It's a Long Fall From Heaven – Part II
A/N: I'll bet you all saw that coming, didn't you?? I KNEW it!! *giggle* ... HEY! Ez and DMG!! You two have cameos! WOOT!
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Monica drifted into an uneasy sleep, still aware of her sniffing from time to time. She stirred, and woke up, her face tear streaked, and her eyes bloodshot. Her sleeping pills were wearing off, which meant that she'd be up for the second half of the night, for the millionth night in a row. Her medicine didn't seem to be helping at all. Of course, neither was the noises her husband was making with another woman in the next room. She was about to go and tell them to knock it off, and to go over to her place if they were going to be so loud, so she could sleep in her bed, but Jonas came out of his room before she could do anything.
"Mommy?" he whispered, rubbing his eyes, and clinging to his blanket. Monica wiped her eyes, and sniffed quickly as he got closer. She didn't want her son to know that she had been crying.
"Yes, angel?"
"What's going on? Why aren't you in you and Daddy's room?"
"Because I just wanted to sleep out here, honey."
"Why?"
"Because I don't like my room sometimes."
"Oh. Why is Daddy with that other lady? How come he keeps telling her stuff that he tells you?"
"Like what, sweetie?"
"He says 'I love you', I think. And he gives her kisses and stuff. Mommy, doesn't Daddy love us?"
"Well, Daddy and Mommy are just in a bad place right now."
"Why?"
"Because …" Quite frankly, she didn't know why. "Because Daddy is falling out of love with Mommy, sweetie. And Mommy and Daddy fight all the time. But he still loves you, tons and tons. And so do I." She felt the tears coming, but tried her best to hold them back. Jonas came over and hugged her.
"Well, whenever I'm in a bad place, I sing a song. Do you want me to sing you a song, Mommy?"
"Not right now."
"Okay. Do I have to go to my room?"
"Yeah, honey, you need to go to sleep."
"Can't I sleep out here with you?"
"For a little while, I guess." She opened her arms, and he climbed in to sit next to her, pulling his blanket up with him. She held him close, and kissed his cheek. He turned his head to look at her.
"What is it?" She asked.
"Mommy, why does Daddy and that other lady make so much noise all the time? I have to turn up my cartoons so I can't hear them anymore. I can't sleep."
"Um, that's something I'll tell you when you're older, honey."
"Why?"
"Because you don't need to know right now. Now, go to sleep, before I tickle you." She almost laughed when his eyes widened.
"No, no tickle, please…"
"Then shut your eyes, silly goose!" She smiled for the first time since she got home. He obeyed, and fell asleep within minutes, his breathing enough to lull Monica into sleep again. She drifted off with her little boy in her arms.
--
Monica woke much later, with Jonas still fast asleep in her lap. She glanced at the clock. 6:38.
"Crap!" She whispered loudly, and gently moved Jonas out of her arms, covering him with his blanket. She crept over to the door to her room, and put her ear up against it. She heard the moaning again, that she had heard just last night. She felt like breaking down the door, but also, she didn't want to deal with anything after that. She walked to her bathroom, and fixed her hair. She took off the sweater she had been wearing, and straightened the t-shirt she wore underneath. This would have to do, for now. She put on her makeup, and went to make breakfast for her son. After cooking up scrambled eggs, she went and woke Jonas, quietly, and told him to go get dressed. She needed to take him to his daycare. She wasn't about to leave him here, after what happened last night. Monica put the eggs on two plates, and sat down to wait for him to return. He came back, wearing the outfit she had laid out for him the night before. She gave him a kiss, and he sat to eat. Watching him, she couldn't help but smile. He was so smart for his age, and his vocabulary was much wider than those that he knew from daycare. She was very proud of him.
"Mommy, am I going to daycare today?"
"Yes."
"Why doesn't Daddy take care of me? He doesn't have a job. Why doesn't he stay home and take care of me?"
"Because Daddy does some stuff that grown-ups do. But, they're bad things, so not many grown-ups like him for doing it."
"The lady he had with him sure liked him. And I think she loves God, too."
"Why would you say that?"
"Cause I think that Daddy and her were in praying together, last night." She laughed at his inference. It would have been a logical explanation in the mind of a four-year-old.
"You know what? They might just have been." Jonas smiled. He liked it when he was right. He finished his eggs quickly, and took his plate to the sink, just like he had been taught. How she ended up with such an obedient child, she would never know. They put on their shoes, and coats, and went out to her car. Just as they were leaving, Monica saw the only disobedient little child she knew step outside into the light. And that child, was her husband, Rick. He held his hand up in a fist as she drove away. She couldn't figure out why, as he should have been happier than she was. After all…he had sex many times last night. Monica didn't care who with, it was just the unsettling thought that she was there in the house, with her son, while her husband slept with another woman. She felt sick to her stomach. She tried her best to put thoughts of her husband out of her mind as she took Jonas to daycare, for the millionth time, it seemed. She never trusted Rick to take him, as he was rarely in his right mind to take care of him while he was at home, let alone let himself out into public, where he would have to talk to people who weren't his wife, son, or anything with breasts.
She arrived on time at the daycare, and Jonas leapt out of the car.
"Bye, Mommy!" He yelled.
"Have a good day, angel. I'll see you soon!" She called back. And with that, she headed off to work.
Work was always just as boring as the next job. It was nice to be in charge, but she wanted the chance to relax every once in a while. She had to support herself and Jonas, plus Rick usually demanded money from her. It was as if he felt it was her duty to take care of him, even though he hadn't shown any sort of affection towards her in years. Monica came into the shop, early, as usual, and began to set things out for the day: Newspapers, coffee, and what not, and replenished the small jar of pennies she kept by the register. Once all the papers were set and she was ready, she went to check her shelves, to make sure everything was in the right order. This was her daily routine. It wasn't until nearly a week later that her cycle was broken. Around noon, Monica was in the back, straightening the milk when the bell on the door rang. She glanced in the reflection from the glass doors, and smoothed her clothes and her hair. She straightened her pin and walked as professionally as she could to the front of the store. Before she looked up, she noticed a newspaper on the floor. She walked over to pick it up, when another hand reached it first. She glanced up, and saw a man in front of her. He looked oddly familiar, and it took her a moment before she could place a name.
"Chandler?" He smiled broadly.
"So you do remember me!" He took a step closer to her, and she felt a familiar flutter in her stomach as she met his eyes. What was she getting into? She tore her eyes from his and looked behind her, pretending to have heard something so she didn't have to look at him.
"So, uh, what's up with you? Aren't you supposed to be at work?" She asked.
"Yeah, but I'm taking a long lunch break today. When do you get off to eat?"
"I - " Was he asking her on a date? "Soon, I think."
"Would you like to join me?"
"Actually, I stay here during lunch. My employees go, but I have to keep up shop."
"Ah, well, do you want any company?" He grinned. How could she say no to those eyes?
"Sure." His face lit up again. She wasn't as enthusiastic.
"Allright, well, I'll be back in a few minutes. I need to go and buy some lunch." He started to leave.
"Hang on a sec." She stopped him. "This isn't an inconvenience store. We do have food, ya know."
"Oh, I thought everything here was made of plastic." His face looked serious, but his eyes gave him away. She stared at him.
"Sorry. I've always used humor as a defense mechanism. It's kind of a habit."
"I see. Well, what would you like?"
"You have any gum?"
"I always have gum." She tossed him a pack. "Don't you want anything to eat?"
"I might later. Right now, I want to sit." So he did. She took a bag of chips from a shelf and plopped down next to him.
"You know, you're going to have to pay for that," she said, eyeing the chocolate bar he had poking a little ways out of his coat pocket. He grinned and tossed it at her.
--
Quite a while later, the afternoon came to a close. Monica was tidying up the store, when two women, a little younger than she was, came through the door, chattering away. However, they stopped when they noticed Chandler, and stared at him. They started to whisper, and Chandler was beginning to look uncomfortable. Meanwhile, Monica was glancing back and forth between them for a moment before she stepped forward and cleared her throat.
"Um, you two, this is my good friend, Chandler. Chandler, these are my employees, Alice and Erica."
Chandler waved uneasily, and turned to look at Monica. She gestured for the girls to go away, and they turned around, giggling. He stepped towards Monica.
"Oh, don't mind them," she said, looking at the still chattering brunettes that were pretending not to be looking, "they always do this. They must think you're cute. Look, Erica's blushing." She laughed when Erica covered her face. Monica reached over and grabbed a pen from on top of the counter. "Here," she said, grabbing his arm. She wrote her phone number on the back of his hand, "give me a call sometime. But if you do, sound really formal, like, 'May I speak with Ms. Geller, please?', kind of like a salesperson, okay? I don't want my husband thinking I'm having an affair, and even if you explain that you're just a friend, he'll be his usual self and assume that you're lying."
"Oh, you're married?"
"Mm-hmm." She slightly rolled her eyes.
"That great, huh?"
"Ugh, I know. But I have a son, which makes it all the more interesting for me. But I love him to death, so…"
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. Listen, I have to get back to work, so, call me, allright?"
"Will do." He smiled, and left, stopping to wink at Erica and Alice, who started giggling uncontrollably again. Monica looked on after him, until he was out of sight. Alice turned to look at Monica, her eyes wide and her mouth open.
"Monica!" She said, jealously, "where in the world did you find him?"
"He came in about a week ago. He was lost one night."
"Ohhh…" she raised her eyebrows.
"What?"
Erica stepped forward. "Mon, you're married!" she said.
"I know I am! He's just a friend!"
"Just a friend?" Alice asked, accusingly. She looked as if she wasn't prepared to believe her.
"I mean, yeah, he's cute, and yeah, he's really funny and sweet and nice, and really, really cute and - " Her eyes were drifting off into space, and she stopped when the girls were both standing with their hands on their hips, and snapped back into reality. She threw her hands up.
"Okay, okay! I like him. But I'm married, remember?" She said, pointing to her ring. She was actually trying to convince herself more than anything.
"Uh-huh. Mon, I think we're the ones who should be reminding you, hon." Erica told her.
"I know, I know." They were quiet for a moment. All of a sudden, Alice spoke up.
"If Mon doesn't get him, then I call him!" She yelled, raising her hand quickly. Monica jumped slightly, and Erica's face fell.
"Aw, man!" she said, sighing. Monica laughed and rolled her eyes.
--
Chandler's visits became more frequent for the next couple of weeks, and soon became a daily occurrence. Monica found herself looking forward to his appearance at her store more and more. Even Erica and Alice warmed up to him. Their giggles only resurfaced every once in a while. Monica was reluctant to talk about her family, although she didn't have much of a family outside of her husband and son. But, she thought, maybe, just maybe, she would tell him about them. Maybe.
Monica was home one evening, after Jonas had gone to sleep, and she had time alone. She was sitting on her sofa, twirling her ring on her finger, as usual, when the phone rang. She picked it up.
"Hello?" the person on the other end cleared their throat.
"Um, is a Ms. Geller in?"
"Speaking."
"Monica?" She could never forget that voice.
"Hey, sweetie!" He was silent for a moment.
"Do you know who this is?"
"Of course! You're my friend, Tom, who lives in Brooklyn. Yeah, and you come over every other weekend for one hot and steamy night. Why do you ask?" She fought back laughter.
"I am?" He lowered his voice to sound deep and suave. "I - I mean…Yes, yes I am. So, uh, when do you want to get together and - make your wildest fantasies come true?" He laughed, still in his low voice.
"Well, I don't know if I want to go into detail here on the phone, but, let's just say you're in for a real treat."
"I'll bet I am. Where should I meet you?"
"In your dreams, Bing." His voice changed back to normal.
"I figured you knew."
"How could I not?"
"Yeah, I know. I'm not easily forgotten."
"You keep telling yourself that."
"Don't mind if I do. So, where exactly are you?"
"In my house."
"Funny. Are you in your room, or your kitchen, or what?"
"Well, I'd be in my room, normally, except…" her voice trailed off.
"What is it?"
"My husband's in there."
"He doesn't want you talking to me?"
"Oh, no, he doesn't know, it's just, well…" she tried to find the right words, "he has…company."
"Oh." He was silent. He then changed the subject abruptly. "So, how's Jonas doing?" She smiled on the other end. She thought it was so sweet that he was trying not to pressure her, and she launched into conversation.
"Well, he's doing great. The people at the daycare say he's getting along really well with the other kids. And plus, he's really smart. I'm really surprised how much his vocabulary has - " she paused. "Wait a sec, how do you know about Jonas?"
"You were getting something out of your wallet, and I saw a picture of him."
"Okay, well, you knew I had a son, how did you know his name?"
"You mentioned him the other day, and I just assumed that's who you were talking about."
She nearly shivered. He was so perceptive. He caught every little detail. "Wow, you're…good!"
"Oh, I know."
--
They were hours into conversation before Rick came out of his room. She was laughing at another of Chandler's corny jokes, and Rick scowled. Monica glanced over to where he was standing, and saw a redhead poke her head out of the doorway. Rick pushed her out of view, and Monica rolled her eyes.
"Are you finished yet?" Monica asked him.
"Who, me?" Chandler asked on the phone.
"No, my husband and his date. Or should I say, his Kleenex Girl."
"Does she carry tissues?" He was confused.
"No, Rick just goes through girls like Kleenex. He's never with one for more than a week at a time."
She glared at Rick, but then laughed as she realized she wasn't the only one who was. The redhead was now fully visible, wearing a half buttoned sheer top, and a small pair of underwear. She had her hands on her hips, fuming.
"What's your name?" Monica asked her, as if she were speaking to a child. Chandler was cracking up.
"Should I call you back?" He asked.
"Maybe you'd better." She laughed. They hung up, and she turned, smiling, towards them. She found the whole situation to be quite amusing. They were both partially undressed, and Rick looked very foolish.
"So," she asked again, "seriously, what's your name?"
"I'm Amanda. Who're you?"
"I'm his wife, Monica." She stood up. Amanda looked back at Rick.
"You're married?! You said she was your lesbian roommate! You said she was the fat girl who lived in your spare bedroom!"
"Oh no. That's our son's room." She said.
"You have a son?!?!" she yelled, throwing her hands in the air. She stormed back into the bedroom, and came back seconds later with a skirt on.
"I'm outta here.," she said, glaring at Rick. She turned to Monica. "I am so, so, so, sorry. if I knew he was … I wouldn't have …"
"Eh, you're better than most. At least you apologized. I don't blame you, ya didn't know. He's a pretty good liar, isn't he?"
She nodded and rolled her eyes. "Yeah. He shouldn't be allowed out of the house."
"I know. Hey, you have our number, right?"
"Yeah…" she looked confused.
"Give me a call sometime. We'll do lunch." She smiled brightly.
"Allright. See ya 'round. And you," she pointed at Rick, "go bury yourself in a landfill, and quickly. I want no evidence of your presence if I come back." she looked at Monica and winked, before heading out the door.
"She's cute." Monica said, lightheartedly. "Oh, and Rick, sweetie, a couple things: First of all, come up with a better lie next time, and second, for God's sake, get dressed. I don't need you parading around my apartment in your underwear." She strolled past him, and into her bedroom, with Rick staring open mouthed as she went.
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