Chapter 13 — Emails and My Figures
Leo sat at his desk, turned on the lamp, and opened the laptop. The screen lit the room with a soft glow as the inbox unfolded, full of messages.
The first one he checked came from the publisher. The subject read: *"Progress on your books"*. The email detailed the good reception his recent articles had received and the proposal to gather them into a broader volume. They suggested expanding chapters, adding more narrative context, and considering a personal prologue. Leo read it calmly, making mental notes. The idea of a prologue made him reflect: he could talk about how he had arrived there, about the unexpected paths that had led him to write, about how science and narrative had intertwined in his life. He closed the email with a sense of satisfaction, knowing his work was finding resonance beyond academic circles.
The next email was from his mother. The subject, brief: *"How are you?"*. Upon opening it, he found a list of concise questions: how was his health, how was work, how were his friends, was he eating well, was he resting enough. He immediately recognized the pattern. His mother was too lost in her research, so focused on building educational theories that she didn't see what was wrong in his life or what he truly needed. For her, every detail was study material. Leo wasn't upset or saddened; he simply decided he didn't want to keep feeding that dynamic. With one click, he placed her emails directly into the spam folder. No more messages turning him into an object of analysis.
The third email was from his father. The subject read: *"Research progress"*. The message was full of details about the project he was working on: recent experiments, hypotheses beginning to take shape, the excitement of discovering something new. At the end, he asked how Leo was, how his life was, how his friends were. Leo, amused. With his father the relationship was different: there was genuine interest, curiosity to share and to listen. He decided to reply immediately.
He wrote about his own research, the articles he was preparing, and the publications that had appeared in scientific journals. Then he added a paragraph about the guys, describing them precisely and warmly. *"Sheldon is a genius specialized in string theory, brilliant and meticulous, though sometimes too rigid in his way of seeing the world. Howard is my engineer friend, creative and always ready to joke, but with real skill for solving technical problems. Raj is my astrophysicist friend, sensitive and passionate about the universe, someone who always brings a different and human perspective to any conversation."*
He told him how each one, with their peculiarities, contributed something different: Sheldon with his relentless logic, Howard with his constant humor, Raj with his genuine enthusiasm. He explained that beyond their professions, what fascinated him was seeing how they complemented each other as people, how their talents reflected in everyday life. He ended the email thanking his father for always being interested in him and wishing him success in his research.
The last message was from his sister. The subject read: *"Hello, brother"*. The email was brief, direct, without embellishments, but different from the cold tone of the others. She asked how he was, congratulated him on his scientific publications, and added that if he needed anything, he could call her. Leo read it attentively. His sister had never been especially warm, but she was the least cold in the family. Unlike his mother, who studied him, and his father, who treated him as a colleague, she had treated him "well enough." Now, it seemed his work had impressed her and that she wanted to improve the relationship, perhaps because she too had escaped from the house and understood what it meant to take distance.
Leo decided to reply. He told her he was fine, that he had been working on new writing projects, and that he remained surrounded by brilliant and peculiar friends. He thanked her for her congratulations and told her he would call soon, not because he needed anything, but because he wanted to talk.
---
Leo continued checking his inbox when one email in particular caught his attention. It was from Sheldon, written in his usual formal and almost legalistic tone, announcing his mother's upcoming visit. The message referred to the articles of the roommate agreement, as if it were a contract that had to be followed to the letter.
Leo couldn't help but laugh as he read it. He knew Sheldon well and his way of turning any everyday situation into a matter regulated by strict rules. The email explained that Mary Cooper would be passing through the city, since she planned to visit a relative, and would take the opportunity to spend some time with them.
Closing the message, Leo reflected. He remembered Mary Cooper as an incredible mother, someone who had always looked after her children with genuine dedication. Widowed for several years, deeply religious and proudly Texan, Mary was charming as a human being. She had that sweetness that made anyone feel welcome, and at the same time a firmness that commanded respect. For Leo, without a doubt, she was an exemplary mother, a warm and authentic presence that left a mark on those who knew her.
With a smile, he drafted his reply to Sheldon. He confirmed he was fine with the visit and had no problem with it. The tone was brief and cordial, knowing that for Sheldon the important thing was the written record of his acceptance.
After sending the email, Leo leaned back in his chair, still smiling. He thought it would be pleasant to meet Mary Cooper, even briefly, and that her presence might change Sheldon.
---
The apartment door opened and the smell of Thai food filled the place. Howard and Raj entered carrying bags, while Sheldon walked behind them with a satisfied look, as if everything were under control.
Howard set the bags on the table and sighed.
"There you go, Thai food night. Sheldon forbade us from bringing anything else, so no escape."
Raj arranged the containers and smiled.
"Well, at least it smells amazing. Red curry, pad thai, spring rolls… I'm not complaining."
Leo, who was on the sofa, leaned forward.
"With that smell you can't concentrate. Let's eat."
They all sat around the table and began serving themselves. Between bites, Howard spoke enthusiastically.
"By the way, this weekend I'm going to an engineering convention. It's huge, full of conferences and technology booths. They're going to show giant plasma TVs, ultra‑thin laptops, cell phones with huge screens, and even prototypes of domestic robots."
Raj looked up with a knowing smile.
"And I'm going with him. Someone has to make sure he doesn't get lost among the drones and portable GPS units."
Howard gave him a friendly nudge.
"Come on, Raj, you know I only get lost in the video game console booths. Robots I handle perfectly."
Leo laughed while tasting the pad thai.
"Sounds fun. What are you expecting to see there?"
Howard settled into his chair, animated.
"There'll be presentations of new materials, 3D printers in development, and a panel on how to integrate smaller chips into all kinds of devices. Plus, they say they're going to show a robotic arm capable of assembling parts with surgical precision."
Raj added, more relaxed:
"And there are also talks on renewable energy. That's the part I'm interested in, though I know Howard goes straight to the gadgets."
Howard raised his chopsticks like a trophy.
"Exactly! Gadgets are the best. Who wants to hear about solar panels when you can see a cell phone that plays music, videos, and even has a built‑in camera?"
Leo laughed.
"Well, depends on the camera. If it takes decent photos, then it's worth it."
Raj shook his head, amused.
"That's what I'm saying, Howard. You get excited about flashy things and forget what's important."
Sheldon, who had been eating silently, intervened seriously.
"Engineering conventions are useful if they focus on real advances. Plasma TVs and big‑screen cell phones are just distractions. What matters is applied research."
Howard looked at him with a mocking smile.
"Thanks, Sheldon, for turning any conversation into an academic report. But believe me, people also go for the fun."
Leo raised his glass of water and toasted lightly.
"To fun, then. May the convention give you something useful… and also some laughs."
Raj raised his plate.
"And to Thai food, which at least tonight turned out perfect."
Howard laughed while taking another bite of curry.
"That's true, Sheldon may be a culinary tyrant, but you have to admit he has good taste."
Sheldon looked at them with a passive‑aggressive expression.
"I'm not a tyrant. I simply set clear rules to avoid gastronomic chaos."
Howard and Raj looked at each other and burst out laughing, while Leo joined them with a smile. The night continued with jokes, comments about the convention, and laughter that filled the apartment.
---
"What do you think if after dinner we go to a comic book store? I heard there's one nearby," said Leo, getting up from the sofa.
Howard smiled.
"That sounds perfect! Nothing like ending the night with a bit of pop culture," said Howard.
Raj nodded.
"Yeah, it's always fun to see what rare issues show up on the shelves," said Raj.
Sheldon adjusted his glasses.
"I hope they have a decent classification system. I can't stand when continuity gets mixed," said Sheldon.
---
When they arrived, the group entered and the smell of paper filled the air. Behind the counter was Stuart, pale and calm, flipping through a comic. Leo recognized him internally but said nothing.
"Good evening," said Leo, approaching the counter.
"Hello, welcome. First time here?" said Stuart, in a calm voice.
"Yes, we wanted to see what you have," said Leo.
Howard looked around.
"Nice place. You can tell you take care of it," said Howard.
Raj was already browsing a shelf.
"Look at this! They've got *Green Lantern* and *Flash* issues I was missing," said Raj, excited.
Sheldon approached firmly.
"Do you have *Fantastic Four* #48? It's fundamental for any serious collection," said Sheldon.
Stuart pointed to a display case.
"Yes, I have it. It's in good condition," said Stuart.
Sheldon took it reverently.
"Excellent. I'll take it," said Sheldon.
Leo moved to another section.
"What about Batman? I'm looking for darker stories," said Leo.
Stuart showed some volumes.
"I've got *The Killing Joke* and *Hush*. They're very popular," said Stuart.
Howard flipped through one.
"This one's brutal. Joker versus Batman, the eternal classic," said Howard.
Leo, intrigued, pointed to the figure display case.
"I'll take these Justice League figures: Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. And also Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy," said Leo.
Howard raised his hand.
"I want those two villains too. I can't be left behind," said Howard, amused.
Raj already had several issues in his hand.
"I'm taking these Green Lantern comics. I can't believe I found them here," said Raj.
Sheldon, with his Galactus comic in hand, looked at Stuart.
"Your store, though small, has valuable material. That deserves recognition," said Sheldon, in a passive‑aggressive tone.
"Thanks… I guess. I try to keep the best I can," said Stuart, calmly.
The counter filled with laughter and comments as Stuart attended them. Leo thought how curious it was to see his friends discovering this place, while he knew Stuart would eventually become part of their world.
---
"So, what else do you have around here?" said Leo, while Stuart carefully arranged the figures and comics they had chosen.
Stuart looked up with a shy smile.
"A bit of everything. I try to keep classic material and some special editions. Though it's not always easy, you know, it's not like people line up to buy comics every day," said Stuart, calmly.
Howard leaned on the counter, looking around curiously.
"Well, you should put up a sign that says: 'Geniuses are made here.' That way you'd attract more people like us," said Howard, jokingly.
Raj let out a soft laugh.
"Howard, if that were the case, the store would be empty most of the time," said Raj, amused.
Sheldon frowned, adjusting his posture.
"I disagree. The term 'genius' is used far too loosely. If it were truly applied, then yes, the store would be empty… except for me," said Sheldon, seriously.
Leo laughed, trying to ease the tension.
"Well, Stuart, looks like you already know the group. Howard cracks jokes, Raj smooths them out, Sheldon corrects everyone, and I try to keep them from killing each other," said Leo, lightly.
Stuart, amused, placed the comics in protective bags.
"Sounds like a good balance. Honestly, I like when people come and stay to chat. Makes the place feel less… empty," said Stuart, with a hint of melancholy.
Howard looked at him curiously.
"Empty? Come on, this place has personality. Look at all those shelves. It's like a geek temple," said Howard, animated.
Raj nodded.
"Yeah, it's cozy. Not like those impersonal stores where everything's in cold display cases. Here it feels more… human," said Raj.
Sheldon, without losing his critical tone, added:
"Human, yes, but still with deficiencies in the classification system. Though I must admit having *Fantastic Four #48* available is a point in your favor," said Sheldon.
Stuart shrugged.
"Well, I do what I can. It's not easy keeping a comic store. Most people prefer to spend on other things," said Stuart.
Leo looked at him with interest.
"And how did you start with this? I mean, not just anyone opens a comic store," said Leo.
Stuart settled behind the counter, thoughtful.
"I always liked comics. I grew up reading Batman and Spider‑Man. One day I thought: 'Why not open a place where I can share that with others?' And here I am. Though, of course, it's not the most profitable business in the world," said Stuart, honestly.
Howard raised his hands theatrically.
"That's passion! I say if you survive selling comics, you deserve a medal," said Howard.
Raj added with a shy smile.
"Yeah, because it's not just selling. It's keeping a part of culture alive," said Raj.
Sheldon intervened, in a solemn tone.
"Comics are more than culture. They are historical documents of the evolution of graphic entertainment. Each issue reflects the social context of its time. That is why it is important to preserve them," said Sheldon.
Howard looked at him mockingly.
"Historical documents? Come on, Sheldon, we're not in a museum. We're in a store where Leo just bought figures of sexy villains," said Howard, laughing.
Leo raised his hands, amused.
"Hey! Don't judge me. Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy are iconic characters. Besides, admit they look awesome," said Leo.
Stuart chimed in, while putting the figures into protective boxes.
"They're among the most popular, believe me. Many customers come for them. You're not the only one," said Stuart.
Howard leaned toward Leo.
"See? You're not alone in your taste. And since I'm taking the same ones, now we're partners in villains," said Howard, conspiratorially.
Raj shook his head, amused.
"You two look like teenagers at a cosplay convention," said Raj.
Sheldon, with a serious expression, added:
"The figures are irrelevant. What matters is narrative continuity. Although I must admit Harley Quinn represents an interesting phenomenon: a character created for animation who was later integrated into the main canon," said Sheldon.
Howard looked at him sarcastically.
"Thanks, Sheldon, for turning everything into an academic lecture," said Howard.
Leo laughed, looking at Stuart.
"You see how he is. He always has a fact ready to ruin the magic," said Leo.
Stuart shrugged, with a shy smile.
"Well, at least it shows he takes it seriously. Not all customers know that much," said Stuart.
Howard leaned toward Stuart.
"And you? Who's your favorite character?" said Howard.
Stuart thought for a moment.
"I think Spider‑Man. I always liked the idea of a hero who also has everyday problems. It's easier to relate to him," said Stuart.
Raj nodded.
"Yeah, that's what makes him special. He's not perfect, but he keeps going," said Raj.
Sheldon frowned.
"Spider‑Man is interesting, but his continuity is full of inconsistencies. The multiple universes, the alternate versions… it's chaos," said Sheldon.
Howard looked at him mockingly.
"And what do you propose, Sheldon? That they make an instruction manual for every hero?" said Howard.
Sheldon replied seriously.
"Exactly. A continuity manual would be the most logical," said Sheldon.
Leo laughed, while Stuart finished preparing the bags.
"Well, Stuart, looks like you're already part of our dynamic. What do you think of all this?" said Leo.
Stuart answered, calmly.
"I think it's fun. I don't always have customers who stay to chat. Most come in, buy, and leave. It's nice to have a group that really enjoys talking about comics," said Stuart.
Howard raised his soda cup he had brought.
"To that! A toast to comic book stores that survive thanks to people like us," said Howard.
Raj raised his bag of comics.
"And to the unexpected finds. I didn't think I'd find these issues today," said Raj.
Sheldon raised his comic solemnly.
"And to the preservation of historical continuity," said Sheldon.
Leo raised his box of figures.
"And to the sexy villains that make everything more fun," said Leo, laughing.
Stuart looked at them, amused.
"I don't think I've ever had a toast in my store. It's a nice change," said Stuart.
---
The conversation continued with jokes and laughter. Howard told anecdotes from past conventions, exaggerating situations to make everyone laugh. Raj shared stories of how he had started collecting comics, recalling his childhood. Sheldon, true to his style, interrupted to correct historical or technical details, which provoked more jokes from Howard.
Leo watched everything with a smile. He thought how curious it was to see his friends interacting with Stuart, a character he knew would eventually become part of their world, though they didn't yet recognize him as such.
Stuart, for his part, seemed to enjoy the company. His melancholic air softened with each laugh, with each comment. It was clear he appreciated having a group that not only bought, but also shared his passion.
"You should come more often," said Stuart, as he handed over the bags.
"This place needs more nights like this."
Howard nodded.
"Count on us. Though next time, bring figures that are more… let's say, daring," said Howard, winking.
Raj nudged him gently.
"Howard, behave. Not everything is about sexy villains," said Raj, laughing.
Sheldon raised his comic.
"What matters is that they have quality material. That's what will make us come back," said Sheldon.
Leo looked at Stuart and smiled.
"You'll see us again. That's for sure," said Leo.
---
The night ended with the group leaving the store.