A New Assistant (3.10)
(After saving Mr. Henry)
"Mr. Monk, thank you", said Natalie.
Monk closely watched the heartfelt moment between Natalie and Julie. He started remembering the time when he and Trudy discussed having a family, a family that alas, he could not have. More than anything else, he wanted a family, just like the one he was seeing before him. Lost in his thoughts, Monk did not notice Natalie placing a hand on his arm.
"What is wrong Monk?"
"Nothing", he replied. "I'm happy for your fish. I'm happy for your daughter. You have a beautiful daughter".
"Thank you", Natalie replied softy. "Would you like to have dinner with us tonight?"
Monk shirked at the idea of dinner. Dinner. Did he eat dinner? Would it be in a public place, with all those people and germs? And he could not say no, could he? O, the many decisions!
As Natalie saw Monk having a hard time making up his mind, she said calmly, "Don't worry; it will be our treat".
"Natalie, well, here's the thing. I kind of, kind of…don't eat dinner. Especially in places, you know, places. And food prepared by other people…"
Realizing what Monk was saying, Natalie said with good humor, "I see. Well, we can cook dinner at our home. Come on, we'll eat in. I'm sure Julie won't mind. Do you like chicken pot pie?"
"Chicken pot pie? But it's not Tuesday! I mean, I love it, but it's not Tuesday", Monk stammered.
"I'm sure we can make an exception. Come on, I won't take no for an answer", Natalie replied.
Taking Monk's arm with one hand and wrapping the other around Julie, Natalie began walking out of the school. She thought about the crazy day she and her daughter had had and the even crazier moment of meeting this extraordinary man. Like her herself after she had lost Mitch, Monk was living in such a lonesome state. He was like a child who had lost his parents and whose life was filled with fear. Still, Natalie realized, beneath that veneer of fear was an extraordinary man who was fully capable of love, not just for his wife, but for others, even if he could not bring himself to witness the miracle of birth. Remembering the way Monk overcame his fears and chose to save Julie's fish almost brought tears to Natalie's eyes. She could only think of one other man in the world who would have done that.
They were almost in the parking lot when Monk realized that Natalie was still holding onto him. He had never let anyone besides Trudy touch him and hold him for so long. Yet, somehow, he felt safe with Natalie. His fear of touching and contracting another person's germs still resonated, waiting to burst out, yet for some reason, it did not. What did it mean? Monk was still pondering that question when Natalie dropped her arm and opened the car.
"Come on, Mr. Monk, get in", Natalie said across the driver's side.
"Hold on, let me say good bye to Leland", Monk responded.
Monk slowly walked across to the police car waiting on the other side of the lot. Leland was standing there waiting for him with a half smile. He knew from instinct that Monk had found someone who could replace Sharona and bring him back to society. It was about time to see his friend happy again. He could not wish for anything else.
"Captain, you got the guy?"
"Yep, Monk. We sure do, thanks a lot to you. Now I don't need to touch any more fake rocks after this", Leland said.
"Thank you for coming and believing in me. You are my true friend".
"Well, Monk, you've got another one waiting for you by the car. Go to them. And welcome back", Leland said while he watched Natalie and Julie in the background.
With an acknowledgment toward Leland, Monk turned around toward Natalie and Julie. They were standing with their backs to the setting sun, shielding Monk from its rays and etching their long shadows across the parking lot. Monk peered at their shadows and his mixing in the evening light. It all added to perfect symmetry. Perfect, indeed, somehow from three persons, but perfect nonetheless.
(After dinner at the Teegers)
"Mr. Monk, you don't have to clean anything. Remember, it's our treat", Natalie reminded Monk across the kitchen counter.
"I know, but I have to clean. The pan still has that smudge of grease in that corner", Monk replied as he continued to scrub using his second bottle of detergent.
Knowing that she would not win, Natalie continued to clean her share of dishes. Julie, Monk and she enjoyed a warm dinner that night. Mr. Monk, despite his limitations in social situations, was a most wonderful guest. Julie certainly liked him and joked freely with him about school. Natalie did have to constrain Monk from panicking when Julie said that the cranberry sauce was homemade by another student who was presenting his recipe and method at the science fair. Altogether the three of them enjoyed a hearty conversation over dinner that seemed to end far too quickly for everybody.
"Natalie", Monk interrupted, "you know, my offer still stands if you are interested".
Unlike that time in the bar, Natalie did not refuse the offer straightaway. She actually was thinking about working for this man. The pay might not be great but at least he was an honest man unlike Clem and those louses at the bar. The thought of becoming a detective's personal assistant even appealed to her. For once, she might find a job she liked. Holding on to it and working with him was another question for later.
Natalie gave Monk a small smile of understanding. It was implicit yet the message was clear to both of them. Monk smiled as his heart danced in delight. He truly admired Natalie and wanted her as his assistant. Something about her just made her stand out from the others even though Monk still could not place it. He was not good with emotions but even he could sense something good. Seeing and remembering her smile of understanding, Monk continued to scrub.