
 

There was a muffled sound, almost like a struggle and then I heard Mrs.
House yell at both of them to stop. The house went quiet. The next day
Greg spent it in our garage playing the same Hendrix song over and over,
House Burning Down. 
 

I was in summer school making up some work I missed during the move. As a
celebration, the school always took the kids to Disneyland for the day.
Dad, its $20 for the ticket into the park and the bus ride. I have to wear
nice pants and a nice top, no jeans and they are going to send home a
permission slip for you to sign. Please can I go? 
 

Ok, I think you deserve it. Well heres the $20.00, wheres the permission
slip? 
 

They said theyll send it home on Monday. We need to return it by Wednesday
when we go. 
 

Ok sweetie, no problem. 
 

For the next five days whenever Greg was in ear shot I was in his face.
Greg, did you know they have a ride called the Autotopia? Its like
miniature cars and you get to drive them? 
 

Jesus Christ Maggie, Ive been to Disneyland a million times, I know the
rides. If you dont stop talking about it Im going to have to kill Mickey
Mouse and put his head in your bed. 
 

What does that mean? 
 

 You know, the Godfather? Man you need a life. Dont you ever see movies? 
 

I went a few years ago and saw Cinderella with my Mom. 
 

You really are... 
 

I know, pathetic. 
 

Monday night I brought the permission slip and laid it out on the table
for my Dad to sign. It wasnt signed the next day. I panicked and waited up
for him Tuesday night to get his signature, but he didnt come home. I went
to school on Wednesday in my nice slacks and with my $20.00 plus $5.00
Colonel and Mrs. House had given me to spend at Disneyland. But they sent
me home because I didnt have the permission slip signed. I asked them to
call my Dad, that he would say it was ok for me to go, but that wasnt good
enough. 
 

I got home at 9:00 a.m. and put my things down. I went and buried my head
in the sofa to cry. I cried myself to sleep until I felt a hand on my
shoulder shaking me. Maggie, Maggie May...did you miss the bus to
Disneyland? Are you ok?  
 

I looked at Greg with eyes that looked like they had just cried a river
and a lip that was quivering. Ah crap Maggie May, whats wrong? I pulled
out the permission slip from my pocket and showed him. You forgot to get
your Dads signature? 
 

I...sniff...put it ...uh...out for him...to sign...but he ...sniff..didnt
I grabbed on to Greg and buried my face in his belly. 
 

I could tell he was very uncomfortable but he felt so warm and smelled so
good I didnt care. He patted my head, Ok, ok...Im sure you will get
another chance to go to Disneyland. Dont worry. 
 

After I calmed down, he brought me a coca cola from his house and his
mother followed him over. Oh honey, why didnt you come over this morning
and tell me. I would have signed it. 
 

Yeah Maggie May, I would have signed it too. 
 

Greg! 
 

Mom, Im 18, whats the big deal? 
 

Mrs. House, heres the five dollars you gave me to spend at Disneyland.
Thanks for thinking of me.  
 

Greg looked away from me as I tried to give her back the money. Oh Maggie,
that money is for you. You keep it. 
 

Look, I tell you what. Lets take that money and go see Star Wars. Greg
said. 
 

My eyes must have gotten huge as saucers because both he and his Mom
laughed at me. Could we? 
 

He looked in the newspaper for the times it was playing. I was so excited
that I almost peed my pants. I was going to get to see Star Wars and I was
going to see it with Greg House. 
 

Mrs. House gave her son a short hug of appreciation and then went back to
her house. Greg and I took off in his Dads Mustang for Mission Valley
where it was playing on the big screen. Even though it was in the middle
of the day, in the middle of the week, we still had to wait in line for
half an hour. 
 

I asked Greg, Why are you going to be a doctor? 
 

The money. Then he paused, I love to read about strange diseases and try
to figure out from symptoms what people have. I enjoy all the minutia
about the human body and how everything fits together as a puzzle. I think
I would make a good doctor, it would be fun. 
 

I think youd make a good musician. I like the way you play guitar,
especially when you play Jimi Hendrix. I wish I could play guitar like
you. 
 

YOU like Jimi Hendrix? I thought youd like disco...or pop. 
 

I do, but I also like Hendrix, Cream and Zepplin. 
 

For a nine year old girl, youre weird. 
 

I guess. I paused. Greg? Am I really ugly? 
 

He turned bright red and looked around. Damn, Im not the best person to
ask. Im not good at telling people what they want to hear. 
 

I dont want to hear a lie. Im nine, not five. If I am going to be ugly all
my life then Ill just have to be really, really smart. 
 

Youre going to be really, really smart anyway Maggie May and thats not
what I meant. Its just that Ill tell you bluntly what I think and it may
not make sense to you. 
 

Im ready. 
 

Youre nine. Theres no way in hell anyone is going to be able to tell
whether youre going to be ugly when you grow up or not. Right now youre
cute. You have a small nose, nice shaped eyes, a little mouth, a pixie
haircut that shows off your little ears...and freckles. Youre cute for a
nine year old. 
 

Thanks. 
 

I had never seen a movie like Star Wars. It looked so real! I was sure
that the star ships had to be real, they moved so slowly through the
screen, like majestic ocean liners. I was hooked from the first moment
when the words, Star Wars appeared on the screen and the crowd whooped and
hollered. Most of them had seen the movie multiple times and were back for
more. When it was over I had to contain myself from going out and
pretending I was Princess Leah. Greg nodded for me to get up so we could
leave. I followed him to the parking lot, almost skipping for joy. He was
smiling at me. I guess he could see that I was happy.  
 

When we got home I went inside and up to my room and dreamed of Hans Solo,
Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader. It was a week before I came down from my
high. Whenever Greg would see me and my silly grin he would shake his
head, For Gods sake Maggie May, it was just a movie... 

*** 
 

Being around my brother, Greg and their friends was always an education. I
probably learned more from osmosis in that garage about the world than I
did in school or on the playground. There was one time that I was in the
garage listening to the group jam and I started thumbing through one of my
brothers Playboys. It was the one that Greg had taken a really good look
at the centerfold. Longer than he normally looked. I wanted to see what
she looked like and what he saw in her. She was blonde with really big
breasts and ample hips. She wasnt skinny like me. She liked dancing,
skiing and long walks on the beach or nights by a fireplace. Her name was
Nancy.	
 

I started reading the articles in the magazine and one was where people
wrote in and asked questions about things, especially sex. I looked up and
during a break between songs I asked Greg, What does giving head mean?	
 

He choked on his coke and some of it came up through his nose. They all
started laughing at me. I didnt understand it. Greg wiped his nose and
looked at me. I still wanted to know. Maggie May, I think your brother
should tell you. 
 

Hell no, she asked you. my brother was laughing and shaking his head no. 
 

Maybe Ill tell you in a few years. Greg tried to placate me, but I wasnt
placated. 
 

If you dont tell me then Im going to tell your Dad that I was giving head
to you. 
 

Greg went white and the rest of the guys roared. No, no, no Maggie...that
could get me in a lot of trouble...A LOT OF TROUBLE...You really are a
pain in the ass. Giving head is when a woman ...well..sucks on a guys
private parts. 
 

My face went red once I realized what I had said about telling his Dad.
Yuck. Why would anyone want to do that? 
 

Uh...Im not sure why women do. Now get the hell out of here, youve bugged
us enough today. He started laughing with the guys. 
 

Greg was waiting to see if he was going to get the scholarship he needed
to get into the University of Michigan. Those students who went to U.M.
were considered first for the University of Michigan Medical School where
Greg wanted to go. If he didnt get the scholarship, it meant he was going
to have to stay in San Diego and attend UCSD. UCSD was a great school, but
to Greg it meant living with his parents and that was pure torture. 
 

The Saturday that the letter came, Gregs parents were gone visiting
friends in Los Angeles. I was in my house watching some television when
the back door in the kitchen opened.  
 

Jeff, hey Jeff.  Greg walked into the living room with a huge smile on his
face, Wheres your brother? 
 

Hes at work. 
 

Crap. He looked around, he was obviously happy and bursting at the seams,
Come on Maggie May, lets go play some music. 
 

I got up and turned the television off and followed him into the garage.
He picked up his guitar and plugged it in. He played All Along the
Watchtower for me. After a few songs he asked me to get him a coke. I
brought it back to him. While he was sitting there, he turned on the
radio.	
 

Greg, why do you call me Maggie May? 
 

After the Rod Stewart song. You know, Wake up Maggie theres something Ive
got to say to you... He started singing the song to me. I remembered
hearing the song somewhere, but I didnt remember the lyrics. Youre Maggie
May...the girl that keeps the guy from going back to school!! 
 

Wow...I wouldnt do that. School is fun. 
 

Maggie May...you are one weird chick. 
 

A song came on the radio and Greg cranked it up. It sounded old and like
something my parents would listen to..but he kept it on. Cool, this is
Frank Sinatra...Fly Me to the Moon. Maggie May, come dance with me. 
 

I dont know how to dance. 
 

Come here, stand on my feet. I stood up on his feet and he glided around
the garage with me standing on his dancing feet. I was giggling and
laughing and he was making wide gestures and huge circles. My first dance
with a boy was on top of Greg Houses feet. 
 

Where did you learn to dance? 
 

My parents made me go to lessons at the Officers Club when I was twelve. I
know the Foxtrot, the Cha Cha, the Waltz and the Tango. 
 

The Tango? Thats cool...did you have to bite a rose when you did it? 
 

No, thats only in cartoons.  
 

The song ended and he picked me up off of his feet and put me down like I
was a feather. He was tall and lanky and for once he seemed really happy.
Greg, why are you so happy? 
 

Because Maggie May, my scholarship came in and Im going away to school in
January...far, far away!!! He was grinning from ear to ear. 
 

I burst into tears. I sobbed so hard he didnt know what to do with me.
Maggie, Maggie, stop crying...why are you crying? For Gods sake, its not
the end of the world. Ill come back and visit. Come on, stop crying. Stop
it. I could tell he was getting angry with me but I couldnt stop. I got
the hiccups. 
 

I must have looked strange, sobbing, hiccuping and sniffling. Oh man
Maggie, come on, stop this. If you dont stop Im going home and never
coming back.  
 

I tried to control the sobs but the hiccups and the tears wouldnt stop. He
went and got me a glass of water. Drink this without taking a breath.  
 

I did what he told me to do and the hiccups stopped. I was almost quiet
except for the occasional deep sniff and sob. For the most part I had
control over myself. Maggie...Im 18, I need to get away from here. My Dad
and I butt heads all the time and it makes my Mom upset. I need some space
between him and me. Youre going to make lots of friends this fall and
youll be having so much fun at your new school and with your new friends,
you wont notice that Im not here. Ill be home for the holidays, Ill see
you then.  
 

But you wont be playing guitar in our garage anymore. The idea of my
little universe losing Greg House was unbearable. He told me the truth and
that was hard to come by in my world.  
 

Maggie, what does it matter to you? Im not even nice to you. Man, you need
friends. 
 

But I didnt make a lot of friends in school that fall. I had two that I
talked to, but when I went home I didnt call them and they didnt call me.
It was lonely but I was learning to deal with it. Greg was in community
college getting a few credits out of the way before he transferred up to
Michigan in January. So between college and his job we saw very little of
him. My brother had started at UCSD and my Dad was working just as hard as
ever.  
 

There were those rare moments when I did get to spend time with him. If I
heard Greg playing the piano I would sneak over to his house and crawl
under the piano while he played. I would put my back up against the piano
to feel the vibration. I loved the sound and the feel of the piano when he
played. I liked to watch his feet dance on the pedals. He was usually
barefoot and in shorts so I would watch his hairy legs pump up and down as
his long beautiful fingers floated over the keyboard. It was one of my
favorite things to do. Sometimes when he finished a song he would look
under the piano to see if I was still there. His mother once saw me under
the piano and asked me if I was ok.  
 

Im great. I told her. 
 

Why are you under there? 
 

Mom, just leave it alone. She does this all the time. Shes just odd. 
 

His mom looked at him and then me and shrugged her shoulders and went back
to cooking dinner. 
 

At Thanksgiving we had dinner with the Houses. There were three families
and they all had boys Gregs age. Mrs. House was always good to me and she
would give me special projects to do. I got to make the pumpkin pies and
all the adults made a big deal over them at desert time. Greg was eating a
piece and watching football.  
 

Greg, I made the pie. 
 

He looked at me and then at the pie and said, Big deal. He paused and then
handed me the plate and said, Go get me some more.  
 

It was that weekend that heralded some some of the worst days of my life.
My Dad had to go to NASF in El Centro for the rest of the weekend to work
with the Blue Angels. My brother asked my Dad if he could go to Disneyland
overnight with Greg.  
 

What is your sister going to do? Whos going to look after her? No, you
need to watch your sister. 
 

What if I take her to Disneyland with us? Can we go? 
 

He thought about it, I guess... My Dad trusted my brother completely. He
gave him $35.00 for my ticket and food. When he left that Friday morning
he told me to behave and listen to my brother. I gave my Dad a kiss and he
left. 
 

I was so excited, I was going to Disneyland and I was going with Greg
House.	
 

My brother put my bag in the trunk with his and Gregs stuff. I climbed in
the back and Greg said, Whats she doing here? 
 

I have to take her or we cant go. My Dad is gone this weekend.	
 

Thats Bull sh!t. Man... 
 

I was trying to be very good so that Greg wouldnt be so upset that I was
there. Greg, Ill be really good on the rides, I wont scream and I wont
barf, I promise. 
 

What is she talking about? 
 

She thinks were going to Disneyland. Thats what I told my Dad so I could
go. Hed never let me go if he knew we were going to a Led Zepplin concert.

 

But what are we going to do with her? Greg motioned towards me.  
 

Dont worry, Ive got it all planned out. 
 

Arent we going to Disneyland? I asked. 
 

Stop your whining...no, were not going to go to Disneyland...but you
better tell Dad that we did. he was looking at me in the rear view mirror
with a mean scowl. 
 

Christ, Jeff, you told your little sister that you were taking her to
Disneyland and now you want her to lie for you when you dont? Boy, you are
stone cold. Greg shook his head. I dont like this, Ive got really bad
vibes. 
 

Their concert was at 8:00 p.m. but they were suppose to hook up with some
old friends of Jeffs to eat and get high. We got to Anaheim around 1:00
p.m. Jeff took us to the Westminster Mall near Anaheim. It was the largest
mall I had ever seen, it was huge. 
 

We all got out and Jeff took me to the center of the shopping mall. Ok,
heres the plan. You stay here in the mall until 6:00 p.m. when it closes.
Then you go across the parking lot to the movie theater. Stay in the
theater until 11:30 p.m. and then come outside and well pick you up. Just
dont tell anyone youre by yourself. And dont draw attention to yourself.
Just be calm and normal. 
 

Oh, no man...you cant leave a nine year old kid in a shopping center and
then a movie theater...theres got to be a better plan. What about your
friends, dont they have parents that could watch her? 
 

Nah, theyre all living in dorms. Hey, it will work. Shes a smart kid,
shell do ok. Here Maggie, heres $10.00 for food and the movies. That
should be more than enough. Ok, dont forget, Ill pick you up at 11:30 p.m.
outside the movie theater. 
 

I cant do this Jeff. Shes nine years old for Chrissake. If something
happens to her youll never forgive yourself. 
 

Hell, if something happened to her it would be a blessing...no Mom, no
friends, no personality. Shes a loser anyway...come on man...are you
coming? 
 

Its ok Greg, I can take care of myself. My mom used to let me go to the
shopping mall by myself all the time. Ill be ok. You go ahead. I lied, my
parents never let me go anywhere by myself. 
 

Maggie May, this isnt a good idea. 
 

COME ON...lets get going. Jeff was getting really pissed at Greg.  
 

Go ahead...Ill see you, I have to go pee, bye. I ran off so Greg would go.
He watched me as I disappeared down an aisle. I peaked around and I could
see Greg screaming at Jeff and Jeff sulking off. Greg looked around and
then went with Jeff. Greg was very unhappy with my brother. 
 

I spent the afternoon pretending I was Princess Leah with a big budget and
could buy anything in the mall. Of course, Greg House was my prince and I
needed to make sure he was taken care of too. I pretended to buy long
dresses and nice shoes. I bought my pretend Prince a watch and some after
shave cologne. I went from store to store to store doing this until it was
5 p.m. then I went to get some food at the food court. I ordered a slice
of pizza and an Orange Julius. I was full. The mall started to close down
at 6:00 p.m. and so I started my journey across to the movie theater.  
 

When I got to the multiplex I discovered that there were three theaters.
Not one of them had a G rated movie. I tried to get into each one that was
showing, Five Easy Pieces, Woodstock ,Joe, but I couldnt get a ticket. I
was frightened. It was getting dark and I was wandering around the parking
lot. It was chilly and I didnt have a sweater. I didnt know how I was
going to spend 5 ½ hours in the dark with no sweater. I sat on the curb
and then I sat on one of those bumper guards and then I laid down on one
of the cement benches outside of the theater. A woman came up to me and
asked me if I was alone. I told her no, that I my brother was parking the
car. She left me alone. But about fifteen minutes later the security cops
for the mall and theater pulled up. 
 

What are you doing here? 
 

Just waiting for my brother to park the car. 
 

Ok, mind if we wait with you? 
 

Well, it might take a long time, he has a big car. 
 

Thats ok, we can wait. 
 

After ten minutes they said, Now why dont you tell us what you are doing
here. 
 

I told them that I had asked to be left off at the Mall because I didnt
want to go with my brother to the concert and that he was going to come
soon to pick me up. 
 

You come with us and well call your parents. 
 

They took me to the security office, which was warm and cozy. They gave me
hot chocolate and asked me my name. Maggie May Molloy. I gave them my home
phone but of course no one was there. They told me that they might have to
call child protective services...I got scared. No dont, theres another
number. And I gave them the number to the Colonel and Mrs. House. 
 

The fat security guard was on the phone, Yes, she gave us this number. She
says her brother dropped her off and is going to pick her up but its 8:00
p.m. and the manager of the theater says that shes been loitering for two
hours now. Yes, take the Westminster exit and were on the north side of
the mall, the Security Office. Ok, two hours, fine. He hung up. Theyre
coming to pick you up. Its going to take them a couple of hours to get
here from San Diego. Do you want to watch some television?  
 

I was hoping it would just be Mrs. House to show up, but it was both of
them. Mrs. House ran up to me and gave me a hug. Im ok. I was doing ok.
But Colonel House was absolutely livid. He thanked security for not
calling the cops and we went to the car. 
 

Maggie, you are gong to tell me everything and I MEAN EVERYTHING. I dont
want any lies, do you understand? 
 

Yes, sir. I told them the Readers Digest version. They were going to a
concert and I couldnt go. I was going to shop and then go to a movie for 5
½ hours and then they would pick me up. To me it all sounded rational and
perfectly sound. 
 

I dont believe this...do you believe this? Doesnt he have better sense
than this...and were going to let him go to Michigan? Colonel House was
looking at his wife. 
 

I realized that they were blaming Greg. Colonel, it wasnt Gregs fault. He
tried to tell my brother not to do it. He fought with him about it. But my
brother is the one who left me, not Greg, sir. 
 

Maggie, when youre older youre going to realize that this is just as much
Gregs fault as your brothers. Greg knew better and he should have stayed
with you. Now we have to figure out what to do. If they come back for you
and youre not there, they may call the police. We need to wait until they
come. They told you 23:30? 
 

Yes sir. I could convert military time since I was 5. 
 

Well, well go get some coffee and that should eat up some time doing that.
Are you hungry sweetie? He asked me. 
 

A little sir.So we went and got some food and wasted an hour until 11:15
p.m.  
 

In the meantime, Greg had convinced one of the girls with them at the
concert to give him a ride back to the theater. He hadnt been able to
enjoy the concert. He kept looking at his watch and remembering that I had
gotten out of the car without my sweater. He got out of the car at the
theater, it was 10:45 p.m. I wasnt suppose to be out for another 45
minutes. Greg bought a ticket to get into the theater. None of the movies
were G rated so he wondered which one I would be in. He searched each of
the theaters calling out my name until finally the usher started to throw
him out. 
 

Hey man...hey just wait a minute. Did you see a nine year old girl here
this evening? Greg asked. 
 

Oh you mean the one we refused to let in because she wasnt 16? Yeah, well
she hung around the parking lot for a couple of hours but I havent see her
for the last few hours. 
 

From what he told me years later, it was then that Greg broke out in a
cold sweat. He ran outside and started running through the parking lot
yelling for me. Maggie come on, I know youre mad at us, but I swear I
didnt want to do this. Please Maggie May dont hide. After fifteen minutes
of that, he was pretty sure I wasnt in the parking lot. He was shaking and
he felt like barfing. He finally decided he better call the cops when we
pulled up.  
 

I jumped out and ran over to him, Im sorry Greg, Im sorry, I had to call
them. But he wasnt listening to me. He had crouched down on his knee and
was hugging me. Then he saw his Mom and Dad and his face dropped. Oh,
Sh!t. 
 

His father just shook his head in disgust. Wheres Jeff? 
 

Hes still at the concert, I got someone to give me a ride back. 
 

Oh, guilty conscience? You finally realized what a moron you had been? 
 

John, dont. Cant you see how upset he is? He obviously came back early... 
 

That doesnt make it any better Blythe. He wants to be treated like an
adult and he cant do the responsible thing in the first place.	He looked
at Greg. You really screwed up this time. 
 

I know. Believe me, I know. Greg was standing but I was still holding onto
him around his waist and he had his hand like a big brother on top of my
head. 
 

When it struck midnight and my brother hadnt showed, we all piled into the
car and went home to San Diego. It was quiet in the car. I laid down on
the seat in the back with my head in Gregs lap and went to sleep with his
hand resting on my arm. 
 

The Houses couldnt really ground Greg because he was an adult, but they
did take away his driving privileges, except for work, for the rest of the
time he was at home. He was also banned from being around Jeff. My father
gave Jeff a tongue lashing, but nothing more. I felt horrible about Greg,
I felt like it was my fault because I got caught.  
 

It was about a week later that I was watching television and a photo of my
Mom and the roofer was flashed on the television with a voice that said,
Woman slain by boyfriend in Kearny Mesa, details when we get back. I
thought I was in a dream but just about then my Dad burst in through the
door and ran and turned off the television. He was still in uniform.  
 

Dad, is Mom dead? 
 

He looked disappointed that I had already seen something on the
television. Yes, honey, your Mom was killed this afternoon. 
 

Who did it? 
 

The guy she was staying with...he got mad at her and stabbed her. 
 

I didnt say anything after that. Because they were still technically
married, my Dad went down to make arrangements for my Moms cremation. Mrs.
House came over to stay with me. When Dad got home he looked genuinely
upset. I overheard him tell Mrs. House, He must have stabbed her a dozen
times...several in the face. I could hardly recognize her. 
 

Rory, why dont I take Maggie for a few days. She wont be a bother and its
probably better if she is with someone full time for a few days. 
 

Thanks Blythe, I appreciate it. That would be great. 
 

Jeff was not my mothers son so he really didnt care one way or another if
she was dead or alive. My Dad was sad for a long time. I was just numb.
Being dead was the same as when she was with that guy, gone. I never saw
her anyway. She hadnt bothered to call at all, even on my birthday. I
guess it was easy to leave me, but I wondered how she could leave Dad? He
was a good guy, nice looking and he was funny.	
 

I went to stay in the guest room at the Houses. When I went inside, I put
my bag down and sat on the edge of the bed. Greg opened the door and
peaked in. I was numb. He walked in and sat next to me on the edge of the
bed and put his hand on my shoulder. Sorry, Maggie May. 
 

Im sorry too. I wanted to tell you Im sorry for getting caught by
security. I should have run away. 
 

You didnt do anything wrong Maggie May...we did. We screwed up and my Dad
was right, but just dont tell him that I agree with him. Do you miss your
Mom? 
 

I dont think so. It feels the same as before...shes gone. 
 

There was no memorial. My mom didnt have friends in San Diego and it didnt
seem appropriate for us to celebrate the life of a woman who left her
husband and daughter for a murderer. But Dad did let me take the ashes
down to the pier on Point Loma and spread them. It was interesting because
there were still bits of bone that hadnt vaporized to dust mixed in the
ashes. I wondered what part of my mom I was holding between my fingers. 
 

Mrs. House called my Dad and told him that I needed to see a doctor. I
didnt know I was sick, but she said I was. My Dad came over.  
 

She isnt eating and shes getting too thin. I think her mothers death is
really getting to her. She has to eat. Her pants are falling down and I
cant stand watching her just fade away. Mrs. House told him. 
 

Blythe, she wasnt eating before the murder. I think this has something to
do with Greg. 
 

You mean what happened in Los Angeles? 
 

No, she stopped eating even before that. It was right after Greg got his
scholarship and told her he was going away. 
 

What? 
 

Havent you noticed? My daughter has a huge crush on your son. Shes even
been having trouble concentrating at school. I dont know what to do. How
did your parents handle your first crush? 
 

Oh, wow, it makes sense. She acts strange around him. She sits under the
piano whenever he plays, she was always hanging out in your garage with
them...I cant imagine why she has a crush on him. I love my son, but hes a
little on the prickly side for a young girl to worship. 
 

If you havent noticed, Maggie is a little on the odd side. She can make
friends easily, but she chooses not to. Shes brilliant and scores high on
all the tests, but she acts like shes an idiot sometimes. She lives in a
fantasy world whenever shes alone. Your son may be prickly, but at least
hes grounded. My daughter is so ethereal its scary. 
 

Well, I know how to get her to eat. 
 

For the next week, whenever the Houses and I sat down for a meal, Greg was
there. Normally, he ate on the run or in his bedroom, but he started
eating at the table. And I sat by him and ate whatever he suggested I eat.

 

I heard Greg tell his mother, I dont know how youre going to get her to
eat when I leave. 
 

Ill cross that bridge when I get to it. 
 

Christmas was spent at the Houses. I saved up my allowance and bought my
Dad a t-shirt that said he was the Worlds Greatest Dad. I got Jeff a
cassette he wanted. I bought Mrs. House a locket. I had asked her if she
had any photos of Greg she didnt want and she gave me one. I cut it out
and put his photo in the locket. She really seemed to like it. I gave Mr.
House a Padres ball cap. And for Greg, I bought him the piano sheet music
to, Maggie May. When he opened it, he smiled as if he understood. He gave
me a peck on the cheek, Thanks Maggie May. 
 

I got a lot of gifts that year, more than I was used to getting, but the
gift I loved the best was Gregs. It wasnt new and shiny, it wasnt pretty
and feminine, he gave me his old acoustical guitar. I want to hear some
songs on that when I come back next summer. 

That guitar was going to be my lifeline through high school. It would take
away the loneliness and it gave me a connection to others who also played
music. I loved the guitar and when my Dad offered to replace it in high
school I told him no. But I did let him buy me an electric guitar with an
amplifier! 
 

Greg left. His Dad and he packed up the truck my Dad had loaned them and
when it was time to go he gave his mom a hug and a kiss and told her not
to cry. He said goodbye to everyone else and then he came over to me. He
took his hand and ruffled the top of my head. You be good. Eat something
and work on that guitar. He didnt give me a kiss or a hug. He just walked
over to the truck got in and he was gone. 
 

To say I was lost would be the worlds greatest understatement. I didnt let
anyone see me cry because I knew they would start to worry. I made sure
that I ate so that no one would suspect how miserable I was. I studied
hard in school and brought my grades up. But the effort to get through
each miserable day was so much that I didnt have any energy left for
friends or television or anything except my guitar.  
 

My report cards in fourth, fifth and sixth are glowing except that they
each say, She doesnt seem to have any friends. 
 

Greg didnt come back for the summer. He got a job in Michigan and stayed
up there. The Houses flew up and saw him once during the summer but of
course I didnt get to see him. The next time I saw him was Thanksgiving. 
 

Maggie May! Youve grown! he put one arm around my shoulder from the side
and gave my shoulders a quick squeeze. 
 

You have a beard. 
 

Yeah, do you like it? 
 

Its pretty full, isnt it? I guess its ok. I was ten years old and didnt
appreciate what it takes to grow a full beard. His beard was about two
inches long but well trimmed. His blue eyes were highlighted by all of the
reddish brown hair. 
 

I spent the Thanksgiving secretly keeping tabs on Greg House. When he left
to go back to school I got a tussled hair thing and a quick goodbye. See
you at Christmas. 
 

But we didnt see him at Christmas. He went skiing with some friends
instead of coming home. I didnt see him again until the following
Thanksgiving when I was eleven. He didnt have a beard or long hair. He was
strikingly handsome.  
 

What happened to all your hair? I asked. 
 

Im interviewing for Medical Schools. I need to look the part..	
 

At the beginning of 1980 my brother had been accepted at Cal Tech for
their doctorate program. I was glad to be rid of him. He was bitter, mean
and a slob. I constantly had to pick up after him and wash his clothes. I
stayed with the Houses while my Dad drove Jeff and his crap up to Cal
Tech. Colonel House had retired and they were doing a lot of traveling,
but they were home this weekend and agreed to watch me.  
 

That night there was a knock on the door. I heard Colonel House open the
door and ask, What can I do for you officers? Mrs. House and I looked at
each other when we met in the hall. Police? My God, had something happened
to Greg? We both hurried towards the front door. 

Oh, oh no...oh my God that poor girl. Colonel House sounded devastated and
heartbroken. Mrs. House must have realized when she heard him say, poor
girl that it had something to do with me because she grabbed me and held
me still so that I wouldnt go to the door. 
 

The police left and Colonel House closed the door and looked at me then
Mrs. House and then me again.  
 

John, what is it? 
 

Maggie, honey, it was very bad news. Oh dear, this isnt easy. Maggie, a
large truck lost its brakes on the freeway and hit your Dad head on. Both
he and your brother are gone: 
 

Mrs. House drew in a breath and shuddered, Oh my God. She clutched me
tightly to her. I was stunned. 
 

Gone? 
 

Dead. 
 

Oh. 
 

Surprisingly, I didnt cry at first. I was too much in shock. I was silent
most of the time and I started to lose weight again. My Dad was cremated
and his ashes were interred at Fort Rosecrans. My brothers ashes were
spread out at sea. To a twelve year old, the ritual of death seemed to go
on forever. People fawned over me and made tsk, tsk sounds and tried to
tell me platitudes about my family. I didnt find that comforting. I
finally broke down at the reception the Houses gave. 
 

I yelled at a woman who had told me that my family was in a better place,
Well, tell me, if my entire family is in a better place then why didnt
they take me? Why did they leave me behind if they were going somewhere so
good? I had started crying for the first time. Mrs. House was crossing the
room towards me when I felt long fingers on my shoulder.  
 

They left you behind to torment us. It was Greg. 
 

I turned and hugged him. By now I had grown enough that I was level with
his breast bone. He hugged me back. Later when everyone left I laid down
on the couch, put my head in his lap and went to sleep. It was the first
time I had felt safe since my Dad had died. 

*** 
 

After my Mom died, my Dad had redrafted his will making the Houses my
guardians. The court approved it with little fanfare. I had family but
they were distant cousins who lived in Pennsylvania. I wanted to stay in
California with the Houses. They seemed like family to me. I told the
court this during the hearing and so the judge brought down the gavel and
it was so. 
 

There was a lawsuit against the trucking company. I was kept out of it for
the most part except that I had to give a deposition. After my deposition
the case settled for what Mrs. House said was, Quite a chunk of money for
someone to get when theyre 18. 
 

The reception was the last time I saw Greg House for six years. He had
excuses for his parents at every holiday. Sometimes they would fly to see
him but he didnt bother to come home. When he graduated from Michigan
University he didnt walk, he told his parents it was a waste of money and
time. 
 

I didnt miss Greg as much in junior and high school because there was so
much to do to get ready for college. I also made friends in high school
because of my guitar playing. I had brought it to school to give a
presentation of old English folk songs. We were studying the history of
18th and 19th century England. Some of the kids in school who also played
guitar came up to me. Within a few minutes we had bonded. I joined a rock
band and played electric guitar. We called ourselves the Morons. I loved
the name, it sounded cool. When someone asked, Are you morons? We could
answer sincerely, yes. We were good and played several events. I was the
only girl in the band and the guys all felt it was their duty to protect
me. A couple of them had major crushes on me, but I was oblivious to the
attention of males. I didnt think I was attractive so I didnt believe the
flattery some of the guys heaped on me. I thought they would do anything
to make you have sex with them. So I ignored them. Unfortunately, I
ignored them so well that I had no one to go with to the prom. Our band
was playing the first half of the prom so I had to go. I was a little
embarrassed when I was asked where my date was because I didnt have one.
In fact, I overheard some of the girls making fun of me in the bathroom
because I didnt have a date. She doesnt have a date because shes so weird.
I didnt care, I would be out of high school soon and these girls would be
a thing of the past. 
 

I graduated as Valedictorian and had to give a speech. I had originally
written it with some very cutting jokes about the cliques in school and a
scathing criticism of the immaturity of most of the people in high school.
But when I practiced it , I saw a horrified look on Blythes face so I knew
I had to rewrite it. I toned it down and she let out a deep sigh of
relief. John and Blythe had asked me to call them by their first names
when I turned sixteen. They had been incredible to me. I loved both of
them dearly. I had been a horrible teen but they didnt seem to think so.
They said I was a piece of cake after Greg. I received a graduation card
from Greg. His mom was genuinely surprised that I got anything since he
typically blew those things off.  
 

My money, which had been placed in a locked account until I was 18, was
ready to be disbursed to me. Blythe and John took me to meet with the
financial advisor. I was shocked to find that with the life insurance and
settlement, I had 2.2 million dollars to my name. I decided to invest all
but $200,000 in long term investments. I was going to use the $200,000 to
buy a new car, sundries and pay for tuition at the University of my
choice. With my grades and my money, I could write my dance card anywhere.
I decided I wanted to major in English at Georgetown University. 
 

It was just about the same time that I was graduating that we learned Greg
was going to do his residency at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. Housing was
tight so Greg had leased a three bedroom house about half an hour south of
the hospital. I was having trouble getting housing back east too. The
dorms were full and the Houses were very worried that I would end up in a
bad neighborhood since we werent familiar with the D.C. area. I was on the
list to get first choice of dormitory space the spring semester, but for
fall I had to fend for myself. Blythe insisted that Greg rent a room to
me. His house was half an hour from campus and since it would only be for
one semester, it seemed ideal. Judging from Blythes end of the
conversation, he wasnt agreeing to it. But she wore him down and he gave
in to his mom because after all, .it was only for a few months. 
 

*** 
 

Blythe was crying and John was choking up when I waved goodbye to them at
the airport and walked through security. I felt like I was starting a
whole new life and leaving my childhood behind. The Houses had been my
rock and my soft place to land. They had been both kind and stern when I
needed it. It took a lot to take in a twelve year old with all of my
baggage and raise her. I just hoped that I could make them proud of me. 
 

I wasnt happy about staying with Greg. He was 27 now and Im sure he
thought he was going to be babysitting me. In his mind I was still twelve.
I was only 18 but I wasnt the cute pixie-cut little girl anymore. I had
changed. Most of the girls at my high school had perms and lots of makeup.
I had shoulder length light blonde hair, no perm and I wore a minimum
amount of makeup. I wore jeans a lot and cotton shirt or t-shirts. I was
5'4", 117 lbs. and most guys I met told me I was very attractive. I still
didnt see it.  
 

I arrived in Washington D.C. and rented a car. I had to go to one of the
local rent a wrecks because I was so young and the big chains wouldnt
lease to me. I had flown in a month before classes started to get my
bearings. I had decided to use the rental until I could buy one. I found
Piney Woods Drive on the map I was given and I was on my way. I was hoping
that Greg would be home. It was close to 7:00 p.m. Greg had told us he had
the day off and would be home when I got there. I drove up the street and
found the address. It was hot as hell. I was used to heat but not
humidity. The house was wood-framed and probably forty years old. It was
in fairly good shape with a nice front porch and storm doors that hadnt
been removed for the summer.  
 

I was nervous. I didnt know what to expect out of him and that made me
anxious. I pulled my two suitcases up the steps to the front door and
knocked. No answer. I knocked again. No answer. I tried the door knob and
it was open. I opened the door and brought the two cases inside. I looked
around. The place was very quiet. I walked down the hall and opened a door
and jumped back. Greg was sleeping on his back and there was a woman next
to him also asleep, they were both naked. I ran back down the hall and I
must have made a lot of noise because a few minutes later a very tired
Greg House yelled, Maggie? Is that you?  
 

Yes Greg. My voice cracked.  
 

The door opened and he walked out to the living room in his boxers. He was
over six feet and he had fleshed out a little with nice defined muscles,
no fat. And judging from what I saw in bed, he had fleshed out down there
too. Greg House was hot and I was going to be living with him for four
months.  
 

He stopped in his tracks and did a double take, Whoa, youre all grown up.
Jesus, when did you develop that body? I was going to hug you but that
might lead to something embarrassing so let me just say, your room is down
the hall opposite of mine. I just got off of a 72 hour rotation so I was
getting some sleep. 
 

The woman came out to the living room in her bra and panties. She stood
next to House and waited for him to do introductions. Maggie, this is
...Mandy? 
 

Cheryl. My name is Cheryl. Glad to meet you. I work with Dr. House at the
hospital. 

I was taken back having forgotten that Greg was now a doctor. Cheryl went
into the kitchen to get some water and I looked at Greg. You had sex with
her and you dont know her name? 
 

I ...hey, we were at a bar, she came on to me and I brought her home and
screwed her. Welcome to the 80's. 
 

Havent you heard of that new disease, AIDS? 
 

Are you my mother? 
 

I shut my mouth, grabbed my suitcases and went to the back where my room
was. I opened the door and there was nothing in the room. Greg? Where am I
suppose to sleep? 
 

I told Mom it was an unfurnished room. The couch is pretty comfortable if
you sleep at the end with the grape stain on it.  
 

I walked out to the living room and Greg was hunched over Cheryl, giving
her a deep sexual kiss. This wasnt going to work. It reminded me of those
days that he would kick me out of the garage. I walked past him and into
the kitchen. It was a cute kitchen with a table in the middle. Of course I
couldnt find anything in the cabinets to cook or eat. I walked back out
and they were obviously back in his bedroom. I could hear them through the
walls. She was screaming, Oh Greg, oh Greg. A minute later I heard Greg,
sounding like he was in pain screaming, Oh God, Oh God and then it was
silent.  
 

I couldnt believe what I had gotten myself into. I sat down on the couch
and looked around. I was in a one man Frat house. I grabbed my keys and
purse and took off. I was going grocery shopping. I found a Super Walm@rt
that was open and bought a blow up bed, some linens, a pillow, some nice
pots and pans, a tea kettle and then some groceries. My stuff from home
was being shipped and should arrive any day. I had shipped them a week
before I left. I got back and Greg was on the couch, alone, drinking a
beer and watching television.  
 

Help me get the bags in. I told him. 
 

You ARE my Mom. He got up and went outside in his boxer shorts and brought
in some of the bags. 
 

Put on some clothes before you go out there again. 
 

Are you going to nag me the whole time you are here? 
 

Depends, are you going to act like a frat boy the whole time Im here? 
 

I liked you better when you were a pathetic nine year old. Now youre a hot
mean 18 year old. He went back out and brought in the rest of the bags. 
 

I was putting things away in the kitchen when he came in and sat down at
the table. He watched me like I was performing some Olympic event. I
finally turned around and looked at him. We stared at each other.  
 

I still cant believe how gorgeous you turned out. God, you must have had
boys hanging off of you in high school. 
 

Greg, I always expect you to tell me the truth. Please dont start lying
now. 
 

What do you mean? He was clearly confused.  
 

I know youre exaggerating. 
 

How beautiful you are? Im not exaggerating, I wouldnt do that. Hasnt
anyone told you before? 
 

Yes, but you know how guys will do anything... 
 

To get in your pants? Boy if you were older, Id stand in line. Maggie, you
are gorgeous, enjoy it. Rarely does someone get the trifecta, brains,
beauty and personality. 
 

How do you know I have a personality? 
 

Hmm, you may have something there. I have to go back to the hospital in
the morning. I should get off and be home around 8:00 p.m. 
 

Why so late? 
 

Nature of the beast. Part of doing your residency. But then I have two
days off in a row. I can show you around. 
 

Sounds good, now do you want a sandwich? 
 

Sure. 
 

I made him a sandwich, cut up some fruit and poured him some milk. He ate
and drank it all and then belched. Since belching contests between Greg
and my brother had been a common occurence, this did not surprise me. I
washed up and sat down with him to watch some television. At no time did
he even bother to get up and put any clothes on. I was amused because I
was sure that little gap in the front of his boxers was going to open up
and Id get another view of the family jewels, but luckily for me it didnt.
 
 

The next day he was already out the door when I got up. I took a look
around, I went in and stripped Gregs bed. It was worn and lumpy, obviously
it had been a hand-me down because it was as old as God. There were books
everywhere, just laying around. I went shopping.  
 

I found a road where there were several furniture stores in a row. I
bought a couch with a fold out bed for the living room. It was a nice
short taupe velveteen with Scotchguard and it was incredibly comfortable.
I got Greg a recliner made out of brown leather. I bought two lamps, one a
floor lamp for reading, the other a beautiful ginger jar with a gorgeous
taupe and black marbling. I bought a 27 inch Sony Trinitron and a stand
for it. I purchased six book shelves made of maple wood and stained a
reddish brown, two for Gregs room, two for mine and two for the living
room. I bought two full beds, one for me and one for Greg. I bought a
chest of drawers, a night stand and a headboard to match it. I picked up
some drapes for my room and I went to a linen store and bought nice sheets
for my bed. I figured Greg could have the ones I just bought for the blow
up bed. Everything was going to be delivered in four days. I had a hard
time convincing the store that my credit card was good. Not too many 18
year olds walk in and buy $10,000 worth of furniture and televisions. 
 

I drove by the car lots and thought that I would buy a Honda Civic. They
were reliable and they got good gas mileage. I pulled into the lot and
looked around. Of course a car salesman immediately approached me with a
phoney smile. I didnt feel comfortable haggling with him. I was too young
and I knew nothing about making a big purchase. Maybe Greg could help me.
I looked at the car, got brochures and noted the best price the guy gave
me. I got back to the house around 6:00 p.m., called Blythe and John to
let them know I was well. We talked for awhile and when John got off the
phone, Blythe asked me all kinds of questions about Greg. I told her that
he was incredibly handsome, healthy and as cocky as ever. She laughed.	
 

At least hes met his match. 
 

What do you mean? 
 

He wont be able to run rings around you. Ive never seen a more mature 18
year old in my life. 
 

Id like to think I can stand up to him, but he is Greg. 
 

Give him a big kiss and a hug for me. Love you. 
 

Love you too. Bye. 
 

I went in and started making beef stroganoff and pasta. I also made a
salad. 

Around 8:30 p.m. he pulled into the driveway. He walked in wearing
surgical scrubs and flopped on the couch. He looked very tired. I came out
and brought him a cold beer. He looked up at me and grabbed the beer.  
 

Dinner is served master. I gave a little bow. 
 

He picked himself up and went into the kitchen and sat down. I dished out
the pasta and put the stroganoff on top. He grabbed the salad and put some
on his plate. We ate in silence but we kept looking up at each other until
finally he started grinning and then with a full mouth he said, What?? 
 

How did it go today? 
 

And then the floodgates opened. He described every patient he saw, down to
the color of their nails and tongues. He was on a high, he loved trying to
figure out what was wrong with people. He was doing a residency in the
Infectious Disease department. 
 

Do you want some more? 
 

Mmm... he held out his plate for her to fill it up. I recognize this, its
my moms recipe. 
 

Yep. 
 

Cool, I have a repackaged mother. My mom, her attitude, her recipes, her
nagging, but all in a hot 18 year old body. Wow! He was making faces and
laughing at me. 
 

I cleaned up and we watched a movie on television. Afterwards, I went to
bed and he stayed up to watch something else. I woke up in the morning and
took a walk around the neighborhood before it got too hot. It was, I
assumed, a typical neighborhood with wood-framed and brick homes. None of
the homes were made of stucco like in California. I vaguely remembered
living in a brick house in Norfolk, Virginia when I was five. The homes
here all had much larger yards than in California. It was a nice
neighborhood. It surprised me that Greg had picked it, but then when he
told me what he paid in rent, I realized it was cheap and that appealed to
him. Greg had a funny way of looking at money. He scrimped on the everyday
things to buy himself the best toys or the best time. 
 

I went home and Greg was up in his boxers walking around the kitchen,
yawning, scratching his genitals and making coffee. If I hadnt been raised
with a brother it might have disturbed me, as it was, it seemed normal. I
made tea for myself.  
 

I need to buy a car, can you help me? 
 

You need money? I thought you were loaded? 
 

No, I meant I need for you to help me negotiate a good deal for a car. I
want to get a Honda Civic or even a Toyota Corolla. 
 

Whimp. Those are girlie cars. 
 

In case you havent noticed, I am a girl. 
 

God, with those hips, how can I forget it? Yeah, we can swing by and buy
you a car. 
 

We spent the entire morning buying a car. I got a blue Honda Civic with a
cassette deck and Fischer speakers. Gregs sarcasm and bluntness helped me
get a great deal. I got to drive the car off the lot. Actually, Greg drove
it and I drove the rental back to the airport to turn it in. Then we went
down to Washington D.C. and walked the Georgetown area.  
 

Man, you are something. 
 

What do you mean? 
 

Every guy who has walked by has been eyeing you up an down and youre blind
to it all. 
 

 I dont know what you are talking about. 
 

I just love watching men watch you. Its rather funny. One guy just barely
missed a telephone pole. 
 

Oh be quiet. You are annoying me.  
 

We had dinner and then saw a movie, Platoon. Greg slumped down in the
chair and gobbled down the popcorn. I got a few handfuls but that was it. 
 

It was great talking to him. We had adult discussions about lots of
issues. Greg disagreed with almost all of my opinions, but I held firm
against his tirade of personal insults. During the conversation I was
called an idiot, a moron, imbecile and piece of fluff. But I didnt let it
bother me, it was just Greg. 
 

We got home around 9:00 p.m. and Greg called someone. It must have been a
woman because he asked her to stay in the hot tub, hed be right over. He
went to his room, got some clothes and on his way out he said, Dont wait
up, Ill see you tomorrow. 
 

Dont forget the condoms...remember AIDS.  
 

Go to bed Mom. 

*** 

He came back to the house around noon. I had spent most of the morning
cleaning the house up and straightening Gregs closet. Jesus, how am I
suppose to find anything now? Leave my stuff alone. He seemed genuinely
mad at me. 
 

Bite me. 
 

He jerked his head back as if he hadnt quite heard me and then smiled. You
have a mouth on you. 
 

Yeah, and you think with your dick. 
 

He started laughing. Cant argue with that. 
 

Greg told me not to expect him home for a few days because he had a 36
hour rotation and he would be at the hospital. The furniture arrived a few
hours after Greg left. I had them haul away the old couch and bed. When I
looked around I realized that there was no art work and that we needed
living room tables and rugs for the hardwood floors.  
 

I made my bed and then went to make Gregs. If the last few days were any
measure, this bed was going to get a workout. I looked around and found a
framed photo of the Houses stuck in his bottom drawer. I took it out of
his drawer and put it in my room. At the bottom of the top drawer was a
photo of Greg and I taken at Thanksgiving when I was eleven. He looks like
the big brother that Jeff never was to me. I took that photo too and
bought a frame for it. I put it on his dresser and waited to see if he
noticed it. 
 

After I went on my second spending spree, I was happy with the way the
house looked. It looked like a home. I wondered what Greg was going to
say. I was willing to be that it wouldnt be pretty, he wasnt a positive
kind of guy. 
 

When he pulled into the drive I had just finished eating a small plate of
the spaghetti I made. He got out with a bag of dirty clothes and came
in...he took one look, stepped back outside and then came back in... 
 

What the fu.... 
 

Shut up, theres spaghetti on the stove and garlic bread in the oven. 
 

WHAT DID YOU DO? 
 

I bought some furniture I could live with. Im going to leave most of it
with you when I move into the dorm so dont get your shorts in a bind. 
 

And you think I want all of this? 
 

Not today, not tomorrow, but in four months you will. Do you want
spaghetti or not? 
 

He was silent and started to walk down the hall, when the door opened
there was a string of expletives and some banging around. I got up, went
into the kitchen and put some spaghetti on a plate, poured the sauce over
it, topped it with an Italian sausage, put some Italian green beans on the
side and cut off a piece of garlic bread. By the time he got back out to
the kitchen he was still fuming but the expletives had run their course. 
 

How was work? I asked as he got a beer out of the refrigerator and sat
down to eat. He gave me the silent treatment. Look, dont make me get tough
with you, I know where youre ticklish Greg House. 
 

Not anymore. Im tough now. 
 

Yeah, and Im gorgeous. 
 

He rolled his eyes. His mouth was full of garlic bread. He continued to
eat like there was no tomorrow. I sat down with a diet coke and watched
him eat. Any dengue fever? 
 

He gave a quick laugh. Im mad at you. 
 

But your furniture was crap, your bed was a lump. 
 

But I didnt have to worry about it, I didnt care if it got dirty or
wrecked. I hate change. 
 

Youll get used to it. 
 

For an 18 year old you have a real attitude. Its not attractive. Did you
inherit this from your Mom, was she a b!tch? 
 

Well, if youll excuse me, my childhood wasnt exactly warm and cozy...Ive
had to toughen up myself. Im a one man family. You have your parents to
fall back on if something happens. 
 

My parents love you more than they do me. At least my Dad does. 
 

You, Greg, are an idiot. You wouldnt believe how often I hear your Dad
bragging about his son the doctor. He loves you dearly, he just doesnt
understand you. He doesnt understand how a guy with everything becomes so
bitter and unhappy. 
 

Your cooking. 
 

What? 
 

Your cooking makes me bitter and unhappy. Can you get me another plate. 
 

I got him his spaghetti and then went into the living room to finish
watching, Saturday Night Fever on television. After he got his shower he
came out and sat on the couch with me.	
 

I bought you something for your birthday. 
 

My birthday was two months ago. Maggie, you need to spend some of that
money on yourself, buy yourself some new clothes, the ones you wear dont
do you justice. 
 

I went into my room and brought out a box for him. He opened it and
smiled. Wow a cd player. Thanks. And thanks for dinner, even if it did
give me heartburn. 
 

Compact disks had only been around a few years and the cost to purchase
one was still on the high side, but I knew that Greg would appreciate the
quality of music on the CDs. At least it was much better than cassettes. 
 

I gave him another package all wrapped in birthday paper. You need some
CDs to go with that. 
 

There were six CDs. One was Rod Stewarts, Every Picture Tells a Story
album, Hendrixs Are You Experienced. Frank Sinatras Greatest Hits, Muddy
Waters, Mick Jaggers new album and a collection of classical pieces.  
 

He reached over and gave me a friendly peck on my cheek, Thanks. 
 

We hooked up the stereo, or I should say, I hooked up the stereo. We
listened to each album and I made Greg put on headphones so he could hear
just how clear the disks were.	
 

Oh man, I can hear the conductors baton on the podium. Wow. 
 

During the week I spent most of my time cleaning house, cooking, doing
laundry and getting to know Washington D.C. I spent time in the
Smithsonian, the mint, the FBI building and Shakespeare Museum. I took a
tour of the White House. When I got home I always had something
interesting to tell Greg. He would tell me about his patients. We got
along very well. He did mention that he wanted to get in another boarder
to help pay the lease. I didnt object, I would have enjoyed the company
for when Greg was on rotation. But he never quite got around to it, I
think he liked things the way they were. I was his own personal maid. 
 

It was the end of the summer and I was going to start school on Tuesday.
Greg came home and asked, Do you want to go to a Labor Day picnic with
some of the people I work with? Im going to take a date, but it would be a
good thing for you to go to, youd meet some new people. Its going to be at
one of the doctors house, theyll have a pool, volley ball, drink and food.
 
 

Doctors? 
 

Yeah, mostly doctors... young doctors. This is the best time to get your
clutches into them, they wont even think to ask for a pre-nup. By the time
you get a divorce, hell be rolling in money and you can get alimony. 
 

You forget that money isnt one of my worries. 
 

Thats true. Well come anyway, youll enjoy yourself, its Saturday. 
 

I went out to buy myself something new to wear to the picnic. I walked
into Macys and asked the woman to help me pick out something that, ...did
me justice.The lady said that it wouldnt take much. 
 

I picked out a pair of denim shorts and a ribbed tank top that showed more
cleavage than I was used to showing. Then I bought a new bathing suit. I
bought a one piece but it dipped down in the front so far that I wasnt
sure my girls would stay put if I did swim. It also had a french cut, so
it came up my sides pretty far and down in the back to just above my
crack. I felt more naked in it than I did in any of the bikinis I owned.
But the woman said it was the best suit I had tried on and it worked my
figure. 
 

Honey, if they dont notice you in this, then theyre blind or gay. 
 

I took my packages home and when the big day came I put on my suit under
my top and shorts. I packed some underwear, suntan lotion, a beach towel
and a visor. I walked out to the living room to go and House whistled. 
 

Now those shorts show your assets. That top isnt bad either. Lets go. 
 

We picked up a very pretty brunette nurse, Maggie, this is ...Terry? 
 

Joanne. Hi, nice to meet you. 
 

Nice to meet you.  
 

He looked in the rear view mirror and I just shook my head in frustration.
He didnt even know her name...again. 
 

We got to the house and it was huge and had a beautiful pool in the back.
There was a volleyball court to the side. Greg got a beer for him and his
date. I grabbed a diet coke. We walked over to a group of young guys and
women.	
 

Maggie, this is...oh hell, you guys introduce yourselves. Im going to play
volleyball. 
 

When House got over to the court I saw him talking to three guys and then
looking over at Joanne and me. He told me later that they were asking him
how a guy as miserable and cranky as he was scored two hot dates to a
picnic.  
 

The gorgeous, intelligent blonde isnt my date, shes my roomie. 
 

Oh man. They got on their knees and started bowing, We are not worthy, we
are not worthy... 
 

No, no, no... it isnt like that, shes kind of like my sister. 
 

Well, you know what they say, incest is a family affair. They all laughed
as Greg jumped into the game.  
 

It was blazing and I wanted to go into the pool but no one was in it. I
waited and then finally four guys got in to play Marco Polo. I went to the
other side of the pool where the diving board was and started to take my
clothes off. I looked up and all the guys were watching me, even the
volleyball game had stopped and they were staring. I felt like putting on
my clothes again and running away. I gathered my courage and walked
straight out to the edge of the diving board and landed a perfect dive.
When I came up everyone was clapping. The game started up again and within
minutes the pool was filled with guys, each one trying to talk to me. I
was a little nervous about all the attention. I looked over at Greg and he
looked back at me and the thumbs up. 
 

Hey House, mind if I ask your roomie out? 
 

You know, shes just 18. 
 

Good, shes not jail bait. 
 

If shell go out with you, fine. But shes very picky. 
 

I gave my telephone number to just about anyone who asked. I figured it
was time I started dating and this was a great place to meet guys who
could at least talk about something more than sports. 
 

I got out of the water and grabbed a few chips and a drink.  
 

Greg was getting something to eat too, I think you better put something on
or cover up or were going to have a lot of incredibly frustrated guys.	
 

You told me to get something that suited my figure better. 
 

Well, it certainly does that. As he stood there he kept looking her up and
down, then he shook his head as if to get the image out of his mind. We
need to put a lock on your bedroom door. And then he walked away. I turned
my attention to some of the guys lurking around me. 
 

Of course that night I had to turn up the television to drown out the
noise from Gregs bedroom. Joanne was a screamer. Greg popped out of the
room after an hour, smiled at me, grabbed two beers and went back into his
room. I went to bed and began to think about the day. All the complements,
all the flirting and all the men went through my head, but the only
comment that stuck was about the lock on my door. I realized at that
moment that I envied Joanne. 
 

Greg had forgotten to check the answering machine when we got home the
night before. It was full. Every guy at the picnic must have called asking
me out. Greg had the look of someone who finds something distasteful.  
 

Did you give write your phone number on the bathroom wall? For a good time
call Greg Houses roomie? I think you need protection. Are you on the pill?

 

None of your business. Which of those guys should I call back? 
 

Charles Westons a straight shooter and Nick Perna is a good guy too. The
rest are losers and guys who just want to screw you. 
 

Are all of the doctors promiscuous?  
 

Pretty much. Its hard to keep a relationship going when youre working 90
hours a week. 
 

So you, you just want a quick screw and no attachments? 
 

That about sums it up. Im just a pig, rutting around. 
 

I remembered Charles Weston being rather good looking and polite, so I
called him back. We made a date to go out the next weekend. I spent Monday
trying to calm my nerves, I was excited about starting college the next
day.  

*** 
 

Georgetown University is the oldest Catholic university in America,
founded in 1789 by Archbishop John Carroll. As America's first Catholic
bishop and a strong supporter of the American Revolution, Carroll firmly
believed that a Catholic institution could make a major contribution to
the political, cultural, and educational life of the fledgling nation. In
1789, he acquired the deed to a plot of land overlooking the Potomac River
outside the village of George-Town for the "Academy at George-Town." The
school was, in the emerging tradition of American religious tolerance, to
be open to "every class of citizens" and students of "every religious
profession." Carroll saw Georgetown as an academically rigorous Catholic
academy with a diverse student body. 
 

I had chosen Georgetown because it was in the middle of Washington D.C.
and I was considering obtaining my English degree and then entering law
school. Georgetown also provided access to the Congressional Library and
other literary institutions. More than anything I chose it because in high
school we went to Washington D.C. on a field trip and I spent all of my
free time in Georgetown which I found quaint and bohemian. I was actually
looking forward to moving into a Gewirz apartment on campus so I could be
in Georgetown itself. 
 

I loved the campus, it was a mixture of old and new. Obviously, the law
school and international studies took up a large portion of the campus. I
tried to imagine myself going to law school and then working in Washington
D.C. It was an exciting thought. 
 

I had already taken a full year of college credits in high school so I was
actually starting my sophomore year academically. I had Analytical
Writing, English Literature, Political Science, Shakespeare and Geography.
At least I was done with my math and most of my science requirements. It
was a heavy load for a first semester, but I thought I could handle it. I
had spent many a night alone reading Shakespeare and English literature,
so I was hoping this would give me a leg up.  
 

My teachers came on strong, as if we were all imbeciles and doomed to
flunk. I was expecting this. One even gave us the, Look to your left, look
to your right. Two of you will be gone before you graduate speech. I went
and stood in line for two hours to buy my textbooks. I almost broke my
back getting them to the car.  
 

When I got home, I made myself a sandwich and collapsed. I had three
classes on Tuesday and Thursday and two on Monday and Wednesday. Luckily,
I didnt have to be to any class before 9:00 a.m. so it gave me time to get
through the beltway traffic. I did have to leave by 8:00 a.m. or I wouldnt
make it. 
 

Greg got home and looked at me. Whats for dinner? 
 

Whatever you go out and get us. 
 

You didnt cook? 
 

Started school, remember? 
 

Undergrad is a cakewalk, wait until you get into grad school. 
 

I can make you a sandwich if you dont want to go out. 
 

Sounds good. 
 

He followed me into the kitchen and got a beer out of the frig. He reached
around my waist to pull out the drawer with the bottle opener and just as
he did I turned around. We ended with me facing him and less than two
inches from his body. I could smell him, he was musky and masculine. I
could feel the body heat coming off of him too. I must have turned red
because he laughed, Maggie, youve got to stop throwing yourself at me. 
 

Dream on. If I wanted to rut with the pigs Id pick one with more to offer
than a scowl each morning. 
 

Mean, mean...you are mean girl. 
 

Yeah and you need a shower. 
 

His face and lips were so close, I felt every breath. He wouldnt let me go
and finally I grabbed his arm, lifted it up and walked to the frig to get
Mayonnaise. He watched me with his blue eyes , following every step as if
I was committing a crime. I handed him the sandwich and he went to the
table to eat.  
 

Our days passed in similar fashion for most of the September and October.
I was now glad to have the alone time during the 36 hour rotations, it
meant that I didnt have to wipe his nose and butt, I could just study. I
was pulling a B in Geography and As in the rest. I couldnt believe I could
be getting a B in a silly Geography class, but I was. I dated Charles a
couple of times but we just didnt click. I think he wanted someone who was
more complacent. I often challenged his opinions or his facts and that
drove him nuts. He wasnt as thick skin as Greg. 
 

We have a Halloween party to go to. Im going to go get my costume
tomorrow, want to go with me? Greg asked. 
 

What, is that the royal we or am I invited? 
 

Youre coming too. Do you want to go get your costume tomorrow? 
 

Youre pretty sure Ill go. It was no use fighting him, Ok, Ill go with you.

 

On the way we agreed that we could pick each others costume out within
limits. Greg didnt want to go as a woman and I didnt want to go as a
Playboy Bunny, one of Gregs suggestions. 
 

I found three costumes for Greg to try on. They were Dracula, an American
Indian (with bascially two flaps, one in front, one in back) and the other
was a pimp. It ended up that he looked the funniest in the pimp outfit and
he seemed to enjoy getting into character. He thought it would be fun to
collect hos at the party. 
 

I wasnt surprised to find that he had chosen the sexy school girl, sexy
candy-stripper or the sexy dominatrix. I chose the school girl since I was
a student. The outfit has a very short plaid skirt, white blouse with an
academy signia and white stockings with white garters. He was happy with
our choices and thought I was the hottest student he ever saw. 
 

You can be one of my hos and maybe I can make some money off of you. 
 

As long as you split it with me. 
 

Hell no B!tch...its all mine. I think Ill have to take you over my knee
and give the school girl a good paddling. Yeah, I think youve been naughty
and you have to stay after class and polish my apple. 
 

Boy, you really have this pimping sex talk down dont you? 
 

Shut up ho. 
 

We got dressed up and laughed like hell at each other. We drove over to
the party which was being held in a warehouse. There must have been 2,000
people in costume. It was amazing. I was getting grabbed all night and I
think Greg was doing some of it. I would turn around to see who had
pinched my butt and there would be no one except Greg off to my side. He
always acted like he had done nothing, but I just had a feeling. 
 

I was getting drunk and since I had never been drunk it was an interesting
journey. Greg was tipsy but not drunk yet. He saw me swerve a little and
chuckled, He put his arm around my shoulders, You better slow down or
youre going to regret this for several days. I suggest you switch to coke
for awhile. I wont be cleaning up you up or holding your hair back when
you drive the porcelain bus. 
 

Greggy, dance with me, come on, dance with me... 
 

He had been talking to some friends and trying to hit up on one of the
female doctors.  

They all began to tease him, Go on GREGGY, dance with the girl, dance with
her you stud muffin. 
 

Greg grabbed me around the waist and took me out to the dance floor.
Marvin Gayes Lets Get It On was playing. The music slid through my body in
delicious rhythms. I was dancing with a lot of hip swaying and grinding. I
grabbed Greg around the neck and rubbed my body back and forth against
his. This continued for a minute and he grabbed my shoulders and pushed me
back away from him. I turned around and backed into him and continued to
rub against him. I loved the feel of his body and with all the booze
inside me I was ready to jump him. 
 

He spoke directly into my ear so that no one else could hear, Maggie, dont
do that, its hard on me. Just dance like you normally do. I dont want
anyone to get the impression that Im being inappropriate with you. 
 

I turned around to him, stopped dancing and looked at him like I had just
been wounded. Oh dear, wouldnt want to ruin the Great Dr. Houses
reputation. I turned and walked quickly off the dance floor. 
 

The booze was making me very dizzy and the room felt incredibly hot and
stuffy. I decided to go outside and get some air. There was a group of
guys standing and talking by the front door. Hey school girl, come and
give us a few lessons. 
 

I would have normally ignored those comments but I was feeling very randy.
Which one of you guys knows how to give a bad girl a good paddling? The
fact that those words even came out of my mouth just shows how drunk I
was. 
 

They all sauntered up to me and volunteered. I looked at each of them and
said, You look the least likely to have a sexually transmitted disease...
I reached out to grab his hand but then I felt a hand yank my wrist and
pull me away from the pack.  
 

Hey, dude, she wants me, not you. 
 

Yeah and I want a threesome with Nicole Kidman and Kelly McGillis, but it
aint going to happen sh!thead. Come on Maggie, Ill give you a paddling.
House was dragging me away from the guys. 
 

I pulled my wrist and tried to get away. You arent my Dad or my Mom or my
boyfriend. Im single, white and friggin rich...I can do what I want. 
 

That would usually be true if it werent for the fact that Im bigger, less
drunk and have bigger balls than you. 
 

Oh come on, Gregor, let me go...please, I want to play. 
 

Play or get involved in a gang bang? Time to go home. When I wouldnt go
with him, in one fell swoop he picked me up and threw me over his
shoulders, Good night boys. 
 

He put me in his car and strapped me in. Maggie you are an easy
drunk...were going to have to put a limit on your alcohol consumption. 
 

WE?? Now whos being a mother? I was perfectly fine...I can take care of
myself. You are a spoil sport. How am I ever going to get laid if you keep
interfering with my fun? 
 

Im not here to interfere with your fun but you better think before you
pull down your knickers for every guy within a ten mile radius. 
 

Whats good for the goose is good for the gander...thinking doesnt seem to
interfere with you screwing anything within a ten mile radius. 
 

Yeah, but Im a guy and I can get away with a lot more than you in the
screw anything you want department. 
 

Go screw yourself... 
 

Im pretty good in that department too. He smiled at me and I finally had
to laugh.  
 

We got home and I stumbled into the house. He started taking off his pimp
clothes and was down to his boxers when he finally realized I was staring
at him. What is your problem? 
 

I was just thinking of the time when I walked in on you and Elizabeth
Franklin screwing in the garage. You didnt hear me so I watched for a few
minutes. I wasnt sure what you were doing at first. And then I heard her
say, I dont think it goes in there. I left after that. 
 

I remember that! It wasnt one of my finer moments of lovemaking, but I
eventually got the deed done. He was standing in his boxers laughing. Go
to bed Maggie May. 
 

I walked to my bedroom and took my clothes off and crawled into my nice
sheets. I laid back and thought of Greg and I just wanted to be next to
him. I decided I was going to go crawl in bed and snuggle up to him. I got
up in the dark and went towards the door but stubbed my big toe on the bed
leg. I fell back and hit my head on the dresser and screamed out. Damn it.
Damn. I felt the warm trickle of my own blood go down my face. I tried to
stand up but I was wobbly. I finally got to my feet. 
 

What is going on? Greg opened the door and flipped on my light. Ive never
seen anyone go from anger to shock to a look of perplexity so fast.  
 

I stood there in the nude with blood running down my face. I looked at
him, rubbed my head and said, Owww, it hurts. 
 

At first he acted like he was going to run out the door. He took two steps
towards the door but then he thought again about the blood and turned back
around, walked over to me and said, You better let me look at it, you
might need stitches. He grabbed a couple of kleenex. I tilted my head
towards him and he parted my hair to look at the cut. I think it will stop
on its own. He stuck the kleenex on the wound and soaked up the blood. 
 

I took a step towards him and he closed his eyes and whispered, Maggie
May, no. I put my arms up around his neck and pulled him down to give him
a kiss. He kissed me back and put his arms around me and fell with me onto
the bed where he continued to give me deep open mouth kisses. His tongue
was dancing inside with mine. His hands were touching me everywhere and
all I wanted at that moment in time was him to be inside me. He hooked his
right arm under my knee and picked it up. Then he entered me and as he
moved inside I felt tearing and pain. He finished and slowly pulled out of
me. Things were quiet and then he said in a voice that was sad, almost in
agony, Maggie, is this what you wanted? Then he looked down at my body and
saw the bright red blood between my thighs. 
 

He jumped up with a look on his face of absolute horror. Christ, you were
a virgin? A virgin? F#ck...why didnt you tell me?  
 

I leaned up on my elbows, Because I wanted you to do it. Ive always wanted
it to be you the first time. I wanted it to be someone I trusted and youre
the only one I trust. Is that so hard to understand? 
 

He shook his head in dismay and slammed the door as he left. I looked at
my bed, it looked like someone had been murdered in it. There was blood
from my head and blood from below. I was too tipsy to care, I crawled into
bed and went to sleep.	
 

*** 
 

The next morning I woke up and didnt remember anything until I saw the
bed. I got up and changed the sheets and took them downstairs to soak in
some Biz. I had to take some Naprosyn for my huge headache. 
 

The door to Gregs room was shut. I wanted desperately to make this right
between us but I wasnt sure how. I took a shower and washed my hair. I
dressed and went in to the kitchen and made a pot of coffee for Greg and
tea for myself. 
 

I poured a cup and went down the hall and knocked but he wouldnt answer.
Greg, I brought some coffee, can we talk please? There was no answer. I
opened the door a little and looked inside. There was no one there and the
bed hadnt been slept in. I wondered where he went.  
 

He didnt come home Sunday night. I went to school on Monday and when I got
home I could tell he had been there but he had left again. I was going
nuts, blaming myself for what I had done to him. Tuesday night he wasnt
home when I got back from school. I sat down and wrote him a note. 
 

Dear Greg, 
 

I truly am sorry for what happened. I was naive. I didnt realize how you
would feel about it. I thought that you would treat having sex with me
like you did with all the others. Im sorry. I wanted my first time to be
with you because you are the only one in the world that makes me feel
safe.  
 

I made an error in judgment and I wish I could do it over, but I cant. I
only hope that some day you can forgive me. 
 

Love Always, 

Maggie May 
 

P.S. Theres stew frozen in the freezer, just microwave it for a few
minutes. 
 

I put it on the kitchen table, packed some bags with as much as I could
and took off towards Georgetown. I found a suite at the Monticello Inn in
Georgetown and checked in for the week. The suite was lovely with a
bedroom and a living room with a little kitchenette. I fell onto the bed
and started to cry. I felt as bad as the day Greg left for college. I woke
on Wednesday with huge bags under my eyes. 
 

I now know that Greg spent Saturday night at Joannes and then he switched
rotations to give him some space between the two of us for 36 hours. He
went home during the day to get some clean clothes and hurried back to the
hospital. 
 

He pulled into the driveway around 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday. When he got out
he noticed that there were no lights on in the house. He walked up the
steps of the porch and opened the door. He turned on some lights, Maggie?
There was no answer. He turned on the light in the kitchen and saw the
note. He read it and then sat down and shook his head. He checked my room
just in case. But the clothes were gone and so were my books. 
 

When my phone went off my stomach turned, I knew it was probably Greg.
Hello? 
 

Is this your plan to insure that you inherit my portion of the great House
estate? If my Mom finds out that Ive lost you somewhere in Washington D.C.
there goes my claim to the family fortune. 
 

Your claim is safe, Im not lost or misplaced. Ive already called your
mother to let her know I moved out. I told her that I was having a hard
time with the commute getting into the city and decided to move closer.  
 

We need to talk about what happened. 
 

I dont know, I saw the look you gave me and how angry you were. 
 

What, I was suppose to feel elated and proud of what I did? 
 

But you wouldnt have done it if I hadnt thrown myself at you literally. 
 

I wont argue with that. What room are you in? 
 

Why? I wasnt sure what he would do. 
 

I want to make sure you are safe. 
 

Im safe. 
 

Maggie May. We should talk in person. Either you come home or Ill come to
see you. 
 

Room 422. 
 

Ill be there in an hour. Bye.  
 

I heard the knock on the door and I looked through the peep hole. He was
standing there rubbing his forehead, waiting for me to open the door. I
did. He brushed right by me and went into the living room area of the
suite. I closed the door. Greg grabbed a drink out of the refrigerator.  
 

He stood up and walked around, I dont even know where to start. 
 

Let me give it a try, youve always thought of me as a little sister, that
is until you saw that I had developed breasts. Then it was hard to think
of me as a little kid. But you didnt know what that made me. You vacillate
between thinking, shes too young and God, I want to nail her. So when I
walk up naked, press my body against you and kissed you, you think it must
be your fault when I lose my virginity to you. God you are egocentric. 
 

Not too many girls have asked for the Greg House deflowering service. So
excuse me if I dont know what to think. 
 

Would it have been better for me to give it up to some pimply faced high
school jock who wanted to make me another notch on his belt? 
 

It shouldnt have been me, we have too much to lose between us because of
this. 
 

That brings us to our arrangements. I cant live in that house right now. I
spend every night wanting to feel your hands on my body, feel your lips on
mine and feel you in me. Its hard to get to sleep when your whole body
literally aches for someone. I looked at him and I could tell that he
hadnt wanted to hear this. For once Greg House didnt want to know the
unvarnished truth. 
 

Im sorry, I didnt know. Youre only 18. I didnt think that women could feel
like that. 
 

What? You dont think we think of sex? I think of sex all the time...I
think of sex with YOU all the time. Thats why I cant go back to the house.
I need to concentrate on school and I cant do that when Im picking up your
underwear, finding condom wrappers in the trash and cleaning your whiskers
out of the washbasin in the morning. 
 

MY God, you are obsessed. 
 

Dont go strutting like a peacock, I just need to get away from you and
concentrate on my studies and this will go away and I can get back to
thinking of you as just Greg House, my friend. I think if I start dating
someone it will probably go a long way to getting us back to normal. 
 

Im going to miss you. 
 

Youre going to miss having a maid around. 
 

No Maggie May, Im going to miss YOU. I enjoy driving down the street and
knowing that youre inside, even if you do drive me insane sometimes. 
 

Greg, you know that what Im saying makes sense. 
 

Yes, Im afraid that it does. 
 

I moved out of the house and was lucky to find a small studio that was
empty because the resident had flunked out of Georgetown. I liked it so
much that I took a lease until the end of the spring semester. I had
decided not to rent campus housing.  
 

I went home for Thanksgiving and spent it with John and Blythe. Greg didnt
come, he told the Houses he was scheduled for a rotation that weekend. I
was pretty sure he had switched with someone who wanted it off. John and
Blythe didnt talk about it but I knew they were sad that he hadnt come. I
invited them back to Washington D.C. to see my new studio and to spend
some time with me. They said that they would make plans for spring or
summer when it was warmer. They wanted to know if I was coming home for
Christmas and the semester break. I told them yes, I would be home to
spend it with them. I saw a visible look of relief.  
 

I spent Christmas with them and we had a good time. We even went down to
Ensenada to eat, drink and shop. I purchased a genuine fake Gucci handbag
for $25.00 and Blythe got the genuine fake Coach bag for $30.00. I bought
John his own genuine fake Rolex watch for $20.00. We were all pleased with
our purchases. The Houses looked incredibly good and healthy.  
 

I spent my semester break going out with friends, playing music and
bowling with John and Blythe at the base bowling alley. When we talked
about Greg, Blythe would light up. I told them about his patients and his
crazy schedule. They nodded to acknowledge that it was a crazy schedule. I
warned them that I would not be coming home for the summer, that I was
going to try and get either an internship or a regular job. They
understood. I think they were just grateful for any time we had together.
I cried this time when I left. I loved them so much. 
 

The spring semester was incredibly hard. I was taking two writing courses
and two literature courses and a logic class which meant a lot of writing
and reading. I hardly had time to come up for air. My IBM Selectric had
already gone through two ribbons and four correcting tapes.  
 

I received a phone call one Saturday night. 
 

Hello? 
 

Maggie May, its Greg. 
 

Oh, hi. How are you? I hadnt heard from Greg in three months. I hadnt even
had time to think about him except on those occasional Saturday nights
when I was alone in my studio. 
 

Im in town, I thought we could masticate together. That is if you are in
to Masticating. 
 

What time? 
 

I could swing by in an hour to pick you up. Would that work? 
 

Sure. 
 

He came into the studio and looked around. Its a little cramped, dont you
get claustrophobia? 
 

Its just me here. I find it works just fine. Youve lost weight. 
 

No one is cooking for me. Youve lost some yourself. 
 

Yeah, I have a heavy load this semester and grabbing a bite to eat becomes
a chore. 
 

Shall we go? 
 

It was freezing out with a lot of sleet and ice forming. I found out he
was down in D.C. for a two day seminar and just got up the courage to call
me that afternoon. We fell back into our easy way of talking, as if
nothing had happened between us. I hadnt laughed so hard in months. I told
him about his parents and that they would be out to visit when it was
warmer. He winced and I scowled at him. He asked me if I had a boyfriend. 
 

Theres a guy in my logic class that is smart, funny and a wise ass. He
comes and sits with me in the student union, but he hasnt asked me out
yet. I think he will soon. 
 

Good. 
 

And you? Dating anyone special? Or still rutting? 
 

Still spreading my seed to start that superior race.  
 

We had a good time but on the way back to my studio Gregs car would slip
and slide every time we had to stop for a light or stop sign.  
 

Greg, you cant drive home on this, youll kill yourself. You can stay at my
studio until the morning and go home then. 
 

I dont think that is a good idea considering our history. 
 

Dont worry, I promise not to jump you this time. Ill contain my ardor. 
 

Its not you Im worried about. 
 

We rode the rest of the way in silence. He pulled up to the curb and I
reached over and gave him a peck on the cheek. Dont be a stranger, I still
love you and your company. 
 

Same here. 
 

I got out and went inside and started studying to get my mind off of what
he said in the car. It worked, as I got more and more into the chapters of
my Charles Dickens, I forgot about the great Greg House. 
 

*** 
 

I didnt see him for the rest of the semester. I started dating Steve
Liewer, the guy in my logic class. He reminded me of a tamer Greg House,
not quite as acerbic. He treated me well including in bed. I learned how
to make love with Steve. He was patient and he was good. We would
sometimes spend all weekend in my studio alternating between studying and
screwing. It was a lot of fun.	
 

In May I renewed my lease for another six months. I started looking for a
job and found one as an aid to Ronald Reagans Secretary of the Department
of Health and Human Services. I was a glorified gopher and receptionist,
but I learned a lot anyway that summer and I got to meet President Reagan
and Vice President Bush.  
 

In June I called and left messages on Gegs answering machine telling him
that I wanted to take him out for his birthday but he never called me
back.  
 

My birthday was in July and the Houses came to D.C. for it. I called Greg
and was surprised when he actually picked up the phone. I told him it was
my birthday and that his parents would be in town. 
 

Were all having dinner on Saturday night, that includes you. No excuses. 
 

But I have to... 
 

Switch with someone, this isnt an option. Do you understand? Because if
you dont then Im going to come up there and install your parents in your
house. Ill tell them that you wanted them to stay with you and that you
were more than happy to give up your bed for their comfort. Get the drift.

 

Ill be there. 
 

The Houses came and saw my studio. Blythe thought it was cute and
approved. John was worried about the neighborhood but I explained that
D.C. was a bizarre town. You could drive two blocks in a good
neighborhood, one block in a bad one and then be back in a good
neighborhood. It wasnt like most towns where there was a wrong side of the
track. 
 

They liked Steve. Blythe said, He reminds me of Greg but with a little
more tact. 
 

We went to a Chinese restaurant for dinner. Blythe, John, Steve and I
waited almost a half hour for Greg. I could tell John was furious.
Military men tend to hate it when someone is late, its like a personal
insult. When he didnt come we ordered our meal. Just as I handed the
waitress the menu back I saw him walk in. My chest felt tight and I
swallowed hard. There was no other word to describe him but, beautiful.
His long legs glided through the tables and the slacks were tailored
perfectly to give him the graceful, sexy, stride of a panther. He had on a
short sleeved shirt opened as a V at the top. It was in a shade of blue
that made his eyes pools of crystal blue. I had to look away or I was sure
I would give myself away. I thought about Steve sitting next to me and it
calmed me to know he was there.  
 

Greg came to the table, kissed his mom, nodded to his dad, scrutinized
Steve and gave me a kiss half way between my ear and my neck. It wasnt
intimate but it wasnt one you would normally get from a friend. I could
tell that Steve had taken note of it. I hadnt told Steve much about Greg
except that I had been his next door neighbor and that we were good
friends. 
 

Maggie May, youre 19! Congratulations. Sorry about being late but I had a
patient come in with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever but without the spots.
It took us awhile to figure out what was wrong. I thought we were going to
lose her. 
 

Greg, this is Steve Liewer. 
 

Your boyfriend? 
 

Yes. Steve answered right away. 
 

What do you do for a living? Greg asked. 
 

Im just finishing Grad school, so I start my new at the job at the U.N. in
New York next week. 
 

I thought you said you were her boyfriend? How are you going to keep the
relationship going from New York? Greg had asked a question that I kept
asking myself. 
 

New York is only a three hour train ride from D.C. I dont see a problem. 
 

Greg said nothing but nodded his head up and down to indicate that he
understood. Gregs parents had a million questions for their son and he
answered them one by one. The meal turned from a celebration of my
birthday into a fact finding mission about Greg House. I didnt mind, they
rarely got to see him.	
 

They all gave me gifts except Greg.  I have your gift, but it was too big
to bring in here. Ill give it to you later. 
 

Steve said, Hey Pamplanas is next door. They always have a nice easy band
and great drinks. Why dont we go next door for a round of drinks. 
 

The Houses said, The night is still young and were on California time so
were up for it. 
 

Greg said nothing but followed us to the bar. It was a sleek looking place
with a nice dance floor, a band and nice linen dressed tables around the
dance floor to sit. There was one table left close to the dance floor so
we could see the band, but far enough away that we could talk. The band
started the set with a Rhumba and I smiled. 
 

Whats the joke? Steve asked. 
 

I actually know that this is a Rhumba. I said. 
 

How did you know that? Steve was curious. 
 

Greg, you remember how you told me your parents made you take ballroom
dancing when you were twelve at the Officers Club? Well, guess what they
did to me when I was thirteen? 
 

Dance lessons at the Officers Club? he asked and I nodded my head a
vigorous yes. 
 

Well, we thought it was good for you two to know and it was great
exercise. Blythe argued.  
 

Greg and I laughed, Yes and great humiliation for a teenager. Greg said. 
 

Two songs later and two margaritas under my belt, a Tango was played. Greg
looked across the table and asked, Do you remember how to Tango? 
 

Argentine or American? 
 

Oh, dont insult me, Argentine of course. He stood up and held out the
right hand for my left and he put his left hand behind his back and
escorted me to the dance floor. We turned and faced each other, looked in
each others eyes and he started the basic step, to the side, back , to the
side and then the sweeping steps towards me as I go backwards. I was
staring into his eyes as is expected in the Tango. He held my pelvic bone
against his right hip as we glided back again. Then he took me in his arms
and guided me through the ochos both back and forward, He twirled me and
then he pulled me into basic position. I was surprised that I still
remembered it. I was even more surprised at how well Greg could dance.	
 

It was also one of those dances that takes up the entire dance floor if
done right. No one else dared join us. He walked and twirled me three
times and then dipped me over his arm with his face just inches from my
breasts as he also dipped over my body. He pulled me up slowly and held me
tight against his chest for about five seconds, pinning my arm with his
behind my back, then he started again, he walked towards me and I walked
back. It was as if we were one person in unison, him looking down into my
eyes and me looking up. When we ended on a dip, my right hip and pelvis
pinned against his right leg and my left leg pointed down to the floor,
everyone in the club clapped. Greg bowed and then held out his hand to me
as if everyone should clap for me. I blushed. 
 

Greg was paged soon after that and had to respond to an emergency. He left
to get back to Baltimore. Steve and I took the Houses back to their hotel
and then went to my studio. Steve hardly spoke to me on the way home. When
we made love, I closed my eyes and saw Greg. Steve was rougher than usual,
as if he were angry at someone or at me. The dance had stirred something
in me that I had kept contained for months. 
 

Blythe asked me later that week, Whats going on between you and Greg? I
denied that anything was going on and she said, That wasnt a Tango, that
was, well, excuse my French, lovemaking. I was embarrassed. Maggie, I love
my son, but at every turn hell break your heart, be careful. Stick with
Steve. Blythe had an uncanny knack of knowing when you werent being
truthful. I was pretty sure Greg had inherited his ability to observe and
put things together from his Mom. He got his stubbornness and fearlessness
from his Dad. 

*** 
 

Steve took off for New York City with a promise to be back in two weeks.
Within minutes of him leaving I received a telephone call from Greg. 
 

I have two tickets to the Kennedy Center, Dame Kira Te Kanawa is singing
for one night only, this Saturday. Are you in? 
 

Youre kidding? Wow! You know I love her. Sure, is it formal? 
 

Afraid so, its one of those special performances for the Arts. 
 

All I have is my prom dress. Ill have to go buy something. 
 

I bet that just breaks your heart. 
 

Ha,ha...whats the plan? 
 

Ill pick you up at 6:00 p.m., we have dinner reservations at 6:30 p.m. and
the performance is at 8:00 p.m. 
 

I went out to the boutiques in Georgetown and found an evening gown that
was on sale and which I thought looked nice on me. It reminds me now of
the dress Julia Roberts wore in Pretty Woman. It was red silk with a red
satin band around the empire waist with velveteen, off the shoulder
sleeves. I bought a fake diamond choker and earrings and some black velvet
heels. I had a black shawl that I added to the outfit. 
 

Saturday night came and I put my hair up in a french chignon. I applied a
light coat of makeup, brown eyeshadow, brown eyeliner, mascara. I thought
my eyes looked bluer with the brown. No matter how much color I put on, my
eyes were gray compared to Gregs. I changed out my purse from my day purse
to an evening purse that Blythe had given to me. It had belonged to her
aunt. It was a black and silver beaded purse with an intricate beaded
pattern. The icing on the outfit was my black gloves that went up past my
elbows. I think every woman secretly wants to wear a dress where you can
wear gloves above the elbow.  
 

I had just gotten the gloves on and was ready when there was a knock on
the door. I was nervous. When I opened the door there was Greg, all 6'2"
in a Armani European cut tuxedo with beautiful french cuffs. I wondered if
he had bought it or rented it. He was clean shaven, gorgeous blue eyes,
and his hair combed with a left side part. He made me feel like jelly
inside. The whole time I am looking at him he is smiling at me and
speaking. I finally heard him.	
 

...beautiful. Ive never seen anything so beautiful in my life. So elegant.
Maggie May you are stunning. I have this for you. 
 

It was a wrist corsage made of baby roses, white and red. It was
beautiful. I was a little shocked and so he took my wrist, opened the
corsage box and put it on. It was lovely and so was he. 
 

Are you ready to go? 
 

I managed to say, Yes.	
 

We arrived at the restaurant and I felt like a queen being escorted by a
courtier. It was surreal. People turned and stared at us. One older lady
grabbed my elbow as I went by and said, You two make a beautiful couple. I
told her thank you. We were given a table in the middle of the restaurant
and all through the dinner we were stared at.  
 

You certainly know how to turn heads for someone so young. 
 

I think all these women are looking at you. I know I am. You look very
handsome tonight. I have a question though. Why did you ask me? You could
have asked Joanne or Cheryl or one of the others youve dated. Why me? 
 

Simple, I knew that you really liked Kiri Te Kanawa. I didnt want to go
with someone who didnt appreciate her talent. 
 

It made sense, how can you talk about the performer to someone who doesnt
even know the aria shes singing. Well, thank you. 
 

Youre welcome. 
 

We made it to the opera and as we were entering a photographer yelled at
us. We turned to see what he was saying and he took our photo. Thats going
to be great for the style section. Can I get your names and permission to
use your photo? We gave him our names and Greg gave him a card. The
photographer promised to send him a copy of the photo. 
 

We went in and took our seats. I waited all night for O Mio Babbino Cara,
from the opera, Gianni Schicchi, by Puccini. When she finally sang it as
her encore, the tears just streamed down my face. The song is about a
young woman who begs her fathers permission to marry a man he disapproves
of or she will throw herself off the Ponte Vecchio. In the end he says no
and she does commit suicide. Greg took out his handkerchief and gave it to
me to mop the tears. I couldnt help it, even if you dont understand
Italian, you can hear the pain and longing in the aria and especially in
her performance. We all gave her a standing ovation. 
 

As we were leaving he said, I guess theres no sense in asking you which
was your favorite piece. I was still mopping the tears and makeup. I
looked up trying to look composed and he just chuckled and gave me a hug.
Youre pathetic. 
 

He was a perfect gentleman, he took me up the stairs to my studio, waited
for me to unlock my door. He gave me a short closed-mouth kiss on the lips
and said good night and then disappeared.  
 

Two weeks later a package arrived in the mail. Inside was a Victorian
frame with our photo inside with a note, The photographer sent me two, so
I thought youd like one. I try to be modest but I have to admit that the
photo was very flattering of both of us. Greg and I both look happy and
beautiful. I loved it. I put it on the shelf and vowed that I would get a
copy made for Blythe. She would love it too.  
 

The fall semester of my junior year began and I had one literature course,
a Creative Writing course, an Advanced writing course, Literary Criticism
and a communications course. Steve had been down to visit several times
and we talked almost every night on the telephone. I didnt tell Steve
about the opera because something told me he would be upset. It was early
October and I was studying for an exam in my literature course when I
started thinking about the night of the Tango and realized that Greg had
never given me the gift he said he had for me. I suspected it had been a
lie to cover for not having a birthday gift at all. Otherwise, he would
have given it to me by now.  
 

That Thursday I received a phone call from Greg. I have your gift sitting
in my trunk, I keep forgetting to give it to you. Are you doing anything
this Saturday?	
 

No, Im free. 
 

Then Ill come down around 6:00 p.m. , take you to dinner and give you your
gift, ok? 
 

Sounds great. 
 

He came down and we went to a nice, but not fancy, restaurant serving
Indian food, one of my favorites. Greg kept talking about clinic duty and
how mind numbing it was. However, he did have a few funny anecdotes that
made us laugh. I could tell something wasnt right. 
 

Greg, whats going on. Youre distracted and worried. 
 

He gave a look like he didnt want to tell me. But then he said, Im having
a few problems with the administration at Hopkins. Seems my winning
personality isnt winning them over. They have me on probation. My reviews
are kind of like, brilliant, uncannily capable but doesnt play well with
others. Apparently, my bedside manner is more like the Spanish
Inquisition. 
 

I laughed, Well, how long do you have to go before you finish your
residency? 
 

One more year to specialize in Infectious Diseases. Then Im going to do a
two year residency in nephrology. I was hoping to do it at Hopkins...looks
good on the resume. 
 

Greg, this isnt new. Youve had problems with authority before. You know
how to play the game, its just that you get exasperated and then you say
and do whatever you please. Youve always been that way. You dont suffer
fools lightly. I cant change you. Frankly, I dont want to change you, but
you have to play the game long enough to get you through your residency
and you know it. 
 

Id rather go in for a root canal. This is hard. I know what youre saying.
I did better when you were around... going home and venting to you and
arguing with you actually helped me deal with this crap. 
 

Well, maybe you need a girlfriend. You should put more effort in trying to
establish a real relationship. 
 

We walked back to my studio and he went to the car. He opened the trunk
and pulled out a guitar case. Happy Birthday. 
 

I took it inside and opened it. It was a 1988 Ovation Collector Series
acoustic guitar. 

It had a Metallic Silver face, a very unusual Collectors issue. I was
overjoyed.  
 

GREG! Its gorgeous. Oh, wow. Thank you. 
 

When I was here I saw the old one I gave you and it looked pretty worn. I
thought it was time for a new one. 
 

This is so exciting! I started tuning the guitar. Greg grabbed the old one
and tuned it. I started picking it and it had an incredible sound. This is
so crisp and clean. 
 

Greg started strumming the guitar. We sat on some large square throw
pillows on the floor at the edge of the bed. We leaned back against the
bed for back support. 
 

I asked, Greg, when I was staying at your house, I didnt see any musical
instruments, where were they? 
 

Still packed away in the attic, I just havent had the time to play music.
And I havent had the money to buy a piano. I havent been able to get to
it. 
 

Thats ridiculous. You, above all people need your music to unwind. It
would be good for you after all that mind numbing clinic duty. Instead of
watching television, you should be playing. 
 

He continued to strum and hum. I started to strum too. He had never heard
me play.  

Do you know Tim Buckleys, Once I Was?  
 

I know Jeff Buckleys Hallelujah. 
 

Tim Buckley was his father, they both died young. But he wrote, Once I Was
during the Viet Nam war. 
 

I think I might know it, play it and Ill try to follow. Are you in G?  
 

He shook his head yes and began to strum and then he started to sing: 
 

Once I was a soldier 

And I fought on foreign sands for you 

Once I was a hunter 

And I brought home fresh meat for you 

Once I was a lover 

And I searched behind your eyes for you 

And soon therell come another 

To tell you I was just a lie. 
 

Sometimes I wonder 

Just for awhile, 

Do you ever remember me? 
 

Though you have forgotten 

All of our rubbish dreams 

I find myself searching 

Through the ashes of our ruins 

For the days when we smiled 

And the hours that ran wild 

And the magic of our eyes 

And the silence of our words 
 

And Sometimes I wonder 

Just for awhile 

Do you ever remember me? 
 

I didnt join in at all. I had heard the song but I hadnt realized how
beautiful the lyrics were and Greg sang it so hauntingly. Greg, what a
beautiful song...how sad. 
 

Well then, maybe you can join me in this one... 
 

He did the guitar introduction and we both smiled,  
 

Wake up Maggie I think Ive got something to say to you, 

Its late September and I really should be back at school, 

I know I keep you amused, but I feel Im being used, 

Oh Maggie I couldnt have tried any more, 

You lured me away from home just to save you from being alone, 

You stole my heart and thats what really hurt... 
 

We sang it together...and when we got to these lyrics he almost shouted
them at me, 
 

...All I needed was a friend to lend a guiding hand, 

But you turned into a lover and 

Mother what a lover, you wore me out, 

All you did was wreck my bed, 

And in the morning kick me in the head, 

Oh Maggie I couldnt have tried anymore, 

You lured me away from home, cause you didnt want to be alone, 

You stole my heart I couldnt leave you if I tried... 
 

He stopped playing and singing and put his guitar quickly off to the side.
He grabbed my arm and took my guitar and tossed it onto some pillows. He
turned back to me and looked in my eyes and then kissed me. We kissed
again only this was mutual. I stood up and he stood up with me. He started
taking off my blouse, one button at a time. With each button he would give
me a deep kiss. There were five buttons and then my skirt was elastic, he
pulled it down and I stepped out of it. I started unbuttoning his short
sleeve dark blue shirt. He took it off and then grabbed the back of his
T-shirt and pulled it over his head. He kissed my shoulders, my neck and
my lips again. He looked at my breasts nestled in my demi-cup bra and he
kissed the tops of them. Then he reached around and unlatched the bra. I
took it off and he held me next to his chest. He put his hand down the
back of my panties as he kissed me again. I put my hand down the back of
his shorts and pulled him closer. He went over to the bed, pulled down the
covers and after taking our underwear off, we got in together.	
 

Greg was slow and gentle. We explored each other with our mouths and
tongues and touched each other everywhere. We made love missionary style
but slowly and with Greg looking in my eyes the whole time. When he
climaxed his eyes closed and his mouth clenched and he didnt breath until
it was over. Then he made sure that my pleasure was taken. Afterwards, we
lay in each others arms. There were no excuses or apologies. We both knew
that this was what we wanted.  
 

Maggie? 
 

Yes? 
 

Ive never touched anything so delicious as your skin. I dont think I can
let you out of this bed, ever. 
 

Then lets not get out of bed...ever. 
 

He kissed me and nibbled my ears. I did get out of bed, to get us some ice
water, I was parched. We drank the water and returned to our lovemaking. I
turned Greg onto his back and then took an ice cube out of the glass. With
one hand I caressed him and with the ice cube in my lips I traced a line
down from his chest to the line of hair that starts at the navel and goes
down. He was very excited, and I straddled him while we made love. He was
exhausted afterwards and said, Ill never look at ice the same way again. 

 

It was difficult getting out of bed the next day. Neither of us wanted to
move or do anything to spoil our night together. But eventually we both
got up and cleaned up. I made Greg some coffee and after I was dressed, he
took me out to breakfast. We looked like one of those couples that cant
keep their hands off of each other. We kissed each other deeply at every
intersection and when we sat down. Greg ordered eggs benedict and I had
French toast, he ate some of mine off of my plate. I was used to this, he
had done it ever since the roast beef plate his Mom had served me.  
 

What do you want to do today? He asked. 
 

Go back to bed. I said. 
 

Tempting, but lets take a walk before we do. I enjoy walking the mall. 
 

I do too. Can we go up to the Viet Nam Memorial? 
 

I dont care where we go, I just like to walk. 
 

We started walking and Greg started making up stories about the people we
passed. One was a proctologist going to make a house call, he was caring a
toilet plunger. The woman with the small dog was a jewel thief and the dog
her accomplice, he swallows the jewelry she steals and then he passes them
later after the police have searched her apartment. We had a great time
making up the stories. We got out to the mall and started strolling. Every
now and again we would stop and hug or kiss. When we got to the Viet Nam
Memorial I was somber. I was always moved by the polished granite and the
reflection of the trees off of the deep black panels. I made sure that I
stopped and touched the panel with Lt. Larry Stevens, MIA. He was the
oldest son of my Dads friend and had been missing since Valentines Day,
1969. 
 

We then climbed the Lincoln Memorial and sat on one of the steps and we
looked back at the mall towards the Washington Memorial and the Capitol
Building. I then started to quote the Gettysburg Address without looking
at it. 
 

Why in the hell would you memorize that? 
 

I admire Lincoln quite a bit. He was hated by so many people, including a
lot of people in his own party. But he did what he thought was right even
though it was incredibly unpopular, he started a war to keep the Union
together. He was such a tragic hero, having lost two of his sons, dealing
with a wife with a borderline personality disorder and being haunted with
dreams of his own death. He was a great human being and leader and he was
a great writer. So I memorized the Address as a kid in his honor, but more
importantly, I think it is a beautiful five minute speech that captures
the essence of patriotism. It brings tears to my eyes when it is quoted.
How can you not be moved by the phrase, Last full measure of devotion?..
It sends chills down my arms, look... 
 

He looked at me and my chills, Maggie, you are one weird chick. Do you
think if we have sex long enough then I will turn weird like you and start
quoting the Preamble to the Constitution or Patrick Henrys speech? 
 

Oh screw you Gregory House. 
 

Ok, honey lets go. 
 

And so we did, we made our way back to the studio and straight into bed.
We made love and as he was kissing me all over he looked up and said, We
the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union,
establish justice, promote.... I took a pillow and hit him upside his
head. We both laughed. 
 

 We didnt get out of bed for the rest of the day. We even had a pizza
delivered so that we could stay in bed and eat. I gave him a massage and
he fell asleep so I turned on the television and watched for awhile. When
he woke up he reached over and grabbed me to hold me close to him. Around
9:00 p.m. he told me, Ive got to go. I have a 36 hour rotation tomorrow.
But Ill be down Wednesday, ok? 
 

I have class until 4:00 p.m. so dont get down here too early. 
 

Maggie May, when does your lease expire?  
 

End of this month. 
 

Move back in with me. 
 

But Greg, are you sure you want to make that kind of commitment so soon? 
 

You must be joking. Ive just jumped off a huge cliff Maggie May , theres
no going back now. 
 

I guess youre right. Ill think about it and let you know Wednesday. 
 

Good night Maggie May. 
 

Good night Greg. 
 

I stared at the ceiling all night. There were so many loose ends. I had to
tell Steve it was over, I worried about what Blythe and John would say and
I was concerned over what was going to happen to Greg and I. It became so
overwhelming that I wanted to run away. But I eventually fell asleep and
woke at 8:00 a.m. I got to school and had a hard time concentrating. I
kept thinking that Wednesday couldnt come soon enough. 
 

*** 
 
 

That night I dialed Steve. Hello? 
 

Steve, its Maggie. How are you? 
 

Im well Maggie but you dont sound so hot, whats up? 
 

I dont know how to tell you this over the phone but I wasnt sure when we
would be seeing each other again.  
 

Let me see if I can guess. You and Greg House are seeing each other now
and you want to break up. 
 

Wow, youre psychic...its true. But how did you know? 
 

I could tell from the minute he walked in and kissed you that you were in
love with him. When he did it you closed your eyes like you do just before
you climax. And then I saw that photo of the two of you that you stashed
in the desk drawer. God you looked gorgeous and you looked in love, so did
he. Im disappointed. I think hes going to break your heart, but I cant
stop that. I love you Maggie. Maybe if I had told you sooner this wouldnt
have happened. But you cant go back. I really do hope he can make you
happy. 
 

I dont know Steve, but Ive been on this train since I was a girl and I
have to see where its going. But thanks so much for everything. You are an
wonderful human being and a great lover . 
 

 Good Bye Maggie. 
 

Thanks Steve, Good Bye. 
 

Wednesday night at 6:00 p.m. Greg showed up with a rose for me. He walked
into the studio, Mmmm, whats that I smell...God, thats making me hungry. 
 

Its chilli and cornbread. I walked over and wrapped my arms around him. I
was so afraid that this was all going to be over soon and I wanted to just
hold on him. 
 

Ah, Maggie, MAGGIE...youre squeezing really hard. Im not going anywhere. 
 

We sat down at my little table and ate dinner. 
 

I really find this place suffocating. Please come back home. He looked at
me with a sweet silly face. 
 

Im going to give up my lease and move back at the end of the month. 
 

He reached over and kissed me on my lips, Great. 
 

We didnt go anywhere because I needed to finish a paper. Greg sat on the
bed and watched television while I sat at the typewriter. He got up, went
to the bathroom and then came back and started annoying me. He blew on my
neck, nibbled my ear, reached from behind and grabbed my breasts, anything
to get my attention. 
 

Ok, ok....just give me five more minutes? I have to finish my chapter and
then I can direct my full attention to you, ok? 
 

He sighed and then went over by the bed. I could hear his belt dangling as
he took off his pants so I turned and he was already stripped down to his
shorts. Normally, this impatience would have bugged the crap out of me,
but he looked so cute and happy. He looked like he was going to go to
Disneyland. I had to giggle. 
 

I finished the paragraph, turned off the typewriter, took a drink of water
and jumped up. I told him, 
 

You get one piece of clothing for each real answer to my questions. If I
think youre not being honest, then I put a piece of clothing back on... 
 

Oh, no, no. No way Maggie May. Just come over and lets make love. 
 

Let start. What is your favorite color? I started with an easy one to
relax him. 
 

Blue. 
 

Youve just earned my levis. I took off my jeans and threw them off to the
side. 
 

Who is your favorite musical artist? 
 

John Coltrane. 
 

I didnt know that! Youve just earned my sweater. I threw it over to the
side. 
 

What is your favorite sexual position? 
 

He smiled broadly, Woman on top. The view is incredible and your hands are
free to explore. You better hurry this up, Im getting hot thinking about
it. 
 

Youve just earned my shirt. I threw the shirt over and sat in my bra and
panties. 
 

Now, it gets harder. Do you ever see yourself getting married? 
 

His face dropped. I could tell his brain was trying to figure out how he
could tell the truth and not upset me. I honestly dont know. Not usually,
I feel like Id ruin it. But Maggie May, that doesnt mean I wont change my
mind. 
 

He sounded so pathetically honest I smiled sweetly at him to let him know
it was ok. Youve just earned the ....well, which would you prefer? Bra or
panties off 
 

Bra please... 
 

And, since you answered the question of bra and panties, that means you
get BOTH!!! 
 

Hallelujah brothers and sisters, Im going to the promise land. Greg
through up his hands in praise. 
 

I took both off and walked over. He looked up and down and then grabbed me
around my waist and pulled me down. He made sure I was just at the brink
of climaxing and then he entered. We climaxed together and I could feel my
muscles contracting. It was both pleasurable and painful.  
 

Just after we both finished he said, You have incredibly strong Kegle
muscles. 
 

Should I be flattered? 
 

Oh yeah baby, those muscles could give a dead man a climax. 
 

Well thank you sir. 
 

No. THANK YOU. 
 

The pleasure was mine. 
 

No, I assure you, the pleasure was mine. and then he started to tickle me.

 

Greg House, Im not ticklish...ok theres one place, but I will never give
that up. On the other hand, you claim not to be ticklish and I know thats
a LIE! I started to tickle back and within minutes he was writhing on his
back trying to keep my hands away from him.  

Ok, ok, truce...truce... 
 

I want to hear, I surrender.. 
 

I surrender, I surrender...just keep those digits away from me.  
 

We both collapsed. Can you stay all night? I asked.  
 

Yeah, I dont have work tomorrow. 
 

Great, you can come to class with me and I can show you off to everyone. 
 

We started out sleeping in the spoon position and I could feel his warm
breath on my back and neck. But occasionally he would move and it would
tickle. This was the one place I was ticklish, except immediately after
sex when I was incredibly ticklish all over. He was asleep so he couldnt
see me moving my neck into a position where his breath didnt tickle. 
 

During the night our bodies separated and I was sleeping on my side. It
must have been around 4:00 a.m. when I woke up to him sliding up to me and
wrapping himself around me. He was warm and toasty and his body was so
long compared to me. Within minutes he was fondling me and we had sex
slowly and without fanfare. When it was over, he went back to sleep
immediately. I was awake. Once he was snoring I knew I was doomed, Id
never be able to get back to sleep.  

Greg is a strange sleeper. Sometimes he wakes up at the drop of a pin,
other times he sleeps through anything. After he has sex, he can sleep
through anything. 
 

I got up and turned on the desk lamp and started typing away. I stopped to
see if he was going to wake and he didnt, so I worked on my essay. I
edited it and retyped the pages with the editing. By 7:30 a.m. when the
alarm went off, I had already had my shower and was ready to go. When the
alarm sounded, I got up and made a pot of coffee and a pot of tea. I made
him wake up, reluctantly I might add, and go get his shower. I made us
some toast and when he came to the table he looked so clean and shiny that
I wanted to tweak his cheek. Which I did. 
 

The day was a normal day of lectures. Greg fell asleep in my advanced
writing course. When he started snoring the whole class turned around and
the teacher, who liked me, asked, Are we interfering with his beauty
sleep? 
 

I prodded Greg and told the teacher, Hes a doctor, up all night with a
patient. Ill wake him. Greg woke up with a snort and the whole class
laughed including the teacher. When the class resumed I made sure by
pinching Greg every five minutes that he didnt go back to sleep. 
 

After class I told him to go back to the studio and sleep and I would meet
up with him. He begged me to let him come with me to my next class, he
just wanted to be with me. 

The next class was my elective, Creative Writing. I relented and on the
way we got him a cup of coffee. As he was finishing it up outside the
classroom, I went in to talk to my instructor, Professor Gerald Perkins.
Professor Perkins was scrumptious. He was probably 30 and very handsome in
the way that Robert Redford is handsome. In fact, he could have been his
brother. Professor Perkins saw me and gave me a smile. I had to ask him
about the next assignment and so we talked for a few minutes. He always
made me laugh and today was no exception. After we were done I took my
seat. Greg had been watching us from the doorway. He came and sat down
next to me. 
 

That guy has the hots for you. 
 

Professor Perkins? Dont be absurd. 
 

I can read his body language and he wants to ball you. 
 

For God sakes Greg, he doesnt want to sleep with me. 
 

Youre right, he doesnt want to sleep with you, he wants to screw you. 
 

Behave and pay attention. 
 

During the class, Professor Perkins called on me several times. I was now
conscious of the fact that he might be flirting with me and I was
squirming when he showed me the least bit of attention. 
 

After class, Greg marked his territory by putting his arm around me and
giving me a kiss before we left the classroom. I just smiled to myself as
we walked back to the studio. 

*** 
 

I moved back in with Greg at the end of the month. I told him that we
needed to tell his parents about us and he adamantly disagreed.  
 

Your Mom is going to know. I cant seem to hide anything from her. 
 

Well call on Tuesdays when she goes to the hairdresser and tell my Dad
that you moved back in to save money and to help me save money. Hell
believe you. Hell tell Mom and it will be fine. 
 

You live in a fantasy world Dr. House. 
 

Well, in my fantasy youre naked and waiting on me hand and foot. Care to
make that one come true? 
 

I think it already has. I was referring to the fact that I when I moved
back in I had to clean the house thoroughly and buy groceries.	
 

The next obstacle was Thanksgiving. I wanted Greg to fly home with me but
he wouldnt. He didnt want to face his parents in case the truth came out
about us. I was determined to go.  
 

When I arrived everything seemed normal between us and I relaxed. I gave
his parents a copy of the photo and his father was impressed. Maggie, you
are beautiful in this photo. Even Greg looks handsome. His mother looked
at it, smiled and thanked me. 
 

His mom and I went grocery shopping at the commissary. Between the cereal
and jam aisle she stopped the cart. Now, do you want to tell me whats
going on with you and Greg? Why did you really move back in with him? 
 

Do you really want the truth or do you want me to lie to you? 
 

The truth, well lie to his father. 
 

We both realized that we have feelings for each other that werent going to
go away. They were interfering with my relationship with Steve and Greg,
well, he just wanted me with him. Blythe, this isnt a surprise, Ive been
in love with Greg since I was a child. 
 

Maggie, thats just it, you were a child when you thought you had fallen in
love with him. Youre an adult, cant you see that Greg doesnt know what he
wants yet. Maybe if you had met when you were in your thirties he would be
different , but right now, hes still lost. 
 

I know, I can feel that. But for now, we are good for each other. Please
try to understand. 
 

You are the most mature 19 year old I have ever met, I think it comes from
your childhood, but you are naive if you think this is going to end well. 
 

Youre probably right. 
 

Oh, and dont say anything to John. He would blame Greg for all of it. 
 

Do you blame me? 
 

I think you had a lot to do with it. When it comes to Greg you dont think
straight. 
 

Youre right. I did have a lot to do with it. But I have to let it run its
course. If I dont, he will haunt me the rest of my life. 
 

I dont understand any of this. He was a difficult child, hes a difficult
man. Why choose him when you could have any man out there is beyond me.
Like I told you, I love my son and I want him to be happy, but I dont
think he knows how to be happy. 
 

But to some extent, Blythe was wrong. Greg was happy, at least for awhile.
We learned the things you learn about each other when you live together. I
discovered he likes his showers hot and I like mine warm. We compromised
every time we took a shower together. He likes Colgate and I like Crest.
He likes gel shaving lotion, Polo cologne and blue shirts. He doesnt put
away dishes even when they are clean. He likes British comedies like
Faulty Towers. He likes whiskey...single malt, but he couldnt afford that.
He liked to do crossword puzzles in the bathroom. Now this drove me nuts.
I like to get in and out of the bathroom fast. Not Greg. He likes to sleep
on his stomach and he hates clipping his toe nails until I screamed that
they were scratching me. Then he would coerce me into clipping them for
him.  
 

He was always horny which was wearing me out. He loved to go out for
walks. He went skiing with some guys at work and it didnt bother him to
leave me at home. He hated Christmas and birthdays because they were
commercialized. I still dragged him out to get a tree. 
 

Why are we getting a tree if you are going to San Diego for Christmas? 
 

Because I want one. 
 

He gave me a look like, and?? 

BECAUSE I WANT ONE. I yelled at him 
 

Ok, then youll have one.  
 

We got one and bought decorations for it. When it was up I felt happy and
I guess it showed because even he smiled when we lit it. We took lots of
photos including several timed ones that showed Greg or me just getting
into the frame and putting a hasty arm around each other. We had sex next
to the tree so that I could see the lights when I climaxed.  
 

You are so strange. 
 

Well you try it. You can be on bottom and look up. 
 

When we did, he said, I didnt get the same vibe you did...all I saw was a
haze of lights behind your head. Sorry. But it was good sex, does that
count? 
 

Some people just dont have an imagination. 
 

I flew home for Christmas and brought photos of the two of us. Blythe
asked me when we were by ourselves if we were happy.  
 

I am and I think he is. He laughs a lot and hes doing better at work. I
had let it slip and then realized that Blythe didnt know he was having
problems. I brought her up to speed. 
 

It doesnt surprise me. 
 

I missed Greg and he missed me. I called him when his parents were gone. 
 

When are you coming home again? 
 

Im staying until the 3rd. 
 

So I have to ring in 1988 by myself. That sucks.  
 

You could have come with me, you have vacation saved. 
 

Maybe next year. 
 

I didnt know it but 1988 would be one of the happiest years of my life and
1989 the worst. 

*** 

I became familiar with his colleagues over the phone. They would call and
ask about him switching a shift or something and we would talk briefly.
One day the department head called. I felt a knot in my stomach because he
rarely called and when he did, it usually pissed Greg off. I knew that
Greg and he did not see eye to eye. 
 

Hello Maggie, is Greg there? 
 

No, Tom, he went to get his hair cut. 
 

Do you know what barber shop? 
 

No... is this an emergency? 
 

Im afraid it is. We have a patient thats going downhill fast and we cant
figure out whats wrong with him. Gregs good at that. He can usually
diagnose someone before the tests are done. I need him to come in right
away or I think well lose this guy and hes only 20. 
 

I thought to myself, Hes close to my age. I didnt hesitate, Hes usually
not long when he gets his hair cut so he should be back soon. Ill give him
the message. 
 

Thanks Maggie. Bye. 
 

I was nervous because Tom sounded nervous. It must have taken everything
in the world to put aside his ego and admit that Greg was better at
something than him. Greg walked in about five minutes later. 
 

Tom called, theres a 20 year old patient that they cant figure out whats
wrong. He wants you to come in right away, hes dying...he said that you
were good at diagnosing and they needed you. 
 

Too bad. 
 

What?? You have to go in, you cant let this guy die. 
 

He has been riding me for the last two weeks and now he needs me to make
sure his stats dont go in the toilet. Tough. 
 

I looked at him like he was a monster. 
 

Maggie May, of course Im going in, I just needed to rant. Come on, come
with me. After I diagnose the kid we can catch a movie. 
 

You think it will be that easy? 
 

It usually is. I dont understand most of these doctors, they cant put two
plus two together. Get your stuff together and lets go. Bring a book or
something to do just in case. 
 

We took my car because Gregs had been acting up and we didnt want to
chance it. We got there and one of the young and beautiful female doctors
came up, put her hand on his arm and said, Oh, thank God youre here. Tom
has been going nuts trying to hunt you down. Ive been calling Barber shops
all over your area. Come on, hes in room 433. 
 

They took off and I wasnt sure what I was suppose to do so I sat down in
the waiting area with my text books and tablets. One of the residents I
had met at the Halloween party, Joel Anderson, saw me waiting and took
pity on me. Maggie, what are you doing here? 
 

Waiting for Greg. 
 

Oh man, House is going to be awhile. His patient is better but there have
been some complications. Come with me, Ill put you in the doctors lounge. 
 

I followed him to a lounge with several couches, a bookshelf with
paperbacks and games, a television and vending machines. There were also
tables and chairs which is where I set up shop. I began to organize my
notes and draft my outline for my next essay. I was starting to make
headway when I saw Gregs blue eyes in the little window of the door. It
opened and I smiled at him. 
 

Im just about done. Are you ok? 
 

Fine, but how is it going? 
 

We managed to diagnose the immediate problem, the one that was causing the
organ failure. But now we need to figure out why he still has a rash and
is vomiting. I think its a reaction to the first batch of antibiotics.
Well know in a few minutes. 
 

He was standing by the door but then he almost danced up to me and reached
down and gave me a kiss. I grabbed his hand and kissed the back of it and
then he left. He showed up half an hour later and was ready to go. He was
wired and excited, like he was on a high. He helped me put my books into
my backpack and then he picked it up to carry it for me. It was too late
for the movies and so we went out for drinks with some of the Residents.  
 

House, you were awesome. Poor Tommy boy, he didnt know what hit him...the
House tornado...you ran rings around him. You get away with more crap
because youre brilliant. Joel was holding up a beer in salute to Greg. 
 

Yeah, I thought he was going to have apoplexy when you came up with
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. How did you come up with that? the young
brunette, Donna Hall asked. 
 

I was keeping my eye on her. She seemed to preen a lot around Greg and she
flattered him whenever she could. She was also very pretty and tall.  
 

It just fit. I had been reading a journal from Italy and it was featured
in it. 
 

Well, I think you just saved Tommy Boys butt. Joel said. 
 

House and the rest of them did a post mortem analysis on the whole case,
most of which I could not follow. But they were all having a great time
and enjoying the night. Greg bought a round of drinks which shocked the
entire table. I found out later that Greg was considered the king of cheap
and frequently got others to pay for his meals and drinks.  
 

I went to the restroom and when I came out Donna Hall had her mitts on
Greg. She had her arm around his waist and was looking deep into his eyes.
I walked around so that she couldnt see me but Greg could. Once he caught
site of me he straightened up and tried to pull away but she kept holding
him and talking to him. He was very nervous, looking at her, smiling and
acknowledging what she was saying and then looking up at me. I had my head
tilted to the side with an amused look on my face. He finally waved for me
to come over. I went over and he grabbed me and gave me a very deep kiss
which would advertise to anyone that we were together, really together.
Donna went back to her stool and sat down with a look of defeat. I was so
jazzed. It was an incredible thing for him to do. 
 

After a couple more drinks, I poured Greg into the car and started the
drive home. He was drunk, but then he was a lightweight when it came to
hard liquor. Maggie May, are you happy? 
 

Yes Greg, very. What about you? 
 

Im so happy, Im scared. 
 

I dont follow honey, what do you mean? 
 

Being happy scares me, I dont have control over it. At least when Im
miserable, I can control how miserable I am. But happiness, it feels like
its out of my control. It feels good to be happy but sometimes it makes me
miserable because I feel like it cant last. 
 

Greg, life is a pendulum. If you always felt happy you wouldnt have
anything to compare it to and you wouldnt know how good it actually feels.
There are going to be good times and bad times, you just have to
appreciate both when they come around. 
 

Appreciate both? 

Ive learned more about life and happiness from the bad times than I ever
did in the good times honey. So, youre happy? 
 

Yep. I just solved a case and Im going home with the woman I love...what
could be better than that? 
 

My heart leapt and I tried to contain my excitement over the fact that he
just, in around about way, told me he loved me. I was trying not to cry or
make a big fuss over it. I knew I could scare him if I said anything. 
 

Well, were home. 
 

We got in the door and although he made overtures for having sex, by the
time I got back from the bathroom he was dead asleep. I crawled in next to
him and watched him sleep. He was so beautiful. 
 

I went back to school after the semester break was over. During my first
week of the new semester Professor Perkins sent a note to my class asking
me to stop by his office. I traveled across the campus to the older
section and the English/Communications faculty offices. I found Professor
Perkinss office and knocked on the door. He opened the door and smiled
widely. 
 

Maggie, its great to see you. How was your break? 
 

Great, I went home to San Diego for Christmas. 
 

I envy you, I once went to San Diego and thought it was paradise...all
that sunshine. 
 

Yeah, it sometimes gets boring. Professor, what did you want to see me
about? 
 

Come in, sit down. He showed me a chair, Every year we are asked to put up
a name from the juniors for a fellowship to Cambridge University for
creative writing and we, that is the English Department, believe you are
the best candidate. The fellowship begins the fall after you graduate. 
 

You mean do a fellowship in Cambridge, New England or Cambridge, England? 
 

Peterhouse College, Cambridge University, Cambridge, England. 
 

Wow. I dont know what to say. 
 

We are going to put three names up. Yours will be the first and your slot
will remain open until the end of your senior year when you will have to
give us a yes or no. If it is no, then we ask the next in line and so
forth. 
 

Creative writing? 
 

Have you ever given thought to writing as a career? 
 

I was going to do law. 
 

Law school will still be there, this will look good on your resume for the
rest of your life. And it will help you get into law school. Only one
person gets this scholarship and fellowship each year. For now, just agree
to let us put your name forward, youre going to have almost 18 months to
make a decision. 
 

Well, I guess that makes sense. Ok, I guess so. Professor Perkins, thanks
so much for your interest and your kindness. 
 

Maggie, youve earned this. You are the best talent Ive seen in years and
the rest of the faculty agrees. Your papers are well thought out, creative
and well written. You really do deserve this and I am excited for you. You
know, I received this fellowship nine years ago and it changed my life. It
also let me write my ticket to teach at any University I wanted. 
 

Well once again, thank you. Really, thank you. If I go, I hope I live up
to your expectations. I started to get up to leave. 
 

Dont worry about that, just live up to your own expectations. He stood up
and opened the door for me. 
 

Thanks, bye. 
 

Bye Maggie. 
 

I didnt know what to think. Going to Cambridge University to do a
fellowship would be a wonderful opportunity to learn a lot about fiction
and literature and writing. I hadnt thought about creative writing as a
career, but it had been my favorite class, I enjoyed it tremendously. But
I would be gone for a year. I couldnt imagine leaving Greg for a year. We
had just discovered our feelings for each other. But would I feel that way
in 18 months? 
 

I didnt want anyone to know about the offer, I knew that Greg would
probably encourage me to go even if he really didnt want me to leave. I
just wanted this to be my decision and mine alone. 
 

For the rest of the week I was distracted. I was grateful that it was the
beginning of the semester and I wasnt under any pressure. When Friday
rolled around I got home and found Greg in bed. He had just finished a 36
hour rotation and was dead on his feet. I pulled down the blinds and
closed the door to the bedroom. Around 6:30 p.m. Greg came out in his
boxers and plopped down next to me on the couch. He sighed and rubbed his
face.  
 

What are you watching? 
 

Americas Most Wanted. I think I saw your photo. 
 

Did I look good? he asked. 
 

Oh baby, you were hot. 
 

Anything to eat? 
 

I have a roast in the oven. It will be done in a few minutes. Do you want
something to drink? 
 

A beer would be good. 
 

I got up and got him a beer and opened it for him. I went back into the
kitchen and put the rolls in the oven. He came into the kitchen and
watched me. I took the roast, potatoes, carrots and onions out. I stirred
in the water and cornstarch to make the gravy. Once it thickened I poured
it into a server and then I pulled the rolls out of the oven.  
 

Why do you do this? I asked. 
 

What?  
 

You come in here and just stare at me while I fix a meal. 
 

Its no big deal. he shook his head no. 
 

What? Come on tell me.	
 

I just cant believe that, no matter how tired you are, you do this for me.
Its like its own little ritual and then at the end I get to eat it. What
do I do for you? 
 

Good question, care to answer that one for me? I continued to prepare the
meal. 
 

I dont know. I dont make much money right now. I snore. I hate to clean. I
dont work on cars. Frankly, I dont know why you stick around. 
 

Again, good question...I think we should explore this later. Lets eat. I
started dishing out his food. 
 

I love you Maggie May. 
 

I sat down, took a deep breath and told him, I love you too Greg.  

He reached over and gave me a quick kiss and then started eating as if
there was no tomorrow. Once the ice was broken, Greg told me frequently
that he loved me. I received cards and letters and little gifts, all with
assurances that he loved me. One night we were in bed just talking and he
turned on his pillow and looked at me.	
 

I still dont believe I feel like this. I just cant imagine a day without
you in it. Maggie May, promise me you wont leave me. 
 

I wont leave you Greg, I love you. 
 

I dont know why. Im not very lovable. 
 

Let me be the judge of that. We moved together and fell asleep just
holding each other. 
 

Towards the end of February, Greg took me sledding. He acted like he was
the authority on sledding even though we had both grown up in San Diego.
Now mind you, I do remember that he and my brother went up to the Laguna
Mountains to sled. The Laguna Mountains are forty-five minutes outside of
San Diego but still, that hardly made him the sledding authority.  
 

On our third run down, Greg was on the back of the sled when we hit a rock
or something. He bounced off the back of the sled and rolled down the
hill. He was rolling so fast he actually passed me, still on the sled, on
the way down. The whole hill was full of people sledding and everyone
stopped and watched him until he hit bottom and was splayed on the ground.
When I got to the bottom I was trying to ask him if he was ok but I was
laughing so hard I couldnt get it out. All I saw was this pair of blue
eyes looking up at me with a look of bewilderment. I laughed so hard that
I actually peed myself a little. He managed to stand up and when everyone
knew he was in one piece the whole hill broke out into spontaneous
clapping. He took a bow and then grabbed the sled and we went back up.
After several hours of sledding we went to the local café and had hot
chocolate. Greg ordered a Reuben and I ordered a cheeseburger. Life was
good. 
 

The entire year was made up of these moments. Just when I thought it
couldnt get any better, I would come home and find a tablecloth on the
floor, pillows, pizza, wine and candles with Greg in his boxers and a tie
around his neck waiting for me. He played my favorite music on the stereo
and then he serenaded me with a song on my new guitar. I still smile when
I think of him sitting in the middle of the floor in that tie. 
 

That doesnt mean we didnt argue. I remember we argued about the division
of duties around the house. I was having trouble keeping up in my classes
and it was hard coming home and doing all the work. I finally blew a
gasket when I got home one day and his clothes were all over the bedroom
and not in the hamper.	
 

What does it take to get you to put your damn clothes in the hamper? Wait,
what does it take for you to WASH a load of clothes once in awhile? You
did before I came to live here! 
 

If you havent noticed I just got off working 36 hours straight. Making
sure my boxers got into a hamper was high on my list. SLEEP WAS HIGH ON MY
LIST. 
 

Oh and Im not tired too? I asked. 
 

Well, you certainly look tired. In fact, you havent really been trying to
look anything but tired. You might try putting on some makeup or some nice
clothes. Im getting tired of the designer sweat clothes look. 
 

Well, if you would take me somewhere...maybe I would think about getting
dressed up and putting on makeup. 
 

Youre the one with the money...perhaps you should take me some place nice.
But I would settle just for the woman who used to sleep with me. The one
who was exciting and inventive in bed. 
 

Youre a jerk. Why dont you go see if Donna will service you. Im sure shell
wear makeup and, and....aghhh. I ran into the bedroom and slammed the
door. I yelled through the door, Dont even think about sleeping in here
tonight. 
 

Dont worry, I was going to give Donna a call. He yelled back. 
 

Screw you... I screamed.  
 

Im sure she will... 
 

Everything went quiet and I fell onto the bed and screamed into my pillow
and started to cry and cry and cry. I heard the car start and back out of
the drive. I eventually fell asleep. I dont know what time it was when I
woke up with him pulling me next to him and holding me tightly. I was mad
at him and I started pushing away from him. He grabbed me and held me so
that I couldnt fight him. He laid down on top of me, pinning me down,
while he reached up and turned on the bedside lamp. Then he rolled off of
me and I looked around. There were flowers and candy bars and cookies
everywhere. He had snuck in with a flashlight and set it all up.  
 

Im really sorry. I dont deserve you. Want a Snickers? he gave me a silly
look and held up a Snickers bar. 
 

I rolled my eyes. I wanted to stay angry, but he had to have spent all of
the coming weeks lunch money on this display of affection. Plus, I had to
admit it was pretty inventive...he knew exactly what I liked. Flowers and
cheap chocolate.  
 

You said some hateful things Dr. House. You owe me big-time. 
 

Ill do all the laundry tomorrow and Ill cook you a meal. 
 

What is a girl to do? He could be so manipulative, knowing exactly how
hard it would be for me to resist all of this. He kept eyeing me and then
he gave me a side look like,  

Have I convinced her? He leaned in and kissed me. His hands went down my
pajamas and he went above and beyond the call of duty to make sure I
remembered this night. I had a personal best of four orgasms in thirty
minutes. God he was good. Very good. I reciprocated and we both fell back
absolutely exhausted. Makeup sex was the best. 

*** 

I was glad to see summer come. I found a job in a law office in Baltimore
as a floater. It meant that I filled in when other secretaries went on
vacation. It was really interesting because I learned a lot about the
practice of law from reading the pleadings, discovery and letters. I was
impressed with how fascinating it all was and how complicated it could be.
Some of the lawyers hit on me and I was flattered. I was invited out for
drinks with some of the lawyers and staff and so I went. I called Greg and
invited him to join us after his rounds were done. By the time he showed
up I was surrounded by several rather cute lawyers. He looked so sexy
walking in wearing levis and a t-shirt. All the lawyers were in their
suits with their ties half-way undone. He walked up and stood behind one
of the lawyers. I smiled at him and he shrugged his shoulders as if to say
he couldnt get through them to me.  
 

Gentlemen, Id like you to meet my boyfriend, Doctor Gregory House. Hes
doing a residency at Johns Hopkins. They all turned around to look at him.
He gave them the Cheshire Cat smile. He gave them all a little wave. I
started giggling. They parted and Greg walked up to me and planted a big
one right on my lips.  
 

Greg was doing better at the hospital. He already had a reputation of
being brilliant. Whenever we would go out with other doctors they would
corner me and ask me what it was like living with the brilliant but
demented Doctor House. I told them that he was never boring. 
 

In June, just after I got out of school, the Houses came out to visit for
Gregs birthday. I moved into the guest room and we let them have our room
while Greg slept upstairs on the blow-up bed. It was a strain having to
pretend that we were just roommates. I begged Greg to let me tell his Dad.
 
 

Why did you say, Lets tell your Dad and not, tell your parents or tell
your Mom and Dad? Does my mother know? 

He was always vigilant, able to hear things and analyze things that you
didnt want analyzed. 
 

Yes, she knows and she thinks Im to blame for all of this. 
 

What?? How long has she known? 
 

Since last Thanksgiving. 
 

And you didnt tell me? 
 

You would have just freaked out...kind of like what youre doing now. 
 

Christ...how do you know that my Dad doesnt know? 
 

Because your mother told me to lie to him. 
 

Jesus. What did she say? 
 

That she wanted you to be happy but wasnt sure that you could be happy. 
 

I am happy. he said convincingly. 
 

I am too. Now please let me tell you Dad. 
 

No Maggie May, no. He wont understand. I dont care if hes disappointed in
me, hes always disappointed in me, but I dont want him to be disappointed
in you. 
 

Dont you think thats my decision to make? 
 

No, I know how my Dad thinks. The answer is no. 
 

I bit my tongue and continued to play out the charade. We didnt touch each
other when they were around. I had to watch what I said, keep myself from
using any endearments. We even had to watch the way we looked at each
other. No longing, no lusting, no looks that said how much we cared. 
 

We had a good time with his folks. Even Greg got along with his Dad. His
parents went with him to Johns Hopkins and when everyone came up and told
them what a brilliant son they had, they were very proud and pleased. Even
Greg could see how proud his Dad was. After they left we celebrated by
making love in every room in the house...it was too much fun.  
 
 
 
 

I waited until they left to give Gregs birthday present because it would
have looked suspicious. I bought him an upright piano. A baby grand
wouldnt have fit in the living room so I had to settle on the upright. It
was a good upright piano though, a Yamaha.  
 

When he got home I met him on the porch and made him close his eyes. When
he opened them and saw the piano, he looked down at the floor and smiled
and then he gave me a hug and a kiss. Thank you. Thank you. Maggie May,
what did I ever do to deserve you. 
 

Yeah, well you keep that thought. In the meantime, play something. 
 

Im going to be rusty. 
 

Then you better get started. 
 

He went over and started playing and for the next month every time he came
through the front door he headed over to the piano. Sometimes I would go
over and sit on the floor with my back up against the piano as he played.
He kept looking around the corner to see if I was ok and then he would
just shake his head in disbelief. 
 

You are so strange. 
 

Keep playing. 
 

After the fall semester of my senior year started, I began to get
headaches. They started out just being once or twice a week, but after a
month I was starting to get them almost every day. The pain was usually
tolerable but occasionally I would get one that would send me to bed. I
started taking aspirin by the handfull and Greg finally started to become
alarmed. 
 

You need to get checked. I can get you into the clinic today so why dont
you come with me? 
 

Not today, I have an exam. What about tomorrow? 
 

Sure. 
 

What do you think it is? 
 

Well Jim, Im a doctor not a magician. It does help if I have a little more
information and maybe run some tests. But I suspect it is hormonal. 
 

Why?  
 

Because you dont have them as bad when you have your period. So it
probably has something to do with the birth control pill youre on. 
 

After a few tests, the doctor suggested that I go off the pill for awhile
to see if it helped. She measured me and then gave me a prescription for
the diaphragm. I got it and a tube of spermicidal jelly. When Greg got
home that night I told him about the diaphragm and he shook his head.  
 

Well there goes the spontaneity factor. You have to think ahead to make a
diaphragm work. 
 

Or you could wear a condom. 
 

And miss out on that great Kegel action? 
 

Our relationship was like most couples. We got used to each other and to
some extent we took advantage of each other. But we also had many moments
in each day where we would stop and kiss or hug or just acknowledge the
existence of the other.  
 

Greg wouldnt go with me to Thanksgiving in San Diego. I was rather upset
because we hadnt spent one together since we were young. But I couldnt
bear the thought of John and Blythe being alone on Thanksgiving. I did get
Greg to commit to going home for Christmas. 
 

When he got home to San Diego, Blythe invited just about everyone we knew
over for a party. We had a great time and Greg got a little tipsy. When we
went to bed in our respective rooms I was ready to get some shuteye, I was
tired from having gotten up early to clean house and help Blythe in the
kitchen. About ten minutes after I turned off my light, the door squeaked
open and Greg tiptoed into the room, sat down on the edge of the bed, Let
me in. 
 

No, go back to your own bed. 
 

Oh come on, theyre asleep on the other side of the house. They wont hear
us. I can leave before they get up. 
 

No Greg, I dont want to chance it. Let me tell your Dad tomorrow and then
you can climb in bed. 
 

No, dont tell him, he wont understand. Come on, let me in and Ill go back
in a little bit. Come on... He started to get under the covers and push me
over. 
 

Its a twin bed Greg, dont push me over too far. 
 

He pulled me up against him and held me. We didnt have sex, he just wanted
to hold me. It felt good to be in his arms and before I knew it, I was
dead asleep. 
 

Gregs Dad always made me breakfast at least one morning when I would
visit. Hed put it on a tray, fix it up nice and deliver it to my room. You
can probably guess that this was the morning he made breakfast. 
 

I heard his voice but before it could register that he was just about to
enter my room and that Greg was in my bed, the door opened. Greg lifted
his head up and I raised myself up so quickly I almost got whiplash.  
 

Jesus Christ...what in the hell is going on here? 
 

John, let me explain. Greg and I are in love. Please, let me just explain.

 

I dont believe it. You couldnt keep your hands off of her could you? You
had to spoil her life too. He was yelling at Greg who was up on his elbows
gritting his teeth and ready to explode. 
 

Greg, dont say anything, let me handle this. I put my hand up to stop him
from saying anything. 
 

Blythe was on the scene by now and she was shaking her head in
disappointment. John, theyve been together now for over a year. They care
for each other, they always have. Its no ones fault. 
 

Yes it is, Gregs almost ten years older than her. Hes a grown man and shes
not even 21. You are a real disappointment Greg. 
 

Yeah, well the feeling is mutual. He obviously wanted to say more, Come on
Maggie, get your things, were leaving. 
 

Greg, please dont go. Lets all sit down and talk about this. His mother
was desperate.	
 

Your Moms right, lets sit down and talk. I tried to sound calm. 
 

Whats there to talk about? I want him out of this house. When he grows up,
maybe we can have a decent conversation. John was hurt and angry.  
 

John, if you kick Greg out, I have to go with him. I love him, I really
love him dearly. If he isnt welcomed here, then neither am I. I knew that
this would hurt him because John always thought of me as his daughter and
treated me like a princess. I think he felt like Greg had committed
incest...even though we werent related and hadnt really lived in the house
at the same time. 
 

Maggie, youre always welcomed here, but if you have to go, I guess you
have to do what you think is best. John turned around and left. 
 

I was in my flannel pajamas, thank God. and Greg was in his boxers. His
mother followed John out to the living room to try and talk some sense
into him but it was no use. Both John and Greg were being stubborn. I felt
so guilty, like I had brought this on. In some ways I was sure that Blythe
was going to blame me. We were all in pain. 
 

Greg and I packed and checked into a hotel. I called Blythe and let her
know where we were at. I apologized to her. 
 

It was bound to happen, we should have told him before you came. she said
sadly. 
 

I begged Greg to let me tell him. 
 

I know. Well give it some time, maybe hell accept it. she said
halfheartedly. 
 

I could see how upset Greg was. No matter how Greg tried to package it, he
cared what his father thought and he felt this rejection keenly. I didnt
know how to make it better. When Greg came back from his walk around the
bay, I patted the bed next to me. He came over and laid his head down on
my lap and I stroked his hair. He then looked up at me and we kissed. Our
lovemaking was in silence and I had a horrible feeling about all of this,
like something was spinning out of control. When Greg climaxed he simply
turned over and went to sleep. I had been so upset and worried over him
that it didnt occur to me until late that night that I did not have my
diaphragm in. I just prayed we were ok. 
 

Greg and I flew back to D.C. before Christmas Day and celebrated it
quietly in our house. I roasted a turkey with all the fixings and we spent
the day watching a Twilight Zone marathon. He was starting to joke around
a little and I thought that was a good sign. He gave me a ruby ring that
was inscribed, Il mio amore sempre, Greg. I gave him a Rolex watch that
was engraved on the back, Your love is my world. Maggie May. We smiled at
each other and held hands as we watched the Twilight Zone into the night.
When we went to bed we kissed and turned out the lights. 
 

*** 

New Years 1989 seemed to be nondescript. The year was welcomed quietly in
our home with no fanfare. Greg was somewhat quieter than usual and at
times he was mean to me, more so than his usual cutting wit. I was hoping
it would pass soon. I knew he was still upset over his father and work was
getting stressful again because of a new head of the department. 
 

I returned to finish my senior year. My last semester wasnt going to be a
walk in the park. I had a criticism class, two literature classes, my last
science course, Biology and another writing course. I was worried that it
might overwhelm me.  
 

On my first day back to school I got the stomach flu and started throwing
up. I went home and straight to bed. I couldnt afford to miss any classes
and I was nervous when I woke up the next day still sick to my stomach.
Greg was on a rotation and wasnt suppose to be home until Wednesday. I
forced myself to go to class even though I had to leave a couple of times
to throw up. By Wednesday I didnt have an appetite but I wasnt throwing
up. Greg came home and went right to bed after dinner. We didnt have time
to talk.  
 

I had a late night Thursday and still wasnt feeling my best. I got home
and went to bed myself. I was dead tired. When I woke up on Friday, Greg
and I made love. It was when he fondled my breasts and they hurt that I
realized I might be pregnant. I was shocked when Greg rolled on his back
after sex and said, Youre tired, youve got no appetite, your breasts are
tender and theyre larger and you havent started you period. You better get
a pregnancy test. And then he rolled away from me and went to sleep.  
 

I was scared to death. This was a nightmare. I didnt want a child right
now, not during my last semester and not with Greg acting so strange. But
the reality was that I didnt have the emotional backbone to have an
abortion. I just couldnt stand the thought of killing a baby that was part
Gregory House.	
 

I went to the drugstore on Friday and purchased a test. When I got home I
read the instructions and had to wait for the next morning to take it.
Greg was in bed when I got up and went into the bathroom. I peed on the
stick and then waited for the result. As I was waiting, Greg came into the
bathroom. He leaned up against the bathroom door and waited as I sat on
the toilet lid. I read the results and started to cry. He looked at it and
then kneeled down and looked at me. 
 

Maggie May, dont cry. Well get through this. he looked at me with those
beautiful, clear blue eyes. 
 

Will we Greg, will we? I wasnt convinced.  
 

We didnt talk about it until late that afternoon.  
 

You are in the middle of your last semester and youve already told me how
rough its going to be. Im starting my nephrology residency and its going
to be hell the first few months as they rake the newbie across the coals.
Im just not the best candidate for fatherhood, especially now. You know
this is probably the worst timing ever. Maggie, I know youre going to hate
what I have to say, but I want you to have an abortion. I know its your
decision, but thats my opinion. 
 

I threw up right in the middle of the living room. He was upset but he
helped me clean it up. I was sobbing and when he didnt come over and put
his arm around me I knew things were going to get worse. 
 

He didnt try to comfort me and I didnt reach out to him. It wasnt as if I
wanted the baby, I just knew I didnt want to get rid of it. I stopped
sleeping and we stopped talking. We especially didnt talk about the baby.
When I was six weeks pregnant he came home and sat down next to me. 
 

You arent sleeping, you arent eating and you are going to have problems in
school if you dont make up your mind. Ive made an appointment at the
clinic for an abortion this Friday. You dont have to go, but if you do I
will be there with you. 
 

I wasnt able to think. My whole life was upside down and my best friend
and lover wasnt really willing to discuss what was bothering me. I had no
one to turn to. I didnt have Blythe, John or Greg. The three people I
loved the most were not available to me for help. 
 

I woke up on Friday, the appointment was at 10:00 a.m. Greg turned over in
bed when he realized I was awake. Tears were streaming down my cheeks and
onto the pillow. He reached over and held my hand.  
 

You really think this is for the best? I asked him. 
 

Yes, I do. We can have children later, when we are both in a better place.

 

Ill get ready. I got up, took a shower and put on some loose clothes as
was suggested by the handout Greg brought home. We drove to the hospital
in silence with Greg occasionally patting my leg.  
 

When we got into the clinic room the physicians assistant took one look at
my eyes and said, Honey, are you sure this is what you want? You look like
you havent slept or eaten for awhile. Do you want me to continue? 
 

I was quiet for a moment. Greg squeezed my hand and I finally nodded my
head yes. I laid back and they prepared me. I couldnt watch the procedure
but I heard what sounded like a vacuum and I experienced some pain and
discomfort. When it was over, Greg was given the handouts with the
aftercare instructions and they gave me a kotex for me to wear home.  
 

I was numb. Greg had some Vicodin for me and I took them. When we got home
I went straight to bed and to sleep. I had a dream of Greg and I walking
on the walkway at the beach next to Belmont Park. We were pushing a baby
stroller. We stopped to look at the sunset over the ocean. I kneeled down
to take care of the baby and the only thing there was a bloody receiving
blanket. I woke up in a cold sweat. I must have jerked the bed when I did
because I woke Greg. He turned over. 
 

All I could say was, What have we done? Greg tried to hold me and I pushed
off of him. No Greg, leave me alone. I just dont want to be touched
tonight, leave me alone. 
 

I spent the next few weeks trying to catch up in school. It was the only
thing I could do to stop the feeling of guilt wafting over me. Greg tried
to be kind but I just couldnt deal with anything but school. The next few
months were strained. I blamed myself more than I blamed anyone. After
three months, Greg started to make comments about my looks, my demeanor,
my vacant stares. He didnt know how to handle my depression. I just kept
working at my classes.	
 

I didnt know then but I found out later that Professor Perkins had called
my house to get information for the scholarship and fellowship committee.
Greg had answered the phone. 
 

Is this Maggies boyfriend, the doctor? 
 

Yes, who is this? 
 

This is Professor Perkins. Is she there? 
 

No, shes at the library on campus. 
 

Oh well I guess I can run over there. If she gets home before I can talk
to her, tell her we need her passport number and her social security
number for the scholarship checks. 
 

Greg played along, Sure, the scholarship. Why do they need them? 
 

Well, if she agrees to take the Fellowship then we need to get the
scholarship checks converted into pounds sterling. We need to open an
account for her in Cambridge so that we can transfer the funds. They need
the passport number and social security number to do that. But we wont
actually open the account until she agrees to accept the scholarship and
fellowship 
 

Greg knew Perkins taught Creative Writing. So this scholarship is for
Creative Writing studies at Cambridge University? 
 

Yes, didnt you know about this? Perkins asked. 
 

Oh sure, but I couldnt remember if it was for law or creative writing,
shes been thinking about both. 
 

Oh, well its the Wilde scholarship for Creative Writing at Peterhouse
College, Cambridge University. Please help me talk her into it. Its a
great honor and she will regret it all of her life if she doesnt take it. 
 

When does she have to give you her decision? Greg asked. 
 

By Monday, the last day of school. 
 

Ill make sure she goes. Greg hung up. 
 

When I got home Greg said, I feel like were in the middle of a train wreck
and I dont know how were going to get out of it. 
 

We just have to give it time. I tried to smile at him. 
 

But youre never going to forgive me for arranging the abortion. 
 

I dont need to forgive you, I need to forgive myself. It just takes time.
We have to ride this out together, dont worry, it will work out. I told
him, hoping to convince myself as well as him. 
 

It was Thursday and I had my last final. The last day for the faculty to
get in the grades was Monday. I tried to contact Professor Perkins to let
him know that I would not be accepting the Fellowship or Scholarship but
his answering machine was full. I decided that I would go in on Monday and
tell him in person. I didnt want to give up on Greg and I knew that no
matter what had happened, I loved him more than anything in the world. If
I went away now it would probably be the end of us. That scared me more
than anything in the world. I couldnt bear it if I lost him too. 
 

Greg was suppose to get home Friday off of a 36 hour rotation. I decided
to go get in some groceries and sundries. I got back at 4:30 p.m. and was
relieved to see his car in the drive. I took in some of the groceries and
put away the cold ones. I figured Greg must be asleep. I went down the
hall and heard movement in the bedroom. I opened the door and saw a naked
Greg pounding away at the gorgeous and naked Donna Hall. He looked up and
saw me but kept going without missing a beat.  
 

I walked out to the kitchen and sat down. I didnt know what I was suppose
to do or what I was suppose to feel. I went blank. Greg came out and
grabbed some water out of the tap. I havent loved you for sometime now. Im
sorry you had to find out this way. And then he went back to the bedroom.
A few minutes later they both came out and left. 
 

I couldnt get my mind around what I had just seen or what he had just
said. I didnt know if it was real. I sat in the kitchen staring at the
refrigerator for several hours. I finally got up and went back to our
bedroom. I could smell the sex in the room. I pulled out the suitcases
from the guest room closet and started to pack what I could. I grabbed all
my texts and paperwork, passport, bank books and all the documents that I
might need. I threw in some underwear and then started to fill the rest
with clothes. I put then in the car and then I grabbed other things,
photos, pictures off the wall, my jewelry and my guitars. I threw them in
the back seat and I waited. 
 

I think he was disappointed when he got home and I wasnt gone. He came in,
threw his keys on the top of the piano and sat down on the bench. Was
sitting, waiting for him on the couch. 
 

I just want to know if that was all staged for my view? It wont matter
what you answer, you obviously want me out of your life. But Id just like
to know if you meant what you said, about not loving me anymore. I know
you want me gone and Im going, but did you really stop loving me just like
that? 
 

He looked at the floor and not at me, Just like that. 
 

I teared up and nodded my head. My voice cracked, Well, its hard for me to
believe that someone can stop loving someone just like that, but then
Greg, you never cease to amaze me. Ive taken what I need, you can have
whatever is left you can have. I got up and put my purse over my shoulder.
I waited a few seconds for him to make eye contact, I really hope you find
happiness again. I hope you find love. 
 

I left. I took off to D.C. and took a room at the Sheraton. The next
morning I took out Professor Perkins home phone number that he had given
to me to use if I had any questions.  
 

Hello? 
 

Professor Perkins? Its Maggie. 
 

Maggie, are you calling about Cambridge? 
 

Yes, Ive decided to accept it. 
 

Great Maggie, you wont regret it. You are going to have an incredible time
over there. Come down to the school and Ill give you some of the
information we just got in from Peterhouse. Bring your passport, I need to
photocopy it. 
 

When I got to his office he was very happy for me until he saw my eyes. He
found it difficult to talk to me without asking what was wrong, but I
suspect something in him told him not to prick a wound that was obviously
still seeping. I tried to sound upbeat and excited but it was exhausting. 

 

I asked him when did I leave and he said that accommodations were
available in Cambridge for the summer or I could go over in August. The
students didnt get sent down, released for the summer, until late June so
the rooms would open up in about two weeks. I had to figure what to do for
the next two weeks. 
 

Ill mail your documents as soon as they arrive. 
 

I dont have an address right now. I should soon. Ill call you in a few
days to see if they are in, is that ok? 
 

I thought you and your boyfriend had a house just north of here? 
 

We broke up. Im going to find someplace to stay for the next few weeks
until I leave. By the way, I want to go over as soon as possible. 
 

Maggie, I hope you didnt break up over Cambridge? And I have a friend whos
roommate just graduated, Im sure she could put you up for a few weeks. 
 

I thanked him but told him I dont think I would make great company. The
breakup wasnt what I wanted, but he did. I guess I dont read people very
well because he told me he hasnt been in love with me for quite awhile. I
could have sworn he still loved me. Im sorry, I shouldnt be discussing
this with you. 
 

I want you to stay with my friend, shes pretty sympathetic and she broke
up with her boyfriend of three years about six months ago. You guys might
be just the perfect fit for the next two weeks. Are you going to walk at
graduation? 
 

No, theres no one who would come to watch me. 
 

I went to stay with Krista Mokowski at her two bedroom apartment. We hit
it off right away. It was as if she had ridden the same bus I had and
could give me pointers on where to transfer. We talked the first night
until 3:00 a.m. about men and relationships.  

She was horrified that Greg had brought home a woman and had put her on
display like that. She was sure that he had done this on purpose, to push
me out the door. I had to agree. He didnt try to hide what he was doing,
he just wanted to make a point and I admit, he made it well. 
 

For two weeks Krista let me cry and curse and cry and curse. We downed
pitchers of margaritas and lots of ice cream. On the day I should have
walked, she bought me a mortar board and we went out cruising the clubs.
When the two weeks were up I felt like I had been given a cathartic male
bashing enema. I sold Krista my car rather cheaply and I begged her to
come and visit in Cambridge which she promised. I also asked a favor of
her.  
 

Krista, I dont have anywhere in the USA to send home things, can I send
you packages now and then to keep for me? If they become too much, Ill
send you money to store them, ok? She promised me that my things would
always have a home with her. I kissed her on the cheek, gave her a hug and
boarded the plane.  
 

I looked down at the ground as we took off. I had a strange feeling that I
was an expatriate. In a way, I was right, I didnt touch American soil for
another eight years and it was many more before I saw Greg again. 
 

*** 

THE EXISTENTIAL YEARS 
 

I had shipped most of the things I needed and so when I arrived in England
all I had was two bags and my new guitar on my back. I had never been out
of the United States and this was thrilling, especially for a twenty year
old. I arrived five days after Gregs birthday on June 16th. I had come
into Heathrow and had to take the train to Victoria Station. I waited in
the queue and was asked if I needed a Return. I had no clue what this
meant until an American man behind me told me it was a round trip ticket.
I told the man I only needed a single and he handed me the ticket and my
change. 
 

I took the tube to Liverpool Street Station and then the train to
Cambridge. I watched as we pulled into several stations on the way. The
closer we got on my map, the more anxious I got. I finally saw several
cricket pitches and then some of the colleges and spires that mark
Cambridge. We pulled in and I grabbed a cab to my lodgings next to Downing
College. It was an old brick Victorian house that had been turned into
lodging for Fellows. I was given the downstairs room that had once been
the parlour. It was a large room with a rather soft mattress. There was a
lovely fireplace and ample furnishings. There were heavy drapes with lace
curtains underneath so that I could have privacy from the traffic outside.
I sighed, laid down just to relax and fell asleep for eighteen hours
straight. 
 

I spent the next few months finding my way around Cambridge. The City
Centre was made up of a strange shopping mall. The Cambridge public
library was in the middle of the mall and you had to take the stairs to
get up to it. In the middle of town was the town market that took up an
entire block. You could get souvenirs, food, books, hats, main street that
bordered several of the major colleges, including Trinity and Kings
College. The museum was also on Kings Parade. Heffers, the major bookstore
for most of the colleges, had all the references that Perkins had
suggested I buy right away. So I purchased them and started to review
them. I also purchased a bicycle and picked it up after the store put it
together and adjusted it for me. 
 

I used to love walking down the The Backs, the area behind the colleges
that bordered on the Cam river. I would sit and watch people punt up and
down the river laughing and having a great time. Cambridge was a beautiful
city. It was green and lush with golden stained stoned buildings and large
picture glass windows. It had been walked by Kings and Queens, greats like
Newton and Hawkings and it spoke its own language of history and romance. 

 

The first time I saw Hawkings in his chair I was in awe. I felt like a
child having just seen the Easter Bunny. I didnt realize that I would see
Professor Hawkings many times and would even have dinner with him once
before I left Cambridge. I saw several British actors and actresses. It
was not uncommon for them to travel to Cambridge for programs or the
theater. John Hurt and Jeremy Irons were having drinks in the Cambridge
Arms, my favorite pub when I went in for some pub food. They gave me a
quick nod and I nodded back. I also saw alumni, John Cleese, in a
restaurant having dinner with friends. When he saw that I was eating
alone, he actually invited me over. I met his friends and had a lovely
time listening to them discuss their days at Cambridge. 
 

I started my Fellowship in August. I was so excited. I was very young,
having just turned 21. I felt slightly superior to the rest of the student
body because I wore a gown to lectures and seminars that had a gorgeous
green satin striping down the front to indicate that I was a Fellow. I
also got to walk on the grass that sported the sign, Fellows Only. How
cool was that? 
 

I studied hard. I wanted Professor Perkins to be happy that he had
nominated me. I received several awards for short stories that I had
written and I was actually published in a folio of student works for which
we were all paid the princely sum of 25.00 pounds. I used it to get drunk.

 

My days were filled with lively debates, discussions and lectures. My
chair met with me and two other students once a week where we shared our
work. I went to a lot of readings and plays. I tried to keep every waking
moment full. The minute I allowed myself to rest, to relax, the pain and
sorrow would overwhelm me and I would end up a corpse in bed, unable to
move until the alarm would go off, reminding me of my next seminar. 

*** 

In April, during the spring break, Professor Perkins arrived in Cambridge.
He spoke with my chair and professors, all of whom apparently gave me
glowing praise, that is , glowing praise for the British. He came to my
lodgings and picked me up for dinner. Some of the Fellows went with us and
we had a cracking good time quoting Shaw, Chaucer, Thomas, and of course
the Bard. We also had a lot to drink and when the landlord called Last
Call I was feeling no pain. I walked Gerry back to the University Arms
Hotel next to Parkers Piece. We went out and sat on the bench next to
Hobbs Pavilion where the cricket teams dressed. I stood up and leaned back
against a pole as I looked around the grounds. Gerry came up behind me and
kissed the crook of my neck. I was startled at first but then I turned and
we kissed.  
 

I went with him to his room and we had a wonderful night together. He was
sweet and funny. Not witty like Greg, not manic like Greg, not over the
top like Greg. He was kind and gentle and the lovemaking was satisfying.
But he wasnt Greg and I was acutely aware of this. Nonetheless, he was an
incredible companion, so we spent the next week traveling around Britain
together.  
 

We ended up in Wales and took a detour to visit Dylan Thomass home. I fell
in love with it. It was a beautiful cottage overlooking the sound. It was
peaceful and yet cheerful, which I found a little strange for Dylan
Thomas. It was hard driving the car down to it but we eventually got it
turned around and made our way back to Hay on Wye, the village known for
having dozens of bookstores, used and new. We both spent hours and hours
looking through the numerous volumes of non-fiction and fiction. Gerry
knew a lot about the history of the country and I felt like I had my own
tour guide. When he was leaving to go back to the USA he asked when I was
coming home because he would like to see me.  
 

I dont think Im coming home, not yet. Too much to do and see over here. 
 

When you get back, please give me a call. 
 

I will. 
 

I kept in contact with Gerry for a long time, giving him updates and
letting him know I was ok. About five years later I received a letter
telling me he was getting married. I sent him my sincere congratulations
and a wedding present. I was genuinely happy for him. 
 

Krista came over in June as I was ending my Fellowship. The Dons and the
remaining Fellows all felt sad that it was coming to an end. My chair told
me that he expected great things from me but that I needed to get more
experience under my belt. I had to agree. 
 

Krista and I took a month to travel around Britain and Europe. We went
crazy. We ended our trip by traveling through Sweden and went to a nude
beach just south of Stockholm. We were slightly disappointed to discover
that most nude people should be clothed. Sadly, we were the hottest two
people on the entire beach. 
 

We took kayaks and went in and out of the outer islands off the coast of
Stockholm. We met some nice blonde guys who showed us around the City and
took us to a dance club. I was duly impressed with their English,
considering I knew nothing in Swedish. We danced all night long. 
 

We made our way back to England and took an overnight sleeper to Scotland.
The Scottish are suppose to be dour Presbyterians or Calvinists that see
evil in happiness. I didnt find this to be true. The Scottish were funny
and slightly mad! They flirted like there was no tomorrow and bought us
drinks in the hopes of getting lucky (they didnt.)  
 

While I was playing in Scotland, Greg had managed to get himself kicked
out of Johns Hopkins. He had apparently pissed off the head of Nephrology
by insisting that the patient was lying and that he had to have taken some
form of hallucinogenic fungi that was causing the kidney failure. Normally
this wouldnt have been so shocking except that the patient was a major
donor to the hospital funds. It turned out to be true but Greg was asked
to leave because his temper and demeanor had deteriorated over the last
year and the department chair was fed up. 
 

When Krista left, I decided to take up residency in London for a few
months. I had a work and student visa so I immediately started to look for
a job. I got a part time one as an editor. It didnt pay for all my
expenses. I could have dipped into my savings but I was desperate to do
things on my own. So I started busking down in the tube for money.
Essentially, I sang songs and people threw money into my guitar case. I
did fairly well. I tried to stick to songs people knew so that it would
jog some warm memory and I would reap the benefit of their nostalgia. I
enjoyed living hand to mouth. It felt honest to me.  
 

I managed to land a job in a café in Covent Gardens singing. The owner of
the café really took a liking to me. He was very witty and very gay. He
took me with him to parties and introduced me to some very important
people. In fact, he introduced me to Gianni Ferrari, one of the many
Ferrari descendants. Gianni was good looking, not as handsome as Greg, but
he had that European flare that made him charming and engaging. He was 27
when we met. Gianni begged me to spend the rest of the summer in Italy
with his family in Ferrara, Italy just south of Venice. I didnt feel I
could turn down such a generous offer, so I took him up on it.	
 

Italy reminded me of California in some ways. The weather in the summer
was dry and hot like San Diego. The terrain was similar, brown in the
summer, green in the winter. I ended up staying with the Ferraris much
longer than I should of...they were generous and they were genuinely fond
of me and I was fond of them. After two years at their villa I almost had
to leave in the middle of night or they would never have let me go. Gianni
and I were lovers and friends. There were no strings and when I left I
gave him a kiss and promised that I would come back. 
 

I left Ferrara in a car that I had bought and went to France. I didnt like
France, I didnt enjoy it for some reason. To this day I cant put my finger
on why. I didnt stay too long, but before I left Paris I called Blythe and
John. 
 

Hello? 
 

Hello Blythe, its Maggie. 
 

John ...get on the phone, its Maggie. Maggie, darling weve been so
worried, its been three years. Greg told us he had no idea where you were.
Where are you? I heard the other extension pick up and I knew John was
also on the phone. 
 

Im in Paris right now. Im on my way to Spain. Im sorry that its been so
long. I wasnt exactly proud of what happened with Greg. All those, I told
you sos. 
 

Oh honey, we didnt mean to scare you off. We just wanted you to know what
you were getting into. You know hes not at Johns Hopkins anymore. Hes at
UCLA finishing his residency and... 
 

Blythe, please dont get me wrong, if Im going to call you two, I need to
know that you wont discuss Greg with me. I cant go there. I hope you
understand? 
 

John said, We promise not to talk about him around you, but please dont be
a stranger, please come home and see us. 
 

I cant just yet, but I was hoping maybe you two could come to Europe and
we travel around a bit. I think it would be best if we wait until after
summer but before it gets too cold. Why dont you think about coming in
September? 
 

Well think about it sweetie, I think that would be fun. How are you doing?
Are you working? 
 

I hate to say this but Ive been a leach off of a family in Ferrara, Italy.
They were very good to me and every time I made up my mind to go, they
would cry and throw tantrums until I promised to stay. But I speak fluent
Italian now and I can make great gnocchi! 
 

Thats great! How was Cambridge? John asked. 
 

Beautiful and interesting. I learned so much and realized that Im a
writer, not a lawyer. Hows your health? 
 

Oh, Johns been having some pain in his shoulder and Ive got acid reflux
disease, but other than that, were good. 
 

The conversation continued for another five minutes and I promised them
that I would keep in touch, we were all in tears when we said our
goodbyes. I was so happy that they seemed to have forgiven me. 
 

I went to Spain and stayed in Madrid for awhile and then started to
travel. I knew Spanish and so I was able to communicate and get job at a
local camp outside of Barcelona. It was run by an English couple, Stimo
and Evelyn. They had me cleaning around the camp, cooking, serving and
entertaining the customers. I was wiped out at the end of the day, but
again, it was an honest living and I was enjoying being young and
energetic. On my days off we would play back yard cricket and drink tea
and eat cucumber sandwiches on the veranda overlooking the neighboring
vinery.  
 

That fall the Houses came to visit me in Spain. I quit my job so that I
could travel around Europe in my car with them. The Houses were impressed
with my ability to drive anywhere in Europe and speak bits and pieces of
several languages. I took them to Ferrara just to meet my Italian family.
Gianni grabbed me and hugged me as soon as he saw me. I made the
introductions and we all sat down for one of Mama Ferraris wonderful
dinners. We ultimately ended up spending the night. I stayed with Gianni. 
 

Hes very handsome and very European! Whats going on between the two of
you? Are you in love? Blythe was hoping that I had moved on. 
 

No, were not in love. We have a very good and close relationship but we
arent in love. Or at least, Im not in love with him and hes never said
anything to me. 
 

The Houses went home after a month and I was so sad to see them go. They
begged me to come home for Thanksgiving. I told them that I couldnt, not
yet, but that I would make sure that I kept them posted on my travels. I
knew that they were worried about me, but I told them not to worry, I
seemed to land on my feet. 
 

The Ferraris allowed me to store some of my belongings at their house
because I had decided to go to India. I packed what I needed into one
large backpack and Gianni took me to the airport.  
 

Bella Maggie, you are crazy. You should not go alone. If you wait a few
months, I can take you.  
 

No, Ill be ok. Ill miss you and Ill send you lots of postcards. Take care
Gianni. 
 

Ciao Maggie.  

*** 
 

I took off for my Asian adventure. After starting in Madras, I ended up in
a village just outside of Zhang-Mu, a border town in Tibet, working in a
makeshift missionary hospital and school where I taught English to the
local villagers. A lot of students from Cambridge on their year off before
University (they frequently take a year off between Sixth form and
University) were at the school teaching various classes. I was actually
one of the older teachers there. Certainly the most educated. We had a
great time together on our time off. We spent most of our days off playing
football (soccer) and cricket. I was becoming a pretty good slow bowler.
As it turned cold, we played cards and scrabble inside. We were like our
own fraternity/sorority. 
 

While I was freezing my butt off during the winter of my 24th year, Greg
was earning a reputation as a world class diagnotician. He was also
learning the fine art of golf on his days off. He and another doctor from
his hospital, who also had a reputation for being difficult, played twice
a week. They seemed to enjoy whining about patients, staff and
administration and drinking single malt whiskey together, which Greg could
now afford. Greg was nailing a lot of the nurses and the occasional
waitress or barmaid. He actually had no excuse not to visit his parents
and rather than have them make good on their threats to come visit him at
his house, he made the odd trip down to San Diego to see them. 
 

We received a post card from Maggie. His mother told him and then watched
for his reaction. Only his mother registered the change in posture and
fleeting look of pain. 
 

Great, Im sure youre going to tell me all about it...just like you told me
all about your European Vacation with her. 
 

Shes in Zhang-Mu in Tibet, teaching English to villagers. 
 

He gave her a look like, Are you kidding?  
 

Well, nothing like getting a bachelors from Georgetown and a Masters from
Cambridge and using it to teach kids in Tibet who probably will never need
to speak English. 
 

At least she is living her life. What are you doing? 
 

Golfing. He gave her a quick smile and left the room  
 

But Blythe told me that she found the stack of my postcards, which she had
organized by the date received, completely mixed up after Greg left that
weekend.  
 

I was stranded in Zhang-Mu at the beginning of March 1993. They had too
many volunteers and had suggested I think about leaving, soon. I wanted to
stay in the Himalayas because for some reason I loved being in the
mountains. I was about to give up and fly back to Italy when I ran into
some Americans in town. They could see that I was either American or
British by my clothes and the blonde hair, so they waved me down.  
 

Excuse me miss, do you know where can we get some food items that we need?

 

What type? 
 

Rice, lentils and beans. 
 

Ill take you because youll just get lost. 
 

During our excursion to the shop where the Sherpas sold staples to the
mountain guides, I discovered that these two guys were the lead guides of
one of the American expeditions that was going to try and summit Everest
over the next two months. One was Roger Townsend and the other was Fred
Ventura. 
 

You guys are crazy. I shook my head in amazement. 
 

Wont argue with that. But we have ten climbers paying $65,000 each to do
it. We have our license and were going to summit probably in May. They
have to first acclimate to the first two levels and then we begin the
ascent when the weather clears. 
 

Hey Maggie, can you cook? Fred asked. 
 

Yeah, why?  
 

Fred and Roger looked at each other and smiled like they just had an
epiphany.  
 

We need an American cook and rather than fly one in from the USA, how
would you like to make $30,000 for eight weeks of work? 
 

$30,000 for eight weeks? Whats the catch? 
 

Horrible working conditions, lots of babysitting and no thanks...but the
money is good! 
 

I thought it over and decided that it was the best offer I had and so I
took them up on it. Actually, it was really hard work. Before we climbed
to Base Camp, which was at 17,700 feet, we had to load the pack animals
with the goods. We smelled horrible afterwards. Then we all had to rush
back to Zhang-Mu to take a shower and then pose for photos. Each American
had his own individual picture taken with the guides, sherpas and me, and
then one taken with whole expedition all together. One of the Americans
looked somewhat familiar but I couldnt place him. In the photos I wore a
low cut v-neck thermal top and a skirt, leggings and then muklak boots. My
hair was down below my shoulders and had turned a strawberry blonde. Roger
had positioned each American male next to me in their individual photo. We
had two women on the expedition and when they took their photos I was
placed in the back away from them and Terry, a very good looking male
guide, took my place up front. I didnt understand this until later. As
Roger said, Guys like showing off a photo of a hot blonde standing next to
them. 
 

I learned that two of the Americans were doctors and they were doing high
altitude research and were willing to pay each of us $500.00 for two
samples of blood. One at base camp, one at Camp 1. I signed up. 
 

The Americans expected to be waited on hand and foot and like Fred and
Roger said, there were no thanks. I was up sometimes in the middle of the
night administering aspirin, cold compresses for nose bleeds, pepto bismol
for various stomach maladies (not traced to my cooking thank you.) I slept
in a tent at base camp where we would acclimate for the next two weeks
before moving up the mountain. I would climb one more level with them and
then stay put at Camp 1.  
 

Despite everything, I was having a great time. The guides and sherpas were
crazy, loony guys but lots of fun. We joked and kidded each other all the
time. We would frequently trade things with other expeditions...sugar for
eggs, coffee for spices, whatever you needed at the time. Bartering was
half the fun. 
 

Of course we went behind one of the larger bolders to do our business
which we had to cover with a shovel full of organic enzymes and dirt that
was kept behind the rock. It was rough living, but I was having a blast. 
 

One of the Americans was a doctor from Baylor. He was amazed that I was a
graduate of Georgetown and Cambridge and ended up cooking in an Everest
camp. I shrugged my shoulders and smiled. 
 

What are you running away from? he asked. 
 

What makes you think Im running away from anything? 
 

Someone as bright as you doesnt come this far because they got lost on a
vacation. I dont know, but you look incredibly familiar to me. I couldnt
place him at all. Im Thomas Duffy and youre? 
 

I blushed. Thomas Duffy, I knew that name. He was the head of infectious
diseases when Greg was at Johns Hopkins. 
 

Maggie Molloy. 
 

MAGGIE, I knew I recognized you! Wow, you ran as far away from Greg House
as one can get, didnt you? I heard you walked in on him and Hot Pants
Donna. Christ what an idiot. None of us understood what he was doing with
Donna, considering he had you at home, but then thats House. He doesnt
play by the rules. You know, after you left him he was impossible to deal
with. He was cruel and vicious and poor Donna suffered the most from his
tongue. It was like he was punishing her for what he did to you. Man, you
escaped a bullet. You ought to be grateful that you left when you did. He
started drinking more and he was gambling too. He finally insulted the
wrong person and ended up on the fast track to the west coast. I heard he
was asked to leave UCLA too. I dont know where the son of a b!tch is now.
But I have to say, if youre sick and dying, you want Greg House diagnosing
you. Hes a genius. An idiot for losing you, but a genius at what he does. 
 

I really hadnt wanted to hear any of this. First, it brought up all the
images of Greg screwing Donna and then it made me start worrying about why
he was drinking, gambling and moving from job to job. I knew I wouldnt
sleep that night and I didnt. I stayed outside the tent wrapped in layers
of thermals and my jacket staring up at the full moon and stars shining
off the south face of Everest. I found myself wishing Greg was there to
share it with me. He would have been as enchanted as I was.  
 

It took me several days to shake the feeling of sadness and hopelessness I
felt. I wanted to just sleep but thank God that wasnt an option at base
camp. We broke camp a few days later and moved up 2,200 feet to the next
level, Camp 1. It was harder to breathe at this level and colder. I had
four more weeks at this level before my stint was over.  
 

Terry and Fred convinced me to go with them up part way to Camp II,
another 1,400 ft up. We werent actually going the entire way, just to the
large crevice so that they could take my picture crossing the ice ladder.
The ice ladder was usually crossed with crampons and trepidation. One slip
and you fell thousands of feet to your death. However, Fred and Terry had
rigged a back brace for me with cables that came out of the bottom of by
my ski pants. It allowed me to cross the ice ladder and, if I fell, I
would be suspended between the two edges of the crevice, but I wouldnt
fall very far. They could then pull from one side and I would be dragged
over. The cables were hidden and so the boys got the idea to send me out
to the middle of the ice ladder and let me dangle my legs over the edge.
They asked me to take off my jacket and so I sat there, in my thermal top
looking like Im having fun dangling my legs over a massive crevice, when
in fact Im scared to death. But the photo looked spectacular. When I saw
the photo I laughed and was grateful that the Houses would never see it or
they would have me committed. I look like a lunatic about ready to jump
from a skyscraper. 
 

Tom started to hit on me at Camp 1. He was cute enough and he had that
doctor mojo going on but I didnt want him going home and at some medical
seminar start bragging that he had nailed Greg Houses ex girlfriend. But
then there was a part of me that did want him to go back and tell Greg
that the guy he hated had been with me. Ah, but I couldnt do that, my
motto was, The best revenge is living well. 
 

I got back to Camp 1 and while I was there Tom drew my blood sample. I
spent the next two weeks listening on the radio to the expedition ease its
way up and finally summit on a nice clear day. The radio crackled the next
night with disaster as several people failed to get off the summit in time
to beat a freak storm. It was so painful to hear the voices of people fade
as they died. We were the only expedition that didnt lose a client on the
South face that year. 
 

When the expedition was over, I helped break camp at Camp1. I helped take
down the tents, pack up the Yaks at Base Camp and get us back to the
village. On the day that I broke camp a woman named Ester died under the
care of Gregory House. 
 

That summer, Dr. Thomas Duffy was asked to present his paper in Hawaii at
the AMA conference. House was attending to knock out all his yearly
education requirements. House had just met a new oncologist at the
hospital, Dr. James Wilson, and for some unknown reason, they had hit it
off. House wanted to go hassle Thomas Duffy during his speech because he
had been his such a pr!ck of a boss. Wilson just wanted to watch. They
walked about half way up the aisle and took a seat in the middle of the
lecture. 
 

...which gauges hypoxic ventilatory response, or HVRin essence one's
breathing response to low levels of oxygen. What we do is gradually lower
the oxygen level in the inspired air through the mouthpiece. The subject
is relaxed, not doing anything. But the body respondsby breathing more.
Within five to 10 minutes we can simulate what the brain will tell the
body to do at altitude in terms of breathing. So that wraps up the
laboratory part. We did blood tests of the guides and staff at both Base
camp and Camp 1 at 19, 900 and discovered the same results as the lab so
we will be taking that information when we go back to K2.  
 

On a more personal note, I have a few slides of the climb and the staff
who gave us the blood samples. He started to click the slides through,
this first photos is Mt. Everest. The second slide is a photo of me with
the guides and cook with Everest in the background.  
 

The photo of me standing next to Thomas Duffy flashed up on the screen.
There were murmurs through the audience and a couple of wolf whistles.
Wilson leaned over to House who was staring intently at the slide, I think
I might consider a trip up Everest if it means I get to summit her. He
leaned back and noticed that either House hadnt heard him or something was
wrong. 
 

House, do you know that woman in the photo? 
 

He said nothing but nodded his head yes.  
 

Who is she? Shes gorgeous. 
 

Someone I knew a long time ago. House was glum. 
 

Duffy continued.  And heres our cook on the ice bridge. 
 

The entire audience made a sound of shock when they saw the photo. The
photo was so insane that the audience was talking and laughing for several
minutes. Greg was dumbfounded. What was I thinking? The photo made it look
much more dangerous than it was.  
 

After the lecture, Greg went straight to Duffy, Tom, what are you doing
with Maggie? 
 

Tom was trying to answer important medical questions from other doctors
who had come up afterwards. But Greg was Greg and he wanted Toms
attention. He walked up to Tom, I asked you WHAT WERE YOU DOING WITH
MAGGIE? All the remaining doctors looked at him and shook their heads.
They left the room.  
 

Tom turned to Greg, Maggie was the cook for the expedition. Youve done a
great job House, youve manage to turn a gifted and intelligent woman into
a cook half way around the world. Maggie waited on me the whole time I was
there if you get my drift. He started to pack up and Greg grabbed him by
the collar and went to hit him but Wilson grabbed Houses arm. 
 

House, House...he isnt worth this. Come on, lets get out of here, come on.

 

Greg backed down and said, Dont go near her again, ever.  
 

Later in the bar, Wilson asked, Who is Maggie? 
 

Just another good thing in my life that I fu#!ed up. 
 

*** 

I went to Japan after India and was surprised to find that Japan is very
hot and very humid and they drive like ants on steroids. But the Japanese
were so honest and so generous. I left a package with some expensive gifts
for the Houses in a store and when I came back an hour later, they were
still there. When I admired a womans purse, she dumped the contents out
and handed it to me. I learned that I had to be careful of what I was
doing. One time I stood up while I was eating and discovered that I had
insulted the group of Japanese that I was with. I learned a lot about
honoring different customs. I spent time with a young Japanese couple,
Hiro and Keiko. I slept on tatamis and ate sitting on the floor. I took a
bath by heating water in a bucket, squatting over wooden slats, washing
and then rinsing out of the bucket. After I was clean I was then allowed
to climb into the bathtub and soak in very hot water. 
 

I also went to a public bathhouse and was stared at because of my white
skin and long blonde hair. Everywhere I went the Japanese would come up
and touch my hair to see if it was real. I was amused. 
 

I spent time on Lake Hakone and Fujiyama. I backpacked around the country
for two months and then flew back to Italy for the fall and winter. I
thought it was time that I started writing so I asked the Ferraris if I
could stay at their guest house on Lake Cuomo for the winter. Since they
didnt use the villa and guest house for most of the winter, they had no
problem. I took my car and drove up to the Lake. It was spectacular and I
was in love with the area. I spent the mornings walking the edge of the
lake and talking to the residents, the afternoons writing and the evenings
visiting or reading a book. I thought about Greg at night and wondered if
he ever thought of me. 
 

In April of 1994 I had told the Ferraris that I would be out of their
guest house. They told me that I could stay as long as I wanted but I felt
that I had worn out my welcome. I decided that I would move to Ireland and
rent a flat somewhere to finish my book. I drove my car and took the ferry
to Dover, crossed Britain and took the ferry to Ireland. I arrived in
Dublin and rented a flat near Stephens Green. Ireland was a great place
for writers. Writers were cherished by the Irish and even given special
tax breaks. I wrote several chapters each day and then went out in the
afternoons to the local pub, Brogans where I played guitar and sang songs
with the locals.  
 

It was in Brogans that I met Toby OLaughlin. Toby was average looking but
he always pulled the women because of his great charm and sense of humor.
He started coming into Brogans just to talk to me and I was flattered. I
found out that Toby owned the local IBM plant and they were starting to
manufacture computers in Ireland for sale in Europe. He was incredibly
rich but I didnt know that at first.  
 

Within months I was living with Toby and he was begging me to marry him. I
refused. I told him that if he continued to ask me, I would leave. He
stopped asking for a few months. We often traveled to Europe to see the
Ferraris and we would ski in the Alps on our way back. I was happy and I
rarely thought of Greg anymore. The Houses did come and visit me in
Ireland and they, like everyone else, fell in love with Toby. He treated
them as if they were his own parents and doted on them. 
 

One day when we were in bed talking about our upcoming trip, he asked me
to marry him. I told him that I loved him but I didnt think it was the
love you build a marriage on.  
 

He asked me,Is there someone else? 
 

Not anymore. Hes moved on with his life and so have I. 
 

Something tells me that he may have moved on but youre still stuck. 
 

I loved living in the Wicklow Mountains just outside of Dublin. We lived
in a manor house overlooking a beautiful valley with a tall waterfall and
sweet creek running through it. I would take long walks and talk to the
local farmers and shopkeepers. I thought to myself that I really belonged
in Ireland. I had the same white legs and freckled nose. 
 

In January, 1995 I sent my manuscript to Professor Perkins and asked him
to read and edit it. He sent it back with suggested changes and I made
some of them, ignored others. He also sent me the address of a book agent.
I sent the manuscript to the agent along with a letter of introduction
from Perkins and I was signed. In the Fall of 1995 I received my first
check for my book, Sherpa. It didnt make it to the top ten, but it did get
up in the top 25 and I received lots of praise for a first work of
fiction. The story centered around the life of a Sherpa family. It was
loosely based on Tng Nas life, the Sherpa who accompanied me with the
cooking gear up the mountain. I was rather proud of myself. 
 

The day I received my first check, Greg House met Stacy in a strip bar.
Less than a week later she was living with Greg. Greg enjoyed having a
woman living with him again. It had been so long since I had left that he
had almost forgotten what it was like when we were together. Holding Stacy
in his arms and sharing a bed with her reminded him of me and for a moment
a wave of sadness and grief washed through him. It was gone and he was
back with Stacy both physically and mentally. Over the next five years
something would trigger a memory of me and Greg would be melancholy. Stacy
never understood what would trigger one of Gregs moods but she knew that
they would pass. As long as she stayed back and let him work it through,
they were ok. 
 

I was now using a computer to do my writing and backing up my work on
floppy disks. I had started my second novel about an Italian family, a
rich Italian family. It had a few more characters in it, but the flavor
was Ferrari all the way. I had to stop my writing because Toby had been
intrigued by my Sherpa story and we were now training to summit Everest.
We spent a lot of time on Ben Nevis in Scotland and several mountain areas
in Italy working with mountain climbing instructors. Toby was a natural, I
was not. I had to really work at it because I didnt have the upper body
strength he did. 
 

In April of 1996 we flew to Nepal and were met by our guides. One of them
was Roger and it was great seeing him again. Toby had paid the $70,000
each for us to summit. 
 

Man, I had a lot of American men who saw you in our promotional photos ask
if they could get their picture taken with just you. When I had to tell
them you no longer worked for us, theyd hang up. I lost more business
because I couldnt produce you than because of price or amenities. Why dont
you come back and cook for me? 

He knew this was a long shot. After all, I was standing there as a paying
client and I was dressed in the latest and greatest alpine gear. My
wardrobe literally screamed, MONEY. 
 

Oh Roger, been there, done that, bought the t-shirt. I dont think Ill be
cooking at the bottom of Mt. Everest unless your cook dies on you in the
next six weeks! 
 

We spent weeks acclimating at Base Camp and then moving up the mountain.
We went over the Icefall at about 6:00 a.m. If you go over the Icefall
when the sun is too far up in the sky, you bake. It gets really hot and
you can get disoriented. After the Icefall is the Western Cwm which was
not too bad. But climbing the Lhotse Face took a lot out of me and I was
wondering if I was going to make it. There were scores of people trying to
go up Everest and they were practically falling all over themselves. It
slowed the ascent down considerably and when you try to go up Everest, you
want to move as fast as you can. We stayed at Camp III waiting for our
opportunity to climb the Hillary Face and then summit. The camp was
crowded with dozens of people who wanted to summit the next day. Roger
came to us and he didnt look happy. 
 

Maggie, Toby, this is a circus. I dont like it one bit. Theres too many
people trying to get up the mountain and a lot of them havent trained very
well. The Aussies lost two on the way down yesterday. Im going to try and
summit tomorrow with those who want to go. But Im very worried. The crowd
is going to slow us down. If we dont get up and off the summit by 2:00
p.m. were going to be in trouble.  
 

I think Toby will make it, even if we have to slow down because of the
traffic. But if we get going too slow just the lack of oxygen for a
prolonged time is going to weaken us and make it more difficult. Maggie,
if you get any weaker than you already are, its going to make it tough for
you to get up and back. By tough, I mean you might not make it. You know
how much I care about you so Im asking you not to summit. 
 

Wow, to come all the way to Camp III and not summit. No, Ill watch out for
her, Ill make sure she gets up and back. Toby was upset. 
 

But I knew Roger would never suggest this unless he was truly worried.
Toby hadnt babysat a radio on summit day and listened to the body count of
people you had eaten, laughed and lived with over the last six weeks. I
knew this was an unforgiving mountain. 
 

I wont go. Im not going to hold up the expedition and more importantly, Im
not going to risk my life. Roger, I know this was hard for you to do, but
I trust you. So, I will make my way back to Camp II while you are going up
tomorrow. 
 

Maggie!! Toby was shocked. 
 

Toby, its my life and Im not going to play Russian Roulette with it just
so I can wear a sign that says I climbed Everest. Im ok with this...its
you that has to accept it. 
 

It was decided, I made it back to Camp II the next day while Toby, Roger
and four others tried to summit. At Camp II I huddled with several others
around the radio and became sick as a spring storm swept in unexpectedly,
trapping a lot of people on the summit, the Hillary Face and other various
paths. 1996 turned into a bloodbath on Everest. I still get chills
thinking about all the people that were lost. Luckily, Roger had gotten
our group going fairly early and they were already off the summit by 12:30
p.m, before the storm hit. They were able to get down to Camp III and make
it through the night.  
 

I was in my tent listening to the storm rage outside and worrying about
everyone on the mountain. I heard something outside but Lynn, my
tent-mate, told me that it was nothing. I kept hearing moaning. I finally
got my alpine gear on, grabbed my flashlight and handed Lynn the end of a
piece of rope. If I was blinded in the storm at least I could follow the
feel of the rope. It was pure hell. I couldnt see anything and I was so
light that I was getting blown around. In fact, I fell over the guy when a
gust of wind whipped me around. He was moaning and almost unconscious. I
started to drag him towards the tent. I had a hard time because he was
heavy and I was gasping for air. I eventually made it. We got him inside
the tent and I put as many blankets over him as I could. It was sad, part
of his nose was black, indicating severe frostbite.  
 

By the next morning, he had improved and told us that he had summited but
that he got lost in the storm on the way down and had ended up here. I
heard on the radio that Toby and Roger were fine, so I helped four others
drag this guy down to Camp I. From there he was taken down by others to
Base Camp and flown out. 
 

I looked up at Everest and knew, Id never be back. 

*** 

In 1997 my book, Mamas Table was published and it did make it to the top
ten list, but not number one. My agent wanted me to come home and do a
book tour at all the major institutions. As I landed in New York my heart
raced. I was back on American soil. It felt good to be home. 
 

I started my tour at Harvard, then ESPN in Washington D.C. where I stayed
with Krista. She gave me the fifteen packages I had mailed her. They were
all finished journals that I didnt want to lug around with me. After my
four days in Washington D.C. I drove up to Princeton for their literary
festival. I didnt know it at the time but I was within a five minute walk
to Gregs office. He was now the head of Diagnostics at
Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital. Later, when I got to the west
coast and stayed with the Houses, they told me where he was. I imagined
what it would have been like if I had run into him and his girlfriend.
That would have been difficult but I thought that I could have handled it.
After all, I really did want Greg to be happy, even if it was without me. 
 

The tour ended on the west coast with me doing a couple of local talk
shows. I spent two weeks with the Houses and then I flew back to Ireland
and to Toby. He asked me to marry him again. I moved out.  
 

Toby, you need to find the woman who will say yes and its not me. Im
sorry. I will always love you but not the way you want me to. 
 

He was not happy but he did give me one last bit of advice that I was
grateful for...he told me that they had lost a large order for computers
and it didnt make sense to him. He was worried that the boom in technology
was slowing. He suggested I reconsider where my investments were at the
time. I called my broker and he kept pushing technology. I told him to
switch over to blue chip stocks...non-technology. He was not happy, but
when the bust came a short time later, I was very happy. 
 

I decided it was time to move back to the United States. I loved
California but I wanted to be in the mountains so I bought a ranch near
Estes Park, Colorado. I spent over $1.1 million on it and took out a
mortgage for half of it. With my writing I was now making a comfortable
living. My agent wanted me to commit to a book for 1999, so I did. I
received an advance this time in the amount of $250,000. I was happy.  
 

The ranch was at the base of a mountain. It had meadows and stands of pine
trees that covered over 170 acres. I had no clue what I was going to do
with all of it but the property came with horse stalls, a ranch house, a
bunk house and several corrals and fenced areas. It had once been a horse
ranch where horses were raised and sold. I realized pretty quickly that I
was going to have to hire someone to take care of the ranch in my absence.
I hired an old cowboy and his wife, Jack and Tina, and they moved into the
bunkhouse (which was more like a guesthouse than bunkhouse.)  
 

Most of the neighbors knew me as the Writer from California. They were
nice enough but I always got the feeling that they were checking me out. I
spent a lot of time writing but in February 1999 I received a telephone
call from Gianni. We spoke in Italian and he told me that Mama had died
the night before of heart failure. 
 

Ill be over as soon as I can get a ticket. Im so sorry Gianni. 
 

I cried all the way over. I decided to step up a notch and fly business
class. I was glad I did, it meant the seat next to me was empty and I was
able to cry without keeping anyone awake.  
 

The whole family was at the Villa and as soon as I arrived we began
cooking to feed everyone. After the meal and clean up was over we all went
to view the body at the church. The service was moving and inspiring. Mama
Ferrari had touched many lives and the church was full of her admirers. 
 

After the service we returned to the Villa, Gianni took me aside.  
 

Maggie, walk with me. 
 

I grabbed a jacket and we went outside. Gianni put his arm around me and
we talked all the way to the garage about his mother.  
 

My mother loved you like a daughter. She always wanted me to marry you but
I told her that I always had the feeling your heart was somewhere else.
She said you were good for me, made me laugh and made me have to think
about what I was doing. You helped me find my direction in life and my
mother was always grateful for that. So she left you something. 
 

He opened the garage. I always loved coming to the garage because they
kept at least a dozen vintage Ferraris and they were fun to look at and
drive. He handed me a set of keys.  
 

Its not the most expensive one in the garage, but she thought it fit your
personality the best. Its that one. He pointed to a little red hardtop
sportscar.  Its a 1958 Ferrari 250GT Berlinetta 'Tour de France'. The
Coachwork was by Pinin Farina Scaglietti. Its a pretty little thing, just
like you. The papers to the car were transferred to me. I paid the import
duty and almost fainted when they told me the estimated value of the car
for the purposes of duties was $790,000. I had my car shipped to New York.
It arrived in May. I flew into New York to pick it up and then I drove it
across country to Colorado. It was in mint condition and it purred all the
way home. I was stopped by a lot of car enthusiasts on my way and on one
occasion a man followed me to a diner and offered me a cool million for
the car. Obviously, I didnt accept it but I would be lying if I didnt say
I was tempted! 
 

Gianni had made me promise to return for the Millennium in Venice. His
cousin had loaned him his house on the Grand Canal and Gianni was going to
throw a huge party. 

I made my reservations to return to Italy, even though everyone worried
about planes falling out of the sky because of Y2K problems. I called
Toby, my technology wizard, and he told me it was all hype and not to
worry. 
 

When I got back I finished my next novel about a busker in London and
living hand to mouth. I simply entitled it Busker. It also made it to the
top ten but not in the top five. Still, I had a nice following and made
good money. 

I arrived safely in Venice and spent a glorious Millennium with Gianni who
now had a girlfriend. She was gorgeous, Italian and jealous of me. Gianni
thought it was funny but I was uncomfortable. So Gianni roped one of his
cousins into taking me around Venice and entertaining me. His name was
Alberto and he was hot...probably the most gorgeous man I have ever seen.
It didnt take asking me twice to jump in bed with him. He even had a
respectable degree in engineering from Oxford. We watched the fireworks
from the dock in front of the villa. The Grand Canal lit up and people
cheered from every corner of Venice. It was romantic and thrilling.  
 

I came home from Italy in once piece but not without wishing I could bring
Alberto with me. He was so generous in bed that I wanted to bottle him up
and bring him home. Lusting can be so much fun. 

*** 

It was in the year 2000 that I began the book I knew would be my opus. It
was a semi-autobiographical novel about my first 22 years on this earth. I
felt like I was in a place in my life where I could sit down and write it
and not feel like slitting my wrists. I was wrong. 
 

The night that I sat down and wrote about meeting Greg was the night that
Greg was admitted to the hospital for an infarction in his leg. As I
continued to write about my childhood relationship with Greg, he continued
to fight for his life. I was drinking a lot of Margaritas to get me
through this novel. A few weeks later, as I struggled with depression,
Greg struggled with rehabilitation.  
 

 One night I went online and Googled Greg. I found the
Princeton-Plainsboro Hospital site and clicked on staff and then Gregory
House, M.D. His photo came up and I took the Tequila straight out of the
bottle. He was older, more wrinkled and he looked jaded. His hair was just
barely going gray but he was clean shaven and there was no mistaking those
blue eyes. I clicked off of the site, I couldnt take it. I went outside
and drank myself silly. I passed out on my porch with a bottle of Tequila
between my legs. Jack found me and carried me inside and put me to bed. I
guess cowboys are used to people drinking themselves into oblivion because
he never mentioned it. 
 

I couldnt deal with the pain of writing the novel. I had to put it away
for awhile. I started hiking in the Rockies and spent many an hour
watching bear and elk play. I was so incredibly disappointed with myself.
It had been almost ten years and if I let myself think about Greg, I could
still feel the pain. I had been with some wonderful men, men that any
other woman would have gladly spent their life with. I realized that I was
probably going to be alone for the rest of my life. Greg would have Stacy
and I would be this hermit living in a log cabin in the Rocky Mountains. I
laughed. It was rather ironic, the irascible, mean and prickly Greg House
would be the one to find love and I would be the Diogenes of love, looking
forever for that one honest man. 
 

I spent the next three years at the ranch, just mending fences, buying
horses, running some cattle and photographing wildlife. Estes Park in the
winter was a treat. The Elk came down from the high mountains and parked
themselves like cattle in our front yard. I spent many an hour stroking
and feeding them by hand. I found it amusing. During the summer tourists
would park by the dozens on the side of the road in the Rocky Mountain
National Park just to take a photo of Elk from several football fields
away. However, if they came during the winter they could walk right up to
them and pet them. 

The Houses came out to see me almost every year. They told me that Greg
was now walking with a cane and that he and Stacy had experienced some
problems and she had left him. I felt sorry for Greg. 
 

In 2005 I went back to my novel in earnest. I cleared all the booze out of
the house so that I wasnt tempted to repeat my Tequila Sundown... The
novel was fiction but if you had read it, you would have recognized that
ninety percent of it was taken directly from my life. I changed Gregs name
to George Hendrix and our home town from San Diego to El Toro, famous for
the being the home of the Marine Corp Base just south of Los Angeles. But
it was a thin veil.  
 

I finished it in early 1996 and sent it to my publisher and agent. I didnt
hear from them for weeks and thought that I had probably been too close to
the subject matter and it was crap. My publisher asked me to fly back to
New York to see her. I arrived in May.	
 

Both my publisher and my agent took me to lunch. I knew I was in trouble. 
 

We have a problem, or maybe you have a problem. Cathy, the publisher
paused and looked at my agent, Max, This novel is going to be a number one
best seller. You are going to be sought after by every talk show, every
ivory league college and the entire literary world. This book is sad,
poignant and incredibly romantic. It is going to be a hit on several
levels. From a critical viewpoint, it is well written, compassionate, and
is a great story of a journey. From a commercial view, it is hot, sexy,
romantic, tragic and yet strangely uplifting and funny. Now, heres the
problem. We all know that this is semi-autobiographical. You are the
heroine, Rachel Surrey, and the romantic lead is George. Well, from the
way you write him, even I fell in love with George. Hes a jerk, a bast@rd
and a pig, but you have to love him. Well, millions of women are going to
fall in love with George. Hes going to be the next Heathcliff or Mr.
Darcy. That means that someone is going to figure out that this is based
on your life and they are going to figure out who George really is. Now,
Im not worried about your portrayal, legal says that we are ok because
youve done enough to disguise him. But if the media finds him and starts
harassing him, he might not like having his privacy invaded. We dont think
he will be able to sue, but you better talk to him and let him know what
hes in for before it broadsides him. 
 

Youve got to be joking? My jaw was down to my knees. I havent seen this
man in sixteen years. He doesnt want to see me or have anything to do with
me. He has a life without me in it. Please, cant you get your secretary to
do this? 
 

We think you need to talk to him. 
 

I get depressed just thinking about him, let alone having to actually talk
to him. I cant do it. 

  

We go to press in September, I figure by November his life is going to be
turned upside down. Cathy said. By the way, whats his real name? 
 

Im not telling, not yet. They admonished me several times to talk to him
and soon. 
 

I got back to the hotel and threw myself onto the bed. I had a headache. I
turned on CNN. 
 

...Princeton-Plainsboro Hospital by a disgruntled patient. No one is sure
why but we do know that he escaped and the police are asking for people to
call in if they have any information on the whereabouts of Moriarty. The
screen flashed the photo of a middle aged man, dark hair, slightly
balding. We go live to the scene. 
 

The camera cut to a pleasant looking brunette standing outside the
hospital. All we know is that the doctor has been rushed to emergency with
two gunshot wounds. One to the neck and one to the stomach. We havent been
informed of his condition yet. I have here one of the nurses that works
with Doctor House. Can you tell us why this patient wanted to kill Dr.
House? 
 

It would be easier to ask who didnt want to shoot him. Dr. House isnt
exactly well liked. Hes difficult to work with and his bedside manner is
non-existent. But he is brilliant and the best at what he does. He save a
lot of people who would die if it were not for his skills. 
 

Well, there you have it. Doctor Gregory House was shot today by a former
patient. Well stay on the scene and keep you posted. 
 

By this time I was at the edge of the bed switching channels to see if
anyone else had more information but CNN had the most. I started packing.
I called the front desk and told them that I needed a cab to the train
station. It was going to be faster going by train than by air or road. 
 

I caught a cab from the train station to the hospital, There were lights
and cameras all around. I went through to emergency and then when one of
the locked doors was opened by an orderly coming through, I acted like I
was part of the staff and zipped by with my luggage. I didnt look back
because that would have given me away. I kept going until I came to a bank
of elevators and then I took them to the second floor. I started wandering
around. I saw his office but it was very late and the office was dark. The
lights were on in the adjoining office and there was a young
African-American sitting and reading something. I kept going. The
intensive care ward wasnt on this level. I found a directory and it said
that intensive care was on the fourth floor. I took off.  
 

On the fourth floor I managed to get up to the glass outside of intensive
care. I could see him hooked up to machines, a unit of blood attached to a
drip and another I.V. which I assumed was either morphine or antibiotics.
I didnt think seeing him would cause such a violent reaction in me. I
broke out in a cold sweat and I started to get dizzy. He was still
handsome, even unconscious. I wanted to touch him, protect him, comfort
him. I was 9 years old all over again. I started to go in and I was
stopped by a nurse. 
 

You cant go in there unless you are on the list. Whats your name? 
 

Maggie Molloy, I am family, we grew up together. Please let me in to see
him, I promise I wont do anything funny. 
 

You arent the first of the press to try and get in...sorry, but you arent
on the list. 
 

I started to cry. Just tell me hes going to be alright and Ill go. 
 

Sorry but you arent family, I cant do that. 
 

Please, please. But the nurse kept her lip tight. 
 

Whats going on? I turned around and there was a very pretty young doctor
with another older male doctor. Their coats said Drs. Cameron and Wilson
respectively. I still had tears going down my cheeks. 
 

I just want to know if he is going to be ok. Please, Ill leave, but just
tell me. 
 

Were about ready to release a press statement that he is going to be just
fine. He took two bullets but we were able to stop the bleeding and sew
him up. Hes ok. 
 

Thank you, thank you very much, good night. I felt relieved. I grabbed my
luggage and left. 
 

I heard the girl ask the nurse, Who was that? 
 

Maggie something, she wasnt on the list. 
 

Cameron turned to Wilson, Do you know a Maggie? 
 

She looks familiar and Im trying to remember where that name came up.
Well, its been too long now and I cant remember. 
 

I called John and Blythe and gave them the update but they already knew,
someone had already called them from the hospital.  
 

Youre there at the hospital? Blythe asked. 
 

Im leaving right now. 
 

Did you get to see him? 
 

I was still upset, Only from behind the glass, they wouldnt let me in
because Im not family. 
 

Oh, sweetie, if I had known you were going to go there I would have told
them to put you on the list. 
 

Its ok, I just wanted to make sure he was ok. Im going to fly home now.
Please dont let him know I was here. I assume you are flying out here. 
 

Our plane leaves in two hours. 
 

Well, Ill let you go. Love you. Bye. 
 

Blythe turned to John,That girl still loves Greg, why I dont know. Come
on, we better get going. 

*** 
 

I found out that Greg recovered, had the use of his leg for awhile and
then the pain came back. I didnt understand how that could happen and John
couldnt explain it either.  
 

That summer the buzz about my book was great. Articles were starting to
appear in places like Harpers, The New York Times and Book raving about
it. I still didnt think it would make a big splash and, if it did, no one
was going to care if George was real or not. I always wrote in my pen
name, M.M. Molloy and I thought that it might give me some protection.
Especially since my middle name was not May but Sara and I didnt let
anyone but my publisher and agent know where I lived. All the offers for
appearances and book signings came through my agent. 
 

But then the book came out and it went straight to number one. People on
television and call-in radio programs began to debate whether George was a
real Bast@rd or had loved Rachel so much that he set her free to go have a
life. Everyone agreed he was a jerk over the abortion, especially since he
knew she was having a hard time agreeing to one. The debate raged
everywhere with women calling in and claiming they were in love with
George and would have never left him, no matter what he did. Others hated
George and wanted him dead. I watched this maelstrom and worried, what if
they find out Greg is George? 
 

My Publisher wanted me to do an interview on national television. I had
just about everyone clamoring for the first sit down interview and so they
picked Dateline with Matt Lauer for me to start with. I sat down at the
taping and we shook hands. He praised my book, talked about the fuss it
was making and that the last time he saw a book create such a buzz was The
DaVinci Code. Then he turned to question me. The first thing out of his
mouth was, Who is George?  
 

I almost swallowed my own tongue. What makes you think he is real? 
 

Well, he seems so real in the book. We know that the book follows your
life quite closely. We know you were a military brat, you had a mother who
was murdered, you father and brother died in an accident and we understand
that you had neighbors who took you in after your family died. All of this
happens in the book, so who is George really? 
 

Thats all true but George is an amalgamation of a lot of men Ive known.
This wasnt really a lie. For the most part I had described Greg when I was
writing about George except I had embellished the sex scenes with moves I
learned from my other lovers. It made Greg look like an ideal lover, both
romantic and inventive. Now this was true to a point, but I had learned a
lot about lovemaking over the years and Im sure Greg did too. We both
probably picked up tricks that we didnt have in our repertoire fifteen
years ago. 
 

Matt Lauer wasnt buying it and I had the distinct feeling that he was
going to announce Gregs name on national television. I was sick to my
stomach. 
 

Snippets of the interview were previewed on the Today Show in the 9:00
a.m. hour. Cameron, Chase and Foreman were watching the show when Wilson
walked in looking for bagels. 
 

Hes not here yet. Cameron told Wilson. 
 

Whats this? Wilson asked pointing to the television. 
 

You know the book, My Back to the Piano? They are going to have the author
on next.  
 

Everyones reading that book, have you read it yet? Wilson asked her. 
 

I just bought it. She pulled it out of her satchel and showed it to him.
Wilson looked for a photo of M.M. Molloy but there was none on the book
cover.	
 

Is the author male or female? 
 

I think female, but well find out in a minute. One of the nurses read it
and told me the main male character sounds like House, only nicer, sexier.

 

Matt Lauer introduced me just as House walked into his office and saw
everyone gathered around the television. When my face came on the
television Cameron and Wilson looked at each other. She jumped up and
pointed at the television and started yelling, Thats her, thats her. 
 

Who? What are you talking about? House asked. 
 

Thats the woman that came to see you right after you were shot. They
wouldnt let her in so she asked me if you were ok... 
 

House was behind the television and had to come around to look. All he saw
was Matt Lauer asking a question, Well, we have anecdotal evidence that
says George was really your next door neighbor, Gregory House. The camera
cut to me and House pulled his head back in shock. 
 

Oh my God, George is you??? Cameron was looking at House. Chase, Foreman
and Wilson were also starting at House. 
 

Who is George? House asked rather meekly. 
 

Cameron held up the book and said, Its a character in this book. House
grabbed it out of her hand.  
 

Meanwhile, in the interview Im smiling and trying to hide the fact that Im
scared to death. No, its not Gregory House, although Greg was very kind to
me as a child. This is a fictional character, nothing else. 
 

The phone started to ring. Cameron picked it up. Diagnostics....Ewww...no.
Dont call back. She looked at the phone with disgust, That was a woman who
wanted to know if you had ever stored your semen? What is that about? 
 

Greg was giving them all a look that said, Dont ask me. 
 

Cuddy came running into the office. Youre George? You pig. You made her
have an abortion?  
 

House went white and then blushed red. Both Cuddy and Cameron were staring
at him with female revenge in their eyes.  
 

Im going into my office and I would prefer it if anyone with ovaries
stayed out of it. 
 

Wilson followed him in to his office. Did she really stop by to see me?
Greg asked Wilson. 
 

Yes, she was crying too. Very upset that they wouldnt let her in or give
her any information. Who is she? 
 

House was looking out the window and trying to think. She was Maggie May,
the only woman who ever loved me for who I was. 
 

What about you? Did you love her? Wilson asked. 
 

Ive never stopped thinking about her, is that love? 
 

Sounds pretty close to me. Well she certainly is beautiful and obviously
talented. 
 

House watched Cuddy and Cameron talking. Cuddy was showing Cameron
passages in the book and Cameron was glaring at House.	
 

Damn, I need to get a copy of that book.  
 

The phone was ringing off the hook and within ten minutes the phone system
was fried with people trying to call Gregory House for an interview, to
threaten bodily harm or offer to bear his children or just be his sex
slave. It was a strange day. He managed to sneak out because no one
expected a doctor to be riding a motorcycle. He made his way down to the
bookstore and bought the book. He took it home and started to read it. 
 

Greg was both pleased and dismayed at the characterization of George. He
liked the exaggerated sexual prowess which he knew he didnt have back
then. He thought my description of him was pretty accurate but that also
meant that the whole world knew he had been very cruel to me at the end.  
 

He wish he could write his own interlude in the book. The truth was that
he didnt know how to handle my depression over the abortion. He had
regretted the abortion from day one. He knew I would have made a great
mother and if he was ever going to have children, he wanted them to be
with me. The baby would almost be eighteen. He sat at the piano with a
whiskey and wondered what his life would have been like if he hadnt forced
me into the abortion. He might have been happy. He had been happy with me.
Greg played the piano until midnight and then went to bed. 
 

The next day Greg went into the hospital and found Foreman, Chase and
Cameron each with a copy of the book. They were each at different stages. 

 

For Gods sake, isnt anyone looking in on the patient? 
 

They all looked up and said in unison, Shes stable. 
 

Greg shook his head and started for the clinic. As he passed the nurses
and staff in the hall he kept hearing remarks aimed at him, Id have his
babies, @sshole, Hes George?, Oh yeah, Id nail him.... Greg wasnt sure who
was going to kill him and who was going to jump his bones. 
 

When he got to the clinic Cuddy cut him off at the pass. He gave her a
look of curiosity. 

What? 
 

You see the clinic? She asked. 
 

He looked in and the clinic had twice as many patients as usual. However,
over half of the patients were women between the age of 20-55 in all forms
of dress and undress.  
 

The women... they all want YOU to see them. 
 

Well, I better get started then. House smiled at the thought of all these
women asking for him to examine them.  
 

No pelvics or chest exams without a nurse in the room, do you understand? 
 

Yes, she who must be obeyed.  
 

House stepped through the doors and the women started to rush forward. He
held up his cane and said, STOP...I know how to use this...SIT DOWN and I
will try to see each of you. A few kept coming and he pointed at chairs.
SIT 

  

He grabbed a chart and called the first woman who shrieked with excitement
when her name was called. There were sounds of disappointment in the other
women. Wilson and Cuddy were both observing all of this from the side and
laughing. 
 

Greg soon found out that trying to keep a woman from disrobing because of
an ingrown toe nail was harder than he thought. I really dont need to
listen to your chest. Ohhhh, woaa... I dont really need to see your chest
either. 
 

The next patient came in and gave him a Snickers bar and told him that she
was having chest pains. I dont hear anything out of the usual but Ill send
you to cardiology for an EKG. 
 

Well, George, I think its a broken heart, broken because you dont love me
anymore. 
 

Greg looked at the chart, the name on it was Rachel Surrey. Greg wrote a
referral. You need to take this to the second floor in the east wing and
ask for Dr. Pfeiffer, hell help you. Dr. Pfeiffer was a psychiatrist.  
 

But all I really need is you George. Come back to me... 
 

He had to call security. 
 

Everyone wanted to show him her breasts or ask him if he wanted children
now because they would be willing to assist him. He did get one real
patient who didnt know who George was. But she had a cold and so she was
out of the clinic within a few minutes. After two hours of being flashed
every size, shape and color of breasts and receiving numerous offers of
sexual favors, Greg was tired. He never knew breasts could be so
exhausting. He wondered if Wilson ever thought this with all of his breast
cancer cases. 
 

When his shift was up he went out to the waiting room and announced, I am
not George, I do not want children. However, if you still want to screw me
leave a name, phone number and a nude photo of yourself and I will get
back to you. and then he left. 
 

Surprisingly, two of the women actually left him the requisite information
which was sent up to his office and opened by an unsuspecting Cameron.
Ewww... 
 

*** 
 

I was watching the Today show two days later when they ran a piece on
Greg. Hes believed to be George Hendrix, the love interest of Rachel
Surrey in the book, My Back to the Piano. written by Maggie Molloy. Lets
go to Sylvia Peterson in Princeton. 
 

Matt, were here at Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital and talking with
one of the nurses, Heather Thompson. Heather, you claim that Gregory House
is George Hendrix, why? 
 

Greg House is a genius but hes also a jerk. He plays piano, guitar and he
has bounced around from hospital to hospital because of his abrasive
personality. He is from San Diego and hes good in bed. 
 

Oh, well we didnt expect that. Do you have that from personal observation?

 

Yes, weve dated, we almost got married. 
 

Greg House and his team were all watching this when Greg said, Did I date
her? I dont remember having sex with her? Get Wilson, hell know. House
jumped up, went out to the hall and said in a loud, booming voice, Wilson,
did I screw that nurse? he started hobbling down the hall towards Wilson. 
 

What nurse? 
 

Heather Thompson. She claims Im good in bed and I was going to have her
put it in writing for my my space site. Greg stuck a lollipop in his mouth
and smiled. Or maybe I am so good I dont even have to go to bed with them
and theyre satisfied. Damn Im good.  
 

Youre enjoying this arent you? 
 

I got home last night and a dozen beautiful women were waiting for me to
sleep with them. The only downside was that they all wanted to call me
George. I dont mind as long as I get to call them Carmen. 
 

But actually, Greg was getting annoyed with all of it and especially the
little old ladies and the religious right who kept berating him for making
Rachel get an abortion. 
 

The good thing about the publicity is that House was receiving more
referrals and the clinic was getting in lots of paying patients. Cuddy had
to double security but occasionally it didnt work. Greg came into work one
day and was busy talking to Wilson. He sat down and rolled the chair under
the desk, Ahhh.. He rolled the chair out, jumped up and looked under the
desk. There was a 25 year old woman kneeling under his desk smiling.
Wilson came around to look.  
 

Well, at least shes assumed one of your favorite positions. Wilson
remarked. 
 

As security was taking her out she kept yelling, Ill do anything,
anything, just let me stay around you...I cant bear being without you,
George. 
 

Greg...THE NAME IS GREG!!! He shook his head. 
 

House was a captive in his own apartment. If he went out people noticed
him and stopped him. Even guys gave him crap. One evening he and Wilson
were walking to a a movie when two guys walked up. 
 

Thanks George, now my girlfriend thinks of you when were having sex. 
 

She told you that? 
 

Yeah. 
 

Would she like the real thing? 
 

The guy got pissed and Greg jumped back knowing he was about to swing. The
swing went nowhere and Wilson grabbed House and ran. 
 

I had been put on the circuit. I was doing literary festivals, seminars
and interviews all up and down the east coast. I had driven from Colorado
in my Ferrari just to give it a good run. The worse thing you can do with
a finely tuned sports car is not drive it. 
 

I was scheduled to attend the three day Literary festival at Princeton. I
was scheduled to give an interview the second day of the festival and sit
on a panel the third day. I pulled into Princeton early in the morning,
checked into my room, got cleaned up and walked across campus to the
auditorium for my first session. I discovered that it was packed and
overflowing. The media was hoping for a Greg-Maggie reunion so I was
followed everywhere I went. The interview was set up in the same fashion
as the Actors Studio. 
 

I took the stage and shook the hand of the professor who was interviewing
me. I had on my cowboy boots, levis, a womans Pendleton shirt and a brown
leather belt. The shirt revealed a little cleavage, but not much.  
 

We covered my parents, the fact that I was born in Hawaii, moved to Guam,
then to Norfolk, Va and then to San Diego. The questions slowed down. My
mothers abandonment was analyzed to death. We talked about my father being
so oblivious to what was going on in his own garage. I stood up for my
dad, he really had done his best considering the type of work he did. When
we talked about my dad and brother dying, my voice cracked. 
 

Then we talked about Greg. We talked about his physical features, So your
neighbor, Gregory House, was tall and skinny? 
 

When I first met him he was certainly tall and lanky. But what has this
got to do with my book? 
 

Im going to ask you a series of questions and for now please just answer
yes or no. 
 

Ill try. 
 

Gregory House played the guitar and piano, right? 
 

Yes. 
 

Gregory House has blue eyes. 
 

And so do a lot of men. 
 

Thats a yes?  
 

Yes. 
 

Gregory House left San Diego to become a doctor? 
 

Yes. 
 

You lived with Gregory House on Piney Woods Drive while you attended
Georgetown University and Gregory House was at Johns Hopkins. 
 

Yes, we were roommates, I paid him rent, but in my story George was at the
University of California San Francisco and Rachel was at Berkeley. 
 

Yes, but the med school and University where Rachel went were close enough
that they could live together, just like you and Dr. House. 
 

We could go on, but its fairly clear that this is an intimate book
reflecting on two characters who are both flawed and tragic. Why did you
choose to make it so personal? 
 

I thought it was an interesting and entertaining story. Even if it did
resemble my own life...I dont think of my self as tragic. 
 

Some critics say you cant write like you do about George and not still be
in love with him. Are you in love with Gregory House? 
 

I started to laugh. You assume that Gregory House was the man I was in
love with... 
 

Are you in love with Gregory House? 
 

I will always be fond of Gregory House and his parents for what they did
for me. 
 

You arent going to give me a straight answer are you? 
 

Gregory House is a physician here in Princeton and he deserves his
privacy. I want to emphasize that George is a compilation of many men I
have known. George is not Gregory House. 
 

Greg thought I looked incredibly beautiful, sitting on the stage in my
cowgirl getup. He realized how much he had missed me over the years. He
wondered if I still had feelings for him. He was sitting in the audience
in a baseball cap, sunglasses and an upturned shirt.  
 

During the question and answer session, Dr. Cameron stood up. I recognized
her right away, In your mind, did George stop loving Rachel or did he say
that he didnt love her to push Rachel out the door and into the world? 
 

Im pretty sure he stopped loving Rachel. If there had been any hope of
something more between them, she would have stayed. However, it would have
taken something like what Greg...I mean George...did to, the audience
laughed at the slip up, Now you guys have me thinking about
Greg...anyways, the only way to pry Rachel from George was for him to send
a strong signal that it was over and he certainly did. 
 

The questions went on for another half hour and most of them were from
women asking about Georges characteristics. It was hard to keep straight
in my mind whether I was answering questions about George or Greg. 
 

When it was over, I sighed with relief. Several students came to the stage
and I stepped forward to answer their questions. I looked up as the rest
of the audience was leaving and I saw him. I saw the cane first, and then
the same body frame that I knew like the back of my own hand. He was
exiting the aisle where he had been sitting. I suspected the man with him
was Dr. Wilson although he was wearing a hat that hid his face from me. I
just stood there staring and wanting to call out to him but I figured that
if he wanted to see me or talk to me he would have come up. 
 

I spent another hour answering questions and then waited another fifteen
minutes until the last camera crew and reporters left. It was 9:30 p.m.
and I was hungry. I wanted to walk back to the hotel and get some food. I
put on my jacket and realized it had just started pouring rain. I didnt
have an umbrella so I pulled my jacket up over my head. I stepped out and
immediately got soaked.  
 

I started to jog and I was running under a street lamp when I heard his
voice. He called out,Maggie. 
 

I turned but I was having trouble seeing because of the rain and glare of
the street lamp. But then I made out his form and the cane. 
 

Greg? I started walking towards him. 
 

If you want, you can call me George. He was smiling. 
 

We were less than six feet away from each other and I started to shiver.
If you expect me to keep you warm...then youll have to come closer. He
held out his arms. I walked into them and he embraced me and kissed the
top of my head. 
 

We were standing, getting soaked and I couldnt care less.  
 

Lets at least get out of the rain, ok? he said. 
 

We walked back to my hotel without talking. He stood in the lobby and
looked around. I asked him, I need to change, do you want to wait here or
come up? 
 

Id prefer to come up. I dont like lobbies. 
 

We went up to my room and I grabbed a towel for him. He had taken off his
shirt and jeans and was sitting in his boxers and t-shirt. I grabbed some
clothes and went into the bathroom. He sat on the bed, propped up by
pillows and watched television. When I came out of the bathroom I was in
sweat pants and a cotton shirt. My hair was still wet. I sat down on the
edge of the bed and looked at him. It was so good to see him. 
 

You look like a drowned rat. Come here. he patted the bed next to him. 
 

Im really hungry. I propped myself up next to him.  
 

This is a great movie, The Unforgiven Lets get room service. 
 

You havent seen me in 18 years and you want to watch,The Unforgiven? 
 

Its only another hour, are you going somewhere? he asked. 
 

Im going home tomorrow night. 
 

Change your reservation, or are there other reputations out there that you
have to ruin? 
 

No, just yours. I said.  
 

He grabbed the menu from the side drawer and handed it to me.
Cheeseburger, fries and diet coke. I told him. He picked up and ordered
two cheeseburgers, two fries and a bottle of champagne.  
 

Im curious about your new hips and breasts, must be those cheeseburgers. 
 

What? Hey, the men I know like the softer landing.  
 

I guess Ill have to try it out and get back to you.  
 

He turned and gave me a very sly smile. 
 

What are you doing? What is going on here? I asked him, I was getting
mixed messages. We were bantering like friends and flirting like lovers.  
 

I think we should have sex and figure it out from there. he said casually.

 

We both started laughing. Problem is that if you expect me to do what
George did on page 57 then Im going to have to have a lot more booze. 
 

Well, George was much younger then. 
 

Ouch. he grimaced.  
 

There was a knock on the door and I got up and got the food. The waiter
popped his head inside the door and saw Greg propped on the pillows in his
boxers. I thought it was odd, but didnt say anything. 
 

I think our waiter just made a Benjamin. 
 

What do you mean? 
 

Im sure Star or The National Enquirer made our waiter an offer he couldnt
refuse. The world will soon know that I was in your hotel room in my
boxers. So I figure, if were going to be blamed for having sex...lets give
them something to talk about. 
 

You are really pushing the envelope tonight. I started eating my
cheeseburger,  

The last...(chew) thing you said ...(chew) to me eighteen years ago was
that you didnt love me. Not exactly the way to romance a girl. 
 

Wow, I didnt know you had to be in love to have sex, I missed that
Commandment. 
 

Greg, I cant sleep with you if you dont feel anything. I cant do it. I
waited for him to say something, to tell me he did care, but he didnt, Eat
your cheeseburger and watch your movie. I smiled at him but inside I was
crushed. 
 

We talked a little about his parents, my travels, his job and then I asked
him about his leg. He was matter of fact about it, no emotion or
bitterness. At 1:30 a.m. I told him that I needed to get some sleep and so
I was going to have to kick him out. He nodded his head yes and stood up
and put on his still wet clothes. I walked to the door and opened it for
him. He walked up to me, looked down at me and I gave him the biggest
bravest smile I could muster. He kissed me softly on my lips. I pulled
away. 
 

Goodnight Greg. 
 

Goodnight Maggie May. 
 

He was right about the tabloids, they had a photo of him leaving at 1:30
a.m. The headlines were, George and Rachel Back Together Again? No one
could know how sad that headline made me. 
 

Wilson saw House walk in and joined him on the ride up in the elevator.
Well, how did it go? 
 

I didnt nail her if thats what youre asking. We just talked and watched a
movie. I had a chance but I couldnt bring myself to take advantage of it. 
 

Why? 
 

She wouldnt go any further unless I told her I had feelings for her. 
 

Do you? 
 

Yes, but I dont know what they are. Do I care about the nine year old, the
twenty year old, the 38 year old? And is it love or guilt or lust or what.
I dont know and I cant lie to her. 
 

Wow, thats almost noble of you. Sure youre Gregory House or a
doppleganger? he paused. The problem is that you dont have very long to
find out. The literary festival ends today. 
 

She goes home tonight. he said sadly. 
 

Then what are you doing here? he asked. 
 

*** 
 

House turned around and left the building. He had to find a program and
figure out where I was. He crossed the campus and reached the auditorium
where the literary festival brochures were located. I was on a panel at
9:30 a.m. It had started about a half hour ago. He located the room and
made a beeline for it. 
 

He walked into the room as I was discussing point of view. He sat down in
the back. After I was done answering the students question I sat down. I
looked around the room and spotted him and smiled. My smile must have been
huge because everyone turned around to look and then they started to
whisper. The whole room recognized Gregory House. He stood up, gave a bow
and said, Ive come to find out if in your story, Rachel would have been
willing to stay so that George could explore the reasons he sent her
packing? 
 

Well, Rachel might have if she hadnt had certain deadlines, such as the
Cambridge Fellowship or perhaps a literary commitment. It would have also
depended on whether George was willing to give her a sign that he wasnt
just playing her to get in her pants. 
 

The whole room looked back at Greg. Well, assuming he could have played
her say, last night, to get in her pants, but he didnt, wouldnt that be a
sign? 
 

I suppose, but I was thinking more like a verbal commitment. But that
could be an interesting chapter in another book...if there was a sequel. 
 

Are you planning on writing a sequel? 
 

It depends on George. 
 

He smiled and then sat down. The entire room was smiling. 
 

After the lecture, I picked up my stuff and went to the back where he was.
Lunch? he asked. 
 

I think that would be a good start. I answered. 
 

He held my hand as we walked out. Cell phone cameras were snapping right
and left. Then the media saw us and the cameras started clicking.  
 

Change your reservation and stay for a few more days. 
 

I drove here and I have to be back to Colorado by Wednesday because were
having a horse auction on Saturday and I have to help get ready. 
 

He shook his head like he had heard wrong? Did you say horse auction? 
 

Didnt your parents tell you I own a horse ranch in Colorado? 
 

We dont usually talk about you. I thought you were living in D.C. or New
York. 
 

Why dont you come back with me? Come see my world. I asked, hoping he
would come. 
 

He gave me that sideways look of his that says, Im not sure about this. He
thought about it and said, I have to ask Cuddy if I can get the time off. 
 

Well, I need for you to let me know. If you come with me you can do some
driving while I sleep and we can get back to Colorado sooner. 
 

Ill let you know by 2:00, ok? Whats your cell phone number? 
 

I gave him the number and went back to the festival for my next panel. At
noon I checked out of my room. 
 

At 1:00 p.m. I received a call. Ive got a week off. 
 

Thats great! I think we should leave tonight, when do you get off? 
 

Im off at 4:00 and then I need to go home, get cleaned up and pack my
bags. 
 

Uh...I only have room for one bag...pack jeans, underwear, a sweater and
jacket. I have t-shirts and shirts at the ranch. I dont have a room at the
hotel, I checked out and Im done at Princeton, so I guess Ill go shopping.

 

You can come by and get the key to my apartment and wait for me there. He
offered. 
 

Can I snoop while Im there? I teased. 
 

Only if I can snoop when I get to Colorado. 
 

Im an open book, deal. 
 

Around two I went to his place. I got nosey. I knew Greg would know that I
wouldnt be able to contain myself, so I figured he wouldnt have given me
the key if I didnt have permission to snoop. 
 

I found scrapbooks and photo albums with photos of Stacy. She was
absolutely beautiful and it was at that moment that I accepted that he
probably would never love me again. They looked happy in the photos and I
looked at myself in the mirror, I was fair and blonde, she was dark and
sophisticated. I was only 5'4" and she looked taller. In all the photos
she was dressed impeccably. I was dressed like a ranch hand. I just felt
inferior. I looked for any photos or things that he kept from our time
together and I couldnt find any. The only thing I found was the photo
taken of House and me when I was a child when he had his hand on my head.
It was buried at the bottom of a box of golf trophies. It was obviously in
the, Things that are dead to me pile. 
 

I resisted the urge to make his bed. His apartment was messy but not
filthy. I loved seeing all the musical instruments lying around. It was
good to see that he was back playing music again. I started looking
through the bookshelves. Most of the books were reference books or
mysteries. There were also many that surprised me, like A Confederacy of
Dunces, David Copperfield, A Study in Scarlet, The Sound and the Fury,
MacBeth... and the list goes on. I looked in the night stand and found
condoms, lubricant, toenail clippers and mints. In the bottom drawer I
found books, my books, Sherpa, Busker, Mamas Table, and My Back Against
the Piano. Underneath them were magazines that contained my short stories.
He even had the student folio with my first published story. I sat on the
edge of the bed and asked myself what did this mean? 

 

He got home a few minutes after 4:00 p.m. Did you find anything? 
 

Yes and no. Stacy was beautiful, you looked happy with her. I looked at
him for a comment. 
 

Am I suppose to say something? She was beautiful and I had happy moments
with her. 
 

Happier than we were? 
 

No. Not happier but she was what I needed at the time. I loved her. 
 

I shook my head, I already knew this. It hurt but I wasnt surprised. 
 

I didnt see any photos of us...did you throw them out? 
 

He chuckled. You dont know where to look. He went up to the book shelf and
took out what appeared to be a large reference book on Mt. Everest, but it
was actually a box and inside the box were dozens of photos of us along
with memorabilia. He pulled out a second reference book on Cambridge
University, it was also a box with similar contents. I smiled at him and
he gave me a quick hug. 
 

Did you think I had exorcized you, performed a ritual and burned
everything that reminded me of you? 
 

Maybe. Why the disguise then? 
 

Well, lets just say Stacy wasnt excited about having the photos around,
especially towards the end. She was sure that you had made me happier than
she did. I was a little concerned that she might do something to them. She
was pretty angry at the end. 
 

I see. Go get your shower and lets get going. 
 

We unplugged some of the appliances and equipment and then locked up his
apartment. He asked me, Wheres your car?  
 

I pointed across the street. 
 

Holy Mother of God. SWEET...Can I drive? 
 

If you want, now you see why you could only bring one bag? 
 

Yeah, small price to pay. Wheres the keys? 
 

I threw him the keys. He was all smiles. Man, what year is this? 
 

 1958 Ferrari 250GT Berlinetta 'Tour de France'. The Coachwork was by
Pinin Farina Scaglietti.  I said it like a machine. I got asked so often
that I said it by rote.  
 

How much did this puppy cost you? 
 

It was a present.  
 

A present? He stopped in his tracks with his mouth open. 
 

My boyfriends mother willed it to me when she died. 
 

Who was this boyfriend? 
 

Gianni Ferrari. 
 

He was quiet. Hard to compete with that. 
 

Its not a competition. I was close to his entire family. His mother and I
really bonded, she thought I was good for Gianni, when I was around him he
was happy, this car was her way of saying thanks. 
 

He was roaring down the expressway. Seems you make a lot of men happy.
This must be worth a fortune, what did they insure it for? 
 

$1.2 million dollars. 
 

WHAT? he backed off on the gas and started treating the car like a fragile
glass object. 
 

Greg, its just a car. I started laughing. 
 

At that price, its a work of art. You really did go out and live your life
didnt you? I saw that photo of you on the ladder at Everest. What in the
hell were you thinking? 
 

OH Roger and Fred wanted me to do it. 

 

So you did it because two guys asked you to do it? 
 

Yeah, I was young and single and up for just about anything. I wouldnt do
it again, Ive had enough of Everest. 
 

When I saw it, I went nuts. I tried to kill Tom but Wilson stopped me. Tom
insinuated that you two had been together. 
 

Dr. Tom? Oh, no...I didnt go near him, I knew he just wanted to score with
me to get to you. But you were jealous? 
 

Nah, I just wanted to hit someone and he was convenient. 
 

We pulled off at midnight and got a motel room. I showered and put on a t
shirt over my panties and crawled into bed. Greg was already in bed
watching a little television. I rolled over with my back to him. He turned
off the television and then turned out the light. Then he spooned me. His
hands went up my t-shirt to my breasts and I shuddered it felt so good. He
was pressed up against me and I could feel that he was aroused. 
 

I thought we were going to wait...see where this was going before we got
physical. 
 

Its not fair to me to have you this close in a bed and not be intimate. 
 

Then Ill go get another room. I started to get up and he grabbed my wrist.

 

Dont get another room, I wont bother you. Ill do whatever it takes to make
you comfortable. 
 

I got in bed and turned to face him. I want this too, I want your hands
all over me, your mouth on mine, you inside me but Im still gun shy. Im
sorry, I want more than just sex and I want you to want more than sex too.

 

Women. 
 

He reached over and in the light coming through the window, he kissed me.
I turned over and he spooned me but this time his hands stayed away from
my breasts and he went to sleep. I realized that I felt safe for the first
time in a long time. 
 

The next morning we left Rockford, Illinois and started the last long haul
to Colorado. House drove us for the first four hours and then I took over
just after Des Moines. I opened her up and let her rip. We were cruising
at over 100 miles per hour and House was smiling.  
 

Youre going to get a ticket. 
 

Probably, but Ill just pay it. You dont have a million dollar car and not
drive it like it should be driven. Gianni and I used to race in the family
Ferraris through Italy and he taught me how to handle a sports car. The
Italian police never stopped us. They new the Ferraris and appreciated the
beautiful cars so much that they would simply stand by and watch us.
Sometimes they would block traffic so we could complete one of our races.
It was fun... I never won, but I had a blast. 
 

Greg hung on to the bar over the door and braced his leg. I got off onto a
smaller interstate where there was virtually no traffic and took her up to
120 mph. I was very much in control and Greg was still holding on for dear
life.  
 

Sweet... He grinned.  
 

Do you want to drive it on this road? Ill pay your speeding ticket. I
offered. 
 

I probably have some outstanding warrants for other speeding tickets, I
dont think its a good idea. 
 

Gregory House! You need to clear those up. 
 

Luckily, I never was pulled over until I got close to home. We had made
our run through Boulder and had driven through Estes Park. My ranch is
southwest of Estes Park and theres a nice run of road between Estes Park
and my ranch so I opened her up and within minutes there were flashing
lights behind me. 
 

Greg was shaking his head at me. You almost made it. 
 

Oh, dont count me out so quickly. 
 

The patrolman came up to my window, Maggie, 121 miles per hour? Come on
girl, I warned you to get it under 100. Hey, are you having that auction
this weekend? 
 

Yeah Larry, are you coming? Im going to have food and drink. Why dont you
come? 
 

I think Ill stop by for a few minutes, now keep it under 100 or Ill
impound your car again... 
 

Ok sweetie, see ya. He left and I turned and smiled to Greg. 
 

Have you slept with him? Greg was amused at his attitude. 
 

Not yet. And I put the car in gear and took off. I kept it under 100 for
the rest of the way. But I did let him drive my car. 
 

When we got home he whistled as we drove up. The ranch house is 5,500
square feet of modern log cabin. It has an open floor plan on the first
floor. Theres one guest bedroom and a full bathroom on the first floor and
three more bedrooms and three full baths on the second floor. The living
room has a 20 foot high ceiling and two large river-rock fireplaces. The
Master Bedroom has a fireplace too. The living room is huge and the
kitchen opens up to the living room area.  

*** 

I showed Greg to the downstairs bedroom and grabbed some t-shirts and
Pendletons from my room. I wore a lot of large t-shirts and mens
Pendletons around the ranch. We were both tired, I crashed on the couch
and Greg went into the bedroom to sleep. I got up around 3 a.m. and went
to bed. Around 8:30 a.m. I got out of bed and went downstairs. Jack was in
the kitchen making coffee. He had been up since 5:30 a.m. 
 

How was the trip? 
 

Tiring, but I brought home a guest. 
 

I figured when I saw the door to the bedroom closed and the jacket on the
couch. 
 

Well, what do we have to do today? 
 

Most of the herd is down in Witches Hallow so we need to go get them. 
 

Christ, all the way to Witches Hallow? Ah, its going to be a long day. I
better get Greg up. 
 

Does he ride? 
 

I dont think he does. Well find out. 
 

I took a cup of coffee into the bedroom and I fell in love all over again.
He had no shirt on and he was laying on his left side asleep. I wanted to
crawl in bed with him and not get out...but I had a lot to do and so I put
the coffee down and sat down on the edge of the bed. I bent over and
kissed his ear and neck. Wake up dude. Time to be a cowboy. Theres coffee
here. 
 

He opened one eye and grimaced at me. He rubbed his face and sat up. His
hair was sticking straight up on top and his beard was heavier than
normal. I handed him his cup of coffee and he said in a morning voice,
Whats going on? 
 

I had to wake you this early because you have to make a decision, either
you can go back to sleep or spend the day with me. Im going to be about
four miles away on horseback for most of the day. So unless you come with
us you wont see me until late this afternoon. Its your decision. 
 

I could see that he really wanted to go back to sleep but then he also
thought about being with me. Ill come with you, let me get a shower. 
 

Dont bother. Youll want to get that shower when you get back. Were going
to get really dirty and smelly today...so dont waste your time or the
water on a shower now. Just brush your teeth and get out to the kitchen.
Jacks making you some eggs and bacon. 
 

Jack? 
 

My sex slave and cowpoke. 
 

We made lunches. Jack had already saddled my horse, Jessie, and I asked
him to also saddle Soldier, a much bigger horse, with a large saddle. We
packed the lunch and supplies on Jessie. I took my rifle and strapped it
and Gregs cane to Soldiers side and then I got on Soldier. I told Greg to
stay on the side of the porch. I brought Soldier around so that Greg could
get on him from the height of the porch. He was able to easily throw his
left leg over and get up. We shared the saddle and I told him to hang on
to me. He had on Levis, a t-shirt, Pendleton, a jacket and his motorcycle
boots. We gave him a cowboy hat and he said, Youre joking? 
 

It will keep your head warm and the weather and dust out of your eyes.	
 

We took off around 10:30 a.m., a very late start for Jack. But he was a
very patient man and just accepted that we would be out later than usual.
We let the horses set their own pace until we got to Witches Hallow about
noon. The woods were beautiful, the leaves were gone off the oak but the
pine trees were thick with needles. We saw deer and Elk and some smaller
critters. I would point them out to Greg who was enjoying the trip.  
 

Youre going to feel the saddle tonight. Do you have some pain relievers
for your leg if it starts to ache. 
 

I no longer take pain killers on a daily basis, but I will probably need
one tonight. I have some Naprosyn with me. 
 

You better take some because I can guarantee youll ache. I handed him a
water bottle and he took two blue Naprosyn out of his pocket and popped
them. 
 

When Greg talked to me I could feel his warm breath around my ear and it
tickled. We saw the horses ahead and Jack signaled to me that he was going
to go around to the left. I went right. They were in an open field just
west of Witches Hallow. I was grateful that they were in the open, it
would be easier for us. 
 

Were going to gallop so hang on tight to me, ok? 
 

I can do that.	
 

I saw Jack break into a gallop. I grabbed the rope off the horn and
started galloping. Soldier was a big lug of a horse, but he was also fast
and strong. We were at full speed in a matter of seconds and I could feel
Greg grab tighter and tighter. He hadnt expected us to be at break neck
speeds. I saw a filly and got the rope ready. The filly broke from the
herd and started to run. I was after her and was catching up. I threw the
lasso but missed. I pulled it in and kicked Soldier to go faster. Every
once in awhile I could feel Greg adjust himself in the saddle to get his
balance. He was holding me very tight. I twirled the lasso and threw it
again. This time I got her and I quickly wrapped the rope around the horn
of the saddle. Jack came over, took the rope and brought the filly over to
the two horses he had already roped and tied it to the others. We
continued until 1:00 p.m. to rope horses. AT 1:00 p.m. Jack helped Greg
off the horse and then he unstrapped his cane. We all sat down and had
lunch.	
 

I think it would be best if you sit on this blanket for the rest of the
afternoon while we get the rest of the horses. Otherwise, youre going to
be aching for a very long time. 
 

My butt already feels like Ive been in prison.	
 

He watched as Jack and I worked as a well oiled machine, roping the horses
and then tying them together. By the end of the day, we had all the horses
tied one behind the other. We had two strings. Jack and I brought Jessie
over to a large boulder and Greg got on her from the height of the
boulder. He rode Jessie home while Jack and I had the two strings of
horses following behind. 
 

Later that evening Greg was not only hobbling but he was walking slightly
bowlegged. Jack couldnt help but snicker. I smiled a lot but made no
comments. We heated some frozen chilli and crumbled crackers in it. We
also had a side salad along with some wine. 
 

Jack and I talked all through the dinner about the horses and the upcoming
auction. We held an auction about every two years to thin out the herd.
Jack was known for raising good horses so we always attracted a good
crowd. 
 

That night Greg slept like a baby. I did too. 
 

The next day we spent it grooming the horses. We brought in the local
Farrier and he shooed the horses and groomed their hooves. Greg helped
comb and brush the horses with us. We had a great time talking about the
difference in the way our lives had unfolded.  
 

That night I cooked steak, potatoes, green beans, gravy and biscuits for
dinner. Jack usually ate at the ranch house two or three times a week. He
joined us for dinner. He and Greg actually hit it off. Jack doesnt suffer
fools lightly so the two of them appreciated each other. Jack asked a lot
of questions about Gregs work and it gave Greg a chance to show Jack that
he could be useful at something.  
 

Jack went back to the bunkhouse to watch television. I cleaned up and Greg
watched me like he used to watch me. Youre still gorgeous Maggie. In fact,
I think youre even more beautiful. You filled out in just the right places
and your face has a kindness you dont see in most people. 
 

Gregory House, how romantic. Thank you. The phone rang. 
 

Hello? 
 

Hello Maggie. How are you sweetie? 
 

Blythe! Im fine. Im here with Greg. 
 

Greg? It was John.  
 

Yes, hes spending a few days on the ranch with me. He spent the first day
rounding up horses. But after being on one all day I think hes had his
fill of horses. Do you want to speak to him? Greg was waving his hands no.
But I glared at him. 
 

Mom? Dad? How are you? 
 

Good honey, how are you? 
 

Fine. 
 

What are you doing with Maggie in Colorado? His Dad asked point blank.	
 

Just catching up. 
 

The conversation dragged on for a few minutes and then Blythe and I were
left alone on the phone. 
 

Maggie, are you sure you know what youre doing? 
 

No, but at least this time around I know that I dont know. 
 

I understand. Be careful, youve given up a lot of opportunities for
happiness and a family because of your feelings. 
 

I know. Love you. Bye. 
 

My mother is harbinger of doom and gloom when it comes to us, isnt she? 
 

She thinks Ive said no to a lot of great guys because of you. 
 

Did you? 
 

Ive said no to a lot of guys, but I dont know to what extent it had to do
with you. I do know that there were two guys your mother really wanted me
to marry. 
 

My mother? That traitor. So I guess everyone blames me for you not finding
happiness. 
 

Not finding happiness? Arent you egocentric? What makes you think I cant
be happy without a man? 
 

Because I know you. You love taking care of a man, you like being needed. 
 

Oh give me a break. Im not some sycophant who needs a man to dote on. Ill
have you know that most of the men I was with took care of me. They doted
on me, showered me with gifts and affection. Youre the only one that has
been cruel to me. 
 

Oh great, were never going to get over that are we? 
 

Maybe not. Maybe we are destined to keep rehashing that pain over and
over. I just know that I dont want to keep reliving that pain. I cant do
that Greg. If we can get past this, its ok. Im older now and I know that I
can make it without a man in my life. 
 

You have a man in your life Maggie, the perfect man, Jack. Hes here when
you need him, you have his company whenever you need it and hes in love
with you. 
 

Oh give me a break. Jack has a girlfriend, he doesnt love me. 
 

He loves you... 
 

What about you Greg? Do you love me? 
 

He swallowed his words and went quiet. 
 

Well, I guess theres my answer.  
 

I went upstairs and into my bedroom. I started a fire in the fireplace and
took my shower. I came out to put on my pajamas and he was standing in the
middle of the room leaning on his cane. 
 

He grabbed me and his cane fell to the floor. I tried to wrestle my arm
from his hand but he kept firm. He pulled off my towel and then pulled me
forward to him. He kissed me but I wouldnt kiss him back. He looked down
at me and I was emotionless. He kissed me again and held me as close as he
could.	
 

I want you Maggie May. I want you body and soul. He kissed me again. Then
again. He kissed me until I finally kissed him back. He grabbed my arm and
climbed onto the bed and pulled me with him. He took off his clothes
quickly and then motioned for me to get under the covers. I did and he
joined me. He kept kissing me only this time his kisses started at my lips
and went down. He was gentle and when I climaxed he lifted himself up and
onto me and entered quickly. He was slow and rhythmic and he looked in my
eyes the whole time. When he came I held him tightly, not wanting him to
pull out. He realized I wasnt going to let him move and so he fell asleep
half on me and half off. I was warm and safe. 
 

When we woke up he made love to me again, only this time it was fast and
passionate. When we laid in each others arms he kissed my head and then
turned his body to face me. Maggie, come back to Princeton and live with
me again. 
 

Greg, theres so much to think about. I have a life here. Why dont you come
here, you could open your own practice. 
 

The type of medicine I practice has to be done in a large metropolitan
area. I dont have the type of practice that works in rural Colorado. 
 

 What if I come and stay with you for large chunks of time and then you
come here? 
 

If thats the only way its going to work then ok. He said. 
 

I dont see it any other way, do you? 
 

Lets give it a try and then we can work out the kinks. He said. 
 

Ok. 

*** 

The auction was a success and most of my neighbors had turned out for it.
I had been accepted over the last few years but I was always the writer
from California. But now that I had a best seller, they started calling me
the local writer. We sold a lot of horses to a group of Navajo Indians
that had come up from the Four Corners area. The neighbors all got to meet
Greg and many asked me if he was, George. I just started acknowledging it.
Some of them were upset about the abortion but most of them were just
excited to meet George. 
 

Greg flew back to Princeton. I told him that he either had to get a bigger
apartment or I would go in with him to buy a house. If I was going to live
there I needed to bring some of my own belongings and set up an office
where I could write. He agreed to look around but suggested strongly that
I come out and help him. Greg was a lazy sod sometimes. 
 

The brouhaha over the book and Greg was starting to wane. My agent warned
me that he was in negotiations over the filming rights and that once they
started casting the parts, it would probably get crazy again. I told Greg
and he spent half the telephone conversation trying to decide who should
play him. I think of myself as Clint Eastwood, but hes too old. What about
Eric Bana? Hed good and hes tall and thin but arent his eyes brown? This
went on for awhile until I cut it off and said goodnight. 
 

I flew out to Princeton for Thanksgiving. The day after I arrived I was
scheduled to meet Greg at his office for lunch and then we were going to
go from there to look at some houses. I arrived at noon and met his team
again.	
 

What are you doing here Maggie? Cameron asked. 
 

Greg and I are going to go look for an apartment or a house. We havent
decided. 
 

She looked absolutely stunned. She looked at Greg as if to ask if he would
verify what I said. 
 

We need to get going. Greg grabbed his jacket. 
 

When we got outside I asked Greg, Why was Allison so shocked? 
 

Uh...I havent told them about us getting back together. 
 

Its more than that. Does Allison have a thing for you? 
 

Mmmm...maybe. Probably. I continued to give him a look, Ok, she once asked
me out on a date. 
 

Oh Greg. You are pathetic. 
 

I cant help it if Im hot. Women fall for me all the time. Its the broody,
damaged goods persona. 
 

Then that makes me pathetic. 
 

Oh honey, we already knew that. he patted my hand. 
 

We ended up buying a house with four bedrooms, 2 ½ baths, a full basement
on 1 acre of yard and woods. It had a new kitchen / dining / family room
area with huge picture windows, French doors and skylights. The kitchen
had top of the line appliances including a Wolf 5 burner range, oven and
microwave, warming drawer, baker's station, Miele DW and a Sub Zero
refrigerator. It also had Italian ceramic tile flooring and granite
counters.  
 

It definitely did not match Gregs personality. It was very suburban but it
had a master bedroom on the first floor with an ensuite bathroom for Gregs
easy access and an office where I could write. It was located in a
beautiful area with lots of woods and only six miles from the hospital and
very close to Princeton Shopping Center. I know that Greg was not excited
about moving to it. But it had everything we needed and it was only
$600,000, a bargain compared to someplace like San Diego or Estes Park. 
 

The piano looked gorgeous next to all the built in bookcases in the living
room. We bought a flat screen television for over the fireplace and gave
away Gregs old one. I rented a small moving truck and Jack and I drove it
out to New Jersey from Colorado. Jack thought the new house was nice, but
was anxious to get back to the mountains where he belonged.  
 

We...I should say...I... gave a house warming party on December 21st and
invited my friends from New York, Washington D.C., Princeton Faculty and
of course all of the people who worked with Greg. The first to show was
Wilson. Greg was in playing piano while I made sure the food was ready. 
 

Wilson walked into the house after I yelled over the piano for him to come
on in. He brought a bottle of wine to the kitchen, gave me a kiss on the
cheek, The tree and decorations are nice. Thats a big tree. Then he nodded
that he was going to go in and join Greg. 
 

Greg was in between songs and he watched as Wilson looked around the
living room. 
 

Wheres the mini-van? Wilson teased. Arent you suppose to be slaving over a
barbeque in the back with a silly apron on? 
 

Funny. 
 

I hadnt expected this. Its actually a beautiful home but not exactly where
I imagined you would be living. 
 

Its just a house. 
 

The doorbell rang and several of my friends showed up. Around 6:30 p.m.
Chase, Cameron and Foreman showed up together. House had gotten up to get
a whisky. They looked around and Cameron said to Greg in a voice dripping
with surprise, This is a beautiful home. 
 

Why the shock? 
 

I dont see you in the suburbs. 
 

Surprisingly, they actually let me drink Whisky, play the piano and
fornicate out here in the burbs...as a bonus I get to run naked in my own
woods. 
 

Chase, Foreman and Wilson all laughed but Cameron just shook her head. 
 

Have you thought about tying the knot? Wilson asked. 
 

I think about tying a knot around her neck at least once a day. OH, I get
it...are we going to get married? He yelled at me, Maggie May...they want
to know if we are getting married. Have you asked me yet? 
 

I blushed bright red, No dear, I havent asked you yet, Im still waiting
for your AIDS test to come back. 
 

Well, that settles it. Once she gets those test results Im toast. 
 

Cuddy and two other doctors showed up along with Gregs accountant. My
friends outnumbered Gregs 5 to 1. Greg played piano and some of my tipsy
friends from D.C., including Krista, sang the songs he was playing. It was
actually a lot of fun. Even Wilson started to sing, I think he took a
liking to Krista. 
 

The evening was a success and we ended up with quite a cache of wine and
liquor after everyone went home. Krista and another friend were passed out
upstairs in the guest rooms. Greg came up behind me while I was rinsing
some of the glasses at the sink. He started kissing my neck. His hand
rubbed my thigh and then traveled up under my skirt until he reached my
panties. I leaned back into him and he continued until I was a puddle in
his hands.  
 

Youre so easy. he kissed me neck again. 
 

I had a hard time composing myself. Would you like me to reciprocate?  
 

He put his arms around me and kissed me. I unzipped his pants and undid
his belt. Before I could do anything else, he had me pinned down on the
dining room table and we were having sex when Krista walked through the
kitchen, still drunk, and got a drink of water and some naprosyn sitting
out on the counter. Greg had just started to climax and he was holding his
breath so he wouldnt yell out. She hadnt noticed us. She turned and went
back out. Greg let out his breath and yelled, F@#k, Oh ...aghh. When it
was over, we laughed so hard we started crying.  
 

The next morning I approached Krista and asked her if she remembered
getting up to get some Naprosyn and she thought hard but shrugged her
shoulders. When I drink I sometimes walk in my sleep and do odd things. I
smiled and nodded at her and secretly laughed to myself. 
 

I had started my next novel about a ranch hand. I had to be careful not to
make it seem too much like Jack because he would not appreciate the same
invasion of privacy that Greg went through. In the meantime, the film
rights to Busker had been bought for $1.3 million plus a percentage of the
gross. Apparently, my agent was still negotiating My Back to the Piano. 
 

Gregs parents came out for the holidays. They arrived on December 23rd and
we picked them up at the Trenton Airport. They were happy to see us and I
could tell they felt a little awkward over us being a couple. But we
looked truly happy and they seemed to relax when they saw how much we
enjoyed each other.  
 

We were cooking dinner and I asked Greg to help set the table. Blythe
looked over and told us, Thats a nice dinner table. 
 

Greg and I looked at each other and started to giggle... Greg started to
make one of his comments and I gave him the zip it sign. He bit his tongue
and Blythe looked at us like we were nuts. 
 

For Christmas, I bought Greg a Ferrari of his own. His mother wasnt happy
with me, but I figured he was 47...he was a big boy now. Greg bought me
ruby and diamond earrings to match the ring he had given me years ago. He
also bought me a Mandolin. We gave the Houses a trip on a cruise ship to
Alaska. I knew that they had wanted to go, so they were pleased with the
tickets. 
 

Krista, Chase and Wilson joined us for dinner. Chase was very funny. He
told us clinic stories and had us in stitches. Wilson told us some funny
stories about Greg and I discussed my job as a cook to the rich and famous
Everest mountain climbers. The day went well and everyone seemed to enjoy
the dinner. 
 

Blythe thought that Greg was looking great. He smiled a little more and
seemed more relaxed that she had seen in a long time. She had to admit
that whenever Greg was living with me, he seemed happier.  
 

Maggie, are you happy? 
 

Yes, Blythe I am happy. But Ive learned that with Greg, you have to grab
the happiness while you can. Happiness tends to implode around him. 
 

Youve loved him for a long time. 
 

Yes, 28 years...I loved him from the first day he demanded to know my
name...Maggie or Margaret? 
 

Blythe chuckled. Well Maggie, youre good for him but I dont know how good
he is for you. 
 

This sounds crazy, but he has always made me feel safe. 
 

Safe? Greg makes you fee safe? she seemed not to understand that. 
 

I dont have a clue why...I think because he tells me the truth, usually. 
 

Well, he is blunt. Blythe admitted. 
 

The Houses left two days later and Greg was relieved. I think they have
accepted the fact that we are together but they feel kind of like its
incest. 
 

*** 
 

I had to fly back to Colorado for a few weeks to take care of the horses
while Jack went on a vacation to Texas to see his family. I was enjoying
the time by myself but I was also missing Greg. He called me every day and
gave me an update on the New Jersey weather. I had to laugh because he
announced it just like the weatherman on the local news who had a light
lisp and a distinct cadence. I informed him that I was not impressed with
his four inches of snow when we had just received two feet. 
 

I miss you. He said. 
 

I miss you too. I love you honey. I was really missing him. 
 

I love you too. Goodnight. 
 

Goodnight. 
 

I stayed an extra week after Jack got back just to catch up on the books
and to do my taxes. Jack was glad to see me stay and we had a great time
talking about Christmas and his folks. I realized that Greg might be
right, Jack might have a crush on me. But he never said anything or took
any inappropriate steps. And Jack seemed happy enough with his girlfriend.

 

When I got back to Princeton, Greg was waiting for me at the airport. He
hugged me and said, I dont like it when youre gone. It gets boring. I get
hungry. The house gets messy. 
 

We were in bed and he was holding me tightly. Greg, you remember the table
sex? 
 

Yes, do you want to adjourn to the dining room my little minx? 
 

No, but the table sex is going to make a good story later when we tell our
son or daughter how he or she was conceived. 
 

He was quiet. 
 

You arent going to be able to convince me this time to have an abortion,
so the ball is in your court. I said. 
 

You stopped using the diaphragm? He asked. 
 

No, I just didnt expect table sex. However,I figure this was the best
Christmas present you could have given me. So, are we going to raise the
baby together? 
 

Do you really think I could trust you to raise a House alone? 
 

I want you to tell me how you really feel? 
 

I come with a lot of baggage, but then you already know that and Im pretty
set in my ways. But I missed out when we were young, I dont want to miss
out this time. I dont want my child growing up without me. I just wonder
if I can give it the love a child should have. 
 

I think you will come through. 
 

Now where are we going to raise this prodigy? He asked. 
 

In your office...I would assume we will raise the child here and in
Colorado... 
 

I vote for Colorado. 
 

Cute. 
 

Ok, what are we going to call this invention? Housemoy? Molouse?Houlloy? 
 

Greg, lets get married. 
 

Why? 
 

Are you joking or serious? I asked. 
 

A little of both. 
 

Dont you want the baby to have a normal family? 
 

Maggie, no matter what we do, this is not going to be a normal family. 
 

You know what I mean... 
 

Can I first digest the fact that Ive been exiled to the suburbs, Im living
with my pseudo little sister and Im procreating before I take on marriage?

 

Youve got an hour. 
 

What? 
 

Im joking...if you dont want to get married, its fine. 
 

He looked at me sideways...I dont like this. Its fine if I dont marry you?

 

Hey, if I really want a husband I know where to find one or two... I
smiled like a lunatic at him. 
 

Myspace? He laughed. 
 

I rolled over and tried to go to sleep. 
 

Having my baby...what a lovely way of saying how much you love me...having
my baby. .. 
 

Oh for Gods sake, will you please shut up. I need some sleep... I
pretended to hit him.  
 

I want to name him Perciville. 
 

No. 
 

Ebekenezer? 
 

No. 
 

Greg..let me sleep. 
 

Ive missed you. 
 

I know, I missed you too. Now, go to sleep and when we wake up you can
harass me, ok? 
 

Goodnight Maggie May, Im glad youre home. 
 

Goodnight Honey. 
 

Greg insisted I go in and get an exam by the best obstetrician in the
hospital. We were waiting in the waiting room when Cuddy was walking by at
a fast clip. She stopped in her tracks like she had just hit a brick wall
and walked back to us. It wasnt hard to put two and two together. A couple
in the waiting room of an obstetrician says a lot. 
 

You two are pregnant? 
 

Yes, but we dont know which one. If its me then Im going straight out and
buying maternity clothes and a case of Ben & Jerrys. Greg patted his
stomach. 
 

I took a pregnancy test in Colorado and it was positive. I told her. 
 

Thats great! Then she looked at Greg, No abortions this time. 
 

It depends, if the sonogram looks like you, were aborting. Greg said. 
 

She gave him a mean look and then turned to me. If you need anything let
me know and congratulations. 
 

Thanks. I said as she walked away. 
 

I give it ten minutes. 
 

What? 
 

In ten minutes Cameron, Chase, Foreman and Wilson will all know. Cuddy has
this problem with keeping secrets about me. Me being a father is going to
give her a lot of fodder. 
 

Oh well, it had to come out anyway. 
 

When we got done with the obstetrician the pregnancy was confirmed. The
baby was due on September 13th. Greg asked a lot of questions about me
being an older prima gravida...I felt really decrepit. Apparently because
I was going to be 39 when I had my first child, it required much more
monitoring for birth defects.  
 

My obstetrician seemed to actually like Greg, Dont worry House, Ill make
sure she gets all the right tests. 
 

We went down to his office and they were all there, including Cuddy.
Congratulations! The all yelled in unison. Greg rolled his eyes. Wilson
patted Greg on the back and Greg gave him a look that said you dont want
to do that. 
 

Thank you everyone. I said with real happiness in my voice. 
 

When are you due? 
 

September 13th. 
 

Wallets came out and money was exchanged between the men. Apparently
Wilson won the pot. 
 

What was that about? I asked. 
 

It meant that the date of conception was the night of your party. I
thought it would have been at Thanksgiving and Foreman thought it was
Christmas. Chase grinned. 
 

Now you all know, we copulate after every party...were giving a party
tonight just so I can get some. Bring pretzels and condoms. Greg walked to
his desk. 
 

Ill take off now. I walked over and gave Greg a kiss on the cheek. He
turned and smiled at me and gave me a peck on the cheek. I left and went
home so that I could start planning the wedding. Greg House was getting
married, he just didnt know it. 

*** 
 

I called Krista and asked her to be my maid of honor. How did he ask you
to marry him? 
 

He didnt, but he will. Im planning a June wedding in Colorado. I think a
wedding on the ranch would be beautiful and you havent been there, so it
will be a great excuse for you to come. We need to go look for dresses! 
 

Arent you getting ahead of yourself? 
 

No, its only money. I figure if he says no...I just pay the deposits..dont
worry, hell say yes. Hes going to be 48 when the baby is born, not like he
can moan about not having a chance to live his life. 
 

When Greg got home I sat him down. Its 3:00 p.m. in San Diego. Your
parents will both be home, lets call and tell them the news about the
baby. 
 

I dont think thats a good idea. 
 

Why? 
 

My Dad is still a little upset over us hooking up. He really does think of
you as a daughter and its like...well, he just feels funny about his son
and daughter getting together... 
 

We cant hide this and its better he starts dealing with it now. I want you
to be on the phone with me when I call. He gave me a look like he didnt
want to do it, Greg, come on... 
 

I picked up the phone and dialed. Blythe answered. 
 

Hello? 
 

Blythe, its Maggie and Greg. Greg go get on the other phone. Greg got up
and went into the bedroom to get on the other receiver. Blythe is John
there? 
 

Yes, do you want me to get him? She asked. 
 

Yes, please. John was on the other phone within seconds. 
 

We have news for you. I said. 
 

You two are getting married. Blythe interrupted. 
 

No, not yet. Greg, why dont you tell them. 
 

Youre doing a great job as it is. He said. 
 

GREG. I growled into the receiver. 
 

Yes, dear. Mom, Dad, Maggie is pregnant. 
 

There was dead silence. 
 

I finally said, Hello? Are you still there? 
 

Yes...yes...were here.	Blythe stammered. 
 

Are you sure? John asked. 
 

September 13th is the due date. Greg told them. 
 

It was his Dad who recovered first. Congratulations, I know youll make a
good mother Maggie. And Greg, I hope you dont make the mistakes that I
made with you. We love you both and want you to be happy. Now when are you
getting married? 
 

We want to digest all of this before we make any other commitments. But
well let you know if we decide to get married. Greg was calm. 
 

Congratulations sweetie. Im going to be a grandmother. I never thought I
would. It was Blythe and she sounded happy. 
 

I didnt have the type of morning sickness that caused vomiting, I just
didnt have an appetite for the first two months. Greg was working long
hours at the hospital on several rather exciting cases. He was on a high
when he did get home. I worked on my novel and went for walks around the
neighborhood. But I was missing Colorado and the ranch. I told Greg that I
wanted to get back to the ranch soon.  
 

You were just there two months ago. Your first trimester will be up in a
few weeks, at least wait until then. The second trimester is the easiest,
less nausea, less likely to spontaneously abort and youre going to start
putting on weight. Youre still too thin. 
 

Ok, Ill go at the beginning of April, but Im going to stay a month. I need
to make sure everything is taken care of while Im pregnant. I didnt tell
him that I wanted to get back to make the arrangements for our wedding. 
 

I booked ten suites in the Stanley Hotel for friends and family. The
Stanley is a gorgeous hotel that overlooks the Rocky Mountains. In fact,
Steven King based the Overlook Hotel in the book The Shining on the
Stanley Hotel. I booked it for the weekend of June 16th. I called the
Houses and told them that I wanted them to come out to Colorado June 10th
for Gregs birthday and stay for a week. They said yes right away. Blythe
jumped at any chance to be with Greg. I bought their plane tickets. 
 

Greg was laying down reading a medical journal when I came in and sat down
on the edge of the couch. He put down the journal on his chest and looked
at me. Yes? 
 

I am flying your parents out to Colorado for your birthday and I want you
to ask Cuddy for the time off so you can be there. Tell her you need June
8th through June 18th off. 
 

You know that I dont like Birthday celebrations. 
 

This means a lot to me. I want your parents to have time with us while Im
pregnant. Please? 
 

He really didnt want to say yes, but he could tell that I was sincere in
my desire for him to come to Colorado. Ok, but the next time I take
vacation I would like for us to actually take one. 
 

Deal. 
 

I talked to Wilson. Jim, I want you to be the Best Man. 
 

Best Man? Are you and House getting married? 
 

Yes, but he doesnt know it yet. Im planning the wedding for June 16th in
Colorado. Ill pay your way out and make arrangements for your clothes. I
know that Greg would want the Best Man to be you. 
 

Maggie, do you really think Greg will go through with this? 
 

Whats the worst that he can do? Humiliate his pregnant girlfriend in front
of friends and family? Ive been through worst. If he doesnt go through
with it then we just have a big birthday party for him. Hell be too afraid
that all of it will end up in a novel. I smiled at Wilson. Jim, its ok. I
know Im taking a chance, but Im tired of waiting for Greg House. This is a
make or break deal. He either goes through with it or I stay in Colorado,
permanently. 
 

Those are high stakes. 
 

Yes, but I cant be spending the rest of my life pining over him. I want to
know when the baby is born that we are his family, legally. 
 

Krista and I went shopping for her dress but I ended up finding mine. It
was am Antibes silver-white satin strapless gown with a rouched neckline
and an empire waist that has a sash. There was beading and embroidery at
the empire line. The empire waist would give me ample room for expansion. 

 

We bought Krista a cocktail dress with a boat collar, three-quarter length
sleeves in a coral silk. It was gorgeous on her. We were pleased with our
purchases and spent the rest of the day finding the best shoes to go with
the dresses. I bought satin ballet-styled slippers so that I would be
comfortable. 
 

I asked the Houses for the addresses of friends and family. I told them
that I needed them for when I sent out the baby announcements. I received
the list of approximately 89 people. I knew that many of them would not be
able to make it to Colorado but maybe some would show. I knew that I had
to get a commitment from Greg in May to marry me before I sent out the
invitations. Once the invitations went out it would be too difficult to
keep Greg from finding out.  
 

In April I flew out to Colorado and arranged for music, a tent, tables,
food, the preacher and all the other things that go with a wedding. We
were going to be married outside, if the weather held, at the base of the
mountain. A large, heated tent, was going to be set up and we would have
ten tables for a total of 100 people. The band would be in the tent but we
would open the house and there would be music inside the house as well. 
 

Things were going great except that I forgot about George and Rachel. I
dont know who tipped the media off, but one of the pieces on Entertainment
Tonight was the upcoming wedding of Maggie Molloy and Dr. Gregory House in
Estes Park, Colorado. I received a call from the Houses. 
 

Are the tabloids right? Blythe could barely contain her excitement. 
 

I think they are mistaking the birthday party preparations for a wedding. 
 

Around April 24th Greg called me in the middle of the day. Maggie, I need
for you to come home as soon as you can. 
 

Whats wrong Greg? 
 

I dont want to have this conversation over the phone, you need to fly out
as soon as you can. 
 

Cant you tell me over the phone, Im suppose to stay another week, cant
this wait? 
 

No. The phone went dead. 
 

I arranged for a flight the following day and when I got to the airport he
wasnt there. He did arrange for a driver to pick me up and take me home. I
got home and looked around and there it was. The idiots were suppose to
have delivered my wedding gown to Kristas house in Washington. The box was
in the middle of the bed and the gown was partially pulled out.  
 

I was sweating bullets and my hear rate went through the roof. I was
trying to calm myself down because I didnt want to stress the baby. A few
hours later I heard him pull up. He got out and came in with his back
pack. He put it down and took one look at me on the couch and shook his
head as if he were disappointed.  
 

Do you want to tell me whats going on? The tabloids are stalking me and
then that dress gets delivered a few days ago. I have to think that we
arent communicating. 
 

Youre getting married on June 16th in Colorado. 
 

He didnt bat an eye or even feign surprise. Do I have any say in this? 
 

Yes, you can say no if you want. I will accept it if you do. But Ill be
staying in Colorado if we arent married. 
 

So, youre blackmailing me...no marriage, no Maggie. 
 

No, you are welcomed to come to Colorado and visit me and the baby
anytime, for as long as you want. But if Im going to live in New Jersey
with you then I want to be married. 
 

Youve taken the decision out of my hands, havent you? 
 

No Greg, if you are really ready to commit then marriage wont scare you.
Youre 47 years old for Gods sake, its not like you have to go out and sew
your wild oats. 
 

How were you going to pull this off? He sat down on the easy chair
opposite the couch. 
 

I wasnt sure, I just knew I would do my best. 
 

You know how to use a shotgun...had you thought about a shotgun wedding? 
 

Yes, but I didnt know if I should shoot you or put myself out of my
misery. 
 

He gave me a weak smile. He leaned back in the chair and looked at the
ceiling. 
 

Can I get you something? I didnt make anything for dinner so well have to
go out or get take-out. 
 

I think I need a whisky...and I already ordered Chinese before I left the
hospital. 
 

I got up and poured him one and handed it to him. He looked directly into
my eyes before taking it out of my hands.  
 

Maggie May, you certainly know what you want dont you? 
 

I know I want you Greg House, but Im tired of waiting. I ve waited 28
years for you...I think thats long enough, dont you? 
 

The doorbell rang, I grabbed my purse to go pay for the meal. I gave the
guy a tip and he smiled broadly at me. I took the food into the kitchen
and Greg followed. He sat down at stool next to the breakfast bar. I could
see he had ordered the shrimp and the crispy beef dishes. I was about
ready to cry, I just knew this conversation wasnt going my way. He seemed
to be deeply disappointed and disturbed by what I had done. I put a
spoonful of the shrimp on his plate and saw metal covered in sauce. I
reached over and pulled it out and gave a little scream, Ahhh..OH my God.
It was a beautiful diamond engagement ring. I started shrieking and Greg
covered his ears. 
 

Maggie, Maggie, calm down.  
 

I was jumping up and down like I had just been called to be a contestant
on the Price is Right. I went over to him and continued to jump like a
Kangaroo.  
 

Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God... 
 

Maggie, MAGGIE MAY.... 
 

I stopped jumping and I ran over to the sink to wash the sauce off. Greg
it is so beautiful. I handed it to him, You put it on me... 
 

How do you know it wasnt the delivery boy who wants to marry you. I saw
the way he looked at you. 
 

Because I didnt give him that big a tip. 
 

Greg took the ring in his fingers and placed it on my left hand and said,
Maggie May will you marry me? 
 

I was almost flip but then I realized how serious he had become, Yes
Gregory House, I will. 
 

We hugged and kissed each other. 
 

The day of the wedding there was some drizzle in the morning but it
stopped around noon. The wedding was scheduled for 2:00 p.m. House was
knocking back single malt whiskeys with Wilson in the guest room where
they were getting dressed. I was trying to stuff my blossoming breasts
into the top of my dress and Krista was wrestling with allergies.  
 

We had 110 people RSVP and I had to break down and hire security because
of the press. I had come to a compromise with them. They could have ten
minutes to take photos after the ceremony but then they had to leave. Our
sheriff was just itching to throw some of them in jail for trespassing.  
 

John House was going to walk me down the aisle. They didnt know what side
to sit on and so they chose the Grooms side just so their family would
know where to sit. I told them that it didnt matter to me.  
 

The sun came out and the mountain and meadows were blooming with
wildflowers. It was so romantic. The very large pond in front of the ranch
house reflected the mountain and the trees. The marriage bower was just
far enough back from the pond to keep the insects at bay. Greg and Wilson
took their place and they both looked handsome and just slightly tipsy. I
didnt think anyone else would recognize that little grin that Greg gets
when hes been drinking, but I sure did. 
 

The wedding went well, Greg even said a few words. They werent exactly
what I had planned when I thought of my wedding, but they were very
Gregish: 
 

Maggie May, ..All I needed was a friend to lend a guiding hand, 

But you turned into a lover and 

Mother what a lover, you wore me out, 

All you did was wreck my bed, 

And in the morning kick me in the head, 

Oh Maggie I couldnt have tried anymore, 

You lured me away from home, cause you didnt want to be alone, 

You stole my heart I couldnt leave you if I tried... 
 

Everyone looked at each other mystified, but I just grabbed him and kissed
him. The preacher chastised me, Tsk, tsk, no kissing yet. 
 

After the ceremony we drank (I had milk and one glass of champagne) and
ate and danced (even Greg did a little dancing) into the night. I was very
happy and Greg, well Greg was very drunk. 
 
 

THE END.