The Big Bang Baby [The Big Bang Theory]

Chapter 2

I missed having someone to talk to every Wednesday night when I set the table. I would sit alone, keeping myself company while the adults talked about comic books and other science stuff. Stuff I had no idea what they were talking about half of the time. Sure, my mother and father are both in the science field. My dad is a retired astronaut, now working at NASA to train new upcoming astronauts and improve their training program. My mom still works at the pharmaceutical company she was with when I was born. Now she is the head of sales and bosses other people around—one of her strong points.

I am unsure why I am not interested in science or where genetics got lost. One would think that somehow I inherited my parents' brains for math and everything chemistry, but that did not happen. My brother, Neil, on the other hand, got the genetics thing under control. He has maths and science burned into his brain.

"You know, I missed hanging out with you here," Gregg says, interrupting me from my thoughts. I feel a smile tug on my lips as I bring my drink to my mouth and take a sip.

"So," I start, swallowing the cooldrink down, "you're back for good, or will your parents send you back to the boarding school?" I ask, putting a piece of chicken in my mouth.

"I'm back. Well, that's what my parents said. But you know, anything can happen." Gregg said as he smiled in my direction.

"So, what will you be doing now? I heard you are competing in a science competition at the end of the month." I ask. Gregg is not far behind Neil when it comes to science. With Neil currently off at YALE university, we never see him as often. When he is home for once, the three of us can become out of control for our parents, in a weird way.

Neil and Gregg have been like two peas in a pod regarding anything science-related. They always talk about it and solve math equations together. So, yes, Gregg is also a science genius.

"I'll probably study for that and waiter in between," he says, staring at me with laughter in his eyes.

"Did your mother force you to be a waiter at The Cheesecake Factory again?" I ask with a sigh. Penny always encourages him to work there. According to her, it's the only reason the Cheesecake Factory is still around. Because of young people working there.

"In a way," he answers, putting more food on his fork, "To be honest, I like waitering there."

"You're not serious," I said in a shocked voice, giving him a deadpan look. He nodded in agreement.

"Why don't you come to work there as well?" He asks. Why is he even suggesting this? He knows I hate that place. It gives me the creeps, "It could be fun. And besides, you could earn some extra cash while you're at it," Gregg suggests. The more Gregg talks about this, the more intriguing it starts to sound. I looked at him and smiled.

"Mom," I look over to her sitting on the couch, "could I go and waiter at The Cheesecake Factory?" I ask. The rest of the grownups stopped eating their food and decided to see what I had to say.

"I am not sure. I haven't been updated about the watering world and if people still do it these days. What do you think about it, Penny?" she asked. Back in the day, Penny helped my mom get a job at The cheesecake factory before she did her Ph.D. in Microbiology.

"I don't see it being a problem. Gregg is going to start working there again." Penny said.

"Oh, Lord. Not you as well. I will never let my child work there. Let them work at the University. They will get more learning experience there." Sheldon said, raising his opinion. A small smile appears on my face. That's a very typical Sheldon thing. He just wants the young minds of today to be more informed than sit in front of the TV playing video games.

"Sheldon! Just because you didn't like it there, it does not mean you can disapprove the youth from working there," Amy says to Sheldon. I try not to let a laugh escape my mouth. "They are learning discipline and earning their own money."

"So, is that a yes?" I asked no one in particular, looking around the room for some sort of confirmation.

"I guess." my mom said.

"Great! I'll call the Cheesecake Factory and book a shift for you." Gregg says, getting up from his seat, taking his empty plate with him, and placing it in the sink.

"I need to call the manager. I'll be back," Gregg informs me. I smile at him as he leaves the apartment through the front door. I stand up and take my plate to the sink as well, placing the plate on top of the one Gregg just placed there. I open the sink's tap and let the water run, filling the basin. I pour some dishwashing liquid in, and the bubble immediately starts to form around the dirty dishes.

"The manager said it's fine; you can start tomorrow and be on the same shift as me," Gregg says from behind, giving me a slight fright, some water splashing out of the sink and onto his jacket his wearing. I didn't even hear him returning.

"That's amazing!" I leap towards him and hug my hands around his neck. I pull back and smile at him. "Thanks, Gregg," "No problem. I'm picking you up tomorrow morning at 8. Be ready," Gregg says, giving me a quick peck on the cheek before Sheldon confronts him about his studies, and he's off to where Sheldon is sitting on the couch.