Appropriate Quotation: 'The mind goes back, but time goes on, and goodbyes should be forever'. R. Heinlein

Chapter 2

Cooper residence
Pasadena, CA

Sheldon straightened his tie and pressed it flat against his chest and slipped on his suit coat. Penny had given him the tie as a gift to celebrate their 6-month anniversary as a couple. He had presented her with keys to the house.

He did not hate her although he hated that she left without even saying goodbye. He did not hate her although he hated the various men she'd been with (and would be with). It was his fault because he wasn't able to give her the dream she so badly wanted.

No. He hated himself for not being enough.

CalTech
Pasadena, California
10am

He knocked just twice on the open office door and then stuck his head in. He vowed to break the hold that OCD (and his former girlfriend) had on him and it was a start.

"Dr. Cooper, what a surprise. I'm busy, Dumbass, and unless you're here to finally admit that Loop Theory trumps String Theory, we have nothing to discuss."

"Have dinner with me. Tonight. Wear a decent dress and I'll pick you up at 7pm. And Loop Theory is a colossal waste of your time and mind but that's just my 'dumbass' opinion. I'll be on time. Try not to keep me waiting too long. I'll make reservations at El Greco's for 8pm."

He turned and walked out, not waiting for her answer. Had he waited, he would have seen the broadest smile that Leslie Winkle was capable of. She leaned back in her chair and made a mental list of things she had to do and then started making phone calls.

Faculty Dining Room
11:30am

Sheldon positioned his lunch tray precisely 2 inches from the edges of the corner of the table he sat at and began arranging his plastic silverware and his drink.

"Sheldon, dude, what's that on your plate? Where's your sandwich and Cheese Curls?" asked Raj. He saw Sheldon slouch in his chair, elbows on the table, looking at his lunch.

"I believe it is supposed to be Meat Loaf with Tomato Sauce and French fries but I would imagine the soy content of the meat negates that description but what the heck, I'm hungry and feeling adventurous today."

Raj dropped his fork into his Chef's Salad and just stared. He wished Leonard or Howard were here to witness this strange turn of events. He knew they would never believe him so he took out his cell phone and took a picture of Sheldon and his plate and emailed it to Howard, Leonard and several others.

He soon began receiving text messages back.

[Leonard] Don't let him leave. I'm on the way!

[Howard] Take his knife! He's obviously going to begin slaughtering his fellow diners! He's finally snapped! She finally broke him!

[Bernadette] Damn Penny Drummond to Hell! He's broken and it's all her fault! Do you smell alcohol on his breath?

[Amy] It was only a matter of time. My ex-BFF must have called him again. The blonde temptress with the luscious breasts and smooth, flawless skin – well, perhaps we should consider an intervention?

[Leslie] Finally! And he was sober!

Raj could understand all of the responses but Winkle's.

"Hey, Sheldon, buddy. How are you?" Leonard sat down across from Sheldon. He smiled at him and spoke softly and made sure not to make eye contact. He didn't want to trigger further unusual behavior. Ever since Penny dumped him he'd been distant, avoiding the lunch crowd and rarely coming over to the apartment for Thai Night or Vintage Video night.

"I'm fine, Leonard, although after eating this poor excuse for corn-fed beef I may require an antacid. Do you have a Tum on you?"

"Um, no…but if you really have to have one, I'll scrounge one up…just keep calm and – "

"I spoke with Penny last night. For the final time. I've finally accepted that she's not coming back. I'm establishing a new paradigm for the future. I want to thank you, Leonard, for standing by me during my repeated episodes with alcohol. I assure you I'm clean and sober and I owe your and Howard and Bernadette a great debt that I can never repay."

"Nah, buddy, that's what friends are for. Besides, except for Howard, Penny pretty well screwed all of us literally and figuratively." He saw Sheldon's eyes narrow and realized perhaps he could have said something less inflammatory. When he saw Sheldon's fingers whiten as they curled around the plastic knife, he leaned back in his chair.

"Well, Raj was a great help also. I am fortunate to have chosen such a loyal group of followers and, by extension, their ladies. So, as I was saying, I am 'moving on'. I don't know why I couldn't accept it before but…it's definitely over and she's not coming back."

Leonard whined, "I'm sorry, buddy, but maybe it's for the best. People like us don't get people like her in our lives very often and when we do, they don't stay long."

"I was going to ask her to marry me, Leonard. I thought I was going to be the Beast who got the Beauty; I am Homo Novus after all. Clearly my selection criteria were flawed and I intend to test new criteria again and again until I have found my other half, so to speak. My biological clock is ticking, gentlemen, and I'm in control of my emotions once again."

"That's probably a good idea. Get back out there, meet new people and begin to experience life again. Just – just don't disappear on us again, Sheldon. We were all worried when you just – "

"Oh, don't beat around the bush, Leonard. I'm no longer that frail and hollow man she so thoughtlessly gutted and left broken along the side of life's highway. I've changed and, I believe, evolved from emotional prey to predator. Alcohol was merely a handy anesthetic. I shan't induce alcohol poisoning again, I assure you. And as for any impromptu trips to the Far East – my passport has been revoked pending a review of the misunderstanding in Beijing. I am certain I shall be exonerated."

Leonard was unable to comment. Sheldon's comments had touched on so many issues at so many levels that it was akin to 3 dimensional chess.

Sheldon finished his lunch and burped loudly. "I'll get you an antacid, buddy. Just stay put. I'll be right back."

Sheldon never burped in public believing it beneath the dignity of a physicist. This new paradigm shift was already making itself felt.

"Not necessary, Leonard, but thank you for your consideration. Now, if you gentlemen will excuse me, I have to see Human Resources and schedule vacation. I think, yes, a road trip!"

Raj looked at Leonard and then said, "But dude, you don't have a car and neither Leonard nor I have vacation and – oh, you're going by train!"

"R-O-A-D trip, Raj. Trains run on tracks. Were I going by train, I would have said Track Trip." He wheezed a laugh at his subtle humor.

"I'm going by automobile, of course. I bought one this morning, or rather, I leased one. The tax advantages are beneficial and I've always wanted to own a Jaguar." He looked at his chronometer (a mere watch would never do). "Well, I've got to be going."

"Did he just say – "

"Yes. My ears did not deceive me. A Jaguar."