I know, I know, long wait for the update. But I will finish this story I promise, I just had a really lot going on in real life, mostly work and school. So my apologies. I hope you enjoy. Your reviews make me want to write more ;)
2024
When I arrive home after running away I experience some changes. They are all sitting in the living room listening to Dory's stories about the beautiful and magnificent Debbie. I hear what's happening and pretend that I have to throw up but they don't pay any attention to me at all. So I go upstairs to my room. My gaming systems, my TV and all my cool stuff is gone. So this is what comes after cutting my allowance.
The next two weeks are the most miserable ones of my entire life. I spend my time designing a weapon that can destroy the whole state. It's fun, even though I don't have the chemical supplies. But then Dad tells me one afternoon that he was trying to build a death ray my age, and it really disinclines me from going ahead with it. So after that I'm just plain bored. I decide, I don't want to read anymore science, so my parents won't find out that being without my fun stuff means that I'm focusing on my future career and learning.
Mom tries to talk to me a several times. She tries to tell me, that she is not mad and neither is dad and it's not about their affections towards me, but I have to learn that my acts have consequences. She also tells that she knows that it's just basic operant conditioning, but she and Dad couldn't find a more modern way which was scientifically proven enough. Then her face softens and she tells me that I only have to apologize and that's all. But I don't want to apologize. I refuse her offer then she sighs and gives me a hug.
Dad doesn't even try, he is not all emotional about this and treats me like nothing happened. Based on how much he likes playing video games, he must think that I 've already got enough punishment.
The only thing I'm lucky about that fall break is coming and we'll be spending it in Texas. My Dad comes from there and he has a really big family and they are all so unlike him. Still he sure loves Meemaw. But he loved Nana the best. I didn't really know her, she died when I was just two.
So we are going to Galveston for fall break, and I'm a bit worried about how my parents will act when we are in Texas, but I try to stay positive and think about Meemaw's fried chicken instead.
School days are bad as always and Debbie provokes me anytime she finds the occasion to do so, but I try hard not to care about her and count the seconds back when I can get finally out of here for an entire week. I also don't want to give my parents another reason to keep my cool stuff locked up.
On Tuesdays I have to go to the school counselor. I still don't want to talk to her so I just sit here in silence. If she asks I answer. I know I have anger-management issues and I also know that my parents realtionship is totally ruined by Mom's Nobel and Dad's ego, even though I'm not fond of neither expert of social sciences. I know what my problem is and I don't think it's that easy to fix as this woman says. By the way she is not that smart at all. If she was she would be a scientist as Justin's grandma is. By the way dr Beverly Hofstadter is quite an example for knowing something theoratically on an academic level and doing it in real life are not the same thing, as she has great books about raising children, and Justin still hates her. That's the problem with my parents too I guess. They always make theories but never actually do anything. Like about my schooling. They could have tried me for skip grades or switch schools or being home-schooled but they don't. They just make really long and boring arguments about their theories about what would be the best for me.
The day before traveling it turns out to be pointless to worry about mom and dad since dad can't come. He finally has access to a big computer and he and his friends decide to work together on it. I can see Mom is clearly not happy with this as she rolls her eyes while Dad talks. I think she really doesn't want to go to Dad's family without Dad.
" So Mommy, then will you stay too? " I ask. I call her Mommy to really get into her head. I hope she stays and then maybe there would be a really slight chance that she and Dad can work out their issues while we are in Texas.
" No, of course not. You can't fly there all alone. And by the way I can't ask Mary and Missy to babysit you all week. "
" We are old enough! We don't need babysitting. Please, Mommy. "
" No, Nick, that's already decided. I'll go with you. "
" But Mom…"
" Nick. Your mother said it's already decided. "
I grin but stop talking. Life is still really unfair here.
Finally we leave for Texas. It's a long flight but I sleep through most of it. When we arrive at Meemaw's house in Galveston, she greetes us very happily.
" I've been waiting for you so much. I can barely see my genious grandkids. "
Mom smiles, as Meemaw gives us a hug and kisses our cheeks. Dory looks quite happy.
" I'm so sorry Shelly couldn't come. But I'm happy you're here. "
Mom nods politely.
" You seem so sad, darling. Is everything all right? "
" Yes, Mary, thank you for asking. "
So she decided to lie. Well done, Mom, well done.
Meemaw still looks worried.
I get to sleep in Dad's old bedroom with Dory. It's kind of cool as Meemaw still has most of his old stuff and they are quite fun. I'm not happy that Dad is not here but if he would, he would never le tus play the way we actually do. I read his comic books while eating Meemaw's homemade nachos and we play his old nintentdo and sega mega drive while drinking lemonade and we don't use coasters we just put the glasses next to it on the table.
Liam arrives one day later without his parents, who decided to go hiking to Sedona instead. They invited Liam to go with them, but he said he's okay being with us at Meemaw's. I know he's just eager to meet his Galvestone friends.
We sit in the kitchen at the breakfast table when he arrives. He has his dog with him, an English Mastiff named J. J. Watt. He is huge just like Liam and he runs directly to Dory who hugs him happily. As Liam frees himself from Meemaw's welcoming embrace I can hear his bag landing on the floor. A minute later he is already in the kitchen. He winks at Dory who is still busy with J.J., says hello to my Mom and starts to look for cookies or ice cream in the fridge before turning to me.
" What's up, buddy? " he asks with his mouth full.
" I'm fine thanks. "
" Good to hear. I'd like to pay a visit in summer. Only if you're okay with that too, Aunt Amy…" Then he starts whispering but still everyone can hear his words. " I've heard that the girls in California are beautiful and easy. "
Liam is the son of my Dad's sister, Aunt Missy, so he is my cousin. He is only twelve but he seems older. He lives in Texas and visits Meemaw in Galveston really often so he is friendly with all the kids in the neighborhood. Now maybe with girls too. He is said to be kind of cool and if we weren't related I'm sure he would beat the crap out of me. He easily could, as he is really tall and plays football. But luckily we are related and Aunt Missy always encourages him to protect me and not to hurt me. We're not really friends and he hangs almost all the time with the other kids and is really not interested in the things I like, but it's okay. Sometimes he tried to invite me to hang out with them but it didn't really work out. And I tried to keep in touch with him when we got home from Texas and wrote him some emails, but he barely wrote back a sentence or two, so it didn't work out either, but I still like Liam. Sometimes I imagine what would happen if he would attend the same school as I am and how he could handle all my bullies and I'd be popular or at least left alone finally, if I'd be friends with a football player. It's really silly and embarassing considering he lives 1630 miles away in Beaumont.
After he eats he is gone to meet the other kids. Dory decides to go with her as she can't leave that poor dog alone. In the next weeks she will be begging for a dog, I guarantee it.
I stay at home in Dad's room reading an old comic book. I'm in quite a good mood, the best I've had in weeks or probably months. I just had breakfast and I'm not hungry, but I decide to go back downstairs to get some more cocoa, to make my morning more pleasurable.
Mom and Meemaw are there too, talking. I can hear them from the stairs as the door is open.
" So my son is still not over that big prize of yours, is he? "
I can't believe that. Mom and Dad's conflict even reaches to the East Coast.
" He works really hard. His research is amazing. " Mom answers diplomatically.
I don't know why am I listening. Maybe it's because of my scientific curiousity.
" You can tell me, Amy. I know my son. And I pray for him everyday. "
" Well, we have our difficulties. "
" Everyone does, but it seems maybe more than that. "
" Mary, I really appreciate your kindness, but I can't imagine how you could help or why would you want to hear any details. "
" I've already helped you once. I don't know if you still remember it. "
" I do. And thank you. But I don't think reversed psychology would work again. I mean we were just friends back then. "
" Friends… All I've heard for years was that you two are just friends then that you are a couple but it's nothing like that. My son told me for a million times that you two only have the relationship of the mind. The next thing I heard was that you're pregnant. "
Wow, that's news. I mean Meemaw didn't know my parents intentions about starting a family? That's strange.
" Well, that was clearly unexpected. "
Unexpected? Was Mom pregnant before me? What happened to that? For a moment I feel like my life turned into a really bad, old cliché movie, where I accidentally figure out I have a sister or a brother and in the end we'll find each other.
" Sure. It was a surprise, but it still turned out to be a great blessing. "
Blessing? What could my sister or brother be doing? Meemaw knows her or him? This is weird.
" Yeah, he is a good kid. Still got a lot of troubles at school. " Mom says.
Wait. Are they talking about me?
" At least now he looks happy here. I hope he went out with Liam and Dory. But I didn't want to talk about him. I wanted to talk about you and Sheldon. "
They are talking about me! That's weird. It takes time to process even to a mind as fascinating as mine. So I was the unexpected surprise. And now being a surprise surprises me, like it's a surprise-ception.
After my first shock I realize it's not that much a surprise at all. I mean maybe I would have figured it out anyway some years later. I'm just eight, but my parents are clearly not the kind of people who fall in love and want to have kids. It still hurts a little somewhere.
Liam and Dory come home for lunch. I usually love whatever Meemaw cooks but now I don't really feel like eating at all. Liam notices it and maybe because of that he asks me to walk J.J. with him in the afternoon.
I barely speak a word as we reach the Galveston beach. It's kind of windy and I'm almost cold wearing jeans and a simple T-shirt. Liam talks a lot about his school and about football, but when he lets J.J. into the water and we stand in the almost empty shore he starts to ask questions.
" So what's bothering you? "
" Nothing. Just my parents. Guess what, they never even wanted to have me. School's bad too. My classmates just happen to dislike me. "
I don't know why am I telling all this to him. It doesn't makes sense. He can't help me.
" Look, Nick. I've heard your parents story from my Mommy. And I'm totally sure that they always wanted you. "
" Well, yet they didn't. "
" It doesn't matter, does it? They want you now. "
" I guess. "
" The other part… Well I try to explain what I've heard. The point is that people like you, you know really smart ones have problems at school. But they gonna be happy when they find people like them. Meemaw told me something like that, you know, that it happened to your parents too, they got happy as adults when they found each other. "
" They don't seem happy now. "
" I don't know how to answer that. The point is, you should live your own life. Hang out with people. And don't care that much. At all. " he says and we watch how J.J. shakes off the water.
Maybe he's right.
2017
"The beach looks amazing. " Amy said. They were standing on a deserted part of the Galvestone beach, standing on a cliff, looking at the people sunbathing and swimming a mile away. The air was warm and filled the air of the ocean.
"I know. That's why I wanted it to be here. Are you sure, you're okay with this? " Sheldon asked smiling.
"I am. I'm really greatful for you mother. Without her I could never organise all this. "
"Don't you feel sorry that we have to do it in church too? " he asked with a little smile.
"No, it's fine. I really don't mind it. "
"Well, see you soon. I can't wait. From now on whenever I go home my beautiful wife will wait for me with my amazing son."
Amy gave him a smile as he kissed her forehead.
" See you soon too. "
...
"Oh my God, Ames, you look…." Penny said as she stepped into the hotelroom and looked at Amy.
" So different. " Bernadette finished her sentence.
Amy was wearing a white long empire style wedding dress with lace-sleeves.
"Thanks guys. " she said blushing.
"Nervous? " Penny asked.
"Only a little. "
"Then what's wrong? You don't seem that excited. " Penny took a lipstick out of her purse and started to repaint her own mouth standing in front of the mirror
"No, no. I am excited. Really. " Amy tried to hide how insecure she was.
"Sweetie? " Penny asked back.
"Sheldon just said he awaits the moment when he arrives home from work to his beautiful son and his beautiful wife. " Amy finally said sitting down on the bedside.
"Ugh. " Bernadette bited her lips.
"I don't get this one. Why is it a problem? " Penny asked still busy with her lipstick.
"I don't know. It's not really a problem. It's sweet. He is really kind to me and he is the love of my life and I'm marrying him today. "
"Amy! " Bernadette shouted at her.
"Okay, okay, I maybe had a silly little thought…" Amy was looking at the carpet.
"Amy? " Penny dropped her lipstick and turned to her.
"I love him I really do and I've been waiting for this moment literally my entire life, so I'm happy, sure"
"But? " Bernadette asked.
"I don't want to be referred to as a beautiful wife someone wants to come home to. I always thought that that's everything I've ever wanted. But it's not. I'm a scientist. I'm still smart. And I guess I miss working… A little. I know Nick needs me more and…"
" Amy, that's not true. I went back to work half a year ago. If that's what you want, you can have it. " Bernadette tried to console her.
" Yes, but Howard stayed home with Debbie. "
" Yeah. But he goes back to work too in September. You could do the same. "
" But Nick needs me. He's different. He's like us. He'll hate the daycare and they won't be able to improve his skills like I could. "
" He has to learn that too. How to be around people. " Penny told that.
" Yes, but Sheldon is happy with me home. Happy with our schedule. Happy to be the man. It must have been because of this. I mean it's a traditional Texan manly man thing. Plus her Mom had never worked while he was a child, at all. As her wife I want to make him happy. "
" Amy, you are not Mary. Sheldon knows that. " Bernadette stated.
" I know. I know it's silly. "
" No, it's not. " Penn added.
" Maybe it's not, but it doesn't matter. I'm about to marry the love of my life. No matter any kind of little discomfort it is worth it a million times.
Bernadette and Penny shared a worried look.
….
" So our first night as husband and wife. " Sheldon started slowly back in the hotel room somewhat after midnight.
" Yes. Any plans for tonight? " Amy asked playfully.
" Well there's this tradition of socially approved coitus. "
" Sounds fascinating. " she smiled. "Can I ask you a question? "
" You just did. " he said as he loosened his tie sitting on the bed.
" Sheldon. "
" My wife can ask me whatever she wants. " he smiled at her
" I was thinking... About Nick and daycare and work…" Amy didn't look Sheldon in the eye.
" Sounds like a lot of different topics. Is there a connection between them? " he asked.
" Yes, there is. If Nick goes to the daycare, then I can go back to work. "
" Is that what you want? " Sheldon sounded surprised.
" Maybe. " she admitted finally.
" Then you should do it. Maybe wait a couple of months. By that time he will be able to speak and use a potty. He is a really well-developed child. "
" That's actually reasonable. Thank you for advice"
" Neurobiology should thank me for giving it its best scientist back. " he said.
" Oh I'm sure neurobiology is already grateful for that. That's why you have that big, sexy brain of yours. " she gently stroke his back.
" Maybe. Or because the aliens gave me this intellect to change how we see how the universe is working and with that knowledge we can travel to them through time and dimension so they can give me my big brain again. It's a circle solving the time-traveling paradoxon. "
" I know. How about that socially-approved coitus, you were talking about earlier? " she asked giving a kiss on his neck.
" Well, I guess it's a non-optional social convention. " he agreed kissing her back on the lips.
" It kind of is. " she whispered.
" Then there is nothing we can do but follow the tradition…"