It was just an election (3.15)
(Upon leaving the election headquarters)
"Mr. Monk, you can lower your head now. We are outside the room", Natalie said as she looked up at him.
Natalie and Julie were accompanying Monk out of the election headquarters, where they had witnessed Harold Krenshaw's victory speech. Natalie was not affected by the loss at all, but she definitely noticed that it hit her boss quite hard. She had not known her boss for long but she knew how much his "rivalry" with Harold meant to him, especially with regards to Dr. Kroger. It was a bit silly, really, like a childhood fight. Natalie did not laugh, nonetheless, because she felt Monk's agony at his therapist's "betrayal". She herself could relate as she remembered how many an employer of hers favored other employees even when they competed with her on the job and she deserved better from her bosses. Monk was even needier than she since his therapist was all he had and above all, a true friend.
Natalie opened the door for Monk to walk through with Julie. After saying goodbye to some of her volunteers, they got in the car and prepared to return home. Natalie took a look at Monk whose face was still filled with a mix of disbelief and contemplation. Fortunately perhaps, whatever sorrow she saw on his face while inside the election headquarters had disappeared for now. After watching Monk for a bit, Natalie was tempted to take a look at Mitch's photograph one more time.
"Is that Mitch?"
Monk's question drew Natalie's attention. She smiled in expressing agreement. She remembered the conversation Monk and she had back in the bathroom and the promise she owed to herself and Mitch. Because Julie was right there in the back of car, Natalie could not openly discuss her thoughts with Monk.
"Mr. Monk, you know, Mitch was also a bit of a jealous person. Back in his days on the Force, when he was just starting as a pilot, he used to take it badly when his comrades got promoted ahead of him. He had this guy with whom he fought together on the battlefield but they were always rivals off the field. I remembered how their squadron leader had to separate them because they could not get along. You are a bit like that with Harold. It's a good thing in many a way".
"I guess so. But I still can't believe Dr. Kroger helped him. And he called him "chuck". Can you imagine it?"
Monk was starting to pout a little, but more in an adult manner that was equally annoying and cute to Natalie. She placed an arm around Monk to calm him down. As she consoled him, Natalie began to reminisce about the tough life Monk led and how he had always had a worse lot than she did. Losing Trudy was perhaps the last straw for him. It was quite easy to sympathize with him.
"It's all going to be all right, Mr. Monk. Don't think about it too much. Soon it will be as if it never happened", Natalie said as she patted Monk.
For once Monk was out of words. He had the urge to yell back at Natalie as usual but now could barely say anything. Maybe it was because the shock of seeing Dr. Kroger with Harold had still not worn off, or maybe Natalie's words finally had meant something. Monk played her words back in his head and thought about their conversation about Mitch. He realized that he had lost too much and had too little to cherish to fuss over Harold. It felt like second nature to him, a bit strange in fact. Hope. Change. He did not know what it was, but it was a new way of thinking for him and nobody else had made him think like that.
In the back seat, Julie watched her mom and Mr. Monk exchange looks and contemplate in their own thoughts. Her mom had only known Mr. Monk only recently but it seemed as if they knew each other as well as anybody else would. She was not a naïve girl anymore and knew more than she let on. She suspected that they talked about daddy, something that they did not want her to know. It was probably important for both of them. She also knew that her mom had dated after her dad's death and no other man had known her mom as well as Mr. Monk did. It swelled her heart to see her mom console Mr. Monk and in his own way, he her. It made her miss her dad but in a way, made that emptiness seem not so important after all.
(Weeks later, in the Teegers' house)
Natalie was opening the mail, and taking great care not to disrupt the perfect piles that Monk had meticulously created. When she opened a letter from the School Board, she stood in excitement. It caused Monk to stop dusting.
"Wow! Look at this. Julie, honey, come downstairs!"
Monk came over and took a look. Julie also came running downstairs. Whatever it was, it must be quite important and everyone edged for a peek at the letter.
"The School Board, after much deliberation, has decided to keep Ashtown High open for the upcoming three years. We believe that this decision is necessary for ensuring the continued good education that all the students in this district receive and deserve to receive", Natalie read proudly.
Throwing the letter into the air, Natalie and Julie hugged each other in excitement. Monk picked up the letter and took in the scene before him. It made him happy as well to see them happy. Natalie had fought through so much for her daughter and even risked her life at times. He himself had no child, but Monk could slightly relate. He was not good with feelings but this was a good feeling, for certain, and he had come as close as feeling whatever it was. Tired of thinking too much on this, Monk came up with a quick idea.
"Natalie, you know, let's call Dr. Kroger. Let's call Harold. I can't wait to show him this and right in front of his face".
"No, Mr. Monk. We are certainly not doing that. Don't even think that I'm driving you there just for that", Natalie replied. "Come on, let's celebrate this. I'm cooking a dish my grandpa brought back from England".
"Oh come on, Natalie. It's my best shot at him."
Natalie gave him a glare. She knew that he could read her well and hoped he would get the message. It was a no, and a disapproving yet understanding no. Monk understood her perfectly and thought about it. It was a big chance to get one over Harold and too good to pass up. Yet something felt not right about it. After shaking the letter up and down, and back and forth, Monk finally handed it over to Natalie.
