Mr. Monk and the Dog

Exhibit A

The Davenports gathered together for the group photo.

“Adrian? Adrian where are you?”

Natalie spotted Adrian standing a few yards away from the group.

“Hey you guys, hang on one second.” Natalie said, sprinting over to Adrian.

She grabbed his arm and pulled him over to the group sticking him and herself right in the middle. Adrian squirmed but Natalie put her arm around his waist and smiled.

“1, 2, 3, Cheese!”

The camera flashed and the group dispersed quickly. Adrian put his fingers to his eyes, moaning in dramatic agony.

“Retinal scarring!”

Natalie grabbed his hands and pulled Adrian over to an area away from everyone else.

“Adrian you’re fine.”

He crossed his arms and frowned looking over to the group.

Natalie carefully took Adrian’s hand and walked a little further from the group until they entered a pathway following the edge of the woods. They walked together holding hands in silence for a few moments before Adrian spoke up.

“I don’t know why you wanted me in that picture anyway.”

“Because, you’re family.”

“Family.” He said huffing a laugh.

“What?”

“I don’t even know what family is. Family is supposed to be comfortable. Family is supposed to be loving.”

“Adrian I know my family doesn’t know you that well...yet, but listen to me.”

She stopped their walking and put her hand on his face. “Me and Julie, we’re your family. We love you and we’re comfortable with you. You love us too don’t you?”

“Of course.”

“Well then, we’re family. And I promise, my family is going to get to know you better sooner or later.”

Natalie smiled and Adrian looked over at the group, thinking about what she had said.

“I’d like that.”

-----------

“I want to pick up desserts on the way home. She loves surprises.”

Adrian and Natalie walked to the stairwell.

“Adrian, you love this dog. Admit it.”

“Natalie...”

They began walking down the stairs as Natalie continued to prod him.

“You so love her. Admit it!”

“Okay, so I do love her.”

“More than me?”

“What?”

Adrian stopped descending the stairs and grabbed Natalie’s arm.

“Just wondering...” She said quietly.

“Natalie why would you think I love this dog more than you?”

“Well, you buy her desserts, you surprise her...you let her live with you.”

Adrian fidgeted slightly and looked at Natalie.

“I’m just teasing you Adrian.” She said, though a slight tone of hope lingered in her voice.

“Natalie you’re not serious are you? You know I love you. You must certainly know I love you more than a dog.”

“I know.”

They linked arms and continued descending the stairs.

-------------

Natalie and Adrian sat on his couch staring at Shelby.

“I can’t believe she’s pregnant.” She said.

“Me either! Do you believe this? Birthing...in my apartment!”

Natalie smiled then became serious as her mind wandered.

“Adrian did you and Trudy ever talk about...having children?”

He nodded slowly as his eyes quickly filled with tears.

“You would make a wonderful father Adrian.”

He shook his head.

“No, no I wouldn’t. They would grow up to be just like me.”

Natalie took Adrian’s hand and kissed his palm.

“That wouldn’t be a bad thing.”

“Yes it would. I’m crazy. I worry all the time, I make everyone uncomfortable.”

“Adrian. You’re a little...different, but you are a good man. You are honest and caring and you always seek justice. You make me happy, you’ve made Shelby happy. You would be a good dad.”

Adrian bit his lip.

“I was always...too afraid. What if I mess up? It only takes one mistake.”

“That’s part of parenthood Adrian. You’re not the only one who’s thought that thought before, believe me. But once you see that little baby, your worries fade. You know just what to do.”

Shelby started to whine and Natalie looked over to her.

“Uh, oh. I think it’s time Adrian.”

He quickly sprang from the couch and hurried out of the room. He returned in a few moments.

Natalie smirked at Adrian wearing the mask and apron.

“It’s a natural thing Adrian. Your mother did it, twice. I did it.”

“Natalie!”

“Well, it’s true.”

“Stop Natalie, I don’t want...images.”

She giggled and rubbed Shelby’s stomach.

“This is what I get for trying to be nice. I open my...”

“Your heart?”

”My house!”

“You opened your heart Adrian. Don’t close it. You need to keep it open. Miracles happen when you open your heart.”

Adrian looked at Natalie and nodded his head slowly.

“Congratulations Grandpa.”

Adrian looked up at Natalie. Her eyes were shining with wonder as she stared at the tiny puppy in her hands.

“It’s...amazing.” He said quietly.

“I’m telling you Adrian, miracles happen. All you have to do is open your heart. This is your baby Adrian.”

“My baby.” He whispered.

“What are you going to name it?”

“Exhibit A.”

---------The italics dialogue belongs to Natalie’s relative. I don’t know her name, so I didn’t want this conversation to be confusing.

“I can’t split them up. They’re family.”

“It’s different with dogs Adrian.”

He nodded slightly looking at the puppies.

“We could take Shelby too. In fact we could take them all.”

“Except Exhibit A! That’s Adrian’s!”

“Natalie I can’t keep a puppy!”

“Natalie we’ll take them all, it’s no trouble really.”

“Actually, I’m keeping Exhibit A.” Natalie said quietly.

“Okay. We’ll take the rest of them. Come on honey, let’s go.”

After they left, Adrian turned to Natalie, seeing her holding the puppy snugly in her arms.

“Natalie you can’t keep him. Julie’s allergic.”

“Actually...I kind of lied.”

“What?”

“I knew if no one else could keep Shelby you would. I had to let you take the opportunity. But now, we can keep this puppy at ou- my house.” She caught herself saying “our” house again.

Adrian narrowed his eyes at her.

“You are very sneaky.”

“I outsmarted the world’s greatest detective? Wow.”

Adrian let a smile creep across his face.

“So what are you really going to name this puppy?”

“Tony.”

“Why Tony?”

“Trudy and I had considered Tony as a name if we ever...”

“I think it’s perfect.”