So I'm sitting in class right now and find myself bored so lets see what we can do on Chapter 7 here. Hope everyone is enjoying the story thus far, I know I haven't really been focusing on the interaction between Penny and the rest of the gang but that is kinda my point. Everyone is scared and talking about would kind of only make it worse I think, especially for Penny. Shes finally come to realize she loves Leonard right as she might lose him, the last thing she wants is to hear everyone telling how it will all be okay when in reality it might not be.
Chapter 7: Comfort
The ride home was extremely taxing on Penny. She had left Leonard's room, offered a quick apology to her friends for freaking out, and nearly sprinted out of the hospital. She couldn't take it anymore, being there and not knowing what was happening, not knowing how it would all work out.
She was tired, she was sore, and she felt thought if she cried anymore her body would run out of fluid. Unfortunately, sitting alone in Leonard's car on the ride home did little to calm her down. She could feel him in everything, the indent he left in the driver seat, the worn out spots on the steering wheel where his hands had continuously rubbed the leather down, even having to adjust the seat to fit her body had brought tears to her eyes.
Why did it hurt so much? Leonard was going to be okay! He was going to pull through. But would he ever be the same? The doctor said he didn't know if her boyfriend would be able to walk again. What would that mean? With four flights of stairs and no elevator in their apartment complex would he have to move? Where would he go?
The thoughts racing through her head were hardly a help and she didn't want to think about it. It was just to hard to get her mind clear.
She sped home as fast as she dared driving through the streets of Pasadena at nearly 3:30 in the morning. Penny parked the car and raced up the stairs to her apartment, slamming the door behind she collapsed against it.
She allowed the tears to flow once again as she thought of a life with a crippled Leonard. She would not leave him, never that. How could she after what he had given up for her? But what would happen? Would they ever be able to start a family? What would happen to Leonard if he wasn't able to give that to her? How would he feel? She wouldn't care, she knew that but would he? It was too much for her to take.
She rose and went to the kitchen finding a bottle of wine. She didn't care about finding a glass she just popped the cork and raised the bottle to her mouth. Then she saw it.
Sitting in her lone green chair, tossed aside after one of their dates, was a sweatshirt Leonard had offered her when she said she was cold. It was gray and still had his favorite vest worn over it. Penny approached it carefully almost afraid it would rear up and strike her.
Suddenly and without conscious thought she placed the bottle down and grasped the sweatshirt in both hands shoving it into her face. It still smelled like him. Without thinking she quickly threw it on, wrapping her arms around her body she imagined Leonard hugging her instead of just the sweatshirt. The thought made her smile. The first time she had since the incident occurred.
With the thought of her love in her mind, Penny decided she didn't need the wine. Leaving the bottle on the table she layed down on the couch wrapping the warm sweatshirt around her she allowed herself to drift off to sleep.
She thought about going to her bed but lying alone in such a large empty space scared her and the couch allowed her a sense of comfort, a sense of security she was sure she would not be able to find in a bed as big as hers.
So I know I'm going back and forth on lengths here but hey some chapters need more description than others I guess. I know I'm sure there are still a lot of questions as too what actually happened during the big scene as to where Kurt is, etc. Don't worry I haven't forgotten and I have a plan already, all will be explained in time :) As always thanks for reading and all criticisms and suggestions are welcome!
