The four men huddled in the corner of the church hall, looking around them, uncomfortable in their suits and overwhelmed by the well-dressed crowd.
"I can't believe you talked us into coming to this ridiculous example of religious fear-mongering. If you need a translator, bring Wolowitz. Why are we here?" Sheldon complained.
"I thought it was a nice service. A little boring, but I guess you don't want too much excitement at a funeral," Leonard chimed in. "Besides, if Raj is going to speak again, I want to witness it."
"It really happened, I'm telling you." Howard was annoyed that nobody believed him; Raj's affirmation hadn't actually helped his case much.
"Guys, you know why I'm here. Even if I can't say anything to her, it's a chance to see her." Raj was craning his neck, trying to find Rosalind through the crowd.
"Well, it seems an ominous site for a date, if you ask me. I don't pretend to understand such things." Sheldon was dismissive.
"There she is!" Raj tried not to seem too excited; it was, after all Rosalind's mother's funeral. He did wave a little, though, as she made her way through the crowd, speaking to everyone she passed, shaking hands, smiling solemnly.
Finally, she made it to their corner, and greeted each of them individually. "Thank you for coming, Sheldon. I know this must not be very comfortable for you. Leonard, You really didn't have to do this. It's especially nice since you've certainly come as much for Raj's sake as for mine," she said as she shook Howard's hand, "And that kind of loyalty is laudable." Finally she turned to Raj, and she didn't shake his hand; she just held it. "Thank you."
Leonard knew the polite formulas. "It was a nice service. I've never been to a funeral where there were Girl Scouts, though."
Rosalind smiled. "They sang well, didn't they? My mother was very serious about the Girl Scouts. My great-great grandmother was a member of the first troop in Pasadena, you know."
Raj gestured as if to ask a question. Rosalind understood and answered, "Oh yes, me too. Gold Award. And I'm one of the leaders of the troop that sang today."
"Oh, God, it's Dr. Siebert," Howard gasped, as Sheldon and Leonard tried to turn away. Rosalind dropped Raj's hand and strode forward to greet the university president with a hug.
"Uncle Don! Aunt Dottie! It's good to see you. Let me introduce you to some friends: Dr. Koothrappali, Astrophysics; Mr. Wolowitz, engineering; and Dr. Hofstadter and Dr. Cooper, ordinary Physics. Gentlemen, Dr. and Mrs. Siebert."
Mrs. Siebert extended a polite hand, but her husband glared at Sheldon. "We've met. Rosie, how do you know these people?"
Rosalind smiled, her arm through his. "You know how much we Baxters enjoy interdisciplinarity, Uncle Don."
He grunted, but continued the conversation. "You must come over tonight after you take Portia to the airport. Do you know what you are going to do?"
"Really, that's a kind invitation, but I already have plans for this evening. Why don't you give me a little time to go over things, and then I will certainly come to you for advice. Why don't you both come for brunch after church on Sunday? See if Adam and Erik can come. That would do me good."
The Sieberts nodded their agreement to her plan before someone else waved them over to a table laden with cookies and tea.
Rosalind turned to find all four men staring at her. Leonard was the first to find his tongue. "Uncle Don? Aunt Dottie?"
Rosalind rubbed her hands together. "Oh, yes, I grew up with the Sieberts. He and my father were great friends. He just wants me to come over so he can find out what's in the will, if my mother's going to donate to another building project for him."
Leonard was putting things together. "So, then, that's Baxter, as in Baxter Humanities Building?"
"When my father died, my mother thought it was a fitting tribute. I use my mother's maiden name on campus because I don't want to be perceived as a legacy hire, even if I probably am."
Raj was nodding – the name difference had given him some trouble when he was tracking down the funeral – and wishing Rosalind would hold his hand again. Howard had another question, "So, what is in the will?"
Rosalind sighed, and, to Raj's pleasure, picked up his hand again. "I don't know. We go to the lawyer's this afternoon. I assume – everyone assumes – that beyond bequests to the school and the Girl Scouts, my sister will inherit. She was mother's favorite."
Howard pressed: "Inherit what?"
"Well, the rest - the house, the charitable foundation, the interest in the family business, the other properties. I don't even know what all there is. It's OK. I always have a backup plan."
Sheldon was irritated. "But that's impractical. If, as you say, your sister has a family and home and law practice in Boston, what would she want with a house and properties in Pasadena? Certainly, since you are employed here, you have more use for such things."
Rosalind agreed. "I would love to stay in the house, and I'm sure Portia wouldn't - couldn't, really - sell it right away. She would probably even let me stay through the end of the term, if I can afford the rent, or deal with the real estate people on her behalf, or otherwise earn my keep. The house has always been in the family; my great-great grandfather built it. Selling it would be a mammoth undertaking, but Portia has made it clear that she regards liquidation as the only practical approach."
"That would be sensible," Sheldon agreed.
"I'm afraid so," Rosalind nodded sadly, as the breadth of her loss spread out in front of her. Raj pulled her toward him, and she leaned her head on his shoulder; for a moment all five of them were quiet.
Rosalind broke the silence. "Well, I should probably – you know – circulate. It was really good of you all to come. Thank you." She squeezed Raj's hand, took a deep breath, and, after looking back at him, let go and walked off into the crowd.
"What did she mean, 'ordinary Physics'?" Sheldon exclaimed, as he suddenly realized how he'd been introduced to Dr. Siebert.
Howard turned eagerly to Raj, "I underestimated you, man. An heiress!"
"Dude, except she's not. Her sister's going to turn her out. Weren't you paying attention?" Raj was annoyed with his friend.
"A vulnerable heiress, then. You are so in there!"
Raj just shook his head and sighed.