Conviviality On The Fourth Floor

by Risknight

Two years in the life of our favorite Los Robles tenants. Each chapter deals with a different holiday, some everyone knows and a few you may never have heard of. I found all of these holidays listed both on a funky calender my boss has hanging up at work and online. I added a third year to include some of the suggestion made by the reviewers.

5. Mother's Day

Mother's Day (2nd Sunday in May)

Knock, knock, knock. "Penny?"

Knock, knock, knock. "Penny?"

Knock, knock, knock. "Penny?"

Penny opened the door with a grin. "What's up, Buttercup?"

Sheldon paused for a second to give her an exasperated look. "Penny, I have 11 days in which to locate and acquire an appropriate representation of my deep and abiding affection for my maternal parent. Would you be available to assist me?"

Penny shrugged. "Sure, let me get dressed."

Sheldon looked at her suspiciously. "You understood my request?"

Penny pointed a finger at him. "HA! I knew it! You are trying to trip me up by using big words! Well, I'm on to you, buster. You need a Mother's Day present for your Mom.

Sheldon smirked. "I am improving your vocabulary. You should be grateful I make the effort."

Penny walked back to her bedroom with a laugh. "Not a chance! Besides, you're not doing it for my benefit. You just can't stand having a stupid friend."

Sheldon frowned at Penny's closed door. "I never said you were stupid," he said worriedly.

Penny snorted. " Not today. Yet. Besides, your sister called me. She wanted me to make sure you don't get your mom the same thing you got her last year."

Sheldon's frown turned into a glare. "There is nothing wrong with a trip to the Natural History Museum."

Penny stepped back into the living room and grinned. "Sweetie, you need to get your mom something she would like, not you." Penny grabbed her purse and opened her door. "Come on. I have a few ideas."

Sheldon followed, his eyes inexplicably drawn to the way the skirt of her sundress swayed with her hips. Sheldon blushed quickly and forced his eyes upward. They spent the morning roaming the mall, going from one store to the next until Sheldon and Penny finally found the perfect gift.

"Penny," Sheldon began as the cashier rang up his purchase, "thank you for your help today. I would like to treat you to dinner to show my appreciation." Just then Sheldon's phone began to ring. He looked at the screen and answered.

"Hello, Amy." Sheldon's small smile turned into a frown. "I am at the mall with Penny."

Penny took the receipt and led the way to the car while he talked. "She and I have been shopping for my Mother's Day gift."

Penny popped open the back door and the guy with the dolly wheeled the bulky gift closer. "Because Penny is very good at these sorts of things."

She gave the guy a tip for helping them and shut the back door. "She is my friend, Amy. She does not mind helping me."

Penny got in and buckled up. "I will have to call you later, Amy. We are about to get into the car. Goodbye."

Sheldon sat sown and buckled up. He turned to Penny with a smile. "Shall we eat?"

Penny looked over at him with resignation. "Thanks sweetie, but I don't think Amy would like that too much. Maybe some other time, okay?"

Sheldon nodded, hiding his disappointment, and they made their way out of the mall. Things were changing in their little group. Sheldon wasn't so sure he liked the changes. But he had no idea how to stop it.

When Mother's Day came, Mary Cooper found herself the proud owner of a beautiful cedar chest with the 23rd Psalm engraved on the lid.