Chapter21

It was Monday lunchtime Howard sat by himself in the canteen at Caltech he was in two minds about what to do. He could not believe that Leonard would cheat on Penny, he knew Leonard liked Rose, but since Penny came into his life Leonard has shown commitment and loyalty to Penny unconditionally, why was Leonard doing this he wondered. Is it the chase or the fact of being with two women? This was not like Leonard none of this made sense. He was not the player type. Raj joined Howard.

"Raj."

"Howard."

Raj sense that all was not well with Howard it was written all over his face.

"What's wrong Howard?" Raj asked.

"Nothing." He lied

"Come on; you can tell me. We are friends, are you having problems in the bedroom department it's nothing to be ashamed of Howard.

"I'm fine in that department. Thank you. Howard scoffed.

"Then what is it?"

"I don't really want to say." He paused. "It's just that I don't know if I can tell you. Shh, here comes Sheldon."

"Hey, Sheldon." They both said.

"Hello." he replied.

"Why the long face and the twitching."

"I'm not twitching thank you very much."

"Then what's the problem? Raj asked.

"It's Penny."

"What about Penny," Howard asked.

"Well, this guy called Kurt Penny's ex-boyfriend came to see her last Saturday, and they went back to her apartment, and he didn't leave till the next morning," Sheldon said.

Are you kidding us? If this is true, Leonard will be devastated. Raj said.

"I think he probably wouldn't, to be honest."

"Why would you say that Howard. You know how much he cares about Penny."

"Cares enough to cheat on her too."

"What are you talking about Howard." Raj was now very confused by Howard and Sheldon's statements.

"Last Saturday while at the university to pick up some equipment I saw Leonard going home with Rose she looked drunk, and I followed them and waited for about 10 minutes, but Leonard didn't come out."

"Hot Rose from the University. Are you sure about this? Leonard wouldn't do that to Penny. Then again he once had the hots for her."

"Raj that's what I thought, but I saw it with my own eyes.

"You think he slept with Rose?"

"What do you think."

"You said she looked drunk maybe he was just helping her get comfortable in her apartment and left we don't know if he spent the night but according to Sheldon Penny's ex-boyfriend sure did."

"So what do we do, tell Leonard about Penny and tell Penny about Leonard."

"I don't know if it is our business to interfere. Maybe they have an open relationship. I told Bernadette who wasn't too happy, but she promised not to tell Penny."

"I don't think it's a good idea keeping secrets from friends," Sheldon said.

"Raj, Sheldon it is not our business to speculate so I think we should stay out of it and do not say anything to either of them." He warned.

Penny was working the bar shift when Bernadette walked into the Cheesecake factory. Penny was surprised to see her as it was her day off.

"Hey, Bernadette. What are you doing here I thought it was your day off."

Yeah, I was bored. Howard is at work, and I know you are doing the bar shift, so I thought I come and keep you company."

"Aww thanks the afternoon shift is always quiet." Penny was glad for the company. There was a handful of customers who just kept staring at her arse whenever she bends over to refill the fridges or get a glass which made her feel uncomfortable.

Bernadette had come to tell Penny about what Howard told her but now she was here she didn't have the heart to tell Penny. She knew how devastating this news would be to Penny. She had seen how happy Penny had been the last few months she even though Penny had fallen for Leonard in a big way she didn't want to be the bearer of bad news. Maybe there was a simple explanation she was drunk Leonard took her home and stayed with her while she was vomiting or something. But the question that kept popping up in her head was why was Leonard out drinking with her in the first place. She weighs the options. She had to tell penny even if it was innocent or not. If Penny found out, she knew and kept it to herself what kind of a friend would that make her. Besides, if it was Howard, and Penny knew something she would hate for it to be kept from her. She decided she had to tell her.

"Penny there is something I have to tell you."

"What is it, is something wrong."

"No, but it's Leonard."

"Is he okay." She said panic in her voice.

"Leonard is fine; It's just…

"Bernadette you are scaring me now."

"I think Leonard might be cheating on you." She blotted out.

"What… why would you say that?

"Penny I'm sorry, but Howard saw him with this girl, and he went home with her, she looked drunk."

Penny couldn't believe what she was hearing. She was astounded.

"Are you sure." Bernadette could see Penny was on the verge of crying. She felt awful for her friend and wondered if she made the right decision to tell Penny.

"Yes, Howard said he was with a girl from the university." I'm sorry Penny.

"When was this? Penny asked.

"Last Saturday afternoon."

Penny remembered that day vividly Kurt had come over to her apartment. She tried to erase that memory from her mind. This didn't make sense. She questioned some more.

"Bernadette are you sure it was last Saturday."

"Yes, Howard called me and told me. Why?"

"But it just doesn't make sense It's couldn't be Leonard."

"Penny I know it hard to believe, but this is you in denial again just like with Kurt.

"I'm not in denial you don't understand. Leonard was…"

"Penny." Her manager called out.

"Yeah."

"Can I see you for a minute. Hi, Bernadette."

"I'll be right with you."

"Go before you get into trouble."

"Bernadette we finish this conversation later don't go anywhere. I'll be right back." She went to see what her manager wanted.

Sheldon saw Leonard leaving his lab. He had been looking for him all day he wasn't in his office or the canteen so he figured the only place he could be was his lab drowning his sorrows.

"There you are Leonard; I have been looking for you."

"What do you want Sheldon?" irritated at Sheldon presence. He locked his lab and began to walk toward the car park. Sheldon followed. He continued.

"So now that you and Penny's relationship has crashed I just thought I come over and be the first to say. HAHA."

"What are you talking about Sheldon?"

"The end of your coitus with Penny now she back with Kurt." Leonard stopped and turned to face Sheldon.

"Penny's back with Kurt since when?" If this was true, why would Penny do this now? He thought they were now in a good place. He wanted to break down but not in front of Sheldon.

"She hasn't told you," Sheldon asked.

"Told me what?"

"That she is back with Kurt. I'm surprised Penny hasn't broken your heart yet. Kurt came over on Saturday and spent the night with Penny at her apartment."

"Saturday the one that has just gone. Are you sure." Leonard was puzzled now.

"Of Course, I have an eidetic memory and even know what time he left, precisely 8.33 am."

"Sheldon I know you have an eidetic memory but have you considered that you could be wrong."

"I'm never wrong." He rolled his eyes at Leonard to dare to suggest he was.

Leonard thought what would Kurt be doing in Penny's apartment. It just didn't make sense. Leonard was more confused now. This information just didn't add up.

"Sheldon I don't care what you say."

"I know what I saw Leonard."

"Her ex-boyfriend in her apartment. Are you sure Sheldon."

"Yes. Saturday is my launderette day. Are you calling me a liar?"

"I didn't say that, but the thing is Penny was with me on Saturday. She spent the weekend at my apartment with me."