The Big Bang Baby [The Big Bang Theory]

Chapter 5

My first day at The Cheesecake Factory was quite hectic. My feet are sore just from one day of people ordering me around. I never thought being a waitress would take so much energy out of me. I am happy that my shift is over. Now I can relax and watch my favorite TV show.

"The winner of this week's episode is-" Heidi Klum said over on the Television.

My phone buzzed on the couch next to me. I quickly paused the TV show and looked at my phone screen. A familiar name is flashing on my phone screen, and I nearly scream as I recognize the name.

"You're not serious. Niel, Is this you?" I asked the person on the other side. Niel is my younger brother who inherited the brains in the family. Well, more brains than me. He flew past me in school and got accepted into YALE a few years back.

"You don't have my number on your phone?" he asked.

"I do, but I didn't expect to hear from you until later this year."

"Can't I call my big sister to talk to her?"

"I suppose you can. So, what's up?" I asked curiously.

"Nothing much. How are things on that side?"

"Well, Raj decided to go back to online dating. And let me tell you, I don't think it went that well. He left the restaurant without even saying goodbye."

"Wait. Since when do you know what's going on in the life of Raj?" he asked.

"Since I started working at The Cheesecake Factory today," I said proudly over the phone.

"You're not serious, are you? That place is for losers." Neil stated. I frown at that statement. He does not like the place. It's as if he has become Sheldon.

"You can't say that! Besides, I'm only doing it for some pocket money. Nothing else." I counter back at him.

"Yeah, right," He says, pausing. "Anyway, It was nice talking to you, Halley, but I need to go," before I could respond, the dial tone filled my ears. I looked at the blank screen, surprised that he had the guts to hang up on me. Neil was the one who called me. He didn't even talk for that long or ask about what was going on in my personal life. At least he knows I have a job now.

The front door opens, and mom walks in. I whip my head in her direction, quickly turning off the TV in front of me.

"Hey, Halley. How was your first day waitressing?" she asks, putting her things down and heading for the kitchen. I stood up and followed her through the door.

"Other than my feet being seriously sore, It was good. Raj was also there, which was a surprise. I asked what he was doing there, and he told me he started online dating again."

"Seriously? What did he look like when he left?" She asked.

"He didn't even say goodbye, so I'm not sure." I paused for a second, thinking about what I had just said. Raj always says goodbye.

"By the way, mom, Neil just called me," I say,

"Oh. What's happening in your brother's life?" my mom asked, taking out the bottle of cold water from the fridge.

"Not sure. Neil asked me what I was up to, and I told him I had started waitressing at the cheesecake factory. Then said he needed to go. Who calls someone and then says they want to put the phone down just as the conversation starts to get good."

"Your brother." my mom said, taking out a glass from the cabinet and pouring herself some water.

"Something's not right. Something is going on. If your brother is planning to cheat on his finals again," I say but couldn't wrap my head around it. The last time he cheated on his final exams at YALE, he was nearly expelled from classes. But the dean of YALE said he has so much potential that he will overlook it once.

"He will never do that again. That I can assure you," my mother said to me. I looked at her, confused. "Just trust me." I nod and give her a hug.

"I love you, mom."

"I love you too, sweetie," she said as she patted my back. I walk out of the kitchen and towards Neil's room. I knock on the door, but there is no answer. I'm sure why I nocked. I push it open and see that his bed is empty. Neil hasn't been home in 4 weeks, spending his weekends at the university.

My mother has always not been the best cook; she can make the basic meals, but it's not as if she can make a five-star meal. I walk out of his room and towards the living room. I hear a noise from the kitchen, so I walk back in that direction.

"Mom, what are you cooking?" I ask as I walk over to the kitchen island. "I'm making your favorite," she says with a smile. I sit at the kitchen table and watch as she starts to cook. I can smell the garlic and onions and know it will be good.

"What smells so good in here?" my father's voice asks, walking into the kitchen. He just came home from work and still has his work case in his hands. He walks up to my mom and kisses her on the cheek.

"I'm so glad you're cooking for us tonight," he says.

"I know I don't have the best cooking skills, but I love to make your favorite dish," she says as she starts to serve us dinner.

"Froot Loops?" My dad asks hopefully. Since I can remember, my dad has loved Fruit Loops. I am unsure why he has an obsession with it. The people at work even call him fruit loops as a nickname. We all sit down at the kitchen table and begin to eat. It's been a while since my mom has cooked for us, and it smells great.

"No. Just plain old Jewish ravioli."