Chapter 2
A week later...
Sheldon was getting the mail and noticed that a package came for him. He was puzzled because he hadn't ordered anything, therefore he was not expecting a package. He stared at it's place of origin and his heart rate quickened. Augustine Farms. That was Penny's family farm. He bound up the 4 flights of stairs both curious and appalled that she had sent him a package in the mail instead of just emailing.
Coincidentally, Leonard was not at home. Sheldon was grateful because he did not want Leonard interrogating him about the package. Once in his room, Sheldon sat on his bed and stared at the box in his lap. He wasn't sure if he wanted to open it or just throw it in the trash bin. Curiosity got the best of him and he carefully opened the package.
Inside he found another box that had all the shipping labels torn off. He deduced that Penny had shipped the box to her parents and they had shipped it to him. It seems she made sure he wouldn't be able to find her. He opened the smaller box and found inside, a letter and a gray kitty stuffed animal with black stripes. He put the box aside and opened the letter.
Dear Moonpie, (Only Meemaw calls me moonpie, he thought to himself)
I know you are upset that I left and didn't take you to the comic book store. I'm sorry that I had to lie to you. If I had said no, you would have somehow figured out that something was wrong. I know you don't like stuffed animals, but I had this made just for you. When you're sick, press it's paw. Take care, sweetie.
-Penny
He reached over to the kitty and pressed it's paw. Immediately he heard the familiar singing voice of Penny and she was singing "Soft Kitty". He tossed it on the floor, he suddenly felt sick to his stomach. He laid on his bed in his usual fetal position and then reached down to pick up the kitty. He pressed it's paw again. He laid there for what seemed like hours (in reality it was only 20 minutes), until his Vulcan hearing heard the click of the apartment door opening.
"Sheldon," Leonard called out.
Sheldon didn't answer. Maybe if Leonard thought he was sleeping, he would leave him alone.
Knock, knock...
"Sheldon, I know you're here. Your bag is on your desk." he said from the other side of Sheldon's bedroom door.
"Hold on," Sheldon replied as he set the box down on the floor by the bed where Leonard wouldn't see it and shoved soft kitty under his pillow, "You may enter."
Leonard opened the door and looked around suspiciously. "Why wouldn't you answer me when I called?"
"I was tired and I fell asleep for a few minutes. You know I don't like to yell unless it is absolutely necessary."
"Are you sure you're okay?" Leonard inquired as he raised an eyebrow at him.
"Why does everyone keep asking me that?" Sheldon spat out and forced Leonard out of the room by standing so close to him he had to back up, before shutting the door in his face. After he shut the door, Sheldon put his ear to the door and waited until he heard Leonard sigh and walk away.
Sheldon crept back over to his bed and pulled soft kitty out from under his pillow. He stared at it, but didn't dare press it's paw again for fear that Leonard would hear it. He walked over to his closet and found a hiding spot for soft kitty.
"That vile woman, taunting me with my mother's "Soft Kitty" song. She knows very well that I avoid calling my mother even when I'm sick or else I wouldn't have taught it to her to sing to me." Sheldon said so quietly, it was barely a whisper.
During their Halo night, the subject of Penny came up again. Although, most of the guys and the girls tried not to mention Penny around Sheldon. They knew that even though he said he was glad she was gone, that he was hurt like the rest of them.
"I still can't believe Penny is gone." Howard blurted out.
"Dude, I wonder what her new neighbors are like," Raj said, but regretted it immediately once he saw Sheldon's "I'll use the Force to choke you" face, "they're probably dumb."
"Do you think she moved back to Nebraska?" Leonard pondered.
"No, she did not move back to Nebraska." Sheldon stated simply and continued to play.
"What? How do you know that?" they all said at the same time.
Sheldon paused the game. "She sent me a package a few days ago. It said Nebraska on the box, but it was just a ruse. She sent the package to her parents to send to me. They took off the shipping labels so we wouldn't know where to find her."
"What did she send you? Why didn't she send us anything?" Howard looked completely baffled as he asked.
"Wolowitz, it's none of your business," Sheldon responded with a stern look on his face, "I'm tired. I'm going to bed."
As Sheldon got up from his spot, Leonard gave Howard an annoyed look.
"Sheldon, wait." Leonard almost hesitated to say.
Sheldon turned to face Leonard and Leonard thought he saw sadness in Sheldon's eyes for a moment, but then it was gone. He shook it off as his own eyes playing tricks on him.
"Are you sure you're..."
"Leonard, I don't know how many times I must repeat myself, but I am fine," Sheldon turned to walk away, "I would prefer not speak of this subject again."
From then on, no one spoke of Penny in front of Sheldon. There were whispers behind closed doors, but he still heard them. Although, he pretended not to.
