Disclaimer: Here's a clue... I don't own Monk

"I don't get it," Monk sighed, "Why is Sharona so mad at me?"

"You really don't get it," Benjy asked, "Come on Mr. Monk. I know how smart you are and yet you can't figure it out?"

"Can you explain it to me," Monk asked Benjy.

"Sure," Benjy said, "Sit down"

Monk sat down. He could hear everyone laughing and having a grand old time. Sometimes it seemed that he was the only one who was practical. It drove him bonkers when people ignored him. He thought that he knew best so everyone should do what he said.

"You know my mom is going through an extremely rough time lately," Benjy explained, "She was shot 4 months ago. She's still recovering from that. She is two months pregnant with the baby of my aunt Gail but Aunt Gail died. Oh and to top it off it's the anniversary of my sister's death"

"You have a sister?"

"She died when she was 3. I had just turned 2 when she died and she was almost 4."

"I didn't know that," Monk admitted quietly.

"Yesterday when she said to please pass the desert you said 'no don't pass it' then turned to her and said, "You're FLABBY enough as it is anyway"

Monk flushed, embarrassed with himself.

"You compare her to other people. Then when she calls you insensitive and points out that you have no regard for her feelings you act as if she's a stupid kid who annoyed you."

"I know," he said feeling more ashamed of himself then ever. He knew Trudy would be annoyed with that kind of behavior. He felt it was justified but he hadn't looked at things through her eyes.

"She was on the phone with her baby doctor and you hung up on her which was rude," Benjy continued.

"I thought she was talking to a friend," Monk explained, "and I said-"

"That doesn't matter," Benjy said, "You're supposed to be her friend! You're supposed to be supportive of her not combative"

"Personally I don't see why that stuff-… okay I realize I was wrong and I'm sorry"

"Mr. Monk I'm not the one you need to apologize to. I wasn't the one you were insensitive to. You need to apologize to my mom."

"B-b-but she-"

He was cut off by a look.

"What if I apologize after the holiday," Monk suggested feebly.

"Mr. Monk," Benjy said, "this isn't a fight you're going to win"

With a sigh Monk went off and apologized to Sharona.

"Thank you Adrian," Sharona said, "I appreciate that. Now I won't have to get even"