Los Angeles.
St. Bonaventure Hospital of San Jose.
"Did everyone learn something?"
After finishing the surgery, Adam went to visit Howard in his hospital room. Rather than speaking to Howard, who was lying there with his head down, he looked at the crowd of intern doctors.
"We did."
Everyone answered in unison.
"Adam?"
Hearing Adam's voice, Howard immediately raised his head, his voice trembling with tears. "I'm just allergic to peanuts. Did I really need a colonoscopy?"
"Dr. Stephen, you explain it to Mr. Wolowitz."
Rather than answering directly, Adam called on one of the female interns.
"It was necessary..."
The female intern, Stephen, immediately gave the medical explanation, making Howard, whose ears had gone numb from hearing it so many times, lower his head again.
"Can you make them leave?"
Howard said helplessly.
"All right, you can all leave. When you get back, each of you write a reflection and send it to me."
Adam said this with a straight face.
"Yes, Chief."
The interns answered with smiles, then filed out.
"You did that on purpose, didn't you?!"
Howard was no fool. How could he not see what Adam was doing?
"Of course."
Adam smiled. "As my friend, you always get the best medical care. Besides, it was only a colonoscopy. I don't believe you've never had one before."
"Not in front of that many people!"
Howard shouted. "And ever since I went to college, my mom has only taken my temperature under my arm... so this was the first time in years, okay? Are you satisfied now?"
"Whatever you say."
Adam smiled faintly. "I believe you."
"..."
Howard wanted to explain further, but when he met Adam's teasing, amused smile, he gave up in frustration. "Am I okay now? I still need to get back to the birthday