I've been out of work for a week, and I'm going insane in the house. When Liam came to pick Georgia up for the weekend, I asked Jacqueline to handle him. Apparently, he told Jacqueline that he had asked me to resign rather than fired me, but that was still an indication that he no longer wanted me to work at Jameson Records, and what could I have done, anyway? Say no?
I'm flipping mindlessly through the channels with a sour look on my face, sort of like Missy in her teen years, thinking about anything except what is on the television. Jacqueline comes in. "Still brooding, I see?"
"Of course I'm brooding, Jacqueline, I don't have a job anymore," I respond. I sigh. I still can't believe Liam would do such a thing to me. I believed our friendship had evolved enough over the past decade and nearly-a-half that if he had to make a hard decision when it came to me then he would do it with tact and not just spring it on me and change the entire trajectory of my life in the blink of an eye. I am horribly disappointed in him, and I want him to know it. "I'm going to go pay him a visit."
Jacqueline chuckles. "You gonna put a hit out on the father of your child?"
I can't help but smile and shake my head. "No, honey, I'm going to go to his office and demand a reason."
"Are you sure that's a good idea? You don't want security to escort you out," she says.
"I just need to know the reason he decided to ruin my life," I huff.
"Maybe he's in love with you and didn't wanna see ya so much," Jacqueline suggests with a half-smirk although she is serious.
"Jacqueline, that's ridiculous," I scoff, not even wanting to entertain the thought.
"Is it so? I mean, if I had been in his position I would have found you hard to get over. Hell, if you'd never taken me as your girlfriend, I still might not have gotten over you," she admits.
"Really?"
"I would have followed you to the ends of the Earth - as a friend of course," Jacqueline nods with a smile.
"Being in love with me does not constitute firing me," I assert.
"Asking you to resign," Jacqueline corrects, though I fail to see the difference.
"Whatever," I roll my eyes.
"In California, anything is possible," she says playfully, clearly trying to lighten the mood while simultaneously holding to her point.
"Is that like 'everything's bigger in Texas'?" I joke along, a smile growing on my face.
"No, because some things are indeed not possible in California. Everything is bigger in Texas. Especially the egos," Jacqueline smirks.
"You're telling me, I know a Texan with an ego to rival the square mileage of the damn place," I say, referring to my brother, Sheldon.
As if on cue, my phone rings with him as the Caller ID. "I have got to block his number," I scoff before answering the phone. "Howdy."
"Again with the rustic greetings," Sheldon responds. I could swear I can hear his eyes rolling through the phone. "I need to ask a favor."
"No," I say automatically, but stay on the line. I'm only joking, after all.
"I need to you pick me up from work…" he starts.
"And?" I ask, knowing there's more coming.
"And take me to the comic book store, Soup Plantation, RadioShack, and Pottery Barn."
"Of course. You got the gas money for all that?" I ask. Jacqueline raises an eyebrow at me, and I give her a dismissive wave as if to say "Don't worry about it".
"No, I was hoping you would take care of that," Sheldon admits, earning a humourless chuckle from me.
"Sheldon, I lost my job. If I'm doing a favour for you, you should provide the means for me to do it aside from the car," I respond firmly.
"I don't see how that's my responsibility, but we're family so you should do this for me," Sheldon retorts.
"No, but I can tell you what you can do for me and just where to do it," I say, frustration palpable in my tone.
"Well, if you had the same attitude at your former workplace as you have towards me, then it's no surprise that you were fired," Sheldon says with his usual arrogance.
"Well, here's a surprise, then," I say before snapping the phone shut.
"So it was Sheldon?" Jacqueline asks.
I nod in confirmation, sighing.
"What did he want?"
"A free cab," I say sarcastically "but I'd rather job hunt instead."
"Didn't you get a severance package?" Jacqueline asks. "I heard you talking to him about gas money."
"Yes, but I have a family to take care of that doesn't involve a needy physicist with his own job," I explain. "It's quite simple, if he won't provide the funds, I won't provide the wheels."
"Sounds like Georgie," Jacqueline quips at that last sentence.
I chuckle. "I miss that savvy salesman."
"I guess we're not doing that trip back home for a while, are we?" Jacqueline says with an undertone of melancholy. I know she misses Texas. So do I.
"I've got half a mind to make Liam pay for it," I say bitterly.
"He'd have to come with us for that," Jacqueline points out.
"Who says?"
"He would."
"Did he ever give you a straight answer?" I ask, remembering that she said she'd talk to him about why he asked me to resign.
"No, and I still hold to what I just said," Jacqueline says, referring to Liam being in love with me.
"I think you're delusional, Jacqueline," I scoff.
"Someone's gotta be," she shrugs, smiling. "Regardless, I need a ride."
"Where to?" I ask. "And doesn't your car work?"
"It does. I'd just much rather have you take me, 'cause I kinda like you." Jacqueline says playfully, adding a wink.
"I guess that's a good enough reason," I chuckle softly, standing and grabbing my keys.
"So, I don't have gas money but you'll take me without knowing where I want to go?" Jacqueline asks with a raised eyebrow as we head out the door.
"I see the point you're attempting to make, and it's not the same. You're my girl, he's a thorn in my side." I respond with an eye roll.
"Maybe it's not the same, but it still speaks volumes about your relationship," Jacqueline says.
"Jacqueline, you know as well as I do that growing up I had to deal with Sheldon coming before everything. Needs, wants, all of it. Our mother ignored us. Maybe it's his turn to be ignored," I shrug, opening the passenger door for her before moving to the driver's side and entering my side.
"Seems a little cold, don't you think?" Jacqueline asks as we shut our respective doors.
"Nope. Anyway, where are we going?"
"I want to go apply at The Cheesecake Factory,"
"That's where Penny works," I remind her, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, it would be nice to work with someone I just kind of know," Jacqueline says.
"You really don't get out much, huh?" I tease.
"Last time I got out, you nearly ended up leaving me."
"You kissed another woman."
"She kissed me," Jacqueline sighs, "I pushed her away"
"I know, I just like to push your buttons because I'm the only one who doesn't see the consequences," I say, giving her a mischievous grin before starting up my Escalade.
"Guess I just have a bit of a soft spot for ya," she flirts, giving me a kiss on the cheek.
…
About a week later, I'm entering Sheldon's apartment. As I enter, there is a woman with Sheldon, evidently giving him a pedicure as he's on his laptop. "What in god's…"
"Dr. Cooper's working," the woman tells me in an annoyed tone as I enter.
"Thanks for the clarification," I say, unimpressed. "Who are you?"
"I'm Ramona Nowitzki. I'm helping Dr. Cooper with his work, which you're interrupting." The girl gives me a pointed look, obviously attempting to make me leave immediately, but I'm not easily intimidated.
"Trust me, if me interrupting Shelly while he was working stood in the way of his progress, he would be a degenerate running the streets by now," I joke.
She looks unamused. "Shelly? Great scientists like Dr. Cooper shouldn't be referred to by such childish names."
"I've found that when you shove a guy's face in the mud, you can call him anything, especially childish names," I quip again, undeterred by her clear disdain for me.
"I'm not sure who you think you are-" she starts.
"Right, allow me to enlighten you," I chuckle, interrupting her unapologetically. "I'm Charlotte Cooper."
"Cooper…Dr Cooper's sister," Ramona says, sounding a bit humbled now. "I'm sorry, I didn't realise."
"I suppose it's alright. Sheldon," I address him, turning to him, "I'm here to pick you up and take you to Encino, remember?"
"Encino? Dr. Cooper didn't mention any plans." Ramona interjects.
"Well, I suppose that was an error of his, but he'll be leaving with me now. Thank you for helping him with his work, I'm sure he appreciates it," I assert, waving for Sheldon to come along.
"Dr. Cooper hasn't finished his work. He'll be with you when he's finished."
My first instinct is to absolutely demolish this strange girl that has the nerve to try and interfere with family plans, but I restrain myself and look to Sheldon. "Shelly, what do you want to do? Come visit your niece in Encino or continue your work?"
Sheldon seems conflicted, torn between familial obligations and his dedication to his work"Um…I'm not quite sure."
"Well, it is up to you, Sheldon, but you did agree to these plans weeks ago, presumably before this-" I gesture between them "-happened."
Sheldon pauses. "While I did agree to visit Encino," he says, "Ramona and I are in a critical phase of our research. Can we reschedule our visit?"
"I suppose so, but you risk disappointing Georgia," I warn, my tone tinged with concern for my daughter's feelings.
"I'm sure she'll live," Ramona says, shooting me a glare that I want to smack off of her face.
I restrain myself from making this a bigger problem. "I'll see you later, Shelly. Displeased to meet you, Ramona."
As I turn to leave, I see Ramona's smug expression. She obviously feels victorious that Sheldon chose working with her over his own family, but that's okay. Next time she won't feel so victorious.
…
A couple of weeks later, I'm at Penny's apartment, sipping wine. Reality TV is played at low volume as background noise.
"Do you know what the deal with this Ramona chick is?" Penny asks.
"She's super intense, I think she's got a thing for Sheldon," I say.
"A thing? She won't even let him be around any of his friends anymore," she tells me.
I raise my eyebrows at that. "Wait, what? Really?"
Penny nods. "Yeah, she's kept him from going to Halo night or paintball. Won't really let him do anything but work with her."
I set my glass down. "Wait, are you serious? No downtime? He's going to burn out that way."
"I'm sure she has a plan for that, too," Penny says, taking a sip and rolling her eyes.
"So, my brother's being manipulated by that schoolgirl? And has he expressed any discomfort?" I ask, my eyebrows furrowed in concern.
Penny shrugs again. "We wouldn't know. He's hardly been allowed to talk to us."
"Pardon? Allowed?"
"She's got him on such a short leash," Penny explains. "Any time we try to talk to him, she's right there trying to control the conversation."
I shake my head. "I can't believe Sheldon's letting her do this."
"I know. It's so not like him to do. Maybe we should get him alone, somehow. Make him see what she's doing," Penny suggests.
Just then, three knocks sound on the door. "Penny." Three more. "Penny." Three more. "Penny."
"Maybe that won't be so hard."
Penny goes to open the door to find Sheldon there, out of breath. "Sheldon, honey, I've told you, it's a small apartment, you only have to knock one-."
"Please, please, I don't have a lot of time. Look, Ramona finally dozed off, and I need you to help me get rid of her," Sheldon says anxiously.
Penny pauses and takes a deep breath before asking, "Get rid of her how?"
"I don't know, but apparently I'm in some kind of relationship, and you seem to be an expert at ending them," Sheldon says plainly.
Penny pauses again, and says in an offended tone, "Excuse me?"
"I see man after man leaving this apartment never to return," Sheldon observes.
Penny begins, "Okay, first of all, it is not man after man."
Ramona's voice is heard from across the hall: "Dr. Cooper?!"
"Hide me," Sheldon demands of Penny, as I start toward the door.
"Hide you?" Penny asks incredulously.
"I formally request sanctuary," Sheldon begs.
"Why aren't you working?" Ramona asks from the doorway of Sheldon's apartment, and I look at her with my arms folded.
Sheldon seems to startle at her voice. "Um… she distracted me. I told you, Penny, I don't have time for your nonsense, I have important things to do." He starts moving across the hall and into his apartment.
"Okay, that's enough." I intervene, walking over to Ramona. "Out."
"Excuse me?" Ramona asks with an eyebrow raised, challenging me.
"Want me to say it again? Dr. Cooper's had enough of you, and frankly, so have I. Out."
"I'm not going anywhere. You don't know what's best for Sheldon," Ramona insists, crossing her arms defiantly.
I scoff. "I did not spend the last 28 years deciding what's best for Sheldon for some obsessive heifer to come along and decide it for him,"
" 'Obsessive heifer'? How dare you?"
"With gusto. I'm serious, though," I assert. "If you aren't allowing my brother to live his life, you can leave it."
"That isn't your decision to make."
"Maybe not, but Shelly just came to Penny's door hoping that she could help him get rid of you. Tell me, grad student. You're awfully astute. What do you reckon that means?"
Ramona scoffs. "He's just confused. He doesn't understand that I'm the only one that's there for him."
I squint at her, baffled and quite pissed that she believes she's the only one who cares and is there for my little brother. "Huh. Is that right? Well, I've got something on my hip that can be there for you if you don't beat it."
"Are you threatening me?" Ramona asks, seeming a little disturbed.
"No. It's only a threat if there's an option of no follow-through. Doesn't apply here," I say, staring her down. Learned it from my MeeMaw.
Penny interjects. "Come on, surely we can find a compromise that doesn't lead to-"
"Compromise? She wants to shoot me!" Ramona exclaims.
"That's a compromise where I come from," I shrug, beginning to move back toward Penny's apartment.
"And where are you from?" Ramona asks.
"Guess, brainiac." I say sarcastically, over my shoulder.
"A monastery in Tibet?"
"Gross, is that what happens when you attempt to be clever?"
Sheldon appears in the doorway of his apartment. "Alright, I think it's time that Ramona and I get back to our work."
"Thank you, Dr. Cooper," Ramona says, with yet another victorious and smug grin. I roll my eyes at her and go back in to Penny's apartment.
"Did you have to threaten her?" Penny asks as she closes the door behind us..
"No," I admit, " but it was kind of fun."
Penny chuckles. "Well, Jacqueline's going to like hearing about that."
I chuckle and nod in agreement. Maybe my girlfriend has rubbed off on me after all.
…
"Hello, love," Jacqueline calls from the kitchen as I enter the house. "How was your hang out with Penny?"
"Pretty good, I got into a bit of a spat with Sheldon's collaborator," I say, mildly embarrassed.
"Really? A spat without me? I'm offended," Jacqueline says playfully, coming into view in the doorway of the kitchen.
"I even mentioned my firearm," I say teasingly.
"I'm doubly offended, I would have wanted to see that," she says, coming up to give me a kiss.
"Well, what's for dinner?" I ask, walking with her into the kitchen, where Georgia is sat at the dining table.
"Definitely not eggs benny," Georgia says, with a glare at Jacqueline, who chuckles.
"What is it with you and that eggs benny?" I ask, raising an eyebrow as I sit at my usual seat.
"Well, regardless, it's not eggs benny. We're having lamb stew," Jacqueline asserts, beginning to serve the food.
"I'd rather eggs benny," Georgia says in sing-song.
"It is 8 o'clock in the evening," Jacqueline points out.
"Never too late for eggs benny," Georgia shrugs.
"I'll be deciding that," Jacqueline squints playfully. She finishes serving the food and sits down to eat, herself.
"So, you wanted to shoot someone?" Georgia asks me.
"You didn't hear that," I say, trying to wave it away.
"I heard it loud and clear. What's the sitch?" Georgia asks, ever the nosy teenager.
"Well, someone was messing with your Uncle Sheldon and I don't take too kindly to that," I explain, hoping that's enough.
"Hm. Well, I wish I had a sibling to defend me like that," Georgia says.
"Really?" Jacqueline asks, looking up from her food.
"Yeah, but I know it's not possible so it's fine." Georgia shrugs, but there's a sadness to her mannerisms.
Jacqueline and I look at each other. We know that it isn't possible for us to give Georgia another sibling on our own, and I don't know if Liam will even have another kid. Growing up with three siblings was a frustrating but enriching experience and it makes me sad that Georgia wants but will never have that. I mentally resolve to find a way to make that happen for her. How it will, I don't know. But I'll figure it out.
