"Natalie," Monk whined, "I don't understand why you're so mad at me. I don't understand why you haven't talked to me in 3 days"

"You don't? Oh there are so many things to choose from within the past few days. Could it be the way you spoke down to me yesterday like I was some stupid kid? Maybe it had to do with the fact that you hid my cameo pin that Mitch had gotten me for our anniversary or the fact that you've been insulting me or the fact that you're consistently pointing out what I've done wrong or the fact that you supported a person that was being a jerk to me on the anniversary of my husband's death"

Monk sighed and closed his eyes. He knew he was being particularly hard on Natalie lately.

"I'll give the pin back in a couple of days," he promised.

Clearly Adrian Monk was not grasping the concept of what he did and why it was wrong. Natalie would have to use a strong illustration to explain.

"Let me put it in a way you'll understand Mr. Monk. If I were Trudy would you talk down to me the way you've been talking down to me lately?"

"Natalie how is that fair. You're comparing yourself to Trudy. You're not Trudy. Nobody but Trudy will ever be Trudy"

Natalie ran a hand through her hair.

"Be that as it may you have neglected to answer my question. If I were Trudy would you have acted the way you did-"

"No," Monk said, "and DAMNIT I should have"

Natalie looked at him confused.

"What do you mean?"

"I can't be positive with anyone anymore"

"WHY NOT"

"BECAUSE THAT WOULD BE BETRAYING TRUDY!"

"Okay you have got to explain this because I am very confused"

"When she was alive, before she died I was so gentle so positive so protective of her. If I had been a little tougher she would still be alive"

"What?"

"Trudy was sick the day she had to go out. I should have insisted she didn't go anywhere. If I had-"

"She would have been killed another day Mr. Monk. It's not your fault," Natalie told him

Monk sighed

"I wish I could believe that"

"Well it's true," Natalie said and hugged him. He didn't even flinch.

"Thank you I needed that"

"Now give me my pin," Natalie told him

"In a few d-"

"Now or I take your Trudy pillow and all your pictures,' Natalie ordered

"Yes ma'am," he said and he hurried to get the pin.