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Bernadette pulled out a color card and examined it. A subtle shade of aqua, she thought it would be perfect for the nursery. She was browsing through the other colors when the clearing of a throat made her turn. She found herself looking at a very handsome man.
"Sorry, am I in your way?" she asked.
"No, no, that's not it at all. I was just wondering if you're interested in modeling."
"Excuse me?"
"You're just what we're looking for," he answered, as he handed her a card.
"Tiny Finies?" She blinked at him.
"Yes, a modeling agency for beautiful and petite women. Why don't you keep the card and think about it?" He flashed her a perfect smile as he walked away.
Bernadette examined the card; slowly reaching to put the color card back in its place. Her attention focused on Earl Berger's modeling agency card, she missed and the color card dropped unnoticed to the aisle floor. Looking up she peered around to see if she was being watched, then slid the contact card into a chest pocket. Getting out her iPhone, she dialed her husband's number.
"Everything okay, Bernie?"
"Can you meet me in the paint aisle?"
"Sure."
They disconnected and she waited for Howard to show. Soon he rounded the corner, pushing a very quiet double stroller. "What's up?" he asked.
Bernadette dug out the card and showed it to him.
"Huh," he eloquently said.
"He said I had the right look, and told me to think about applying with his company," Bernadette informed Howard, and adjusted her glasses.
"Wha-That's crazy! Not that you aren't fine," Howard quickly amended. "Because you are. I just don't like the idea of people staring at you. Or reading about you, before having an unusually long shower."
"Howie...You wanted to make more money. This pays, very well. And I have to admit, I'm interested."
"You don't mind if guys..." He waved a hand. "If they..."
"If they do what you do, but without the actual me?" she filled in. "Maybe it would motivate them to go on dates. But I don't care what they do. Financially it's the right thing."
"But you've got a job."
"I haven't been at work for three weeks, and I'm not talking maternity leave," Bernadette told him. "It's only a matter of time before I'm let go."
"I told you, ask Stuart to babysit."
"Ew, no way! I don't want him anywhere near them!" she trilled.
"I don't either, but I don't think we haven't seen a nanny who isn't repulsed by Kristy and Karina," he answered, "And I think we've gone through every nanny in the service."
"Yeah. Even the retired nurse granny nanny," she mumbled, as they began to walk. "I really thought we had something special."
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"Sheldon, dinner's ready!" Penny yelled.
"I'm right here," he answered, and she turned away from the stove to see him in his Spot.
"Oh, sorry."
"Is it just the two of us eating?" Sheldon asked, as he stood and walked toward her.
"No, everyone's coming. You know, if they were all you, they'd be here by now." Penny took off the oven mitts.
Suddenly the door flew open and Leonard hurried in, slamming the door behind him. Then he locked the door. Breathing hard, he looked at his ex-roommate and his wife.
They stared at him.
"Problem?" Penny asked.
"Dear Lord, there's not a puppy out there. Tell me there's not a puppy out there!" Sheldon exclaimed.
"There isn't a puppy out there," Leonard said, his voice breaking. He moved quickly away from the door.
"Oh, good. Tonight's Comic-Con."
"Sweetie, dinner's ready," Penny told him.
"I'm not hungry." He hurried down the hall, and Penny and Sheldon looked at the Kick Me sign on his back.