Chapter 13
It has been four months since Leonard and Abby started dating. Penny has kept mostly to herself, sometimes having girl's night in her apartment with Amy and Bernadette. They ran into Abby several times and invited her to join them but she declined since she and Leonard has other plans for that night.
Leonard came into the building one afternoon and saw Penny getting her mail.
"Hi Penny." he said as he walked up to her to get his mail from the boxes.
"Oh hi Leonard. What's up?" she said as Leonard emptied the mailbox and shoved all of the envelopes in his satchel.
"Nothing much. You came from your shift at the restaurant?" he asked.
"Yeah. How about you?" she asked as they started to ascend the stairs.
"Oh, Abby dropped me off. We just came from the beach this morning." said Leonard.
"The beach? Why?" she asked.
"What do you mean?" he said.
"Well, I remember when we were dating, you hated going to the beach." said Penny.
"No. What I don't like is the thought of stepping into discarded syringes and needles in the sand." he said smiling at her.
Penny nodded. "Yeah sure. So what changed?" she asked.
"Easy. Beach shoes." he said as Penny nodded her head. They were quiet for a while when Leonard spoke again.
"So, are you seeing anyone these days?" he asked.
"No." she said giving her a weak smile.
"Really?" he asked.
"Yeah. Why not?" said Penny.
"Nothing." he said.
"Come on Leonard. I know when you want to say something. Just spill it out." she said.
"Well, it's kinda hard to believe that you're not seeing someone. I mean, when I met you, you were always dating or going out with someone." he said. "What about Zack? I thought you and him are dating or something?" he added.
"No Leonard. I broke it off with Zack after that party." she said. "And I'm happy being single now. I guess for the first time in my life, I have nothing to focus on but myself." Penny said.
Leonard nodded. "Well I hope you're happy." he said.
"I am happy." said Penny. "So, you and Abby are doing good?" she asked.
"Yeah. Everything's great actually." he said. "I still can't believe that she's my girlfriend now." he said as they reached the fourth floor. They stood on the hail looking at each other.
"I'm glad you're happy Leonard. You deserved it." she said looking at him.
"Thank you." he said while looking at her. "Are you sure you're alright Penny? It looks like something's bothering you." he said.
"I told you, I'm fine Leonard. Maybe I'm just tired from work." she said.
Leonard sighed. "Penny, we're still friends. If you have a problem, just tell me. Maybe I could help." he said.
Penny looked at him. "Thank you Leonard. You're really great." she said. "You don't have to worry about me, I'm fine really." she said giving him a weak smile.
Leonard sighed. "Okay, but if you need someone to talk to, just tell me alright. I'm always here for you." he said while giving her shoulder a light squeeze.
Penny nodded. "Okay Leonard." Penny said.
"Anyway, I'll see you around alright?" he said, opening his door.
"Bye Leonard." she said as Leonard stepped into his apartment.
Penny went into her apartment and closed the door. She leaned her back on it and slid down on the floor, covering her face and crying.
After almost half an hour of sitting on the floor and feeling sorry for herself, she stood up and went to her bedroom to freshen up and change into her nightshirt. She was about to close her closet when she saw a box of junk gathering dust among a few old shoes and sandals. She knelt down and took the box, setting it down on her bed to try to find things to throw away in the thrash.
She saw an old airline boarding pass from three years ago and remembered the time when Leonard bought her the ticket so she could go home to Nebraska and spend the holidays with her parents. They were not a couple back then but Leonard never hesitated in helping her out even if his reward was only a quick kiss on the cheek from her. She then picked up an old sci-fi book by Ray Bradbury that Leonard wanted her to read which she only finished until the second chapter. Penny then saw a New Jersey coffee mug that Leonard gave her a year ago. Next, she saw a small packet of cloth and remembered the moment when Leonard showed her how much she means to him. She opened it and saw the acrylic slides with the snowflake from the North Pole that Leonard preserved for her. He was right, it was the same as the day he gave them to her and would probably last forever, like his love for her a lifetime ago - a thought that is probably now lost in the deepest corners of his mind. She put the snowflake back in its packet and decided to put it in her purse, hoping it would bring her good luck. She put the box back in her closet and went to bed to sleep her woes away.