What are Birds and Bees? (6.05)
(At Natalie's house, before "the talk")
Monk and Natalie arrived at her house just before suppertime. He was still thinking about her request for him to talk to Julie about love and dating. Monk agonized about being talked into such a task. Granted, he had started to listen to Natalie more and she brought forth useful ideas, but talking to her daughter was preposterous for him. He should have declined the request.
"Mr. Monk, I'm going to prepare dinner. Julie is upstairs doing homework. Do you want to talk to her now?"
"Natalie, I'm really having second thoughts about this. I mean, as I said, I'm the least qualified person to talk about this. Love, dating, relationships…these are like the Da Vinci Code for me. I have no expertise whatsoever."
"Mr. Monk, you promised. I believe that you are the best person to talk to Julie about this. Think about it, how you found and loved Trudy. That's love, not the kind that Julie has with this high school quarterback. Plus, she treats you like a father figure. She listens to you, sometimes even more than me."
"Ok, what am I to say to her? I need a script."
"You don't need a script. Just give her the talk. Haven't your parents given you the talk?"
"Well, they gave me a talk. Back when I was twenty-three, they pulled me into this room and told me to sit down. Then, they told me how 'things' worked."
"Ok, you mean birds and bees?"
"What birds and bees? What are you talking about?"
"You know, birds and bees. Ok, see, in nature – bear with me, I know you don't like nature – bees carry pollen from one plant to another, and then deposit that pollen. Birds, they lay eggs, just like a flower. And when pollen from bees mix with eggs from birds, they create something new. You know."
Monk looked at Natalie with puzzlement. He could not comprehend what she was referring to. Birds and bees, personally those topics were foreign to him, something he did not want to think about at all.
"Mr. Monk, just think of it like this. The bird is the woman; the bee is the man. Now, the bee takes pollen to the bird's egg. Just like a woman…"
"O, God, Natalie…I get it. Oh my god, oh my god, birds and bees…I get it now. Wipe! Wipe!"
Natalie grabbed a wipe and gave it to Monk. He started wiping himself randomly, including his forehead. Monk looked aghast, and rubbed himself off furiously. Maybe Natalie went overboard with the explanation.
"Mr. Monk, it's okay. Haven't you and Trudy, you know?"
"Natalie, that's a bit personal. Let's just leave the bees and birds as they are."
"Ok, Mr. Monk. Let's forget about the birds and bees. Just talk to Julie about how you met Trudy. Remember, last year at your reunion, you told me about it and the love you had. Julie will listen to you. Trust me."
"Thank you, Natalie. I can't guarantee anything. I will just talk."
"Mr. Monk, you are a very lovable guy. I'm sure Julie will appreciate you. You can describe to her what true love is, the love you felt between you and Trudy. It's the same between me and Mitch. It's my little daughter, and she deserves to know."
Monk and Natalie looked at each other. She was giving a pleading look, with some glint of happiness and hope in her eyes. He was trying to change her mind, but found it to no avail. Even though Julie was a bit too young for that talk – she wasn't even sixteen yet! – Monk felt a duty to talk to Julie.
"Ok, Natalie. Here's the thing. I'm going to talk to Julie, give her a nice little talk. Just no birds and bees, and whatever else nature, please."
Monk started up the stairs to Julie's room. Natalie followed him to make sure that he did not quit at the last second. Several times, he looked back just to see Natalie encouraging him on. Monk reluctantly continued and braced himself for the big "talk".
(After the "talk")
Monk closed the door behind him. Natalie was standing there, and she gave him a big hug. "Thank you, Mr. Monk. I knew I could depend on you."
Monk was relieved that Natalie had not heard the real topic of the conversation. He could not help but think about the second part, after Julie asked him about Trudy, and whether Natalie would approve of it. He believed that she would like what he told Julie. Julie forced him to speak from his heart, and reminiscing about Trudy always warmed his soul. He was glad to share it with a young woman such as Julie.
Natalie and Monk entered the kitchen and prepared for cooking dinner. After donning the apron, Monk started washing the vegetables, because he did it better than her, or anybody else on the planet. Natalie started preparing the flour and cooking ware, as they were making pasta for all three of them.
"Mr. Monk, what did you really tell her? I'm curious. Did you talk to her about Trudy?"
"Yes, I told about Trudy, and how I loved Trudy, and how I fell in love with Trudy. It was perfect. Julie liked what I said, I hope."
"I'm sure she did. You are the perfect gentleman. I wish you can tell me more about Trudy, and how you met and loved her."
"I will. I hope you can tell me the same about you and Mitch. Some day, you can tell Julie that story, maybe she'll relate to you more. You are a great mother."
Natalie smiled at Monk's words. He was becoming more insightful, and even an expert on the idea of love and feelings. Who would have thought? She could not help but agree with him. Maybe he and she could have a real talk about their exes and love.
"Ok, Mr. Monk. Someday, we'll do that. Just no birds and bees, unless you want to," Natalie gave him a grin and poke. Monk could only look at her with a slight dismay. He went back to washing to vegetables, thinking no more about pollen or eggs.
(At the pier, after solving the crime)
Natalie hooked her arm with Monk's as they started walking down the pier. Monk reluctantly left Julie's kiss on his cheek without wiping it off. Natalie had to tell him twice to stop him from wiping it off. They decided to stay around a bit longer, and enjoy the day at the pier until Julie decided to go home.
"So, Professor Love, what do you think? You solved the case and saved my daughter's relationship. I'm so proud of you."
"Thank you, Natalie, although I'm not proud of myself. But thanks anyway. And I'm not Professor Love; where did you get that name?"
"Ok, Adrian. I want to ask you a question. Did you think about finding someone else, after Trudy? I mean, I still love Mitch with all my heart, but after he passed, I started dating again. I went out and met all kinds of men, although none of them has worked."
"Don't worry, I'm way behind you. I did not think of anyone else. I did not even think about thinking about anyone else."
"What about Monica, and that PR lady from the electrical company?"
"Those were temporary: partly to solve a case, partly because Sharona made me do it. Besides, I have you and Julie. I don't need anyone else."
Monk finished off by rubbing Natalie's hair. She smiled back at him and did the same. She was unconvinced by his explanations, but agreed in whole with his last remark. Maybe both of them were in the same boat, not needing birds or bees anymore, just each other. Even though she had not thought of her boss that way, she needed not and perhaps would be content just the way they were: the three of them, together, as a family.