Amy was up and ready for breakfast bright and early the next morning. She had quickly read the schedule Sheldon had given her and saw that today's leg of the journey was straight forward, ending in Pecos in the Texas county of Reeves. Not knowing much about the area at all Amy was happy, once the journey was under-way, to listen to Sheldon as he proudly told her about his home state and a little of the history of the town they would be stopping at. Amy was sure sheldon had chosen this as there stop-over point because of its railway history; but by the time they arrived she was so fascinated by the total difference between there and Pasadena she was happy to wander round and just enjoy.
Glancing over at Amy Sheldon said, "You look hot. I hope that shopping trip with Penny involved buying clothes a little lighter than the denim skirt you have on now, I think you will need it."
Amy nodded "Yes, thankfully I have got some lighter clothes in my case. But surely denim is what cowboys would have worn?"
Shaking his head Sheldon didn't reply, just steered her back towards the car, "come on lets go check in and get some food."
73
Amy was grateful that they had taken the three days to get to Sheldon's home town. By the third morning, Amy could feel her nerves building again.
"Amy are you OK, you seem very quiet, did you not sleep well?" Sheldon asked concerned.
"No no, I slept fine, but I will confess that this morning, and the thought of what lays at the end of today, well I am nervous."
Sheldon frowned. "But you got on with my mother. You said you wanted to meet Meemaw." Sheldon's voice held a note of panic.
"Oh sheldon I do, I really do, it is just you said you thought your mother would invite extended family. That they would want to see I exist. The more I thought of your words I realised my mother would do the same. Sheldon I am just nervous I don't meet up to their expectation."
Sheldon snorted. "Oh don't worry about that! I don't live up to their expectations and I am family! Listen Amy I don't care what they think. I care what my mother thinks and Meemaw. My mother already loves you and I know, without a doubt, Meemaw will too. The others well..." shaking his head sheldon said "you'll be fine."
73
As Amy followed Sheldon's directions once in Galveston she wished she had a chance to look around town before facing everyone, but the closer they got the more excited Sheldon got. Every story now was about Meemaw and Pop-Pop. Each sight he pointed out was somewhere they had taken him as a child.
Amy noticed he never mentioned his brother and sister being on these trips, or any memories of days with his mother and father. But his tone, as he remembered, was filled with happiness which was unusual when he spoke about home. Amy glanced at him occasionally as he spoke and was surprised to see what looked like his koala smile on his face.
As Amy parked the car outside Mary Coopers house she heard a squeal of "There here!" Before the front door was flung open and Mary came running towards them followed closely by a tall slim auburn haired women Amy assumed must be Missy and a man whose size and eye colour meant he must be George, Sheldon's brother.
Sighing Sheldon muttered, "Brace yourself!" And slowly opened the door as his mother pulled himself upright into a hug.
"Oh Shelly! I have been so excited!" Releasing him she swiftly rounded the car and engulfed Amy into a hug also. "Amy, welcome. Now come on, come in out of this heat. I have tea ready!"
Smiling shyly at Missy and George as Mary moved her past them into the house, Amy glanced back to make sure Sheldon was following.
Once sat in the living room Amy was relieved when, having brought their bags in, Sheldon sat next to her. Grabbing his hand without thinking Amy clung to him. She didn't see George and Missy exchange smirks.
Sheldon looked at his mother "Where's Meemaw? I would have thought she would have been here. She knew we were coming didn't she?"
"Yes, and she is on her way, don't worry. When I got your text telling me when you were due I called her, but she was in the middle of something. She wouldn't tell me what just said she would be here."
"Oh," sheldon did little to hide his disappointment, accepting the tea his mother handed him then saying. "I have left the bags in the hall. I wasn't sure where you were putting us."
"Well you will be in your old room of course, george is bunking down with you too as we thought meemaw might want to stay so she can have his room." Mary frowned, "Amy can share with Missy, it will give them a chance to get to know each other."
Grinning Missy turned to Amy, "Come on sugar, I'll show you where to go and you can catch me up on Penny''s latest adventures."
As Amy followed Missy up the stairs she said "Penny said you had stayed with her, when you came to Pasadena?"
"Yes. She rescued me from my brother and his little band of friends. Sheldon was trying to sell me for cheese! Can you believe it. Are they still the same?"
Amy grinned. "Penny and Leonard are together now, quite serious too. And Howard is married."
"Married? The little one? Wow! How did he manage that?"
Amy laughed "They are very happy! Bernie, his wife, worked with Penny in the cheesecake factory but she is a micro biologist."
"Wow, another nerd!" Seeing Amy frown Missy grinned, "oh Amy i'm sorry, its just Shelly seems to have done what none of us ever expected. He has gone out into the world and found friends, all like himself and now you, a real girlfriend. Even when mother came home singing your praises I wasn't sure if I could believe it."
Amy didn't reply, she was used to being judged, labelled, it had happened all her life; and sheldon had told her of his experiences too, so she shouldn't be surprise, but to hear his sister make judgements on them all seemed unfair.
"Oh sugar, please, I didn't mean to offend you. Come on, you have to remember apart from a few visits forced on him by momma, I only know the Shelly I grew up with. He had left home by 14. To think of him holding down a job, having friends, a girlfriend... well its odd that's all. Now I know for a fact my brother thinks the word of you. There is absolutely no way he would have brought you here otherwise. Plus the fact I got a text from Penny this morning telling me I was to make sure a) my brother treated you right and b) to look after you as you were her 'bestie' I think the text said!"
Amy felt tears fill her eyes. To think Missy really believed Sheldon thought that much of her, just because he had brought her here was amazing; but knowing Penny had made sure Missy was nice too..."
Swiping the tears away Amy smiled. "Thank you," she said quietly. "Missy tell me is Meemaw going to give me an inquisition?"
Missy grinned. "No Amy. The minute Sheldon phoned to tell us he was bringing you home for a visit you passed any test Meemaw may have had. Shelly can do no wrong in Meemaw's eyes. And
him bringing you home, well I have never seen Meemaw smile so much as she did the night we got that call!"
73
"Amy! Missy!" Mary cooper called from the bottom of the stairs. "Come on, Meemaw's here!"
Amy fixed a smile on her face to hide her nerves as she followed Missy downstairs. The smile quickly turned into a grin as she saw Sheldon swinging an old lady round in his arms in the middle of the room.
As he placed her down with great tenderness and turned her to face Amy he said quietly "Meemaw I'd like you to meet Amy. Amy this is my Meemaw!"
Amy found herself once again wrapped in a generous hug. Looking up she saw Sheldon smiling at her. As Meemaw pulled back she touched Amy's cheek gently.
"Thank you Amy, thank you for bringing my Moon-pie home to see me."
Amy nodded and said "It was my pleasure!"
"Meemaw," sheldon interrupted, "what have you been up too? I expected you here when we arrived."
Meemaw moved to sit down next to her grandson and said "When Mary gave me your time of arrival I knew I had enough time to make fried chicken and apple pie. Then knowing George and Missy would complain, saying it was favouritism, I also made a pan of chilli, jalapeño and Monterey jack grits and a pecan pie."
Sheldon's smile was huge. "Oh Amy you are in for a real treat, Meemaw's chicken and apple pie are the best."
Amy watched as the family bickered good naturedly over their favourite food, Sheldon insisting he was right and Missy and George joining forces to argue against him.
"They always do this," Meemaw said quietly to Amy, "Sheldon felt they were ganging up on him but the only way they ever stood a chance of winning was to join forces. Even together he so often bested them."
"We will let Amy decide!" Sheldon said over the arguing, drawing Amy's attention back to him. "Amy will sample everything and she can decide which is best." George and Missy turned to look at Amy also and she felt herself blush at the sudden attention.
"Now leave the poor girl alone." Mary said, seeing what was happening. "You three, she pointed at her children, go wash up then you can set the table, Meemaw you sit with Amy and I will go sort the food."
73
Amy was shocked as she looked at her watch and saw it was gone 11pm. It had been a long day and now, sat listening to Meemaw talking about her grandchildren growing up Amy tried hard to stifle a yawn, not wanting to appear rude.
"Amy, I'm sorry," Meemaw said, "you have had a long day, you need your rest. We have plenty of time for me to tell you all about Sheldon growing up, in fact tomorrow sheldon, bring Amy to my house, I have photos!"
Hearing Missy and George snigger, Sheldon glared at them. "Meemaw of course we will come visit, but photos wont be necessary."
Saying goodnight Amy went to the room she would be sharing with Missy. Missy had stayed downstairs to say goodnight to her grandmother and George. As Amy came out of the bathroom and got into bed she heard her bag in her bag chime.
Pulling it out she smiled.
Amy I hope tonight was not too much. Meemaw told me she thought you were a treasure. Let me know if Missy is irritating! Sx
Amy was asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow.
She therefore didn't hear Missy come to bed, or the argument between the two brothers in the bedroom next door.
"So Shelly, all sweet and innocent are you?" George taunted, "I admit you certainly had me fooled."
"George I have no idea what you are talking about now get out of my way I need to use the bathroom."
"Oh I'll move but if you don't want me telling momma and Meemaw then you owe me Shelly."
"I owe you nothing. You are talking nonsense!"
"So you don't mind if I show these to momma then?" George pulled out the condoms from Sheldon's case.
Going pale sheldon whispered. "George, it's not what you think!"
73