A Bump In The Road

Monk's was sporadically busy on that Friday in June of 1981. It was essentially for the Agency people, who needed to unwind and unload after a busy week of chasing down suspects, or dodging bullets.

But one agent who supposedly was to be on her honeymoon in the Virgin Islands, was sitting at the bar belting back drinks as if they were to become extinct or something!

She'd had a rough few days, knowing full well that she was the object of pity and gossip at the office.

Her boss, Billy Melrose, had told her to take the rest of the week off-and the following week as well- if she wished.

Francine Desmond refused- she would not let anything like a ruined wedding get the best of her! She recalled the event from a week ago, shaking her head as she ordered a sledgehammer.

If that creep, Jonathan Stone knew what was good for him, he'd high-tail it to the far side of the country! She vowed not to ever let a man do what he did to her again!

She'd been at the church in her hometown, getting ready to walk down the aisle to become Mrs. Jonathan Stone.

The wedding march started and although nervous, she made her way down on her father's arm-he'd actually been proud of her that day.

Her mother watched from her seat and looking perfectly coiffed, beamed at her as Francine walked past.

The music died down and the minister came to the altar. Whispering to Francine, he said,"We seem to be missing a groom..."

Francine chuckled,"Yeah, right..." Her father Frank, overhearing this said,"Francine, what is he trying to pull here?! We have all these friends and relatives here-this is no laughing matter, young lady! You wouldn't believe how much your mother and I paid for this whole thing!"

Francine said,"Well, if I don't, then you and Mom can fill me in later-now, let me go find him..."

She went to the area where grooms get ready. She saw that the door was ajar! Going in, she said"Ok, Jonathan I know you're nervous too, but remember we'll laugh about this ostentatious display later..."

She looked around and noticed he wasn't there! In fact, his clothes and suitcase that he was to bring for the honeymoon were also gone-she was visibly shocked! What happened?!

She decided to call his apartment. Going to the church office, she found a phone and quickly dialed. Shaking her head she thought,"He'd better have one hell of a good explanation for this!"

There was a click, and then a recording came on. The voice said: "The number you have reached has been disconnected. Please dial the operator, and try again..."

Francine's initial worry turned now to anger as she dialed the operator and gave Jonathan's number, and was told that the number had indeed been disconnected-that the party must have moved and didn't have a new number yet!

Without a response, Francine hung up and then tried Jonathan's apartment manager and explained that Jonathan's phone wasn't working. The manager then told her that Jonathan had moved out that morning and left no forwarding address!

Thanking him, she hung up slowly. Recalling the previous night, all they talked about were the honeymoon plans, and how great it would be to relax for a couple of weeks!

What the hell was going on?! She looked around the room for a sign or clue as to where he might have gone. She finally saw an envelope on the chair near the door and it was addressed to her!

Taking the envelope , she sat in the chair and opening the letter, she began to read. It said:

My dearest Francine,

If you're reading this, then you know I've left. Believe me honey- it's not you! You're the best thing that's ever happened to me, but I just can't help feeling that I won't be the kind of husband that you truly deserve.

In the long run, you'll see how right I was. Please don't try to find me-I need space to figure out exactly who I am and who I want to be.

I hope someday you will find it in your heart to forgive me. All my love, Jonathan

Francine sighed deeply as tears came to her eyes and she muttered painfully,"Bastard!" She wiped her tears and clearing her throat stood up, putting the letter back in the envelope saying,"This will make a good start to a fire later..."

Making a brave face, she walked back to the altar asking the minister if she could speak. He nodded and she faced family and friends saying,"There won't be a wedding after all- Jonathan wasn't ready to be married- we won't see each other again- it was for the best. Thank you all for coming-please before you leave , collect all your gifts."

Frank Desmond glared at his daughter! "Francine Elizabeth-you'd better have a darn good reason for embarrassing the family this way!"

Then her mother Barbara came over and admonished her husband! "Frank! You apologize this minute! Didn't you hear her? Jonathan left her!"

Going to Francine, she put her arms around her and said,"I'm so sorry honey- is there anything we can do for you?"

Francine shrugged."Nothing, Mom-really, I'm gonna be fine- I'll go back to the hotel to change and pack and then make a one way flight to D.C. where I really belong, and Dad?"

Frank looked at her with obvious disdain and answered, "What is it?" Francine swallowed hard saying,"I'm truly sorry that I broke your heart the day I was born by being a girl and then not being able to...at least in your eyes, make it in a man's world. And Mom?"

Barbara said,"Yes, dear?" Francine hugged her and said,"I'll call you later- I love you..." With that, Francine left the church with her head held high and took a cab back to the hotel where she changed and packed, getting a flight back to D.C. and landing at dinner time.

When she got into her apartment, she called Billy saying she'd be in to work the next day. Billy was stunned!

He said,"Francine! Wh-what happened?!" Francine sighed,"Want the long or short version?" Billy shook his head and said,"Are you all right dear?"

Francine sat on her sofa and chuckled."Let me give you a run-down of the day's events- girl walks down the aisle with her father and the minister says,"Whoops- no groom." Instead, I get a "Dear Francine"" letter... classy, huh?"

Billy sighs deeply and says,"That son of a-...!" Francine nods."Yeah- only I'm thinking of more colorful language here..."

Billy said sadly,"I could come over- would you like to talk about it?" Francine shook her head."No thanks- I'll-I'll be ok- really- I'm just gonna unpack and turn in- see you tomorrow- oh, and I brought your gift back with me- thanks- it was really sweet of you and Jeannie... night."

She hung up before Billy could add anything further. She knew he cared, but she couldn't take pity. Changing into nightwear, she unpacked and later climbed into bed crying herself to sleep for the first time in years!

"Damn you, Jonathan Stone!"

TBC