Mary Cooper leaned her head to ascertain the correct dose of detergent. Then she poured it carefully into the washer and launched. Since she had arrived to Pasadena, she didn't stop working. It was as if she had stepped back in time twenty years. She could feel again the stress of dealing with two unruly kids and a little genius capable of destroying everything in half a minute with homemade hydrogen. Of course, this didn't matter at all. She loved each and every one of those guys. And she was extremely happy that Penny was improving daily. The girl was no longer able to be still ten minutes. That was excellent news, and also an endless source of fun for all except for Sheldon. Mary suppressed a giggle, remembering all the ways in which this young woman was able to exasperate Shelly. She loved that they were a couple. Her son could not have made a better choice, but of course, she did not expect less from him. She stood spellbound, smiling, thinking about the future grandchildren. Oh, well, she was young to be a grandmother, but ... What the hell! At that time, she felt she did not want anything more but a little Sheldon running around ... or well, a little Penny. Or maybe twins... In her family multiple births were quite frequent. Maybe I should warn Penny about this "-. She thought. Although, of course, she knew that before all that, they should start thinking about the wedding. - "They cannot have children without being married" - she thought. She pursed her lips. Mary knew that, with the abundant depravity in these times, premarital sex was the norm. But she was not willing to consent this to her Shelly. By no means. Her Shelly should marry in a church and have her beloved grandchildren after marriage, in canonical form.
She smiled again, satisfied. She turned to leave the laundry and doing so, she startled. In front of her was Wyatt, Penny's father.
- Good Lord! You scared me to death -. Mary looked at him, disapproving - Certainly, you are priceless as a thief...
Wyatt blinked a bit perplexed. On the one hand he tried to apologize, but on the other hand... Did she call him "thief"?
- Sorry ... I did not mean to scare you. But I'm no thief. Also, what the hell would I steal here?
- Sure you find something useful. Nebraska farmers won't turn down anything.
- Like the cowboys from Texas.
Mary frowned.
- Do you know? I had never lost so much time on such a stupid conversation. If you'll excuse me...
- Wait - the man held her arm for a moment but seeing the glacial look she gave him, he let her go immediately. - I just wanted to ... well, let's say ... Why are not you able to stand me? And who are you to say I'm not a good father in front of my own daughter?
- I'm the future mother-in-law of his daughter, Sir. -. She heard him muttering a - "poor baby" - and glared. - And I assure you that Penny is more to be pitied for having a father like you than for having me as mother-in-law. Besides, someone had to tell you, because apparently no one had done before. Or perhaps, do you dare to say that you are a model father? Have you ever been concerned about your daughter, about how she was or what was she doing?
Wyatt also glared.
- Hey, my lady. Nor are you the best person for the award about "exemplary mother." Because your son...
Mary looked at him as if she were about to jump on his jugular.
- What the hell do you have to say about my Shelly?
Wyatt blinked.
- Well, I have nothing against the guy. Clearly he loves Penny but, even with a mother as "exemplary" as you, he has not become "very normal"... - ironically ended.
That was the breaking point for Mary. The anger grew to such a level that she was about to throw the detergent to his head.
- How dare you!
Wyatt tried to back away from such a beast. He managed to snatch the detergent, but had to hold Mary's wrists.
- I'm beginning to understand ... - he said, trying to avoid a wry smile, but with not enough success -. I think madness comes from your family.
- And stupidity from yours, sir. Let me go! Who the hell do you think...?
- I release you if you promise not to try to throw that basket of clothes on my head.
- I won't if you retreat what you said about my son.
- I will when you retreat that I'm a bad father.
Mary narrowed her eyes. If they were two guns, he would be dead.
- What I said is the truth.
- And what I said about Sheldon too.
Mary gritted her teeth with rage. Wyatt shook his head.
- Listen, I do think it's great that our children are together. Actually, it is the first time I see my daughter completely happy and that's what matters. All I'm asking is not being called guilty without knowing the whole truth. Certainly, I have not been an exemplary father, but I love my daughter more than anything in this world. I ... - his hands moved down, releasing Mary -. ... I have made many mistakes, like for example, marrying her mother. But Penny is not one of them. I love her, though I have not shown it too.
Mary looked at him, still suspicious.
- Your daughter is a great girl. You should be ashamed of yourself for paying your frustrations on her. Children cannot pick up the tab of a marriage that does not work. But of course, men are believed to be the navel of the world and that their needs are the most important.
Wyatt looked at her, somewhat regretfully and a little offended.
- Hey, that's not true...
- What is not true? Oh, please. My husband, rest in peace, did exactly the same. He did not care about the consequences of his actions and did not care if Shelly was screaming and crying for his bad temper.
He was silent. He lowered his head and then looked back at her.
- It is clear that you don't mince your words.
Mary hesitated a moment under the intensity of his gaze.
- I repeat that someone had to tell you.
- I would like to retrieve Penny -. Wyatt lowered his head. - But ... I do not even know where to start.
- A good start would be to tell that to her, instead of me.
The man looked thoughtful. Then he looked back at her and a smirk appeared on his face.
- Do you know? I think ... despite your temper, I like you. Although I must say I feel quite sorry for your poor "rest in peace" husband...
Mary turned to glare at him.
- You are a big rude!
Wyatt laughed really this time. At the time, Sheldon appeared in the doorway, surprised.
- Cries are heard from the first floor ... What's going on here?
Mary looked at her son, frowning.
- Let me tell you, Shelly, your future father-in-law leaves a lot to be desired. Without any doubt, he has the manners of a Nebraska farmer.
Without another word, Mary stood up and went out very worthy of the laundry. Wyatt gave her a comical reverence in her path, getting another angry look in return. The man winked at Sheldon and went out too. The young physicist blinked.
- What is happening here? - he asked again, without understanding anything.
But he was not answered by any washing machine.
