The Platonic Simulation

It had been seven years since Amy last saw her father. Not that they were avoiding each other, but for logistical reasons, they had to settle on communicating through email or phone. It wasn't ideal but it was a good setup, especially since it allowed them to keep in touch without causing unnecessary emotional turmoil on Amy's mother.

Dr. Benjamin Fowler is a Harvard-based entomologist. He met Amy's mother while he was pursuing his doctorate and successfully wooed her with sweet words on how females are really the masters in the insect world. What he forgot to tell her was that while he presented himself off as her humble and lowly servant, loyalty was never his virtue and he often served multiple queens.

"We need to pretend that we're not in a relationship," Amy told Sheldon during date night. "Although I don't think my dad will notice we're in one anyway."

"What are you saying? You mean, all these years, you never told your father about me?" Sheldon asked, a bit shocked about her statement.

"No, of course I told him about you. I tell him stories about you all the time," she answered defensively. "It's just that he doesn't know you as my boyfriend."

"You're ashamed of me, aren't you?"

"Of course, not!" Amy answered and reached across the table to hold his hand for reassurance. "For the record, when you asked me to be your girlfriend, I was so proud I announced it to all my maternal relatives. It's just that I haven't been in contact much with my father and I guess I prefer telling him that kind of news in person. And, he was out in the field so much these past years; I never got the chance to."

"Okay, but why the pretense?" he said, pouting.

"I'm his only child, Sheldon and, he might not be around physically but he is very protective. If I tell him that we're in a romantic relationship, he'll scrutinize you right away. I just want him to see you using an unbiased lens. I hope you understand," she pleaded, while continuing to rub his hands.

"Fine. But I want it on the record that I'm going along with this under protest."

"That is noted," Amy said, relieved.

"I'll pretend to have a platonic relationship with you for one day."

"Two days," she countered.

Sheldon paused and thought for a bit before responding. "Alright, two days. Frankly, I don't see why you're worried. Any father would be glad to have me as their daughter's boyfriend."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"I'm with Amy on this one," Penny said, as she walked across the living room towards their friends. "I'll pretend too if I have to introduce Dr. Whackadoodle here to my father. But, what exactly are we worried about?"

Amy placed her mug on the coffee table and glanced briefly around the room. The gang was all there; they have notified everyone about the setup.

"Well, my father's a bit of a lady's man," she explained.

"A bit? He is in his fifth marriage," Sheldon said. "Forgive me for saying this, but I really don't think he's in any position to evaluate me."

"I don't get it," Bernadette said. "What has that got to do with your relationship with Sheldon?"

Howard answered, "Let me guess, since he's a womanizer…

"Lady's man, Howard," Sheldon corrected him and everyone looked shocked that he defended the man. "Well, he is still going to be my in-law sooner or later; best to start getting used to extending him false courtesies now."

"I appreciate that Sheldon," Amy said dryly.

"So, he's a lady's man," Howard continued, "that means he is bound to think that most men will be just like him."

"Exactly," Amy said.

"To be fair," Leonard said, "I don't think that's going to be a problem with Sheldon."

"Oh, but I think it will be. I mean, he takes one look at this guy here," Amy said, tapping Sheldon's knee, "pale, tall, and handsome. I know his mind will automatically go there. I don't want to risk it."

"Yeah," Raj butted in sarcastically, "because one look at Sheldon and you'll know he's only after one thing."

"Her comic books?" Penny said.

"Her train collection?" Bernadette said.

"Oh! Oh! Her lego set?" Leonard joined in.

"People," Sheldon said. "Would you stop this nonsense? First of all, those are not 'one thing'. And second of all, Amy doesn't have those."

"So, her cardigan collection then," Raj said.

Sheldon just rolled his eyes and moved closer to whisper in Amy's ears. "I told you this isn't gonna work out. Even Raj could tell how attracted I am to you and your silly cardigans."

"Guys, guys," Amy said. "Please we can count on you to go with this, right?"

"We were just kidding. Of course, you can sweetie," Penny answered and the rest of the gang followed suit.

"Hear. Hear."