Monica wakes up the next morning feeling so confused. Look at her clock and sees it’s noon. “When did it become noon and how did I get home?”

“It was a struggle but I somehow managed.” Mike is walking into the room just wearing his boxes.” Monica cannot hide the shock on her face. “Don’t worry we didn’t do anything I slept on the couch, and I can’t exactly be wearing my clothes because someone decided it would be a wonderful idea to fall spilling their drink all over me. so wearing a crusty alcohol soaked suit was not happening.”

“I am so embarrassed. I am so sorry!”

Mike put his hand up to stop her. “Don’t worry. You had a lot of questions and kept shocking you that you went with the easy escape.”

“At least I only get drunk once a year or this would be really embarrassing.”

“What was really embarrassing was your friend Andrew coming over and finding me in my boxers in your kitchen.”

“Haha! Oh I will have to call Andrew and explain.”

“He has a key to your place?”

“Yep. He comes here about three times a week in the morning with coffee and we head to work together.”

“That’s cool.”

“Yeah, he’s such an amazing friend, been there for me since I came here.”

“You didn’t grow up in San Fran?”

“Nope came here solo after my parents passed away.”

“Wow.”

“That’s what happens when you nineteen and your parents pass away. But it’s life.”

“Listen I get the no parents thing, they may have been there but they weren’t. Physically there but everything else, no. My dad has no clue about me even leaving New York. I’m not sure he even cares I’m in California. My mom isn’t much better. But it is what it is.”

“I’m sorry. I know doesn’t mean anything but mine were taken and didn’t have a choice while yours do. I know not helping but I couldn’t image in that.” Monica seemed to get lost in a world simply playing with the sheets. Mike take this cue and makes his way next to her just holding her. They stayed like that for the rest of the afternoon. Each getting lost in their own world but not wanting to loss the other person.

The world seemed to pass them by for the day letting them get take out and eating on the floor in her living room to watch a movie, vegged out, and got lost in conversation. Places they wish to travel to, places they’ve been, and making a destination place that they promise they will only go together to. Life they have lived. The life they saw themselves living, or at least that they were meant to have. Things they would have done differently and things they want to do differently now. Mike wants to make a difference for the local teens to have out reaches to feel safe at. While Monica wants to see what the city has to offer. She has lived in San Fransico for about four years and has yet to see all of it if it is not friend or work related she has not ventured over there.

Before either of them realize it they are face to face leaning on the couch with knees almost touching as they lay with blankets around them. Looking at each other unsure of what is come next. They realize it is now dark but neither of them seem to care. The moment has taken them over and all they can do is look into each others eyes wishing this will never end.

Monica is walking into the office with more questions going through her head then she thought possible. She goes to the desk to get checked in expecting Tony to be able to bounce these ideas off of but it’s a new person. “Good Morning.”

“Oh hi. Morning I mean, sorry where is Tony?”

“He no longer works here.”

“What do you mean?” The new attendant behind the counter is unsure of what to say.

“He was asked to leave. Something about talking about God in the office.”

“Are you kidding me?!”

“No, I’m sorry miss.”

“Is there anyway I could contact him?”

“I have is number I can give you. It’s such a shame he was the most helpful here. He knew I have been struggling to pay for school and I know he has a big family to pay for but he would offer me hours.” Monica is in awe of thinking she thought this man was simply mean and would pass her by. While she has been the ignorant on and probably is the cause to him losing his job. Monica’s day is a blur. She has no clue what to work on, who to contact, and almost never answered her phone. Mike stopped by to apologize for the previous night and she almost broke down.

“Need to go for a walk?”

“I should do work but I know I wont do any.”

“Come on. I know I don’t seem like a good person to talk to but I am sure I can help.”

“Okay. You’ve gotten a man fired about telling you about God?”

“Just come one. Isn’t there chairs or a park near by?”

“Yeah just out the back entrance.”

“Okay that is where we will wait to talk.” They stay silent through the office, reach the elevators and still silent. Once they reach the air Monica feels more relaxed. “I have not gotten anyone fired from sharing God, however that is why I left my previous job. I have been a Christian my whole life. I never knew what it truly meant till my twenties when I truly needed God in my life.”

“Your a Christian?”

“Yep. Born and raised”

“Then your really blessed to have parents that raised you that way.”

“What about yours?”

“I believe my parents where christians, but they passes away before I could question religion or really come to an age where I knew what God would mean to me and my life.” Monica and Mike continue to sit and take in their surroundings not saying a thing. They get lost in a conversation and Monica asking questions about God and what he means to Mike. Going around debating, not sure what it all means, to before they know it, the sun is setting. Still more that Monica wants to know so they go to dinner together.

“Nice house.”

“Why thank you.” Shay releases his arm from around Monica waist and turns to look at her. “What brings you to the woods.”

“Andrew actually asked me to come here, but I have yet to see him.”

“He’s actually inside. Want to come in.”

“I do but it’s so beautiful here. Sorry we don’t views like this from my apartment.” Monica just continues to gaze up at the stars as if nothing else exist.

“That’s why people come to the woods, it’s something I like to call camping.”

Monica can’t fight back a smile. “Ha, ha. Very funny.” The two simple continue to stand outside neither wanting to turn or move just being comfortable with the silence. Shay turns to Monica about to say something while someone beats him to the punch.

“So you do make it out here.” Mike is coming down the stairs holding a Mike’s which isn’t exactly mainly but Monica can’t help the girlyness of the drink.

“I can get away from my comfort zone.”

“What brings you here?”

“Andrew asked me to come.”

“Right. Did you get to read over my folder?”

“No.” Which is a lie Monica read over every detail Mike left and started making an outline of what to send back to him and where he should look.

“Oh I guess your really busy then.”

“No. Just not sure what kind of read I get from you and it makes me question working with you. Sure it’ll have your name to it, but my name will also be out there.”

“Ahh yes your precious name.”

“Sorry to interrupt but do you guys need a moment?” Shay is starting to back away unsure of where this conversation is coming from or what is with all the tension that came into the air.

“No, Shay you can stay out here with Mike I was just heading in.” Monica goes p the steps and makes it to the door frame when Mike is suddenly next to her. “Can I help you.”

“Yeah, I think I want to take you out for a date.”

“I’m not the kind of girl you think of doing something with. You either have the balls to ask or you don’t.” Monica just steps into the party leaving Mike at the door.

“You can never show too much leg. You could show more of those mosquito boobs you have but leg is great.” Monica is video chatting with her sister, whose in Chicago, to help her get ready for the party at Shay’s. She’s looking to impress for the night.

“Trish you sure?”

“Honey you have amazing legs they should be shown to the world.”

“I understand looking good but I don’t want to be easy or a slut.”

“Calm down, I may dress it, you know, slutty whatever but I’m young and single. But you are so conservative. Loosen up a little. You look beautiful. You will turn heads.”

“I hope your right.” Trish goes on to ask all about this boy shoes looking to grab his attention but all Monica says is she’s getting bored with life and feels like she’s seriously missing out on companion ship and hopes to grab some attention to talk to a guy. They leave it on that note but Trish isn’t interiorly convince and Monica does not seem to believe it herself. The right to the party is a blur, Monica is so nervous to see Mike but also not sure if she will. Now she wishes she meet Andrew before hand to not have to walk in a lone.

Monica just stands out the house not sure to walk in. She debates walking in and while starring at the window she hears her name being called. Jay is walking up the driveway with a case in hand. “Ahh that is what I forgot to come prepared for beer in the woods.”

“True, I bring this anytime I come to Shay’s. He doesn’t drink but I feel like the more I bring it sometime he is bound to drink.”

“Wow. Slightly douche.”

“Well, yeah. But I do try to not force it. I just bring it that is all.”

“Then I guess he’s very tolerable.” Monica and Jay just seemed to linger outside of the house. Monica debating to go in a Jay looking like he needs to talk to her. The last encounter was not the best one, and Monica had more than a few choice words to say about it but right now she’s had more on her mind. She’s got a guy on her mind, reading the Bible, and thinking some serious life changes. But let’s have this Jay situation play out.

“If you don’t want to go in a lone I can give you a hand.” Monica gives Jay a once over. Not sure what to say. “I know I am probably not your type but just trying to be a friend here doll.” That gets her.

“I am not your doll. Listen I am not a bitch just going throw stuff so wondering how I even got on this road, this town, and talking to you. Just way to much to think about. Sorry I don’t even know you, but that is why I am standing here and looking at this house and wondering if I should enter.”

“How about I just wait with you. Here.” Jay hands Monica and beer. “Relax a little and we’ll just wait out here.” Monica sits on the stone porch next to Jay and puts her heels next to her.

“So much for showing legs.” Monica says softly.

“What.”

“Nothing just thinking of what my sister would be saying right now.”

“Gotcha, hot many you got?”

“Just her, no brothers. You?”

“I have a brother and a sister.”

“One of each nice.”

“Yep. I’m sure my sister wishes she had a sister but she had two protective brothers instead.”

“That’s nice that your protective.”

“I think so, she doesn’t all the time.” Monica tells him he knows how it is because she’s protective of Trish, especially after they were in a car accident when they were younger. It wasn’t anything major but she promised after that to always protect her. It might not have always been for the best but it was what she knew to do. Jay shared how he’s watch his brothers life always go on the right track and he’s tried to be a good example but he’s brother has turned into his example for his life. Spin on the older siblings role. But his sister has always been the star. She does sports and is at an Ivy League school dating the perfect boyfriend. Her life seems so type A but that is also her personality.

After all there sharing they realize they’ve been outside for a good two hours and drank half the case. Jay figured he might as well bring it in before Shay has to question where all the beer really went. Monica says she’ll wait a minute before going in, she wants to look at the stars which you can’t get a good look at by her. While gazing at the stars Monica feels some ones arm slip around her waist. She does not know this arm but feels as though this is where it belongs. When she turns to see who it could be, it’s Shay.

Monica went to work spoke to Tony as she entered. Shared with him what she had read and what chapters had changed her view. Still unsure of what all these things mean to her, Tony simple shares for her to not rush it and to continue reading. He is no expert so tell her to seek a place out that she feels called to. Monica agrees to this and heads to her office. Before looking for a place that calls to her, which she is unsure of what that could possible mean, she does the research she promised to do for Mike.

“What is with this thing?” Monica is clicking all over her computer for the website she uses for simpler researching of fundraisers and it does nothing.

“Bad time?” Monica turns to see Mike standing at her office door.

“Oh no, sorry just trying to actually look up the information I said I would do for you.”

“Ahh, well thank you so much. I did some of my own.”

“Awesome. I honestly meant to do this for you yesterday but life gave me a slap in the face so I had to put it off.”

“Alright. In a good way.”

“You know I think so.”

“Well that’s always good.” Mike unsure of what to continue on saying goes and hands the folder he’s brought with all the research he has done.

“Oh right, getting straight to business. Listen not sure what your expecting to do or anything-”

“I have everything laid out there with my ideas. Read it over and give me a call.” Mike just turns and head to the elevator. Monica is unsure how to think of this. Should she follow him or, she’s up and heading to him.

She catches him at the elevator, “that’s it?”

“Excuse me?”

“Your just going to walk all the way to my office, hand me this, and then be done?”

“Monica I know your business didn’t mean it in a rude way. Honestly.” Mike looks serious at Monica and questions lingering on his face of wondering why she’s so hurt by what just happened.

“I’m sorry. I guess I am just, I, there is just a lot of my mind. I will read this over and give it back to you.”

“Thanks.” The elevator opens and Mike steps on in. Gives an awkward wave and the door shuts.

“And that lady and gentlemen is how you make a complete and total ass of yourself.” Monica phone goes off with a text from Andrew, done for party tonight at Shay’s? Shay is friends with Mike, Monica just made an ass out of herself to him. Probably not. I’ll be there.

“Hey beautiful.” Monica jumps as she’s coming into her apartment.

“Oh wow, how did you get in here?”

“Umm you gave me a key. Why so jumping?”

“Well I left my door locked with no one in it, come back and your here.” Monica makes her way to the kitchen for some water. “What brings her here?”

“I wanted to apologize for yesterday morning. I didn’t mean to react that way. I mean I should not have reacted that way.”

“No worries. All is forgotten. How did everything go with your client?”

“It went really well actually. I think he may sign a contract for me to work with him.”

“Oh look at you.” Monica gives him a big hug. “I always knew that you’d do a great job at whatever you choose to do. But you’ve been great with helping others out with their lives.”

“Thanks. So any word from Mike?”

“Oh no, I was suppose to do all this research for him yesterday that I just didn’t get to do from this crazy day I had so needed to put it off. But I will do it for him today so will probably talk to him.”

“Crazy day?”

“Oh yeah I don’t know why but for some reason I started talking to my security guy...” Monica go on to tell the details of sharing his life with her. Talking about his mission trips, which made her want to research and she got a Bible and read it. All what happened with her reading the chapters. Simply being eye open to all this. How it hurt her so much to not know this because her parents did not find it important and they both died before she could really talk to them all about it. Andrew would ask questions here and there but it hurt him knowing she wanted to talk to her parents about this but never could.

“How old where you when your parents were killed?”

“I was nineteen. I had just entered my second year of college and they were coming to visit me for a surprise weekend.”

“Oh wow I never knew that.”

“Because I don’t talk about it. Sad times don’t need to be shared. I was angry at them for driving up to see me, angry they didn’t stop over night, I was just really angry. It got to the point where I had to grow up. I finished out the semester doing okay. Many of my professors were understanding, but there is only so much understanding that they can do. I left and travelled because I couldn’t keep my home so I had no home. I lost a lot of my belongings. So I travelled. Which brought me here. I needed work because 6 months of traveling gets expensive and only so many places you can search for questions. I got the job with the company I have today. They liked something so paid for school, and had me build up their internships program and bring the perspective I have for them. But now I also see more than work, meeting my friends, I found myself again. I didn’t need answers I needed to give life the purpose I had. Now I see the purpose I found may be changing.”

“Changing?”

“Yeah changing. Maybe talking with Tony yesterday was more than just finding out about his life. Maybe it was also being forced to talk a look at my own life again.”

“Your not thinking of leaving right?”

“No just seeing that I haven’t settled into this life I have. I know that I am doing a lot but is it the right stuff that I am doing? Could I be doing more? I remember before my parents died I would do a lot of volunteer work. After I haven’t done any. That’s not right.”

“Wow. I had no idea.”

“Yeah. So I went on a run for clarity. It helped a lot. An now your here and I got to share it all with you. Been a good debriefing. And I am still gross and need to shower for work. Which I am sure to be late for.”

“Oh shot same. I will run and let you get ready. Call me later and we’ll talk more.

“Of course! Thanks so much for listening.”

“It’s what I’m here for.”

“Love you and I will call you later.” Monica then runs to the bathroom leaving Andrew to let himself out. Holding a note he’s debating leaving for her. Walks to the door and looks back, but just throws it in the trash.

Monica is walking down the street to work, still with the biggest smile. She’s turning to work seeing the security guard that always gives her an issue. Still keeps her smile on, gives him a big grin, “Morning Tony, isn’t today beautiful.”

“Yeah yeah.” Tony just sits on his stool with his book. Monica stops.

“You know Tony, I have seen you almost everyday for about two year and I don’t know the slightest thing about you. Do you have any kids?” Tony is so taken back from Monica even talking to him. Even more so by her asking about his life.

“I have been happily married for twenty three years. We have three children.”

“Wow that’s amazing. How many boys and girls?”

“Two boys, the first born is Anthony Jr. The the middle is a girl.”

“That’s awesome. How old are they?”

“Umm. Two in high school and one entering their second year of college.”

“Where does Anthony Jr. go to college?”

“He goes to school here in the San Fransico University.”

“That’s amazing. Congratulations! Welp Tony before I’m late for work I’m going to catch the elevator but it was great talking to you. I’ll see you on my lunch break and ask about your other son and daughter.

“Alright Monica.” Monica makes her way to the elevator and she goes about her work for the day. She meant what she said with coming down on her break and talking to Tony about his two other children. The daughter is going to be a senior in high school, she is looking to get a soccer scholarship to Notre Dame. He grads could get her in but she wants to play where ever she attends school. He is pushing for the education, but knows he’s daughter will make the right choice. His son will be a junior and he plays basketball, not very well but it is his passion. He is not sure what he wants to do yet so they are for him doing a gap year so he doesn’t rush into anything.

Tony meet his wife doing missions work. Monica talked to him about what he’s done on mission and what made him want to do that and push him to do this work. Talking about Tony’s missions trip actually made Monica after work go and buy a Bible to see what made Tony want to give months of his life doing work for this cause. She spent the night reading chapter after chapter and being torn. She wept. Got angry. Needed breaks but in the end stopped and just reflected. 

When Monica woke up she say her bed all disheveled with the notes she had taken, her computer, and the Bible. Will all this she does not know what she has woken up to and all she can think to do is put on clothes to go for a run, grab her ipod, and leaves.

Sorry June I am failing with posting.

The next day Monica wakes up slowly. Taking her time just rolling over and looking around her room. She gradually gets up. Rolls out of bed a groggily goes to her bathroom to get ready for the day. She sees that she laid in bed for a half hour so she will barely make a work out. With the pace that she is going out she’s lucky if she makes it in time for work. After checking herself in the mirror she doesn’t look too bad but she wants to wash away the night of tossing and turning of thinking about Mike. It makes no sense to her how a guy could just walk into her apartment and she could easily talk to him for hours about anything.

The heat of the water starts filling up the room. Monica turns to make her way for the shower but freezes remembering that she has to do all the phone calls for fundraising so she will get to talk to Mike later. Suddenly feeling pleased with the situation Monica gets in the shower and uses her good body wash, showers her hair and begins to sing. Gets out the shoer dries of and then turns up music to start dancing and getting ready for the day.

Monica makes her way to her bed and is jumping in her robe to the music and singing. Watching this all in Andrew who just walked in with morning coffee for Monica because she’s giving him a ride to work. “So this is what you now do in the morning.” Monica now becomes paralyzed. Slowly turns around in horror. As soon as she sees it’s only Andrew she relaxes and jumps off the bed to greet him.

“Way to scare a me. Goodness I thought you were a rapist or something.”

“What? Yes, a rapist would announce himself first.”

“Shut up! Thanks for the coffee.” Monica gives him a kiss on the cheek. “Now please step out I will throw on something and join you on the couch.”

“Alright. How are you not ready? Did something happen last night.”

“Oh you know the usual. Boy comes to my place, let himself in, set something up to help him, and then have a really deep conversation.” Monica begins to shyly walk off letting Andrew swallow what was just said.

“When did this happen?”

“Last night.”

“Right. Well... umm. Who was it?” Andrew is getting off the couch and making his way to the kitchen to make himself look busy.

“Mike. I forgot I told him I would talk with him, slightly embarressing but it was a good time.”

“Good. Listen I would love to hear more but completely forgot I’m meeting a client.” Walks over to Monica. “Give me a call later.” He grabs his coffee and makes his way to the door.

“Okay. Have a good meeting.”

“Thanks.” Andrew exist leaving Monica in a robe with coffee on the couch.

“Well that was weird.” Monica doesn’t let it phase her and gets ready for the day and puts the music back on.