None of it is mine
"So Monk," Leland said, "I see you requested to be back on our team again"
"Yeah," Monk said quietly, "I did"
"Why does it matter though what team you're on," Randy asked.
"Why? As in the reason?"
Leland had to keep from rolling his eyes.
Still states the obvious, he noted.
"Yes Monk," Leland answered, "WHY means the reason"
This was not looking good. For a minute Monk didn't say anything but before Leland could write down slow to answer Monk responded.
"It matters," Monk began, "Because you guys are my friends. It matters because you care about me as a person. Unlike them, you guys don't think of me as a joke. It matters because you guys realize I'm not a joke unlike them. It matters because you guys realize I have a reason for why I act the way I do.
"It matters because you guys understand me… you guys get me. You guys trust me and I trust you guys. You don't look at me like everything I say is stupid. It matters because it matters to me"
Leland and Randy looked at each other.
"Monk," Leland said after a second, "Welcome back to our team"