WOOO another update!!! lol believe me I'm just as surprised as you are. I love getting your input on the story, so please keep the reviews coming! :)
"Cheers!" said Jack Geller, raising a toast in honor of his son's long awaited homecoming. Glasses clinked and smiles were shared over an old fashioned family dinner at the Geller house. Monica was home as well, having recently graduated from college.
Ross' new girlfriend Julie was the dinner table's latest addition. She was a scholarly, petite, well-spoken Asian girl who shared Ross' passion for science. She was a few years Ross' senior and was currently working as a Graduate Assistant at NYU. The Geller family did not hesitate to welcome her with open arms.
"So, how did you two meet?" asked Judy.
Ross and Julie shared warm smiles across the table, remembering the events of the past few months quite fondly. "Uh, well, we met while studying some ancient homo erectus bones in the desert. We got to talking and found out we were both from the same part of New York...and then, uh, one thing led to another, and pretty soon we were inseparable."
"It was a lot more romantic than it sounds, believe it or not," Julie added.
"So, who asked who out?" Monica asked.
"You mean who asked whom out," Ross corrected.
Monica shot him a look and gave him a playful kick under the table.
"Actually it was me who asked him out first," Julie said. "I'm not usually that bold around guys, but I really liked him, and I could tell he liked me too. He seemed so lonely and withdrawn all the time...I wanted to be there for him."
"Yeah, well...the Egyptian desert can be a pretty lonely place sometimes," Ross said somewhat bashfully. He locked eyes with Julie, and the two shared another warm smile. "But then I met Julie and I wasn't so lonely anymore."
"Well, I'm very happy for the both of you," Judy remarked genuinely. "I was afraid you wouldn't find happiness again after breaking up with Carol."
"Mom," Ross groaned with embarrassment.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Judy said, knowing she'd touched on a rather sensitive subject.
Julie chuckled and reached for Ross' hand. "It's ok, Judy. Ross already told me about his last girlfriend. Sounds like it turned out to be quite an interesting situation."
Judy was confused, unaware of the rather shocking revelation that had brought Ross and Carol's relationship to a definitive end.
Ross chuckled somewhat bashfully and explained: "Yes, I never told you guys this, but uh...it turns out Carol's a lesbian."
That rather provocative "L" word caught the attention of Jack, whose teeth were sinking into a thick bite of roast beef. "She's a lesbian?" he said with his mouth full.
"Jack, don't be rude," scolded Judy.
"What, I've never seen one before!"
Monica was red in the face, trying unsuccessfully to stifle an outburst of laughter. Ross looked over at her and could hardly contain a begrudging chuckle of his own.
"It's ok, you can laugh," he said. "It is pretty funny when you think about it."
"How could you not have known about it, son?" Jack asked with genuine interest.
"Oh for goodness sake, let's change the subject!" said Judy with comical irritation.
The family obliged, and the conversation shifted to Ross and Julie's plans for the summer. Ross was eager to scope out apartments in NYC, and hopefully find a job more sufficient than lifeguarding like last summer. Julie had similar prospects, and hoped to finish her graduate studies within the coming year. Both were looking forward to a long romantic summer together as a couple.
Later on, Ross and Monica were washing the dishes while Julie chatted with Judy in the living room.
"So, how does it feel to be back home?" Monica asked.
"It feels great," said Ross. "The internship was a good experience, but I couldn't have stayed there any longer than I did. I would've gone crazy."
"Well, I sure am glad you're back. I don't think I could stand spending an entire summer alone with mom and dad."
"Yeah, well, don't count on me being here all summer. Julia and I are hoping to get an apartment together as soon as possible."
Monica stopped drying the coffee cup in her hand and looked at Ross. "You and Julie? An apartment together?"
"Yeah. Why not?"
"Nothing, it's just...well, didn't you guys just start dating?"
"It's been three months, Mon. And trust me, it feels like a lot longer."
"Ok...but still, it just seems a little soon to be moving in together. Don't you think?"
Ross chuckled, the conversation growing somewhat awkward. "Why exactly do you care so much?"
Monica looked down and resumed drying the dishes in the sink. "I'm sorry, it's none of my business. I just, ya know, I don't want you to rush into anything. I mean, consider what happened with you and Carol."
"Julie's not a lesbian, Mon."
"That's not my point..."
"I know, I know. But listen, I'm not a kid anymore. I'm tired of these childish romances that never go anywhere. I want to finally get serious with a girl. I want to settle down and get married...well, eventually."
Ross always was a committed guy, Monica thought. He never wanted meaningless flings. He wanted relationships that were solid and meant to last. Then again, he had been known to fall in love with certain girls who didn't exactly share his passion for commitment to say the least.
Ross began putting the clean and dried dishes into the cupboard. As he did this, he noticed the latest edition of the local Long Island newsletter sitting on the counter. He recognized the black and white photo of Rachel Green and Chip Matthews smiling for the camera. It was their engagement announcement. No wait...it was their wedding announcement.
She was married.
The photo held his gaze for several seconds. Monica saw what he was looking at. Dammit, why did her parents have to leave it lying out on the counter like that?
She touched his arm affectionately and lowered her voice. "I'm sorry...I wasn't sure if you knew."
Ross tore his eyes away from the photo and swallowed the unprecedented lump in his throat. "Good for her," he said, acting as cool and unfazed as possible. He put the last of the dishes away, and went to join his mother and Julie at the table.
Monica watched them from afar. For the sake of her brother, she took the newsletter and threw it in the trash. She knew those two smiling newlywed faces were like daggers in his heart.
She knew.
"Come on, Jules, just pick one already," Ross said. He and Julie had been browsing around a kitty kennel for over an hour looking for the perfect little fluff ball to compliment their New York City apartment.
"I'm sorry, sweetie, I just want to make sure we pick the perfect one. It's an important decision, you know. I mean, we don't want one that's going to tear up the apartment or pee all over the carpet."
"Well, how about this one?" he suggested, pointing to a devious looking black cat with yellow eyes.
"Ross that's a black cat."
"Yeah, so?"
"So, they're bad luck. Everybody knows that."
"Oh come on, that's a bunch of bullshit," he said, rolling his eyes. "Ironically, I think these things turn out to be good luck charms more than anything. Besides, it'll make us think of Halloween all year long."
"Oh, and wouldn't that be a dream come true?" Julie said sarcastically.
Ross smiled. "Honey, seriously, pick whatever cat you want. I trust you to make the right decision."
Julie pondered this life-altering decision for a minute. She was very diplomatic about every choice she made. Though outwardly shy at first glance, she was very thorough, direct, and precise in all aspects of her life. Ross needn't worry about her being harebrained or negligent about anything. All he had to do was stand back and go with the flow.
"Ok, let's get the black one," was her final verdict.
"Are you sure? It might be baaad luck for us," he teased.
"Well, if our apartment catches on fire tonight I'll start to get suspicious. Otherwise, I think we'll be just fine."
Thirty minutes later Ross and Julie returned to their apartment toting their new pet.
"So what do you think we should name it?" Julie asked.
"I don't know. How about 'Blackie' or something?"
Julie made a face. "How original."
"Fine, you pick a name."
"Hmmm...how about 'Rachelle'?"
Ross' ears perked. "Rachelle?" he said.
"Why not? I think it's a nice name, don't you?"
"Yeah, it's a nice name. But it sounds more like a human name...you know, like for a woman." He busied himself by walking around the kitchen looking for something to eat.
"Ok, fair enough. So all human names are off the table."
Ross closed the refrigerator door, acting a little flustered and irritable for a moment. "Look, Jules, pick a human name if you want. I don't care. Just not Rachelle. I just, I don't like that name."
Julie was a tad perplexed by his strange aversion to the name Rachelle. But she shrugged her shoulders and conceded. "Whatever. I guess it's not a very good name anyway."
Monica entered her grandmother's old apartment in a hurry. "I'm home!" she called to her roommate Pheobe.
The eccentric blonde hippy emerged from her bedroom wearing another one of her funky outfits. "Great, the movie starts in twenty minutes, but we can make it if we hurry."
"Yeah, sorry I'm late, my boss made me work overtime at the restaurant."
"Yes, I sensed that you would be late. I'm a little bit psychic, you know."
Monica chuckled at Pheobe's quirkiness, which she had grown accustomed to over the past few months. "Hey, do you mind if I check the answering machine before we go?"
"Oh, don't bother. My psychic tells me that there are no messages...and also I just checked it five minutes ago."
"Oh ok. So, uh, a girl named Rachel didn't call?"
Pheobe shook her head. "No, I'm sorry. Who is she anyway?"
Monica shrugged. "Just a friend...from home. I haven't heard from her in ages. I guess I'm not even sure where she lives anymore."
"Eh, forget about her," said Pheobe. "She doesn't even care enough to call you."
Monica looked down at the floor, lost in thought. "Hm. Yeah, I guess your right." She looked up, forcing a bittersweet smile. "Well, we better go if we're gonna catch that movie."
Pheobe shrugged, "I'm in no hurry. My psychic powers tell me this movie will suck."
Monica laughed and walked out the door with her new roommate, and, quite possibly, new best friend.
Yep, Rachel's M.I.A. for the time being. Where did she go? Your guess is as good as mine ;)
To be continued...
