The Square Root of Christmas – Chapter 2
Penny awoke from a sound sleep and looked over to Leonard. He was not there. She looked over to the clock and saw that it was just after eleven o'clock. 'He must have gotten up early' she thought. 'He never has liked to sleep in.' But then something was itching in the back of her mind. 'He tried to wake me up last night.'
~Flashback to 1:30 a.m.~
"Penny, I need you to wake up." Leonard stood over her and gently shook her by the shoulder.
"Leonard, it's too early," she slurred in her sleep.
"Penny please, I need to talk to you."
"Not again Leonard. We'll do it again in the morning. Go back to sleep," she said as she pulled the covers over her head.
Leonard stood there for a few moments and analyzed the situation. If he forced her awake, she would be grumpy and may not even comprehend whatever conversation they would have. He decided that he would let her sleep and leave her a note.
~ Penney's Kitchen 11:30 a.m. ~
Penny approached the refrigerator to remove the carton of orange juice and saw it immediately. A letter was attached with a magnet right at her eye level. She took the note down and began to read it.
Penny, I am sorry for telling you this in a letter, but I did try to wake you last night. My mother called me from home last night and asked that I please come visit her. It is kind of an emergency and I could not refuse. Everyone in my family is alright, but there is a matter that needs my immediate attention. I am leaving my phone behind with you and I have booked a flight leaving this morning at 5:30. I'll explain everything when I get back. If you need to reach me for an emergency, you can reach me through my sister at 555-252-4824. I love you Penny and I will see you soon. Love Leonard.
She set the letter down and saw his phone on the table beside the container with the muffins. She went to her bedroom and retrieved her phone and immediately dialed the number that he had given her.
The line rang twice before it was answered.
"Hello, this is Dr. Williamson," a voice said.
"Is this Leonard Hofstader's sister?" Penny asked.
"Yes, Leonard is my brother. Can I help you?"
"Leonard left me this number to call in case of emergency." Penny stated.
"And what is the emergency?" the woman said.
"I need to talk to Leonard."
"He is not here at the moment but I can relay any message to him that you would like me to." Dr. Williamson said. "What message would you like me to pass on to him?"
"What emergency sent him all the way across the country? Why did he have to leave in the middle of the night?" Penny asked.
"Those are not questions that I can answer."
"Can't or won't" Penny spit out.
"Won't" Dr. Williamson admitted. "Leonard has set in place strict protocols as to what questions I can answer to specific inquiries."
"What is your name?" Penny asked.
"Dr. Williamson," she replied.
"I mean, what is your first name? I don't want to refer to my boyfriend's sister by Dr. Williamson."
"Hmm, if you must know, my name is Rebecca." She replied.
"Okay Rebecca, tell my boyfriend…" Penny started.
"Before you make an ultimatum, I must make a statement of fact." Rebecca interrupted. "I know this may sound strange because you have met our mother, but, I love my brother and will do whatever I have to in order to protect him."
"What makes you think anything I would say to him would hurt him?" Penny asked.
"Logic would dictate that you are about to demand that he call you immediately and explain why he left you in the middle of the night. By demanding that of him, you are asserting that he acted on a whim and that he had no thought of you when he did so. I assure you Penny that what he did was the only course of action that he could take in the circumstance. He is a man of great honor and compassion. He could not have acted otherwise. He told me that he tried to awaken you and explain before leaving but was unable to do so. This is not something he will discuss on the phone. I believe he will explain in great detail once he returns to you, but if you love him you will let him tell you in his own time. Do you love him Penny?"
"Of course I love him, Why would you think I don't?" Penny asked.
"I don't doubt you. I was just asking a straightforward question and hoping for a straightforward answer."
"Tell Leonard that I called to say I love him and to call me if he needs me." Penny said shyly.
"I will relay the message to my brother," Rebecca said. "And Penny…It was nice to finally talk to the girl that my brother is in love with." The phone was disconnected before penny could reply.
