Sheldon sighed as his Mommy hugged him tightly. She had spent the last two days alternately crying and praying. It wasn't as if he was going off to war. He was going to Germany to give lectures. As soon as she released him, he scurried over to Meemaw. She hugged him loosely and kissed his cheek. He looked over at Missy and George, but they were arguing about who got to sit in front on the way home. A hand settled on his shoulder and he looked up at Mr. Wyatt. Sheldon took the offered hand and shook it solidly.
"Take care, Sheldon. Have a good trip."
Sheldon nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Wyatt. I will."
Sheldon turned and looked at the remaining member of his send off party.
Penny was standing a little bit away from the group. He smiled slightly. She was staring at the floor, clutching a small package to her chest. He walked over and tugged one of her ponytails. Penny sniffled and buried her head in his chest.
"Are you going to miss me?" she asked softly.
Sheldon wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Of course I am," he answered. "There won't be anyone around to pester me."
Penny glared up at him and pinched his ribs. "I'm serious! Tell me you're going to miss me!"
Sheldon hugged her tight. "I'm going to miss you, Penny."
Penny leaned up and kissed his cheek. "I already miss you, Shel. Come back soon, okay?" She pressed the package into his hands and stepped back. She gave him a watery smile and took her dad's hand. Sheldon took one last look around and nodded. Then he picked up his carry on bag and headed to the departure gate.
Sheldon settled into his seat and closed the window curtain. He had no interest in watching take off. He set the small package on his lap and opened it carefully. He smiled as he reached inside. He pulled out one of the purple monkeys, it's arms now wrapped around a note.
This is just a loan. I want him back when you come home. I love you, Shel.
Penny hung some more tinsel on the tree and sighed. She didn't like it here in New York. Why did Mom have to insist she come here? Why couldn't Mom come to Texas? Then she could have gotten to see Meemaw, Momma Mary, Missy and even George Junior.
"Penelope, a package has arrived from you," her mom called. "Please come remove it from the table."
Penny went into the kitchen and picked it up. She glanced at the address and smiled widely. She raced back to the room she shared with her sister whenever she visited and tore it open. She read the note first.
Penny,
How are you doing? I am fine, myself. So far my lecture series has been very well received. I have enclosed some photographs of the snow here. As you can see, it is quite deep. Thank you for my Saturnalia gift. I enjoyed Desperation and The Regulators very much. Although, as I have been telling you for 4 years now, I do not subscribe to the entire gift-exchange endeavor. (Penny rolled her eyes and stuck her tongue out at the note.) But since you do, I have enclosed a gift that I hope you will enjoy. I hope you have fun in New York, despite your distaste for the city.
Your best friend, Sheldon Cooper Ph.D.
Penny carefully lifted out the snow globe. Inside the glass dome was a miniature of the University of Hamburg administrative building. When she shook it gently, snow covered the red bricks. Penny smiled and pretended she could see Sheldon looking out one of the windows at her.
A knock on the door drew his attention from his notes. Sheldon stood and opened it up.
"Herr Cooper? This package arrived for you." The delivery boy handed him the box and walked off.
Sheldon set the box on his bed and looked at the address. He smiled and carefully removed the envelope on top. There were four separate letters inside.
Dear Moon Pie,
I hope this gets there in time for your birthday. I miss you very much, and I am very proud of you. I wish you a very happy 16th birthday, my dear boy. Take care of yourself.
Love, Meemaw.
Dear Shelly,
I miss you so much, and I am praying for you every night. Your brother and sister miss you too. George got a job over at McFinley's Construction. He's doing really good. Missy has a new boyfriend. I swear that girl just can't make up her mind. Remember to give Jesus his just due.
Love, Mommy
Sheldon,
Happy Birthday. I hope you are enjoying yourself. Penny is doing well in school, but she misses you. She is really looking forward to summer. Will you be joining us for our annual camping trip? It wasn't the same without you last year. Take care, and let us know if you need anything.
Wyatt
To my dearest, bestest, most wonderful friend,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
I miss you so much! How's spring in Germany? I hope you take some more pictures for me! I made a really pretty scrapbook and put all the other pictures in it. Well, I wasn't sure what to get you for your birthday (yep, once again I have ignored your no-gifts rule), so instead I made you something. And I want a picture of you using it! Please? I love you, Shel! Take care of yourself and I'll see you in July, I hope!
XOXO, Penny
He grabbed a small box cutter and carefully cut through the packing tape. Inside was a large tin of snicker doodles and chocolate chip cookies. He looked in awe at the brand new Nintendo 64 game console from his mom. Beside it were two games. One was Super Mario 64 and the other was Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire from Mr. Wyatt. He couldn't believe it! He had been wanting this ever since it came out!
From Missy and George he got a couple of new comic book shirts, Batman and Superman. At the bottom of the box was a wrapped gift. He pulled it out and smiled at the Flash wrapping paper. He carefully unwrapped the gift and pulled out a bag of some sort.
It was blue and said Avengers on the front. Penny had made him a messenger bag. He looked at it with stunned happiness. A small note inside from Mr. Wyatt said that other than having Meemaw check her stitches, Penny had done it all herself. He slipped it on and adjusted the strap. He was impressed by the attention to detail. There were two pockets on the front and a small mesh pouch on each side. Inside was a smooth satin lining, and an inner zipper pocket. Sheldon took it off and smiled. He walked around the bed and hung it on the headboard post. The other post had a small purple monkey wrapped around it.
The moment he stepped into the airport terminal he heard his name. He looked over to see Penny and Meemaw waving at him happily. Sheldon was surprised by the changes in Penny. She had grown a couple of inches and she was beginning to develop a more feminine curvature. Puberty had hit while he was gone.
He made his way over to them and immediately found himself embraced by his grandmother. He hugged Meemaw back gently and turned to Penny. She grinned mischievously and flung her arms around his neck, making him blush.
"Really, Penny. Aren't we both a bit mature for such displays?" he asked with a smile.
Penny stuck her arm through his and giggled. "Someone became an old fuddy-duddy while he was away."
He gave her a mock glare. "I am 17, not 71. However, I still think a bit of decorum is called for."
Penny laughed. "Well, I'm 14 ½. And you can stick your decorum…"
"Penny!" Meemaw warned in a stern voice, which was ruined by the twinkling humor in her eyes. "Language, young lady."
Sheldon gave her a smug look as he waited for his luggage to come around. Penny pinched his arm in retaliation. The drive home was filled with Penny asking him dozens of questions. Sheldon couldn't help thinking how good it was to see his friend again. And how much she had changed.
Penny sat on the porch watching the sun set. Sheldon sat down beside her. He'd only been home a week but something was off. He wasn't sure what it was, though. His family was the same. His home was the same. Penny was much the same as always. So what was it? Why was he feeling so unsettled?
"You're going to go back, aren't you?" She turned to look at him. "To Germany."
Sheldon sighed. "Yes. I have begun working on a second doctorate and I am progressing well. By the time I finish, I will have my second Ph.D."
Penny looked away from him. Her voice was quiet. "How long?"
Once again, he felt that unsettled feeling. "How long until I go, or until I return?"
"Yes."
He reached over and took her hand in his. "I will leave in 3 weeks. I will be gone almost two more years."
They were both silent for several minutes. Finally she laid her head on his shoulder. "Will you be upset if I ask you to stay?"
Sheldon shook his head. "I'll be upset if you don't."
Penny turned her head and smiled, tears in her eyes. "Come on, Shel. We only have three weeks to have some fun!" She pulled him to his feet and pulled him down the dirt path. "I feel like fishing!"
He followed willingly. "What do you think we're going to catch in the dark?"
Penny giggled as she waved to her dad and Mary through the kitchen window. "Hell, for being out so late!"
Sheldon tsk'd to hide his grin. "Language, Penny!"
Sheldon watched from the sidelines as Penny prepared for her ride.
"She's placed in the top three every competition so far this year," Wyatt said proudly.
"I'd have liked to have seen the regionals," Sheldon admitted. "She sent me some pictures.
Wyatt shrugged. "Slugger knows how important your schooling is. She's just as proud of you as I am of her. She's just thrilled you're here for this one."
Penny entered the chute and settled herself in the saddle. She looked over at them and winked. Sheldon felt that strange feeling again. She turned and nodded to the left.
"Next up, Penelope Queen!" said the announcer. A buzzer sounded and the gate swung open. Sheldon was sure that if he blinked he would have missed it. 7.6 seconds later she had the calf down, and tied up. The crowd erupted into cheers, Wyatt and Sheldon among them.
They made their way down to the holding area. When they got there Penny was being hugged by one of the boys in the barrel riding competition. He looked about 16, and Sheldon wasn't thrilled. He watched Penny ease away awkwardly. She was shaking her head when she saw them.
She smiled widely and ran over. Sheldon placed an arm around her shoulders. He noticed the boy looking at him with a glare and he smirked. The kid had no idea who he was. He was Penny's best friend. Of course she would hug him.
Penny was talking to her dad. "As long as no one else gets theirs in under 7.1 seconds, I keep first place!"
Wyatt nodded. "No worries, Slugger. You got this in the bag." They watched the leader board as the final four riders took their turns. Sure enough, no one came close.
Sheldon watched Penny take her place on the podium to receive her medal. I'm sorry I wasn't here for more of these, he thought. It's really great to see her so proud. She's very lovely. Sheldon frowned. Lovely?