Mr. Monk and the Two Assistants

around a soccer ball.
Sharona gave Monk a wipe before he even asked for it. “I guess this is good-bye again.”
“This is good-bye for the first time,” Monk said. “You skipped that part before.”
“I wish I hadn’t,” Sharona said. “Thank you for giving me my life back, Adrian.”
“You did it for me once,” Monk said.
Sharona nodded. “I guess this makes us even.”
Monk’s eyes lit up. “Even. I like that.”
“It’s the way everything should be,” Sharona said.
She kissed him on each cheek, just to keep things even, and walked away to join her husband and son outside.
I offered him a wipe for his cheeks but he declined it. That was progress.
Or maybe it was love.
“I’m going to miss her,” I said.
“Me, too,” Monk said. “All over again.”
I nodded. “I have to admit, though, that it’s sure nice to have my job back.”
“You never lost it,” Monk said. “It’s yours for life.”
“That long?” I said.
“Whether you like it or not,” Monk answered me.