Disclaimer: I don't own Monk. I don't own Natalie and I don't own Julie
"Julie dinner's ready," Natalie called
"Coming," Julie said with a stiff agitation in her voice. She came downstairs to dinner. Natalie could see right away something was bothering her
"Julie, what's wrong honey"
"Nothing"
"Julie Angela Teeger I'm your mother and I can tell when something is wrong with you. You can try to hide it from me but I'm not going to let go until you tell me"
"You want the truth?"
"Of course I want the truth
"Okay I'll tell you the truth. The truth is I'm annoyed at you"
"You have every right to be," Natalie said, "do you want to tell me why you're annoyed at me?"
"Because of what you said yesterday at the fashion show," Julie explained, "You always say that we need to talk things out when there's a problem"
Natalie nodded wisely.
"You're right," she said, "I said one thing and did another."
"Yes you did and that made me feel like you didn't love me anymore"
"First of all," Natalie said, "I take back what I said and I'm sorry I said it. I was worried sick and it was a natural reaction"
"Really?"
"Secondly Julie you have no idea how much I love you. You are the only thing that gives my life meaning. The man that was running the fashion show murdered two of his models."
Julie looked up at her mother stunned.
"Are you serious?"
"Do I look like I'm joking"
"But that's not even nice"
"Julie honey," Natalie said, "not everyone in the world is nice"
"Yeah but why would anyone do that"
"Because they're sick in the head"
Julie sighed
"I'm sorry mom"
"I'm sorry too," she said, "but from now on if you're going anywhere you have to keep a cell phone on you"
"I don't have a cell phone
Natalie tossed her one she'd just bought her
"You do now," she said