It was four o'clock on a Friday afternoon. A very excited Julie came into her house to find her mother and Mr. Monk sitting on the couch.
"Julie," Natalie spoke, "it's 4 o'clock and you-"
"I was thinking about that mom," Julie said, "and you said that when we are upset with something that happens we'll handle it through rational calm conversation not negative interaction betwixt one another"
Natalie sighed realizing she couldn't argue with her daughter when her daughter was right.
"You're right honey," she told her, "now where were you. We'll talk about what happened yesterday tonight"
"I tried out for my school play. It's a musical about you, Mr. Monk"
"Me?"
Monk seemed surprised.
"Yes you," she said, "it's called Monk the Musical"
"So are you going to keep us in the dark? Did you get a part?"
"Uh-huh," Julie said excitedly, "and not only a part—I got the female lead"
Natalie screamed in excitement.
"Julie I am so proud of you," she said hugging her.
"I know. I can't believe it. I'm playing the leading female lead"
"Congratulations Jules," Monk said using his affectionate name for her
"They change the ending," Julie said, "I live"
"Sounds like a perfect ending," Monk observed.
"So do you have your script?"
"Oh yeah," she said producing her script,
"Let me see it," Monk asked grabbing it from her
"Ow," Julie whined, "you grabbed it so fast I got a paper cut"
"Sorry Julie," he said, "you know I have a band aide and some anti infection cream in my first aide kit. Hold on I'll go get it"
He handed the script to Natalie on his way out.
"So it says here that Trudy sings a song in the end called Away?"
"Yeah she's singing that song after it goes off. The idea is that she's bound away but his love pulls her back"
"Can you sing a little of it for me," Natalie asked.
"Sure."
"What else can I do love
You know it isn't you love
I'd never be untrue love
You know I'd never stray
But that river's rolling
And distant bells are tolling
Telling me that I am bound away
Take me by my hand love
Say you'll understand love
We will meet again love
Come another day
There is much I don't know
I don't know where dreams go
All I know is I am bound away
I feel you beside me
Reaching out to hold me
Knowing you still need me
Knowing that you care
Every time I see you
I know what I must do
And I know that you need me here
Monk, who had stood to the side listening burst into applause.
"Brava Julie that was wonderful"
"Thank you Mr. Monk," Julie said, "or should I say thank you Adrian"
Natalie laughed and Monk joined in.
In chapter 2 Natalie and Julie talk about what she did the day before and Monk reads through the lines with Julie.