Chapter 2
The sound of Penny's pain felt like a baseball bat to his gut. Just minutes before, he'd gone to investigate when he had heard someone at the door. He'd backed away nervously when he saw her through the peephole. He considered informing Leonard she was at the door and then barricading himself into his room, but the idea of her inside the apartment was difficult to handle. No knock had been forthcoming, so he looked out again. Penny was chewing her lip, tears forming in her eyes as they darted back and forth as though she was warring with her thoughts. His heart stuttered and he reached to touch the knob. His hand gripped the knob for a moment, but instead of turning it, he twisted the lock. He placed his hand against the door, his left palm facing towards where he knew Penny to be standing, before leaning his head against the door, eyes closed in a grimace, locking the dead bolt with his right hand. He heard her single sob and then her door close before he dejectedly retreated to his room.
He sat on his bed and slumped forward, elbows on his knees to drop his head in his hands. He didn't want to hurt Penny. He couldn't stand being the instigator of her emotional torment, but this romantic interest was unacceptable. He had to avoid her completely, and it was especially necessary to avoid any physical contact. Penny was an individual who was physically demonstrative when it came to affection. Any sort of touch was impossible now that he was aware of these⦠romantic leanings.
He rubbed his temples, cursing his 'Vulcan hearing'. Some things he wished he didn't have to hear.
He closed his eyes and sang.
"Soft kitty, warm kitty, little ball of fur."
"Happy kitty," his voiced cracked, "sleepy kitty, purr purr purr."
