The Gentleman Caller, Pt 2

[allthingsdecent]

I do so regret not calling this story Regret. . . - atd

Clifford West sat in at a corner table at the Patterson Coffee Shop, looking slightly out of time and place in his tweed jacket, with his wool fedora hanging from a nearby coat rack, reading the New York Times business section, and sipping on a mug of coffee. He shifted in his seat nervously

Comments

[suzmum]

I read this, very quickly, in between two meetings yesterday, and so it's an incredible treat to come back to the second installment this morning. Each of the little tableaux is so delicately drawn: the interaction between West and Cuddy; the scene on the balcony; the totally incredible scene between House and West; and then the final DDX. Each of these scenes provides us with more insight into the characters, and are so much fun to read.

I love the way that Cuddy reveals both how confused and complicated - not to mention unresolved - her feelings are for House. There's almost the sense that she knows, damn well, that House is the love of her life, and that she knows equally well that he is worth the trouble, but he doesn't seem to 'match up' with the fact that she has a 3-year old and a demanding career, and so she is obliged to let him go.

The banter between Cuddy and House is so witty: I have no idea how long it took to write those lines, but you were really on a roll!

But the scene between House and his father was truly wonderful (and I so agree with his Dad that the academics who insist on the use of Dr. are to be avoided!). It would be so incredible for House to find himself able to interact with someone who thought like him, etc. - this would have churned up incredibly complicated emotions.

And of course the DDX was sweet. Hope may be for sissies, but there are times in life when we all find that we are sissies.