Chapter 9: Getting a Move On
Amy waited for the toast to pop up. Her tea was just steeped and warm. Chamomile still hangs in the air and the California sun is on her window. She's going to miss mornings like this.
Her lecture tour is over for a week now. She's totally come off the pill. Her nights aren't always peaceful, but at least the vivid dreams have stopped.
The fellowship she got from the East Coast is temporary, though she's positive she'll get work around the area before it ends.
Her eyes wandered around her small apartment. Everything's packed, except for the train set on the shelf. Somehow, she couldn't get herself to touch it. She decided she'll leave it be.
"I'm sorry I couldn't fly in this time, Meemaw's joints are flaring up... You know I've always been so proud of you!" Mary's voice is full of pride. Sheldon couldn't contain the smile on his face.
"It's alright, Mom. Leonard will be there, and all our other friends, too."
"Well, send them my regards, I got to go now!" Mary waved goodbye before her face faded out from his screen.
"Whoah, Big Sur! Didn't know you people know luxury! Leonard, honey, maybe you should get more awards!" Penny flipped the invitation cards multiple times before leaning into her husband to give him a kiss. "I'm so proud of you! I'm proud of you both!" She beamed, looking at Sheldon, too.
"Hey, this is so much like the first time our group went there together!" Raj exclaimed. "I think I'll be bringing my own car, though."
"Why, did you finally get Stuart to be your plus one?" Howard ribbed at his best friend, which earned him a pinch from Bernie. "What?" he asked, turning right around to the petite firecracker. The look on her face instantly sent the message across. Still, she was the one to apologize, "Sorry, Raj."
"I don't mind Bernadette. In fact, he's right. I have a plus one," Raj's voice started to become dreamy. "I'm coming with the woman whom Amy set me up with."
That name has the opposite effect to almost everyone else in the room. The light atmosphere at 4A vanished. Raj longed for the days he's unable to speak.
The ref's door closed and there was just Sheldon's footsteps towards his spot to alternate with the silence.
"So Penny, what are you going to wear?" Bernadette's attempt to revive the conversation is stilted at best. It's been three weeks since they started to walk on eggshells around Sheldon. Three difficult weeks for him. Three weeks of hell for them. And it's every time someone mentions Amy or anything remotely connected to her.
His works have all been completed even before that time. His collaborations only added to his good reputation. His papers are getting cited everywhere. In fact, his and Leonard's work on Superfluid earned them an award which they'll be claiming at Big Sur this weekend.
"Oh, I just got the thing! It's a black tie event and I think what I got with Amy the last time we were out is just perfect for this!" Penny's the only who seemed oblivious to Sheldon's reactions whenever the name's mentioned.
Meanwhile, the vein on Sheldon's forehead throb. He may have pressed the button on the remote too hard that the volume turned up so loud, so fast.
"Oh stop it, Sheldon!" it was Leonard's voice that cut to the din. He snatched the device away and turned the TV off.
Everyone's forgotten about dinner after that. Raj got up from the floor and made his way to the door, followed by Howard and Bernadette. Penny thought she'll walk them down because Leonard is still having a staring contest with Sheldon.
Howard started talking the minute they reached the first landing, "We had a great time with Amy at the concert the other night," Howard started.
"Yeah, I didn't know Neil Diamond has so many songs," Bernie chimed in.
"And you totally forgot to invite me!" Raj sounded genuinely hurt.
"It's good she's spent time with you before she leaves," Penny said, turning to the couple. Turning back to Raj, she continued, "And Raj, didn't you and Amy do something together just the other week?"
"Yeah, we did some quilting. It's one of Emily's hobbies."
Penny had to smile at that. "Whatever happened to Vanessa?" she asked, hoping she succeeded at making it sound like an afterthought.
Raj took a breath before proceeding, "Well…"
"I don't know, Bernie, it's just too far. And I don't want to be so tired on my flight," Amy wished she could just drop the conversation.
"You'll get plenty of rest by then," Bernie insisted, she knows she can get Amy to do what she wants with just a little more push. "Leonard's getting an award, too. You should at least be there for him and Penny."
"But I've spoken to Penny and she said it's okay," the brunette stopped talking when the blonde leveled her with a glare. "Fine, but I'm not invited and I've got nothing else to wea-"
"Don't give me that. Sheldon's Mom is not coming so that can easily be arranged. Also, you and Penny went shopping without me. She told me you got yourself a dress, too!" Bernie snapped.
"Alright, alright... What time do I need to be there?"
"Hey Bernie, did you see my tie?" Howard bursts from their kitchen door before Bernie can reply. "Hi, Amy! You're all packed for next week?"
"Hello, Howard," she returned the greeting with a smile, "Yes, I've been packed since Wednesday."
"Good, so you girls are really pushing for the Great Girl's Night?"
"Hell yeah!"
His wife's exclamation made him jump a little. He went on, "Just stay clear of Sheldon. That guy's definitely turned insa- ahhh!"
Bernie's slap on his arm made him cry out. "What, I was just giving her a heads up."
"Why, what happened with Sheldon?" Amy asked.
AN: Big Sur calls to mind Season 4, it's my favorite season of all time, because it showed a lot of promise for each character's development. But this particular story's coming to an end. Please hold on.