Chapter Four
The Jealous Rage Reaction
Sheldon and Rosemary entered the elevator of their hotel, heading up to their suite for an early night. Rosemary smiled to herself, happy with the wonderful day they'd spent at the Vatican. She enjoyed playing tour guide for Sheldon, Leonard, and Penny, telling them stories of the art and architecture, especially glad at Penny taking a keen interest. She hoped her new friend would take the art history class she recommended at the community college.
After the Vatican, but before visiting St. Peter's Basilica, the group had lunch, and that was when Rosemary noticed the slightly withdrawn Sheldon. Rosemary didn't think too hard about it – she'd been with Sheldon long enough to see him zone out, get lost in his own world, so she paid it no mind. He was a thinker, a creator, and she loved that about him. She mainly visited with Penny as they marveled at the beautiful church.
Still, Sheldon was even more despondent at dinner, seeming visibly upset. In fact, he said very little, despite the fact they were saying goodbye to his friends, Leonard and Penny leaving on an early flight the next day, Sheldon and Rosemary having a few hours left of sightseeing before their evening return.
They now entered the suite, Rosemary kicking off her shoes with a sigh, heading toward the sofa in the parlor, Sheldon sitting opposite. She kicked her feet up to put on his lap, and he automatically lay his hands on her ankles, staring straight ahead.
"Baby, what's bugging you?" she asked.
Sheldon sighed heavily. "I was trying not to look upset."
"You're a terrible actor," she laughed. "What's up? Something about the conference? You did so well. I'm so proud of you."
"It's not that."
"Oh?"
"I just…" he began. "I can't stop thinking about it."
"What? The Sistine Chapel. I know. The experience is hard to get out of your head," she sighed, closing her eyes and recalling the bright, beautiful images. "Can you believe Michelangelo fell that far while painting The Last Judgement? I always get goosebumps standing at the foot of that wall, thinking about him crashing to the floor. And he got up and came back to finish. Now that's gumption." She laughed, and looked over at Sheldon, who was still scowling. "Okay, so that's not it. What's wrong?"
"I don't want to say."
"Are you upset because I made you touch the foot of the St. Peter statue in the Basilica, because you have to, it's tradition," she said, truly trying to find what was wrong now. "And I know millions of people have touched his foot, and they probably don't disinfect it on a regular basis, but you did use your hand sanitizer, so you should…"
"I can't stop thinking about you and Enzo," he said quietly.
"What?" asked Rosemary, surprised. She hadn't thought about Enzo since they parted ways that morning. Had Sheldon been stewing all day? Why would he? That was the first time she'd seen Enzo in person since they parted over fifteen years ago. "Sheldon, I don't understand."
"I keep seeing you with him, in my mind. You and him. In bed. Together. Coitus. Ahhh…" he jumped up and began pacing around the room.
Rosemary watched him, her mouth gaping open. "Sheldon…I don't…I'm not interested in Enzo. You know that, right?"
"But you were…and he looks like an underwear model…and…and you slept with him. More than once!" he was now raising his voice at her.
Rosemary couldn't believe what she was hearing. Was Sheldon jealous of some guy she was with years ago, before she even knew him? She reminded herself Sheldon was quite new to the whole physical intimacy aspect of a relationship, something she often forget with the skill he exhibited in bed. She sighed.
"Sheldon, I told you I'd been with Enzo about two weeks after you and I met. You know I've been with two other people," Rosemary explained, trying to keep calm but getting irritated. This was such a ridiculous conversation.
"Is he better than me in bed?" asked Sheldon suddenly.
Rosemary froze at the question. What the hell was going on in his mind? "No. I wasn't in love with him. We just became friends during our classes and then one night hooked up. We kept messing around for about three weeks, but called it off. It was just sex, we didn't have anything more. And it was my first time. I had no idea what I was doing."
"Just sex," Sheldon muttered. "Just sex," he said again, raising his voice. "Well, do you regret it? Having coitus with Enzo? Being so loose with your purity?"
Rosemary was furious. "What the fuck, Sheldon? No, I don't regret it. I've never regretted being with him. It was a good first time, he was nice, and we had fun. But that was seriously over fifteen years ago." She was standing now, and felt like walking over and slapping him, but she stayed put. "How dare you speak to me like that! I didn't act this way when I met your ex. Amy and I became friends."
"Yes, but I didn't have coitus with Amy."
"Well, I wouldn't have been upset if you had," she hissed. "Because we're both adults, and adults have sex, Sheldon. And just because you decided to remain this virginal saint doesn't mean the rest of the world followed suit."
He put both his fists on his forehead and glared at her. "I just can't get the images out of my head. You with him."
"This is so stupid, Sheldon," she growled. "You are being a complete and total asshole. You shouldn't make me feel guilty for something that happened fifteen fucking years before I met you. Something I've never felt bad about. You're just going to have to get over it." She ran into the bedroom, grabbed his pillow, and returned, throwing it on the sofa. "You can sleep out here."
"I don't think so, Rosemary," he said, eyes flashing. "I'm not the one who slept with Enzo."
Rosemary was rendered speechless. She just stared at him. Was this guy for real?
"I am not sleeping with you tonight. And since this whole argument is about your own stupid insecurity, and thus your fault, you get the sofa," she said harshly.
He walked over to her and snatched up the pillow. "No," he growled in her face. "My company paid for this room. I get the bed."
"I am not going to be spoken to that way and then made to sleep on this uncomfortable sofa," she said, standing her ground.
"You're just a guest, along for the ride, Rosemary," Sheldon said smugly. "Riding my coattails on this trip. You get the sofa."
Along for the ride? Coattails? She'd bent over backwards for him, tried to make him feel at ease, help him with his presentation. What an arrogant prick!
"Fine," she screamed in his face, startling him. "I think I'll just give Enzo a call and see if I can stay with him."
Sheldon's eyes went wide, and his jaw dropped.
"I thought so," she said, turning quickly and slamming the door to the bedroom.
She lay on the bed, fists clenched. What was his problem? She knew Sheldon was sensitive, but to seriously be jealous of Enzo after Rosemary had shown him all the love she could, had made so many commitments to him that she never made to anyone else. To speak to her like she was nothing but a floozy. How dare he!
She curled up, angry tears starting to fall.
Sheldon sat on the sofa in the parlor gripping his pillow to his chest, pondering what just happened. He'd never argued with Rosemary like this. She always understood him – why couldn't she understand he couldn't get the images of her and Enzo out of his head.
He picked up his phone to call Leonard but quickly put it back down. Leonard had already lectured him that morning, Rosemary echoing his advice just now – he'd just need to get over it. But he couldn't. Now that he met the man, he just kept picturing them together. His imagination ran wild. He placed his head in his hands, closing his eyes and willing the images away.
He'd need to break up with Rosemary. That's all there was to it. He'd need to call the relationship off. He couldn't continue like this. He could move into an apartment, maybe closer to his work. Yes…but hadn't he moved up to Tacoma to be with her? He didn't want to break up with her. He needed her. Even the idea of sleeping away from her hurt. But Enzo…
He suddenly heard Rosemary's voice in the next room, talking to someone. Perhaps on the phone. Good Lord, was she actually calling the man? Sheldon bolted over to the room and put his ear to the door. Listening, he heard a sob in her voice, and the word "Lil." She was talking to her sister. Sheldon growled, pacing around the room. Did women always need to gossip? Ridiculous hens.
After several minutes, Rosemary became quiet again, but Sheldon kept pacing. His mind raced. He wasn't being unreasonable, was he? No, no, this relationship needed to end. He was on the cusp of greatness and being distracted by a woman would just bring him down. Sheldon shook his head, thinking about how all his thinking for the past several hours had been on Rosemary and Enzo. Such a waste of time when he was in the process of unlocking the secrets of the universe. His brain kept him safe for years, blocking Amy and him from advancing, but had betrayed him on that chilly November day when his mind allowed him to kiss Rosemary. And then have coitus with her. And then fall in love with her. And then move in with her. And then think about a future, about children, about dancing in old age to Bernstein songs at a retirement home. No, no, no. He needed to get back to the old Sheldon, single, focused.
But he loved Rosemary. She held his heart, and he knew if he wasn't with her, he would break. She'd become his center.
Sheldon sat on the sofa again and closed his eyes, surprised to see Rosemary's face smiling at him, not Enzo. She had flowers in her hair that he'd placed there, purchased from the Pike Street Market. She laughed at something he said. Sheldon felt warm at the memory, but was soon brought back to reality when his phone vibrated. Bringing it out, he saw Yoshi was calling.
"What?" he said when he answered, knowing his friend was calling to meddle.
"Hey, why you being such a douche to Rosemary?" Yoshi asked.
"What business of it is yours?" asked Sheldon, angry to now have a third party involved. Fourth, if one counted Enzo.
"Lil said she was really upset. Said you are implying she's some tramp," said Yoshi, Sheldon sensing a lot of anger in his voice.
Rosemary a tramp? He never thought that. Is that what she thought he was thinking? What had he said to her again? He replayed the conversation in his mind, but Yoshi interrupted.
"Listen man, I know you can be arrogant and kind of rude, but Rosemary is not like that. At all. Whatsoever."
"I know," said Sheldon quietly. He knew he often spoke without thinking, and he'd hurt many of his friends in the past, from Howard to Amy, but he never intended to be so mean to Rosemary. He didn't think that of her at all. But why was Yoshi taking her side? Sheldon became irritated again. "I thought you're supposed to be on my side. Bros before hoes," Sheldon said, thinking of his big fight with Howard the previous summer.
"So now Rosemary is a ho?" asked Yoshi, raising his voice. Sheldon realized he'd never heard the lighthearted young man angry. "Listen, until you marry her, you ain't my bro Sheldon. And Rosemary is legally my sister. So the saying is family before dickhead theoretical physicists."
Sheldon was tired of being called names and cursed at, still reeling from Rosemary's outburst. He glanced at the time, realizing it was probably early afternoon in Washington.
"Are you in the USGS office?" Sheldon asked, trying to remain calm.
"Yes."
"May I speak with Glenn?" asked Sheldon.
"He's in Yellowstone," snapped Yoshi. "Looks like you just have Dr. Johjima to talk to."
"Doctor? So you've done your defense?" snapped Sheldon, proud to pick up a moment to use sarcasm.
There was silence on the line for a long time before Yoshi spoke again. "Listen man, I talked you up to Rosemary, rooted for you, and now I totally regret it. You need to get over this, or you're going to lose the best thing that ever happened to you. Yeah, you may get your Nobel Prize, Dr. Cooper, but you'll be a lonely, awkward, spiteful old man with only publications and nothing more to your name. Rosemary was with that guy a gazillion years ago. Get over yourself."
"Gazillion, Yoshi? Is that how geologists measure time?" Sheldon said snidely, feeling on a roll with the sarcasm.
"Fuck you, Sheldon," said Yoshi and hung up.
Sheldon set the phone on the table and stared straight ahead. Yes, break up with Rosemary. Then Yoshi, with his ridiculous hair and mean words, would be gone from his life. And gossiping sister Lillian. And…and…
Sheldon stared around the parlor. Hanging in the open armoire were his suits, in garment bags ready to be packed, Rosemary having picked them out for him, convincing him if he looked good, he'd feel good, and he'd be successful. And she was right.
He looked down at the table in front of him, the antique Galileo book she'd found for him resting, waiting to be read. She knew him, knew his passions, thought of him when he wasn't there, wanted to make him happy.
He glanced over to a chair across the room, seeing her red dress draped over the arm. She'd worn it, like he'd requested. Her smile calmed him right before his presentation. He knew if she hadn't been there, he'd have been a wreck.
Finally, his eyes landed on the bag from the lingerie store, the bag he wasn't supposed to open because it contained special erotic garments, as she'd put it, spiking his interests. She'd giggled at his inquisitive look. If he broke up with her, he'd never hear that sound again, that wonderful sound of her laugh he'd experienced the very first five minutes he knew her, that set his heart alight.
When Amy broke up with him, he hadn't acted, hadn't pursued keeping her other than remaining the same. But Amy hadn't been his true love – she'd gone away to her soul mate, and soon after Sheldon found his. Rosemary. His Rosemary. Why had he even considered breaking up with her? Was he crazy? No, his mother had him tested…
Yes, Yoshi was right. He was a dickhead theoretical physicist. He would just need to get over it. Thoughts of his life without Rosemary, of him as a decorated but lonely old man, as Yoshi so eloquently put it, pushed out Enzo completely. He was wrong and needed to apologize.
Sheldon rose and approached the bedroom door, knocking softly three times.
"Go away, Sheldon," Rosemary shouted from within.
Sheldon didn't listen. He cracked open the door to see Rosemary lying in bed, already in pajamas, bedside lamp on, a book in her lap.
"Please leave me alone," she said, pretending to be engaged in the text.
Sheldon entered and sat on the end of the bed, completely opposite her.
"Rosemary, I am so sorry," he began, trying to keep his voice steady, calm. He didn't apologize often, mainly because he was usually right, but he knew in this case he was wrong and needed to say things right, tell her how he felt. He took a deep breath. "I've never been in a relationship like this…and…sometimes I don't know how to act…what to say…and I do feel insecure. But you are my true love, Rosemary. I need you. I love you. And this is my problem, not yours. I'm sorry I implied you are a…tramp. I've never thought that of you. You're the most wonderful person I've ever met, and you've introduced me to wonderful things. I never thought I would feel like this for someone else…and I don't want to mess this up by being a…dickhead."
He saw a slight smile grace Rosemary's lips before a frown replaced it again. But she was looking him in the eyes, and Sheldon thought that was a good sign.
He stood up and walked toward the door. "I am so sorry, Rosemary. Please accept my apology."
She looked at him for several long moments, then her eyes found her book again. Heart hurting, Sheldon returned to the parlor and closed the bedroom door. After his evening routine, he curled up uncomfortably on the sofa, eventually falling into a fitful sleep.
Sheldon woke with a start to Rosemary's face. Glancing at the clock on the wall, he saw it was close to 3 a.m.
"Come to bed, Sheldon," she whispered, taking his hand and guiding him to the bedroom. They crawled into bed together, Sheldon wrapping himself around her in his usual fashion.
"You really hurt me, Sheldon," she said.
"I know. I'm so sorry," he whispered.
"If this is going to work between us, we need to trust each other," she said. "And you can't be mad or obsess like that. It's really unhealthy, and I can't live with someone who does that."
Sheldon nodded, knowing he could barely live with himself when he behaved like that. "I know, Rosemary. It makes my blood…burn. But you…you soothe me." He was crying now. Where had those tears come from? "Don't leave me, please Rosemary. I'm so sorry."
She didn't say anything more as he cried softly, but he felt her tears on his face. They must have fallen asleep because the next thing Sheldon knew, the sun was shining into the room and Rosemary sat in the parlor, drinking from the tea service she'd ordered and browsing through the news on her tablet.
He emerged and poured some tea for himself, sitting beside her.
"Rosemary, are we…?"
"Yes," she said softly. She leaned over and kissed him, then jumped up in her usual excited way. "Let's get packed then head to the Trevi Fountain to throw our coins in. We haven't gone yet, and it's a must. Remember, right hand over left shoulder. Ensures a future trip to Rome."
After packing and storing their luggage with the concierge, they ran across town to the Trevi, throwing in their coins. When Rosemary was distracted by the statues, Sheldon threw in two more. The second for a healthy romance, the third for a good marriage. He hadn't told Rosemary he knew the complete legend of the coins, and he wasn't one to believe in luck. But it never hurt to participate in local customs, after all. Sheldon felt satisfied as he took her hand and went to get gelato before heading back to the hotel and to the airport for home.
A week later, Rosemary sat on the floor of a small office in the Tacoma Family Homeless Shelter, finishing plugging in two computers and a printer. Maci, a young woman staying at the shelter with her two elementary-age boys while her husband was out looking for work, joined her, both working through installing the printer. Rosemary knew Maci from months ago, when she and the family lived at a motel not too far from the museum and frequented the children's special event days. The two women visited, Rosemary heartbroken at the plight of the family, wishing there were some way she could help. It always hurt to see bad things happen to good people.
"Yeah, so the museum took on the project of developing a business center for the shelter here, hopefully to help with jobs," Rosemary said. "We were able to get these two computers donated."
"I think it's a great idea," said Maci. "I want to start working on a resume myself. With Mark going to kindergarten in the fall…" She stopped, looking at the keyboard. "I just need to figure out where…you know, when we lost the apartment…and moved three times, Jacob was in three different schools and…"
Rosemary put her hand on Maci's shoulder. "It'll get better, Maci. You just need…"
Suddenly, the administrator of the shelter poked her head in the door. "Senator Livingstone just showed up with a reporter in tow. From a station in Seattle."
Rosemary felt her anger flare. Just looking for publicity. God, she wished somebody would run against him, but nobody seemed to want to take on big, bad Livingstone.
But Maci looked hopeful. "My husband wrote him a letter after he mentioned about a new job retraining program. You know, more education for people laid off. I'm going to talk to him."
"Maci, that might be…" but the younger woman left the room, and Rosemary followed.
Chuck Livingstone stood in the main recreation room of the shelter. Tall, white hair mostly still there, fifties. He talked to the reporter, but when the camera was put down and the tech and journalist spoke, Maci approached the man. Rosemary stayed back; she'd gotten in a confrontation at a springtime town hall with the senator about his recent education stance, and she didn't feel like arguing today.
But Rosemary admired Maci's gull. Maci approached the man, shook hands, and explained her situation, expressing they didn't want a hand out, just a little support from a community they've been a part of all their lives. Rosemary watched Livingstone nod and place his hand on Maci's arm in typical politician fashion.
"My dear young woman, I am doing the very best I can for this struggling community," he said, the lies in his deep voice making Rosemary shudder. To hell with all these blubbering villains in Sheldon's comic books – this guy was the genuine article. "Why don't you write my office a letter? Make sure to include your return address so I can get back to you." He turned to the reporter and cameraman, and the three exited to another part of the shelter.
Maci returned to Rosemary with a look mixed with anger and dejection. "Did he really just say that to me?"
Rosemary watched the back of the senator as he left the room. "Yes, I believe he did." Her mind was spinning, something Sheldon said emerging. Could she…?
That evening, Sheldon found himself running next to a passionately angry Rosemary. The couple had decided to go for a run through the neighborhood rather than head to the gym, the nice mid-July weather perfect, not too hot or cold. Sheldon listened to her once again rage about the Evil Senator Livingstone. And she raged so much, Sheldon realized they'd gotten to running quite fast, and he was having trouble keeping up. He placed his hand on Rosemary's arm, forcing her to slow to a walk.
"Sorry, baby," she said, out of breath. "I just get so mad. I just…"
"You need to run against him, Rosemary," said Sheldon, certain she would win. Rosemary was wonderful, smart, caring, just everything. And he really wanted to design her campaign posters, create an emblem, a strategy for beating down Livingstone and taking over the world.
But once again, Rosemary laughed at his suggestion. "Sheldon, I'm glad you think so highly of me, but I'm a nobody. I'm not even…"
"You are not a nobody," said Sheldon. "Since I moved up here, I see you do all these things for all these people. And you are a historian and know civics. And…"
"Maybe after I get my doctorate. Then I'd be legit."
"Most of the presidents of the United States have not been doctors," said Sheldon, thinking about his teasing of Howard for years over not having an advanced degree. He was beginning to see the post-grad degree might not be for everyone. Rosemary had a level of intelligence Sheldon did not possess, one that centered on compassion and truly marveled him daily.
"Honestly, I'd like to. I have so many ideas," she said.
Sheldon smiled, happy to hear her finally admit she was interested after he'd mentioned it nine times in the past three weeks. Of course he was right. She would win and change the world.
"But I don't have the resources. The backing. The money. The people. I don't know," she grew quiet, and they walked in silence for some time. "Hey, do you have any computer games you would like to get rid of? Maybe some educational stuff? I was thinking maybe for the kids to use for the business center at the shelter."
"Don't they have a game system hooked up to the television?" asked Sheldon.
Rosemary laughed. "Sheldon, this is a family homeless shelter. They work off of donations. I doubt someone is going to bring in a brand new Playstation."
Sheldon thought for a moment. "When do you go there again?"
"I was going to swing by next week. Don't know which day, but we collected some books at work to form a resource library. Why? Wanna come?"
"Maybe," said Sheldon, thinking. He admired Rosemary more than any person he ever met, and not just because she took care of him intellectually, emotionally, and physically. While Sheldon thought a lot, Rosemary did things. She made things happen. He was a thinker, she was a doer. They picked up the pace to begin to run again, and Sheldon smiled inwardly, thinking about how they complemented each other so well.
Late Monday morning at SpaceX, Sheldon found his brain drifting into dark matter once again, and he surrounded himself with dry erase boards, one wall of his office now covered in numbers. The previous week, the first back from Rome, he'd found his thoughts often on Rosemary with Enzo, but he forced himself to stop. Like she said, it was unhealthy, obsessive, and he wanted to remain in a relationship with her. He moved his mind to other things, and soon found those thoughts coming up less and less. And tactfully, he did not reveal his struggle to her, not wanting to see her hurt again. He even phoned Yoshi and apologized, also thanking the geologist for sticking up for Rosemary, as a good brother should. The two talked for a long time, about everything, reminding Sheldon what a great friend Yoshi had become, although the two were quite different. By the beginning of the second week back, he felt proud he handled something so difficult and thought more about him and Rosemary. Where were they headed? He enjoyed his life with her, but what was next? Would Yoshi one day be his brother too, sticking up for Sheldon?
But now dark matter took over, and he became lost in his theorem, expanding his ideas. Elon Musk himself had emailed Sheldon to congratulate him on his success in Rome, looking forward to seeing him present at the aerospace conference in Chicago the next week. Accolades were coming left and right, but Sheldon felt best when lost in his work, left alone by the world.
His train of thought, which had remained unbroken for two hours, suddenly shattered when a knock sounded on the door. Grant stood there, looking a bit apprehensive.
"So sorry to disturb you Sheldon," he said. "I really am. Been working with you genius types for years since Tesla and now here, and I always feel so guilty breaking into your zone."
Sheldon didn't feel irritated. Grant had become a good work friend, the two men eating lunch with each other at least once a week, drawn together through California reminiscence and the fact the campus was still sparsely populated. Although quite different from each other, they had many similarities including an adoration for Indiana Jones, Star Trek, basketball, and Stephen King novels, a newer obsession of Sheldon's thanks to Rosemary.
Sheldon motioned for Grant to enter, and he was surprised when Grant closed Sheldon's office door before taking a seat.
"I just wanted to let you know," he stopped, then began to chuckle. "Or warn you, more like it, that Carson Silverthorne is finally starting today."
Sheldon nodded, having prepared himself. Dr. Carson Silverthorne was another one of Musk's collected geniuses, a twenty-one-year-old mathematician who'd been making waves in the mathematics community for about three years now. Undergraduate from MIT, master's work at UCLA (and oddly picked up a degree in filmmaking as well), and doctoral work at Columbia. A prodigy, Silverthorne also did heavy work on economic theory, and Sheldon knew he worked with many of the big Wall Street firms before being snatched up by Musk. Grant had mentioned in passing the company hoped to use the mathematician at SpaceX in their research on long term, long distance space travel, but the young man might better serve elsewhere in another of Musk's companies. Nevertheless, the Puget Sound think tank seemed a good starting point.
But Sheldon was rather curious about Grant's wording of the Silverthorne arrival. "What do you mean warn me?"
"Well, please let this be between us, but Dr. Silverthorne is a bit of…ah…well…" Grant began, then shook his head and laughed. "Well, he's an asshole. That's all there is to it. I've met him three times now, and aside from his vast intelligence, haven't found any redeeming qualities. I feel really bad for saying it, but seriously, he's just mean." He leaned forward to look at Sheldon. "Again, I consider us friends, Sheldon. Please don't say anything."
Sheldon waved his hand, brushing the comment away. He had no intention of betraying Grant's trust. He felt happy and accomplished to have made a friend outside of his Pasadena and USGS groups.
"Well, let's go. I want to introduce you," Grant jumped up and lead Sheldon down the hall.
An office that had remained closed until now was wide open, light pouring out. Sheldon knew the office looked almost exactly like his, with a conference room attached, but upon entering, the décor couldn't be more different. Large framed cinema posters graced the walls, all for Stanley Kubrick films. Several looked like they were signed, perhaps by the director or the actors. Sheldon found himself staring at the unsettling face of Jack Nicholson before he turned his attention to the young man behind the desk.
"Dr. Carson Silverthorne," said Sheldon, extending his hand. "I'm Dr. Sheldon Cooper. Pleased to make your acquaintance."
Silverthorne nodded. "Of course it is." He did not take Sheldon's hand, but turned back to his work of organizing his desk.
Grant hung back toward the door, Sheldon imagining he was probably watching, amused. Sheldon studied the arrogant kid in front of him. Silverthorne had about five inches on Sheldon, and he was pale and lean, with light blonde hair cut short. He wore jeans and a simple black dress shirt, dark-rimmed glasses perched on his nose. Sheldon couldn't help but notice the large silver Rolex on his wrist.
"I've read several of your articles, and I must say you have an impressive resume for someone so young," Sheldon began. "As a prodigy myself who went through college during my teenage years…"
Silverthorne interrupted, now looking at Sheldon in the eyes. Sheldon found the steel grey color startling. "Listen, are you here to make idle chit chat, because frankly, I am not interested. I've looked at your vita since I knew we'd be working together and find your work, for the most part, boring. Your new dark matter theorem is mildly entertaining, however, and I see it's brought you some success. Congratulations. However, I have my own, far more important studies to attend to, so if you will leave so I can get my office in order and begin working, that would be appreciated."
Silverthorne turned his attention back to his desk, obviously dismissing Sheldon. Before Sheldon turned to join Grant, he glanced down to a framed photo on the desk, a recent picture of Silverthorne with a young red-haired woman. Silverthorne, who did not appear to be one who smiled very often, was grinning from ear to ear. Interesting.
Sheldon rejoined Grant, and they walked down the hall.
"Told you," laughed Grant. "Should be some interesting days ahead. Well, gotta get back to work. Some of the engineers have some pro football players coming in today to do some tests with the new centrifuge and helmets and something about concussion research with the neuroscientists. Seriously, I sometimes have no idea what's going on, but if I can get Russell Wilson's autograph, I'm there."
Sheldon nodded, knowing he'd probably join Grant in the other building later, always fascinated by the tests going on in there. The private sector certainly allowed for edgier research, as Grant would put it. And Rosemary's dad would probably appreciate some of the autographs, as a football fan.
Back in his office, Sheldon returned to his boards, but his brain was itching, not allowing him to sink back into dark matter. Something about Silverthorne was familiar. Sheldon searched his memory, but could not recall a time they met in person. Hmmm…
Sheldon began to look at his work from the morning, adding a note here and there, but he suddenly stopped, realization sinking in. His marker dropped to the floor.
Dr. Carson Silverthorne was familiar because he was Dr. Sheldon Cooper at that age. Arrogant, unbearable, rude, singularly focused on his own work with a complete disregard for others. Sheldon suddenly realized he'd been looking into a mirror reflecting his own past. Mild differences existed, Kubrick posters instead of comic books, but the demeanor, the haughty attitude…good Lord, he'd really been like that. How did people put up with him? How was he going to put up with Silverthorne at work when he sometimes couldn't even put up with himself? Was he still like that? No, Grant didn't seem to think so, confiding in him that Silverthorne was a jerk. But would Grant think Sheldon at twenty-one was a jerk? Would Rosemary?
Sheldon walked out into the hall and looked at the open door of Silverthorne's office, seeing the young man in front of his own set of boards, mouth moving in silent conversation as he focused. Sheldon knew he'd changed a lot since Amy broke up with him, changes he knew in his mind and heart were positive, leading him to his theory, into the arms of his true love Rosemary. But what if he'd remained the same.
Grant was right. There would be interesting days ahead.
Author's Note: Next time, Sheldon and Rosemary make some new friends, and Sheldon heads to the Chicago aerospace conference alone, causing him to fantasize about Rosemary. Raj, Amy, and Erik make appearances.
Thank you for reading. Have a wonderful week.