New Friends, New Family, New Forever

The Thumb: Part 3

Sarah's POV:

The next day, Monica and I are talking at the cafe when the others come in from their softball game with saddened looks.

Monica: "How'd it go?"

Ross: "Well-"

All: "WE WON!"

They all cheer in victory.

Me: "Fantastic! I have one question: How is that possible?"

Joey: "Alan."

Ross: "He was unbelievable. He was like that Bugs Bunny cartoon where Bugs is playing all the positions, right, but instead of Bugs it was first base-Alan, second base-Alan, and so on."

Rachel: "I mean, it was like he made us into a team."

Chandler: "Yep, we sure showed those Hassidic jewelers a thing or two about softball."

Chandler and I high-five while Monica seems uneasy.

Monica: "Can I ask you guys a question? D'you ever think that Alan is maybe sometimes, I don't know, a little too Alan?"

Rachel: "No, that's impossible. You can never be too Alan."

Ross: "Yeah, it's his innate Alan-ness that we adore."

Chandler: "I personally could have a gallon of Alan. Right, sis?"

Me: "Well, he's a nice guy, and I'm happy Monica's happy, but he seems like too much of a crowdpleaser to me. But, Mon, it's not up to us. It's your life, your choices. Whatever you want, we're here for you."

Monica dons a soft smile as she pulls me into a side hug. A few minutes later, Phoebe walks in with a can of soda and quite the story to tell.

Ross: "A thumb?!"

Phoebe nods in confirmation as we all groan in disgust.

Phoebe: "I know! I know, I opened it up and there it was, just floating in there, like this tiny little hitch-hiker!"

Chandler: "Well, maybe it's a contest, y'know? Like, collect all five?"

Phoebe: "Does, um, anyone wanna see?"

All: "No!"

Then, Chandler lights a cigarette, and we all voice our discontent.

Chandler: "Hey, this is so unfair!"

Me: "How is this unfair?"

Chandler: "So I have a flaw! Big deal! Like Joey's constant knuckle-cracking isn't annoying? And Ross, with his over-pronouncing every single word? And Monica, with that snort when she laughs? I mean, what the hell is that thing? I accept all those flaws, why can't you accept me for this?"

An awkward silence follows before Joey speaks up.

Joey: "Does the knuckle cracking bother everybody?"

Me: "Not really. It's more of a quirk. Right, guys?"

Rachel: "Well, I could live without it."

Joey: "Well, is it, like, a little annoying, or is it like when Phoebe chews her hair?"

Phoebe spits her hair out as she's been chewing it this whole time.