Julie's point of view
I can't believe I'm going to London. I am so excited. There is so much to see. I can't wait to go to the theater. I want to visit the art galleries too. Mom said she wishes she and I could spend more time together but Mr. Monk is in one of his frenzies. It's true that he can't get by without her.
Mom already had a bag packed for me. She made sure to grab my medications and stuffy, my comfort item. Yes, I know at 13 years old it's silly to have a comfort item but it was something I had since I was a little girl. My father got it for me when I was sick and I never let it go. Mom honked for Mr. Monk. He came out.
"You couldn't park and come in," he complained.
Mom glared at him.
"Don't push your luck," she said, "I have already changed my schedule in a major way. The appropriate thing to say is thank you."
Mr. Monk sighed.
"Thank you, but next time park and come in."
"No. Just thank you," my mom said.
I couldn't help giggling. Mom was very patient with Mr. Monk but with certain things she wouldn't give an inch. She explained it to me once saying, "he's a wonderful and caring man but he can be very immature. He sees himself as some who cannot control anything in his life so he never even bothers to try. The truth is that he's better then he gives himself credit for. I won't put up with any less then what he is capable of."
"Fine," Mr. Monk said, "Thank you."
Mom put on the radio. She turned it only 97.3. Mr. Monk looked like he had been shocked.
"AH," he exclaimed.
"Mr. Monk are you okay," I asked.
"It's the radio," he said, "There are no even numbers on the station."
Mom sighed but she turned it to 106.4.
Mr. Monk finally relaxed. We got to the airport and purchased the tickets.
"That will be $908.00," the clerk said.
Thankfully Mr. Monk was in the airport book store straightening the books at the time. He would have asked to make it an even thousand dollars and there would have been a whole scene. We had about an hour to kill before our plane took off. We would be staying with a friends.