Chapter 5: When You're Alone
Sharona had decided to leave soon after that exchange, wanting to give Monk some time to adjust to their possible new status. She smirked to herself and shook her head. "You really have gone nuts, Sharona," she said to herself. "You're falling for Adrian Monk. And all because of one little kiss!" She sighed, thinking about that moment when he just leaned in and kissed her like it was no big deal. "Okay, okay. It was an amazing kiss, that's what it was. But on a school playground? In front of other people? He must really have it bad for me." She flushed a little at her own comment. "God, no one has ever felt that way about me before. I didn't think there'd be anybody for him after Trudy."
The mention of Trudy's name suddenly saddened her. "He loved her so much. She was his angel. I want to have someone love me that much, but I can't expect Adrian to do that. He's already lost so much, and if something happened to tear us apart…I don't know. I can't make up my own damn mind! How can I find out if he's really ready to move on?"
She pondered her last few words as she pulled into her driveway, and Benjy came bounding out of the house towards her. "So?" he asked anxiously.
" 'So' what?" Sharona asked back. "I was at Adrian's. I do this all the time, and why would today be any different?"
"I don't know," Benjy said, feeling that something was up. "You have this look on your face…"
"Benjy, I know you got some ideas in your head from that kiss," Sharona sighed, "but I can't have that kind of relationship with him. If something went wrong…it would break him forever."
Benjy looked down and shook his head. "It doesn't matter if you're in love." He looked back up at her. "Do you love him, Mom? Are you in love with Mr. Monk?"
ACROSS TOWN…
"She said she wanted to be my prom queen," Monk repeated to himself for about the 80th time since Sharona left. "I can't believe she said it. I never expected her to say it. I'll finally have the most beautiful girl at the party." He suddenly looked over at a picture of Trudy that was siting on top of an end table. "After you, of course. You'll always be mt first love, and I just don't think I'll ever have that with anyone else. But Sharona… She understands me, and I know she's not perfect, but her faults are just so damn cute! Trudy, I don't think I'll ever love anyone as much as I loved you, but it can't hurt to try, right?"
He looked up, as if he was looking for Trudy up there in heaven. He was looking for her. He needed her blessing before he could move on with his life. Before he could make Sharona his prom queen.