Natalie Makes A New Friend

by Marie S Zachary

Natalie runs into someone she didn't like when she first met him. She discovers soon that not everything is what it seems and that sometimes even the nicest people can seem cruel at times. She later thanks Monk for being her friend and for much more to

Disclaimer: I don't own Monk or any of the book/TV afflitated characts so basically I own squat (and I don't mean sitting on your knees...lol)

This takes place several days after the end of Mr. Monk and the Blue Flu

---

Natalie was walking down the street when she saw a middle aged gentleman that she new. His name was Barnaby and she thought the first time she met him that he must have grown up in a barn. He was teaching a class she had been taking and he was rude and arrogant and did nothing but put the students down. She started to walk the other way but he saw her.

"Hi Natalie," he said with a slight smile

"Uh-huh"

"How are you?"

"Fine. Listen I need to go"

"Come on," he said, "can't we talk just a little bit?"

She turned and glared at him.

"Give me one reason," she said, "why I would even want to talk to you? You're rude, arrogant and did nothing but put everyone down for 8 hours"

"You're right," he said, "I was a little- well a lot rude. It's… complicated."

"Let me guess," Natalie said, "You think being mean to people will teach them not to make mistakes anymore."

"No and believe me I'm normally not mean. I'm normally really nice with a great sense of humor and fun. You just caught me on a really bad day"

"Why was it so bad," she asked… softening the slightest bit.

He groaned inwardly but answered the question.

"My wife just had a miscarriage. My older daughter got diagnosed with Asburger's Syndrome and my son who is 4 ½ had a temper tantrum last night and kept me up until 3 in the morning. My father has lung cancer. My grandmother just died and pretty much my life was falling apart"

"Wow," Natalie said, "That does sound pretty bad"

"So what do you say… friends"

Natalie smiled.

"Yes… friends—though I wish I could have seen you on a good day"

"Well lets go for coffee tomorrow just as friend and you can"

"It's a deal," Natalie agreed, "8 o'clock Starbucks in the shopping center"

"See you there"

Natalie arrived at Monk's house whistling.

"Natalie," Monk said, "You're in a good mood"

She hugged him and kissed his cheek than handed him a wipe before he could even ask.

"What's that all about," he asked

"A few weeks ago," she told him, "you taught me that not everything is what it seems. I learned that lesson well today," she told him and told him what had happened.

"Wow," he said, "that's amazing"

"No," Natalie told him, "You're amazing and I'm so grateful to be your friend"