Halloween - Chan POV
The city streets are surprisingly calm this evening. A beautiful night for the kiddos to snag some goodies.
I remember my first Halloween; I was six. And like any six year old boy, I wanted to go as a vampire. I wanted the long red cape and the glow-in-the-dark teeth as I threatened to suck anyone's blood who dared to give me gummies. I was a child on a mission for chocolate.
We were suppose to go out shopping for my costume the night before. I tied up my own laces, made sure my room was clean; I did not want to wait any longer! It was when I went to grab my coat that my mother had stopped me.
I remember the concern in her eyes when we approached the doctor that night; searching for news on my father.
He wasn't released for a couple days. That was just the start to his illness that no one was prepared for.
Needless to say, I never got my long red cape. Instead, I trick-or-treated the halls of the hospital in my small business suit. However, instead of the elderly and ill patients giving me the candy, I handed them a pair of spooky socks with spiders and witches and pumpkins on them. I held them all in my business briefcase. I was a six year old that went as his hero that year.
That Halloween I took my father's place in the family.
It has been a long wait, but I finally got my red cape around my shoulders.
I knock once, then twice, and wait.
There are footsteps on the other side getting closer and closer before stopping.
The door swings open to reveal Monica wearing a tight black Cat Woman costume.
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I wait to be invited in.
"What..." She quickly glances behind her before joining me out in the hall and closing the door. "Chandler, what are you doing here?" She crosses her arms but I'm not sure if that is to shield her body or stand her ground.
"I heard you were having a party. I love parties."
She nods "How?"
I shrug, "Rachel put up fliers around the office." I pause, rethinking my idea "I'm sorry, maybe this was a bad idea.." I take a step back
"No." She cuts me off. "You're here now." She looks down at my costume "Just, please, don't say anything to anyone. Especially, my brother." Reaching back for the handle, I follow her.
"Okay. And your brother is?" I move my gaze from her to the party inside as she opens the door.
"The potato."
The potato? I question silently, not saying anything aloud.
The moment I step through the door I see what she is referring too. And she's not crazy; there is in fact a potato standing in her living room.
I make my way through the crowd and find a quiet group out by the balcony. Excusing myself, as I shimmy between a pumpkin and a nurse, I climb out into the cool Fall breeze.
The cool air touches my skin with a delicate ease, causing my hair to stand up. The sun has fallen just on the other side of the city; letting the full moon rise. It's a beautiful night. The streets are calm as I look over the balcony; my hands resting on the side. You can smell the aroma from the coffee house downstairs.
I can get use to this.
Sadly, I might not have the chance to get use to this.
"Beautiful view, isn't it?" I look over to find the potato joining me by the ledge.
"Yeah." I swallow
It's been about a minute of silence and every part of me wanted to duck back inside and mingle with someone else.
"I'm Ross Geller." He extends his hand to which I shake "Monica's brother."
Breaking the shake I let him know who the man is that drunkenly married his baby sister. "Chandler Bing." I announce "Monica's boss."
His eyes leave the view to meet mine again "Wow, don't take this the wrong way, but I didn't know Monica was close with her coworkers; let alone, boss." He quickly adds "Besides Rachel, of course."
I nod with a smile. This guy isn't so bad "Non taken." I assure him "Rachel put flyers up in the office." I explain "I can't turn down a good party."
"Don't you think it might give off the wrong impression?"
"What do you mean?" I question
"I'm sorry, but if I saw my boss at a party, especially if it was my own, I wouldn't look at him as an authoritative figure." I only nod "I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's unprofessional...in my opinion."
"I see what you're getting at, Ross." I lean over the side "Let me ask you this..." I look out at the view "Are you the head of your company?"
"No, I'm not."
I nod "Do you have a relationship with your boss? Like, do you guys know each other on a more personal level?"
"No, our motto is "What happens at work, stays at work." He states.
I nod again "Do you think if you did have a relationship with him or her you'd feel more comfortable approaching them with a work related problem?"
He's silent for a while as he contemplates my question. I don't wanna sound like an ass, but he's really starting to piss me off with his negative tone.
"I-I guess so..." He stutters.
"That's what I'm trying to create, Ross. That special bond that lets my employees know they can come to me for anything."
It's his turn to nod. "I guess that makes sense..." He trails off, still trying to understand how we got on this subject, I'm sure.
Standing up so the railing is no longer supporting my weight, I pat Ross on the back "Well it was nice meeting you, man. I'm going to get some punch, you want some?" I ask, heading towards the single window I used to climb out on the balcony.
"No, no, I'm good. Thanks."
I smile, and disappear inside to where the noise is much louder and the temperature is warmer.
I find my way over to the punch bowl sitting on the kitchen table and carefully pour me some without getting shoved in the process.
Success. I smile, proud of myself. I'm not the most stable person around, I'm often clumsy actually.
Stepping off to the side, I take a sip and my eyes immediately find Monica's across the room. I give her a warm smile before looking away and finding another soul to strike up a conversation with.
I'm not really into the conversation that is taking place among the folks from my office. I don't find his love life all that interesting. He should listen to mine if he thinks his isn't working out.
Try having a newly wed wife that wants nothing to do with you.
My eyes strip away from the group as I search the crowd for Monica.
Rachel heads my way with a tray full of empty glasses and I stop her. "Hey, did you see where Monica went?" I question, still looking around the room.
"Yeah, she stepped outside for some air with Alan." She says, nonchalantly.
I thank her and excuse myself from the group.
Setting my punch on the counter, I head towards the exit. Taking a breath, I wait a few seconds to gather my thoughts before stepping out.
The hallway is much quieter than the apartment as I close the door behind me. Monica turns to see who it is and throws her hands up in exasperation. "God! Of course, you're here right now!" She sighs
I pause, looking over at the man on the other side of the hall. "Is everything okay?" I look between the two
They ignore my question as the man speaks "Look, Monica, I still love you. Please, give me another chance." He takes a step towards her and she just shakes her head.
"I can't-"
"We can move out of the city and settle down together." He smiles but Monica stays mutual "We can get married and have doves flying above us...we can start a family. It'll be magical." He reaches for her hands and runs his thumb over her knuckles.
"That's sweet Alan, really, but I can't-"
"Of course you can!" He argues "We will be so happy together. I can make you happy."
I step forward and take this as my cue "Look, Alan, I really think it's time for us to leave." I tell him softly. "I think Mon would like it if we left."
Monica shrugs her shoulders and nods.
"What are you talking about? Monica and I are soulmates." He motions between them and looks back at me "I know this prearrangement happened kind of fast, but I know, deep in my gut, that she's the one for me." He comes back to me "Haven't you ever felt that way?"
I glance over at Monica before shifting my feet. "Yeah, Alan. I have."
He wraps his arm around me, "But do you want to know who my Best Man is?" He doesn't give me time to answer as he moves us over to the window.
"All of New York City?" I question, sarcastically
"No! You!" He points out our dim reflections "You are here during the most important moment in our lives." He stops when he suddenly notices a resemblance. "Hey! We're wearing the same costume!" He exclaims, pulling me closer. His arm still over my shoulder as he stands proud.
"What are the odds!" I smile, trying to humor him.
"Monica, isn't that funny?" Alan asks
She stands with her hands over her hips "Not really." Shifting from one foot to the other, she adds "I'm really sorry, Alan, but this isn't going to work out."
"What? Why not?" He questions, releasing me from his embrace. "I already have my Best Man..." He glances back at me and I immediately look away; the wall color suddenly catching my interest.
"Look, Alan..." Monica steps forward and reaches for his hand so she can break the bad news to him. "There is something that you should know..."
"You're pregnant?" He asks and I immediately let out a laugh before quickly covering it with a cough
"What? No!" She takes a step back "No, it's not that, it's just that-" She takes a deep breath, her voice quieting down "It's just that-" She looks at the floor, not able to bring the reality to the surface just yet.
"I think what Monica is trying to say is that-" I come around so that I'm now standing beside her "She's already married."
It's out there now. The world knows. And surprisingly, it didn't hurt.
Alan stands up straight, his mouth a gap. "Married? But you're not wearing a ring."
Monica slides her teeth across her lower lip as she reaches in her back pocket. With a slow swallow, she slips the diamond on the finger that is closest to her heart and holds it up for him to see.
Dumbfounded, Alan shakes his head. "Who?"
It's my turn to look embarrassed as I raise my left hand, the ring visible. "Guilty." I announce.
"That is disgusting!" Well, that wasn't quite the reaction I was looking for "You married your boss? Aren't you like, twice her age?" He questions, his voice rising.
Okay, that one hurt.
This can be played out one of two ways. We can tell him the truth and nothing but the truth, or fake it. I think I'll let Monica take the lead on this one.
"Look, Alan," She ignores his last question "I'm sorry, but please understand..." She looks up at me, doubt in her eyes "We were good together, but Chandler and I-" She wraps her arm around me but it barely touches my back, and I follow her lead "We're in love."
Well that didn't take long to explain.
He looks from her to me and I wonder for a moment if he will take the bait.
Alan just nods. "But you flirted, you were sending me signals..." He argues
"I offered you lemonade."
He looks confused for a while. "If you are sure that he can make you happy, tell me, and I'll leave you alone."
Monica is silent, her hand tightening its grip on my back. "He can-he does."
Alan doesn't say anything, he doesn't even wait a few seconds for her words to sink in. In a dash, he hurries down the stairs and towards his new destination.
Monica laughs and her arm leaves me immediately. "God, thank you. I didn't know what else to say!" She shakes her head
Taking a step back, I don't meet her eyes "Yeah, I think I should leave too." I take a step in the same direction as Alan
"What, why?" She questions, stopping me.
"Didn't you hear him?" I ask, anger rising in my body "I mean, I have said those exact words to you, "We're soulmates. I know things happen fast, but we are meant to be. I know in my gut that you're the one for me." I shake my head, "I mean, we were even wearing the same outfits!" I throw my hands around.
"Noo..." She shakes her head "Your cape is red, his was black."
"Look Mon," I look deep into her eyes "I finally get it. I get why you keep fighting us. I get why you keep pushing me away."
For the first time in our drunken relationship I see sadness in her expression as she cocks her head to the side.
"In my heart," I start slowly "I honestly believe that you and I are meant to be. But until you see it..." I pause, taking a breath as I look down at my feet, before meeting her eyes once more "I can't stay."
And with that, I leave.