TWENTY-NINTH INSTALLMENT

A little over one month into training, Kenneth was awaiting the arrival of a package in the mail. His attorney had called to tell him he would send a package of legal documents over, regarding Kenneth's divorce from Vanessa. He was very anxious to finally get the divorce over and done with. It had been dragging on far too long and he needed closure of that particularly unfortunate period in his life.
So when he picked up the mail for room D and found a thick manila envelope in the stack, he didn't even check to see whom it was addressed to, certain as he was of the fact it must contain his legal documents.

When he opened the envelope, a note fell out. He didn't recognize the neat handwriting, as he read the words.

"Dear Davey,
Sweetheart, I am so proud of you, my firstborn son, I can't put it into words. Your aunt Rosie told me about your scores on your latest tests. I'm so proud that you are doing so much better now. And your daddy would be so proud and happy too. He loved you so much, Davey. You know that of course.
Anyway, Nicky and I were going through the attic, cleaning up. And I found something I thought would make the perfect gift for your dormroom.
It's a photo grandpa David took of you and daddy, on your sixth birthday. Remember your aunt Golde had made you a miniature police uniform? I can't remember who had the most fun that day, you or your daddy! You both look so handsome in this picture. My two policemen.
I had Uncle Jack enlarge the photo and frame it. Find a nice place for it in your dormroom, sweetheart.
Keep your grades up, I know you can.
I love you always, my heart,
Mom"

With eyes that were moist now, Kenneth took the framed picture out of the envelope. It showed a tall, dark curly haired man with extreme blue eyes, dressed in a police uniform, smiling a lopsided smile into the lens. He was embracing a smaller figure, who bore a definite resemblance to the man, and who was standing on a low, brick wall. The child, a boy, was dressed in a smaller-scale version of the man's uniform and was wearing a child's version of the man's lopsided smile on his endearing face. The same bright blue eyes looked into the lens, and the same dark curly hair framed the sweet, innocent features.

The sight of his roommate David Starsky at the age of six, standing next to his father, moved Kenneth. A handsome duo he thought. The note from Dave's mother as well as the pose of his father with his firstborn son expressed so much more warmth and love, than Kenneth could remember ever having been expressed by his own parents towards him or his sister. They were not the type of people, who went around telling their offspring they loved them. Nor was their family the kind where love was shown through affectionate touches or hugs.

As Kenneth stood contemplating, still holding the picture and note from Dave's mother, his roommate walked in.
"Hiya! Mail in?" Dave exclaimed cheerfully.

Kenneth shuddered from the sudden sound. He turned just as Dave stepped up next to him.

Dave immediately recognized the items Kenneth was holding, as belonging to him. He looked at Kenneth with an irritated expression.
"Isn't that mine?" he asked, with nasal indignation.

Wordlessly, Kenneth offered the envelope and its former contents to Dave.
Dave took the items, looked at them, then looked back up at Kenneth.
"Are ya always in the habit of opening other people's mail?" he asked, annoyed.

"No, I uh, it, it was a mix up. I was expecting…."

"Don't ya read who it's addressed to, before ya just start tearin' open the envelope?" Dave exclaimed sharply.
"I thought they taught ya manners where you come from!" Dave turned angrily, clutching the photo to his chest.

"It was an honest mistake, Dave! I'm really very sorry. I should have read to whom it was addressed. I thought it was --- I'm expecting legal documents about my divorce. They should come in a similar envelope."

Dave remained quiet. Kenneth looked on from a short distance and could see Dave reading his mother's note, then tracing the face of his father's image with his finger.

"Nice photograph," Kenneth softly offered.

Dave nodded, without a sound.

"You look a lot like your dad."

"Yeah ---"

Kenneth slowly approached Dave.
"Look at you!" he chuckled,
"Did you know even back then, that you wanted to become a cop?"

Dave chuckled, but still seemed sad to Kenneth.
"Nah, the uniform was just a joke. My dad ----" he swallowed.
"My dad was always putting his cap on my head, after he'd come home from the station. It would just sag over my eyes, me being a kid and all, ya know? Then his sister said she'd make me my own uniform, and she did. It was a present for my sixth birthday."
Dave grinned.
"I think my dad enjoyed it more than me, parading me around the neighborhood in it."
He sighed.

Kenneth couldn't put his finger on the sadness that had come over Dave. He went to his closet, opened a drawer and got out the picture of his family. The "drawer photo" as he sarcastically called it to himself, because at home the picture was also kept in his nightstand drawer.
"Here." He stuck the picture under Dave's nose.

The bumpy road to Me and Thee

Part two

Getting to know Me and Thee

By Jacqueline © 2000

THIRTIETH INSTALLMENT

Dave, startled, focused in on the photograph. It showed four fair-haired people, two men and two women. One pair older than the other. Nice, clean cut looking people, who all smiled near perfect smiles. People who stood next to each other. People who even resembled each other, yet seemed completely individual, as if they had no bond. It was an odd photo, in Dave's perception.

"This is my high school graduation picture," Kenneth said.
"That's my mother and father and my younger sister, Catherine."

Dave looked at the younger man in the photo. It didn't look much like his roommate.
"How old were ya here, 18?"

"17."

"17?"

"I uh, I was a year ahead." Kenneth blushed.

"That your sis?"

"Hmmm, mmm. She was 14 there."

"Boy, you've changed."

"For the better, I hope," Kenneth smiled at Dave.

"You've got a nice family. Handsome people. Is your sis still available?" Dave asked with a sly grin.

"Not really, last time I saw her, she was still engaged to be married. Besides, she's a little older than you are. Or do you like older women?" Kenneth grinned.

"I like women, period." Dave chuckled in return, wiggling his eyebrows Groucho Marx fashion, causing Kenneth to break up laughing.

"Hey?" Dave asked, more serious again.
"Can I ask ya somethin'?"

"Sure."

"What did ya mean with 'last time I saw her', how long ago did ya see her? Your sis I mean, or does she live abroad?" Dave asked.

Kenneth looked at his family in the picture, contemplated his answer for a moment and then said,
"We uh, we're not very close."

"Did ya have a fight? Oh, sorry, that ain't none of my business." Dave quickly added.

"No, that's okay. No, we uh, we just drifted apart. My family had different hopes for me, than becoming a cop."

"Wait a second. Your family? You mean your parents too?" Dave asked incredulously.

Kenneth looked into two innocent sapphire eyes.
"Yes. My parents too. We uh, we haven't exactly been on speaking terms for a while."

"How long?"

Kenneth paused momentarily.
"A little over half a year now."

"SIX MONTHS!" Dave exclaimed in shock.
"Ya didn't have contact with your folks, your family in six months?"

Kenneth nodded his head.

"Ya don't even talk on the phone?"

"Nope." Kenneth sighed, beginning to feel slightly uncomfortable. He saw the kid was still looking at him in shock.
"Don't worry about it. We have never been the touchy-feely type of family. We certainly weren't your Ozzie and Harriet type of clan."

"You were never close to your family?"
Dave's voice was high from amazement. Coming from a warm, loving nest, he could not believe people within one family could be so distant.

"Well ----- we were close ---- in our own way."

"Not touchy-feely." Dave mumbled.
"Didn't you people hug?"

Kenneth looked bewildered at Dave. Then he chuckled.
"Sure we hugged, when we were kids."

"How young a kid? Did your dad ever hug ya? My dad always hugged me. When I'd done well in school, when I'd played a good game. Hell, he hugged me every night when he came home."

"The hugging part stopped when I went to junior high. That was quite all right. When you're 12 you don't need to be hugged that badly anyway. Becomes a bit embarrassing at that age." Kenneth grinned, but it didn't reach his eyes.

I would give anything if dad could just give me a hug right now! Dave thought to himself.

Kenneth looked at Dave, who by now was wearing a sad expression on his young face. He had already revealed more than he had wanted to, so in an attempt to steer away from the subject of his dysfunctional family, he asked,
"Have you got any more recent pictures of your family?"

Dave thought for a second. Then looked for a book on the shelf over his bed.
Once he'd found it, he opened it. Out came a picture, which to Kenneth looked just as odd, as his photo had seemed to Dave.
It showed a middle aged, or elderly, couple sitting on two leather chairs. Around them stood a group of people. A friendly looking, pudgy, blond man, two, just as friendly looking, blond teenage boys, two attractive dark-haired women, one of whom wore her curly hair in thick braid and finally two young, dark curly-haired boys. The smallest curly top had a naughty expression on his face, the bigger boy looked like a thundercloud. The photo seemed to have been taken at a photo studio, as the pose was a bit stiff and unnatural.

"Who---?" Kenneth began.

Dave started pointing at the individuals in the photo with his left pinky.
"That's my granddad David --- he's my mom's dad. That's my mom." He pointed at the lovely brunette with the bright blue eyes and the thick braid.
"That's my grandma Rosa, her mom. That's her sister, Aunt Rosie and her husband, Uncle Al. Those two blond guys are my cousins, Alan and Gary. This here is my little brother Nicky and that's me."
He last pointed at the angry looking curly haired boy.

"Where's your dad in this pic?" Kenneth asked.

"He was dead." Dave said monotonously.

The simple answer made Kenneth's heart sink. He looked from his roommate, who stood staring at both of his photos now, to the family picture.
He couldn't have been older than 12, 13 at the most, and his father was already dead it went through Kenneth's mind.
In a hoarse, soft voice he asked,
"How ---- how long before this picture was taken did he die?"

Dave was quiet for a moment, then he tilted his head back, blinking his eyes frequently as he looked up at the ceiling. Kenneth felt sorry he'd asked the question.

"One, no, two months. This family picture was taken on my twelfth birthday."
He turned his head back down to take another look at both pictures. Then he looked at Kenneth with a sad smile.
"Well, that was depressing!" he chuckled, in attempt to lighten the conversation.
He failed.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Kenneth probed, carefully.

Dave looked back at the pictures, then started to put them in the manila envelope.
"Nah, not really." He turned to face Kenneth, who looked at him expectantly.
"Not right now, anyway."

They looked at each other for a long moment, without exchanging a word. Neither of them knew what they were feeling, but both of them were taking the other in, seizing the other, trying to figure out if the other could be fully trusted.

Their gaze was broken by a knock on the door.
"Davey, are you coming? We were gonna practice wrestling, remember?" Jeremy's voice came from behind the door.

"Yeah, be right there." Dave yelled back. He nodded curtly at Kenneth and left the room.

Kenneth contemplated their conversation a little more. Then it dawned on him.
Oh my God! This week's the anniversary of his father's death!
Kenneth was overcome by a sense of sympathy for his young roommate. Remembering the image of the father and son in the photograph it dawned on Kenneth, that their relationship, however short, had probably been the exact opposite of his own relationship with his father. He shook his head, sat down on his bed and let his mind wonder more about life, and its unfair twists and turns.

The bumpy road to Me and Thee

Part two

Getting to know Me and Thee

By Jacqueline © 2000

THIRTY FIRST INSTALLMENT

Kenneth had kept a close eye on Dave during the anniversary week of his father's death. But Dave had just busied himself with "life at the Academy" and had not shown any kind of grief, at least none that Kenneth had recognized as such.

Granted, their days were absolutely filled to capacity with both academics and physical education, while most of their nights were spent studying for tests, as were their weekends. The instructors had not lied that it would be a hard ride to finish this course.

They did keep their promise to themselves as far as the Friday night basketball game went.
Each Friday night the group of cadets faithfully met on the basketball court. It had become a very welcome tool to get rid of the stresses after a long week of strict education, be it academics or otherwise.
It also served within the group, as a way to get to know each other in a playful way.
They got to know little Pete as a determined and resourceful young man.
Jeremy had always been an open book to everyone, but his patience was legendary, as was his ever- friendly demeanor.
Kenneth was the thinker with the kind heart.
John was the analyst, the solution seeker, the schemer and planner.
Dave was the volatile, overly energetic and enthusiastic, bouncy kid.

Although John, at first, had not been too charmed by Dave's youthful enthusiasm, he'd developed quite a liking for the young cadet as time passed.
From time to time he would refer to Dave as "Puppy" and like Kenneth, was now helping both Jeremy and Dave with their academics when needed.
He liked the fact that once you captured Dave's attention, you could go on forever, telling him anything, everything he wanted to know. John liked the fact he'd found a grateful and impressionable audience in Dave.

One day, John was tutoring Dave by himself, in Dave's room.
Jeremy was assigned to assist Captain Branson with some chores and Kenneth was in the library studying a letter from Vanessa's attorneys with the help of some law publications.
During the tutoring session, Dave and John began talking. And before they knew how they had gotten to the subject, they were discussing their backgrounds.

"I guess if I'da gone to college, you wouldn't hafta spend your time off tutoring me and Jeremy." Dave said.

John smiled wearily.
"Oh, come on, Dave! I don't think a college background has that much to do with it. I think they could have taught you these techniques back at your high school as well. It's all just little tricks, and you're already getting better at them."

"Yeah, I guess." Dave mumbled

"You are! I mean, your scores are much higher now, right?"

"Yep."

"I didn't learn these techniques in college or high school even. In my case, my dad taught me. He's a professor at the university, you know. Didn't your dad drill you, whenever you had a test in high school?"

Dave looked at John with a melancholic expression that threw the older cadet off guard.
"No. He was already dead when I was in high school," Dave said, shrugging his shoulders.

John swallowed.
"Geez, I'm sorry, man. How, uh, how did he die? He must have been quite young still?"

"Yep. Died when I was 11." Dave stared ahead of him for a short moment.
"He was 37 at the time."

"But how?" John probed, slightly shocked.

"He was shot."

John looked Dave in the face, bewildered.

Dave grimaced at John. Something in John's eyes almost forced him to open up and tell his story. Usually he wasn't very eager to share the tragedy that had changed his young life so dramatically, most certainly not with people he hardly knew.
"I was just coming home from a friend's house. We'd been playing there and it was almost dinnertime. So I got to our doorstep. We had like five or six steps leading up to our front door. And, uhm, well, it was already gettin' a bit dark when I got there. I could see my dad sitting on these steps, leaning against the railing. I thought he was gonna let me have it for getting home late."
Dave gazed in the distance, his voice softened.
"So I said 'Dad, what's for dinner?'. Then I saw he had his eyes closed, and I thought it was weird for my dad to be takin' a nap on the front door steps ------"

Dave swallowed and quickly glanced at John before looking ahead again.
"So I ----- I nudged him an' uhm ----- he fell over! It looked like he was leaning forward, but he just --- fell off the steps and dropped on top of me!"
Dave's voice sounded the way it must have sounded as the 11-year-old who lay on the sidewalk with his dead father on top of him.

He blinked his eyes a few times before continuing,
"His cap fell off and uhm, well. His face was really close to mine as he was on top of me, and I can still see this small bullet hole, right in the center of his forehead."
Dave swallowed hard again, before he gave John the horrific conclusion,
"When I ---- when I looked at his cap ------- the whole back of it was soaked from his blood. The back of his shirt was dripping with his blood. They'd shot him somewhere else and had delivered him on our doorstep ------- my mom was inside all the time, taking care of my little brother Nicky who had the flu."

"Oh my God!" John uttered in shock.
"They did that in broad daylight?"

Dave nodded, trying to compose himself.

"Didn't anyone see it happening?"

"Nope. No witnesses. It was a poor neighborhood, ya know. Everyone age 15 and up was out all day workin'. The only ones home were moms with little kids or elderly people. He was put there when I was at my friend's house." Dave shrugged his shoulders again.

John wondered how a young boy could ever get over a trauma such as he'd just heard.
"Dave? How old were you then?"

"11."

"Did you get any help? How did you, how did you deal with this?"

Dave chuckled.
"I didn't ---- well, not at first. Later I got help from a cop. He was into counseling youths, ya know. He really helped me a lot."

"Is that why you want to become a cop?"

"Nah. Well, maybe, a little. And because my dad was a cop. He always did seem to enjoy his job. And like they said in counseling: not every cop has to meet his end violently."
Dave intensely scrutinized John's face.
"Hey, I'd really rather you didn't tell this to anyone else, ya know? Jeremy and Ken just know my dad died when I was 11. Jer -- I didn't tell him because he's kind of a sensitive guy. I didn't wanna freak him out with the gory details, ya know?"

John nodded in agreement.
"Sure. It won't pass my lips."
He looked at Dave, feeling more sympathy towards the young cadet than he'd felt at the beginning of the training.
"What about Ken?"

"Whaddaya mean?"

"Does he know the details?"

"Nah."

"Why not? He shares a room with you."

"It hasn't come up yet. I figured if no one asks, I don't gotta tell," Dave said matter of factly.

John nodded in understanding.

The mood had changed so much, both cadets were in no shape to continue studying, so they agreed to head for the gym together and work out some.
Down in the reception hall they bumped into Kenneth and told him where they were heading and so later Kenneth joined them in the gym, where they worked out for the remainder of the evening.

The bumpy road to Me and Thee

Part two

Getting to know Me and Thee

By Jacqueline © 2000

THIRTY SECOND INSTALLMENT

Six weeks into the training, on a Saturday, the cadets had a mandatory visit to the police headquarters downtown. In their own clothes but under supervision of several instructors, cadets of the sections A through H rode downtown on buses and received a tour around the Head Precinct building. There they listened to a lecture on the city's crime rates. They received an explanation on the diversity in crime, paid a visit to the mounted unit with its stables and horses, after which they visited the highway patrol unit with its motorbikes. Back at the precinct the visit ended with a lecture on booking procedures and night court. At 5.00 PM, those who so wished could ride back to the academy on the bus, those who wished to stay downtown had permission to do so.

Kenneth, Dave, John, Jeremy and four cadets of other sections decided to stay downtown, have dinner and have some fun. They were instructed, though, to behave themselves as if they were in uniform, and not to give the academy a bad name.
So they first had dinner at a local diner and then proceeded on to a club for a little dancing and drinks. Again, the group successfully managed to smuggle Dave into the club.

There was a dance floor, a bar, some pinball machines and dartboards as well as some booths where they could sit and have some beers and snacks. As they were munching on peanuts and pretzels and having their drinks, they watched some of the cadets play darts. Dave was moving along to the beat of the music; Kenneth and John were having a discussion and Jeremy got up because it was his turn at darts.
A lovely brunette approached Dave and asked him for a dance. Dave looked blankly at Kenneth and John.

"Sure, he'd LOVE to dance!" Kenneth exclaimed over the music to the girl, who then grabbed hold of Dave's hand and pulled him onto the dance floor. There the attractive couple performed an interesting dance to the heated music, leaving John, Kenneth and the other cadets to watch "The Puppy" charm the girl's socks off without even being aware of it.
They continued dancing for the next three songs and then they each went back to their respective companions.

Dave plopped down on the booth's seat opposite Kenneth and next to John. He looked back in the brunette's direction with a dreamy expression on his face accompanied by a satisfied smile.

"So, when's your next date?" Kenneth asked, over the noise in the club.

"Hmmmm?" Dave answered, looking puzzled.

"When are you guys going out for real?" Kenneth probed, leaning towards Dave across the table.

A dimwitted expression covered Dave's face.

"Didn't you ask her out?"

"Ask her out? I don't even know her!"

"You just danced with the girl for 20 minutes!" John entered the conversation.

"Yeah, well, that's just dancin', that don't mean I know her!"

"So why didn't you ask her on a date?" Kenneth pursued.

"I just told ya! I don't even know her!" Dave exclaimed.

"Well, if you don't ask her out, you're never going to get to know her!" Kenneth sighed and looked Dave in the face. The kid still looked at him with a blank expression.
"Face it, Dave, how else are you going to get to know someone? Through osmosis?" he added.

"Wha---?" Dave replied, not getting what Kenneth was talking about.

Ken could see that he'd lost Dave.
"Never mind, never mind." Kenneth rolled his eyes and looked in the direction of the bar. He spotted an attractive redhead, leaned over to Dave and said,
"Here, watch the master at work." He winked, got out of the booth and approached the redhead.

The other cadets in the booth could see how Kenneth, while leaning casually against the bar, turned on the charm and -- with the warmest smile on his face -- managed to engage the redhead in a conversation. It didn't take long for the girl to give all her attention to the blond man opposite her, and to forget about the noisy buzz around her.
Ten minutes later they were slow-dancing on the dance floor, the girl seemingly mesmerized by this blond stranger who had swept her off her feet.
All, but especially Dave, observed Kenneth's actions with awe.

As the group of cadets continued playing darts, talking, snacking and drinking beers, Kenneth remained with the girl until she left, around midnight. Then he returned to the booth with a big grin on his face. He parked himself next to Dave and said,
"Her name is Jill, she is 23 years old, works at Memorial Hospital, just broke off her engagement two months ago, has a cat named Sparky and drives a Volkswagen Beetle."
He looked into Dave's amazed face. Taking out his pocket watch he continued,
"And finding out all that, Dave, took me exactly one hour and 35 minutes."

Dave just looked at Kenneth, flabbergasted. Geez, the brainiac sure can sweet-talk a chick into giving it all up! Who'd've thunk that?!

"The point I'm trying to make is, that if you don't approach someone and show interest, you're never going to get to know them."
Kenneth now looked at Dave with a sincere expression on his face.
"Don't be too shy, it'll work, you'll see," he concluded, reassuringly.

Lesson one, Kenneth thought, who had been amazed at the kid's insecurity around women.
More to come.

Around 12.30 AM the cadets shared two cabs back to the academy after an entertaining night out.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

The bumpy road to Me and Thee

Part two

Getting to know Me and Thee

By Jacqueline © 2000

THIRTY THIRD INSTALLMENT

Two months into the training, the cadets had their first physical check-ups since the beginning of the course. Again they all had their weight checked and had to perform a series of rigorous tests consisting of 30 laps around the quarter mile track, weight lifting, self-defense, sit-ups, push-ups, agility course etc. etc. Their results counted toward their merits. The remaining cadets of section B all made it through this physical test round, with Dave excelling on all points.
The stream of academic tests seemed to continue on endlessly as well. Thanks to the help of John and Kenneth, both Dave and Jeremy were now comfortably average on the class results list.

Two and a half months into the training, the cadets had their first whole weekend off, with permission to leave the campus grounds. Both Jeremy and John were travelling to their home states for family celebrations.
Dave had driven Jeremy to the airport on Friday afternoon and had packed his own overnight bag Friday night. He would be going back to Aunt Rosie and Uncle Al's the next morning, as they themselves had been out of town the past week, and wouldn't get back home until late Friday night.

Kenneth, having sublet his apartment, would be staying at the dorm. He looked on as Dave was packing his bag.
"Do I need to wake you up tomorrow morning?" he asked Dave.

"Hmmm?," Dave responded, preoccupied with his packing.

"Tomorrow. Will you wake up yourself, or do I need to wake you?"

"Why would you have to wake me?" Dave asked, turning to Kenneth.

"Well, you've only got two days with your relatives, wouldn't you want to make the most out of it? Get there early?" Kenneth offered.

"Mmmm, I guess so. Yeah. Sure. Wake me at eight."

"All right, I will."

Dave finished packing his bag and plopped down on his bed.
"So where are you goin'?" he asked the older cadet.

"Maybe go downtown a bit, catch a movie or a play---" Kenneth answered, while watering his plants.

"Nah, I mean, where are ya gonna stay?" Dave asked, curious.

Kenneth looked matter of factly at Dave.
"Well, here, of course."

"Why ain't ya goin' home?" Dave pressed on.

"Well, there's the slight obstacle of my apartment being occupied by my subletters," Kenneth responded.

"And how 'bout your family? Why don't ya go visit with them? Ya know, it has been a long time since you've seen each other."

Kenneth, back turned to Dave, sighed. Dave had been bringing up a family reconciliation on a regular basis since he'd let it slip he didn't have contact with his family anymore. He turned back to face Dave, smiled and said in a friendly voice,
"Yes, it's been a long time, Dave. But not enough time to just drop in on them and be all lovey dovey again."

"'Kay." The younger cadet said, not wanting to upset his roommate unnecessarily. Then Dave made a face and exclaimed enthusiastically,
"I KNOW! Why don't ya pack a bag, an' come over an' stay with my family over the weekend. Hmmm?"

Kenneth froze, stunned at Dave's offer. Granted, they had begun to get along a lot better than they had during that first week at the academy, but for Dave to suggest them spending their whole weekend off together, seemed like a pity offer to Kenneth.
"Oh, come on Dave, no need to do that! I'll be fine. I can entertain myself. You don't need to baby-sit me!"

"What are ya talkin' about? I just think ya shouldn't stay here all the time. That ain't healthy! It's not like we're gonna be roomies at my aunt's house! We can have her sons' old rooms! Whaddaya say, hmmm?"

Kenneth still didn't think it was a good idea. A nice offer, sure, but he was not at all convinced it would be a wise decision on his part if he accepted it.
"Uhm, I don't know Dave, you don't have to do this."

"I know that! It ain't no pity offer either, if that's what ya think." Dave said.
He looked at Kenneth, not understanding his indecisiveness.
"Oh, c'mon man! Meet the family! It'll be fun!" He sounded genuinely enthused.

Kenneth read Dave's expression and body language.
He's serious. He really wants me to come with him!
He smiled at Dave and responded,
"Okay. Okay, I'll go with you. But on one condition---"

"Whassat?"

"That if your family has other plans and my staying there puts a strain on things, I leave. No arguments!"

"Sure. Deal." Dave was quick to answer. He smiled slyly, because he knew his family's hospitality.
You're in for the whole weekend, roomie! he thought to himself. Ain't no one more hospitable than the Starskys!

Kenneth quickly got out his overnight bag and began packing.

"Hey?" Dave asked

"What?"

"Just as long as ya don't wear that dress over there. My uncle's got a thing against guys in dresses," Dave said, deadly serious.

"How many times do I have to tell you, Dave! It's not a dress, it's a caftan, a CAFTAN!" Kenneth sputtered, then turned to face Dave.
"But I won't pack it, so don't worry."

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

As agreed, Kenneth woke Dave at 8.00 AM Saturday morning. As soon as they had finished breakfast, they left.

On their drive over, they just shared some small talk about the academy and their weekly basketball games. Both of them thought how different the conversation would be, if they held it with their respective friends Jeremy and John.

The bumpy road to Me and Thee

Part two

Getting to know Me and Thee

By Jacqueline © 2000

THIRTY FOURTH INSTALLMENT

After about an hour's drive, they arrived in Dave's neighborhood. As Kenneth read the street-signs, he recognized the names from newspaper articles stating this part of town was a rapidly deteriorating zone. He gazed at all the blue-collar houses and took a long hard look at the apartment building in front of which Dave parked his blue Ford.

"Well, we're here!" Dave exclaimed enthusiastically.

The brown building was old, but held large apartments. Each apartment had two floors, a balcony in front and a deck in back. Diagonally across the street Kenneth read the sign of the garage business of Starsky's uncle. "Al's Auto Palace" it read.

Dave approached the apartment building at a brisk pace; Kenneth followed a few steps behind.

"Oooh, my baby's home! Oh Davey, how are you, sweetheart?"

Kenneth looked up in the direction of the female voice. On a balcony stood a large, older, black woman, with an apron on and a spatula in her hand.

"Hiya, Grandma!" Dave exclaimed to her, smiling from ear to ear.

Kenneth's head snapped from the woman to his roommate.
Grandma??? went through his mind.

Dave threw down his bag and climbed the rain pipe, stepped over on the outer edge of the woman's balcony while holding on to the railing with one hand. With his other hand he gently cupped the woman's face and kissed her cheek. The woman was leaning forward and held on to Dave's face with both hands, returning his kiss by pecking him on the cheek as well.

Kenneth watched the scene with open mouth.

"Are they in, Grandma?" Dave asked, still standing on the balcony's outer ledge.

"Yes, I believe they are, baby. Why don't you go inside."
She affectionately ran her hand through his thick curls.

"Okay."

Dave climbed back on the rain pipe again, then looked at the woman,
"Will you come too?" he asked, sounding like a little boy.

"Sure, baby, just let me finish up something here, and I'll be right over."

Another big and brilliant smile from Dave before he climbed back down. Still beaming, he picked up his bag, looked at Kenneth and got out his key.

Kenneth followed Dave into the narrow entrance hallway, with what looked like a living room on one side and a kitchen on the other side. Dave walked straight into the kitchen,

"Hello, hello, hello! We're home!" he yelled excitedly.

"Hi, babyblue!"

An attractive middle-aged brunette walked toward Dave and the two locked in an embrace.

Kenneth looked on, and saw a blond, pudgy man in suspenders enter the kitchen.

"Hey, Davey! Welcome home, son!" the man enthusiastically exclaimed before joining the embrace with Dave and the brunette.

Kenneth looked on in wonder, not being used to such physical displays of affection.
After a few moments, the three loosened their hug and limited it to holding hands while looking at each other.

"Let me take a look at ya," the blond man, whom Kenneth knew from the pictures to be Dave's uncle Al, said. He stepped back and took in Dave's form. Then he grabbed Dave by the neck and planted a kiss on his forehead.
"You're lookin' good there, Davey, almost grown up!" Al roared, letting out a belly laugh.

Kenneth took in the spectacle with growing amazement. Grown men hugging and kissing each other, family or not, was a totally unfamiliar concept to him. A strange mixture of feelings overcame him. He felt uncomfortable and envious all at once at the sight of this family scene.

"Thanks, Uncle Al. Lookin' pretty comfy yourself there!" Dave smiled at his uncle, poking his index finger in the latter's substantial paunch.
"Put on a couple a pounds, huh?"

"It's because now we've got leftovers for the first time in our lives!" the woman said, making a face at Dave.

"Oh, c'mon, Aunt Rosie! You talk like I eat so much!" Dave protested.
"I happen to have quite a normal appetite, ask Kenneth."
He waved his arm in Kenneth's direction, then remembered he hadn't introduced his roommate yet.
"Oops, I forgot, uhm, Uncle Al, Aunt Rosie, meet Kenneth, the guy who shares my room with me."
Dave motioned Kenneth to come closer.

Kenneth approached the group, hand extended, sending a warm yet insecure smile to Dave's guardians.
"Kenneth Hutchinson, pleased to meet you, sir, ma'am."

"So, Kenneth, do you like spaghetti and meatballs?" Uncle Al asked, while holding onto Kenneth's hand.

"Uhm, sure, I uh--"

"This is the guy with the funny eating habits, remember I told ya about it?!" Dave uttered in a conspiratorial tone, causing Kenneth to glare at him, looking uncomfortable.
"He lives on germs and liver." Dave continued.

"WHAT?" Al cried out, retrieving his hand.

"I'm afraid Dave's a bit confused," Kenneth softly said,
"He means I occasionally eat wheat germ and desiccated liver."

Aunt Rosie turned back to her stove to stir the spaghetti sauce. Uncle Al made a face.
"Liver? You eat liver voluntarily?" he asked, incredulously.

Kenneth didn't know how to respond, still trying to read the dynamics of behavior in this family.

"Are you one of those vegetarians, Kenneth?" Aunt Rosie asked sincerely, her mind already putting together dishes she could serve Kenneth if he were a vegetarian.

"No, ma'am. I do eat meat, just not so much."

"Explains why you're so skinny," Al concluded before turning to his wife.
"Mother, I'm goin' back to the shop, be back for dinner."
He kissed her on the cheek and waved to the boys.
"See you at dinner, kids." And out the kitchen he went.

Aunt Rosie turned the gas low and took in the sight of her nephew and his roommate. Dave had not been lying about them being opposites. Instinctively, however, she felt that Kenneth was "good people" and she sent him a warm smile while saying to Dave,
"Davey, why don't you show Ken? Is it Ken?" she looked at Kenneth, who nodded to her,
"Show Ken his room. I've changed the beds in both rooms so they're ready for use. Then when you come down, I have a snack for you two."

"Mmmm," Dave's mouth started watering already at the prospect of one of Rosie's delicious snacks.
"C'mon, Ken," he winked at Kenneth,
"I'll show ya your room."

The bumpy road to Me and Thee

Part two

Getting to know Me and Thee

By Jacqueline © 2000

THIRTY FIFTH INSTALLMENT

Dave led the way up the narrow stairs to the landing and opened one of the five doors. To Kenneth's surprise it revealed a large bedroom with a sink, a bay window, a basketball hoop on the closet door and a king-size bed.

Dave smiled as he noticed the surprised look on Kenneth's face.
"C'mon, I'll show ya the bathroom."

He pulled Kenneth by the arm back on to the landing and opened another door to a nicely sized bathroom, which contained a tub, a sink and a toilet.

As Kenneth was taking in the contents of the bathroom, Dave opened a third door.
"And this is where I'll be sleepin'."

The two of them stepped into a big room.
This room held two queen-sized beds, a sink and a door that opened onto a deck. On one of the walls he immediately spotted family photos of Dave with his parents and little brother, his family complete with his grandparents, an adorable picture of a very young Dave holding an equally curly-haired baby -- perhaps his brother? -- in his small lap and a picture of what seemed to be a teenaged Dave with a man in a police uniform, obviously not his father.
Kenneth could immediately feel the love that radiated from all of the photos on the wall. They were testimonies of a warm, loving environment.

Dave and Kenneth looked at each other and smiled, for a moment at a loss for words since this was the closest they had ever been, voluntarily.
Then Dave broke the moment and suggested they'd go downstairs and enjoy the snacks his aunt had prepared.

In the evening Dave took Kenneth over to his uncle's garage business, where Al was busy going over the books.

"Hey, Unc!" Dave called out to Al behind his office window.

Al waved them to come in.
"So, what are you boys up to? Any plans?" he asked.

"Nah, not really. Just wanted to show Ken where I worked," Dave responded.
"Anything left to do?" he asked, as he looked around the workplace.

"No, you guys just enjoy yourselves. I'm just done with the books. Here," he threw a key chain to Dave, "you lock up, when you boys leave. There's new candy in the cupboard and Coke in the fridge."

"All right!" Dave beamed at Kenneth, who didn't share his enthusiasm for the proposed snacks.
Dave led the way onto the work floor of the garage.
"This," he made a wide gesture with his arms, "is where I worked."

Kenneth looked around the large room. There were some cars up on the racks, some parked by the walls. There were tires on the floor and all kinds of technical equipment Kenneth could not identify.
"You worked here as a mechanic?" he asked Dave.

"Nah, not really. I mean, I can do some mechanical stuff, but I ain't no expert, ya know. I was just a kid, so I sorta helped out the real mechanics."

He surveyed the room, made a face and started toward two big, identical pieces of equipment.
"Well, looks like Uncle Al should come down on them a bit more. They should put all this stuff back in its right place!" Dave complained as he picked up the big piece of machinery and carried it over to a large space in the back of the room.
There, he re-organized some more tools and materials, while muttering to himself, too indistinguishable for Kenneth to decipher.

"Does this belong over there, too?" he called out to Dave, while pointing at the piece of machinery that was left on his end of the room.

"Yep, I'm comin', I'm comin'" Dave responded.

"No, I got it." Kenneth replied, as he bent over to pick up the piece of machinery just as he'd seen Dave do. To his amazement, the bulk was not only hard to get a grip on, it was also dreadfully heavy. He strained himself to lift it off the ground, already feeling the pull in his back.

"Hey, ya better let me do that," Dave hurried over and sent a concerned look over to Kenneth. His concern, however, was meant for the piece of machinery,
"This should not be dropped. These things cost a couple a thou','" he said as he shifted his hands to get the right grip on the bulk, then lifted it and carried it to the back of the room, leaving Kenneth to stare after him, mouth open. Then he regrouped and called after Dave,
"You're a regular Superman there, Dave! I couldn't lift that thing if it killed me!"

"Yeah well, it almost did, didn't it!" Dave called back before turning and walking back toward Kenneth.
"Never mind." He glanced at Kenneth and then said,
"It requires a special technique, maybe I'll show ya someday!" he winked and then wiggled his eyebrows at Kenneth, causing the other to break out laughing.

They ended the night playing basketball in Rosie and Al's backyard, before cooling down and going up to their respective rooms.

If Kenneth learned anything about his roommate this weekend, it was that Dave came from a warm environment. The whole family was extremely affectionate with each other, expressing themselves not only in fond nicknames and constant jesting remarks, but also in physical touches, embraces, hugs, rubs and pats. This behavior didn't limit itself to Dave's family.
It also included the large, elderly, black woman who Ken found out was widely known as Miss Thelma. She seemed to have adopted Dave as her unofficial grandson -- hence his affectionate way of calling her "Grandma" when addressing her or talking about her. And there was also family friend, John Blaine and his wife Maggie. John was the big policeman who had been instrumental in keeping Dave on the right track as a teenager.

The second day of their stay, Sunday, the Mancowicz sons, Gary and Alan Jr. visited. Alan -- who came with his wife, who was expecting their first child -- and Gary played basketball with Dave and Kenneth before lunch.

The blond and straight-haired Mancowicz boys bore more physical resemblance to Kenneth, than to their full cousin Dave, except that they had a short and chubby build.
The affectionate ways of everyone related to the Starsky/Mancowicz household soon began to rub off on Kenneth, who, after a hesitant beginning of his visit, felt more and more at ease in this loving environment. So during the basketball game, he felt completely natural and at ease, as he held on to the cousins in attempts to get possession of the ball.
Again, Dave and Ken excelled at the game, and beat the Mancovicz brothers hands down.

Monday morning at 6.30 AM, they said their goodbyes and drove back to the academy, just a little early so they could change into their uniforms before class.

Their weekend with Dave's family had changed their relationship a great deal. For the better.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

The bumpy road to Me and Thee

Part two

Getting to know Me and Thee

By Jacqueline © 2000

THIRTY SIXTH INSTALLMENT

Exactly three months into the training, Kenneth received permission to go downtown to visit his attorney about his pending divorce. Once at his attorney's office he could not believe the contents of the writ his attorney had received from Vanessa's legal representative.
In it, Vanessa now not only demanded to be secured for the fifteen months that she had officially been Mrs. Kenneth Hutchinson III, but she also demanded to be restituted for all the time they had had a relationship, which started in Kenneth's last year in college. She claimed she had a right to 50% of Kenneth's substantial trust fund since, so she claimed, she had been the primary party who had worked for an income during their time together.
In the legal document, it stated that Kenneth had been a wayward, irresponsible and weak party in the relationship and that it had been Vanessa who had to keep him inspired to finish his education. It was implied that Vanessa had sacrificed her own chances on a brilliant career after her college education, because she needed all her energy to ensure Kenneth would not succumb to his insecurities and indecisiveness. In other words, the writ made Kenneth out to be a spineless weakling who was completely dependent on Vanessa for both his mental well being as the security of his future.

Kenneth decided then and there in his attorney's office to pull out all the stops and do everything needed, within the bounds of his rights, to get this divorce over with on his terms.

Kenneth found himself wondering why he had not seen before, how much his and Vanessa's outlook on what life should be, differed.
He was overcome by an immense feeling of sadness and loss, despite the fact that Vanessa seemed to be determined to totally dismantle his personality in the divorce proceedings. All he could think of was, that he had loved her once, and that they once had shared some wonderful times. Ultimately, however, their being together and getting married must have definitely been the biggest mistake he made in his entire life.

Once back in his dormroom, Kenneth lay down on his bed, his mind going over all the things that had gone wrong in his life. He was feeling depressed and incredulous at how the boy, in whose yearbook it said was the "most likely to succeed", had managed to become a ship without a rudder in a few short years.
He was even beginning to wonder whether his parents, especially his father, might have been right when they said he had made the wrong choice when he opted against becoming a corporate lawyer.

Kenneth was lost in thought, when Dave came bouncing into the room.
"Give me a minute, Jer! I'll meet ya there, go right ahead," he yelled across the corridor to his big friend.
Dave walked up to his closet, giving a quick glance in Kenneth's direction.
"Hiya. Wanna join us at the track field? Gonna have a game of touch football. 'S gonna be fun!" he exclaimed, grinning.

When he got no response, he took a closer look at Kenneth and noticed his blond roommate was seriously troubled.
"Hey, man. Whassup?" he asked softly.

"Hmm? Oh, nothing." Kenneth answered absentmindedly.

Dave sighed. Yeah, right! The brainiac looks like death warmed over and there ain't nothin' wrong.
"C'mon, man! Maybe I can help. C'mon, lay it on me."

In spite of his mood, Kenneth had to laugh. Something in his young roommate always got to him so he couldn't resist responding.

"Well, as much as I would appreciate your help Dave, I don't think there's anything you can do about this one," he answered softly, giving Dave a warm but weary smile.

"You don't know that! C'mon, spill!" Dave pulled up his chair close to Kenneth's bed.

Kenneth sat up a bit and said,

"I've just come back from my attorney's office." He sighed.

Dave nodded in encouragement.

"Seems the future ex-Mrs. Kenneth Hutchinson the third wants to take me to the cleaner's. She's making a claim on my trust fund. She thinks I owe her 50% of it, because in our relationship and marriage she says she invested more of herself than I did."
Kenneth had lost Dave during the second sentence he'd spoken.

What the hell is a trust fund? She invested money in his trust fund? Shouldn't she get her money back then? Why is that a problem?

Meanwhile, Kenneth had continued telling what his attorney had advised as options, but Dave was still stuck on the trust fund matter.

"---I've had that long before we even met. My grandfather died when I was 18 and my grandmother died when I was 21, which was when the funds were going to be transferred to my name anyway. So technically, I've had the trust fund since I was 12, which is when my grandparents set it up. But it was transferred to my name three months before I met Vanessa which is why she now claims she has a right to at least 50% of it, can you believe that?" Kenneth ended his monologue, while looking at Dave for support.

Dave just gave Kenneth a blank look.

Kenneth continued.
"Technically, I didn't do anything to earn the money myself. It was a gift, from my grandparents. But it was a gift to me, and it was set up long before I ever had a relationship, let alone a marriage."
Kenneth looked at Dave again, noticing the dimwitted look on his roomie's face.
"What?"

Dave blushed slightly as he asked,
"What's a trust fund?"

Kenneth was stunned for a moment, then realized Dave's was not a background where trust funds were as common as in his own world. So, smiling warmly at Dave, he explained in a soft voice,
"A trust fund is a fund, or account if you will, in which the giving party, in this case my grandparents, hold money, or deeds, or stock -- whatever -- to benefit others. So it's like uhm, it's like --- you can compare it to a savings account, you know? At the bank? Only in case of a trust fund, it could be other things besides money, plus you don't keep it yourself, but someone else makes the donations, to benefit you at a given time. It's usually managed by an attorney or a banker. So my grandparents started up two trust funds. One for my sister and one for me, when I was 12, and they donated money, stocks and bonds into it. When I was 21, it was signed to my name. The original sum had expanded considerably by then. So far I've been lucky not to have to touch it that much. It's pretty much intact. But now Vanessa, my ex, is trying to claim a percentage of it, half to be precise. My attorney is pulling out all the stops now, to prevent her from getting what she wants."

Dave sat there watching Kenneth, awestruck. Then he said,
"Hmmm. I guess it really is true then," and got up from his chair to change into his sports attire.

"What?" Kenneth asked.

"Money ain't everything," Dave simply said, as he pulled his sweater over his head to exchange it for a t-shirt. He made a face at Kenneth and finished changing.
"You comin'?" he asked again.

Kenneth was still struck by the plain and simple truth Dave had just uttered. His background differed so dramatically much from Kenneth's, that having an excess of money actually was considered a more of a problem than a blessing.
"Uhm, yeah, I'll uh --- I'll meet you guys there," he answered wearily.

"Okay. Later." Dave sprinted out of their room, leaving Kenneth to ponder some more.

The bumpy road to Me and Thee

Part two

Getting to know Me and Thee

By Jacqueline © 2000

THIRTY SEVENTH INSTALLMENT

Dave's 21st birthday arrived on a Friday, a little over three months into the academy training. The group of basketball buddies had arranged for a party at the court. Each of the 12 had a little gift for Dave, nothing special. Some had made coupons entitling Dave to a free shoeshine or a free beer. Dave loved the whole idea behind it; to him it really was the thought that counted. His mother had called to congratulate him, as had Uncle Al and Aunt Rosie.

The basketball game lasted longer than usual and at 1.00 AM the guys finally went to their beds.
Back in their room, Dave and Kenneth lay in their respective beds in silence after an exciting day. The pale shine of the moon, lit the room, and they could each make out the shadowy silhouette of the other.

The atmosphere suddenly seemed heavy, after the light banter of the evening's game.
Kenneth peered in the dark, toward where Dave was lying in his bed. He knew Dave well enough by now to be able to tell something was bothering him.
"Dave?" Kenneth softly called out.

"Hmmm?"

"I hope you enjoyed your birthday." Kenneth bit his lower lip, thinking how pathetic that line was for an opening.

"Yeah, I had fun. You guys are great," Dave softly answered.

"So how come you're down now?" Kenneth probed.

"Down? I ain't down!" Dave answered, almost defensively.

"Well, you---," Kenneth started.

Dave interrupted him.
"I was just thinkin'."

"About what?"

Dave was silent for a moment. Then he sighed and said,
"D'ya remember that day, when you opened my mail, with the picture of my dad and me in it?"

"Yes." Kenneth waited for what would come.

"Well--- I dunno what it is, but---"
Another sigh from Dave as he was searching for a way to express himself.
"Every time I have my birthday, I have to think of my dad. It's weird, ya know. I always thought it would go away, the older I got, ya know? But it's getting worse. The older I get, the more I gotta think of my dad."
He paused for a long moment.

Kenneth was breathing quietly, slightly overcome by the genuine, raw, almost innocent pondering of his young roomie.

"D'ya think that's weird?" Dave's question finally came.

"No, not really. I think you are aging, maturing, and that things you were too young to understand back then, are now resurfacing and you see them in a different light."
Kenneth's voice was soft and smooth in the dark of the room.
"Do you feel like talking about it?" he softly asked as he peered over in Dave's direction.
He could just make out Dave's silhouette, illuminated by the light of the moon. Dave was lying on his back, in perfect profile. For some reason Kenneth was moved at the sight of the curls on the pillow. Dave's hair needed another mandatory cut soon. Kenneth thought how the longer Dave's hair got, the more it added to the air of innocence that was so typical for his roomie. As he watched Dave's profile, that innocence was enhanced even more by the sight of the tip of his nose, that went up ever so subtly, as it was by the fluttering of the long dark eyelashes.

Damn, I shouldn't push him into talking about his father! It's the kid's birthday, for crying out loud! Kenneth hated himself for probing Dave. Just as he was about to change the subject, Dave started his story in a soft voice,
"My dad and me were two peas in a pod. We had this mind thing goin' on, ya know. Like we could read each other's mind? My dad always called me 'Miniature Man' cos I used to try and imitate him in whatever he was doin'."
Dave chuckled, then sighed.
"Anyway, you wanted to know how he died?" Dave paused, waiting for an answer.

Kenneth swallowed and hoarsely responded,
"Only if you want to tell me."

"Well, they shot him."

Dead silence in the room as each cadet was collecting his thoughts and trying to keep their respective emotions under control.

What the hell am I to say about that? What can I say? Kenneth's usual eloquence deserted him. Finally he found his voice.
"Was it because of a case he was working on?"

"We still don't know for sure. Fact is, he must've really ticked someone off. I know the police thought it was a mob hit, ya know, like an example for others. We never really found out. Probably never will."

Both cadets were silent again.

"I know it sounds lame at this point but, I'm really very sorry for you and your family," Kenneth offered quietly.

"Yeah, well. What's done is done. Can't change a thing about it anyway."

Another long silence.

Again, just as Kenneth wanted to say goodnight, Dave spoke.
"Ya know somethin'? I was just thinking back to that day. Ya know the day that you opened my mail?"

Kenneth sighed. Although there was no accusatory tone in Dave's voice, his own personality made him cringe with guilt over the mail incident.
"Yes."

"Well, I often think about what you said then, ya know, about your family and you not having any contact anymore?" Dave paused.

"And?" Kenneth wanted to know where this was going.

"Well, I just got to thinkin' that, well, you at least still have both your parents, ya know? You should at least get in touch with them again. I mean, you don't gotta make up and stuff because --- if they've done some rotten thing, then maybe it's up to them to make things up. But, all I wanna say is that --- ya never know when your number is up and ya don't wanna end up with a lot of 'What if's' ya know?"

Dave paused, waiting for a response. Kenneth was overcome by emotions, unable to speak, as he heard how the kid, in very plain, simple words got to the core of one of life's essences. Life is short, and you don't want to keep wondering for the rest of your life why you did or didn't do or say something, after someone's gone.

Dave resumed his monologue, as he waited for Kenneth's response in vain.
"I mean, ya may not like them, but they're your family. They got the same blood as you. And maybe tomorrow one of you gets hit by a truck or somethin', and then you would have to read about it in the paper, because you guys haven't been talkin' to each other for ages! I mean, it can happen, just like that. I never thought I would lose my dad. He was a young guy. But then someone decided for us, that he had to go. I never got to say everything I wanted to say to him, ya know? So, that's it. Think about it, okay? Ya don't gotta make peace with them, just get in touch. If ya don't, you might end up feeling mighty sorry one day."

More silence.

One more time, Dave broke the silence.
"Oh well, what do I know, right? Listen, I understand if you think it ain't none of my business butting into your family stuff. Okay? Nighty night."

The bumpy road to Me and Thee

Part two

Getting to know Me and Thee

By Jacqueline © 2000

THIRTY EIGHTH INSTALLMENT

A few seconds passed, then both cadets spoke at the same time,

"Starsk?"

"Hutch?"

They simultaneously reached for their overhead lights and switched them on, glaring at each other with crunched eyes.

"Wha---?" Dave croaked.

"What did you say?" Kenneth asked.

"When?" Dave asked as he rubbed his eyes.

"Just now. What did you call me?" Kenneth needed to know for sure. There had been only one other person in his entire life who'd called him that, and that had been his only best friend until now, Jack Mitchell.

"When?" Dave repeated, clueless.

"Just now, you wanted to say something and you called me, but you didn't call me Kenneth."

"Oh, uhm ---- Hutch I think --- yeah Hutch." Dave yawned and rubbed his hair.
"Why?"

"How come you'd call me Hutch?" Kenneth needed to know.

"Hmmm, I dunno. Because, well ----" Dave glanced toward Kenneth, looking like a scolded child,
"You won't hold this against me?" he asked.

"No, I just want to know."

"Well, ya might not like it."

"I won't mind, tell me!" Kenneth demanded.

"Well, I called ya Hutch, because, well ---- It's easier, ya know. Hutchinson is such a mouthful and Kenneth ----" Dave made a face, then glanced at Kenneth again, looking a bit guilty this time,
"Well, don't get me wrong, Kenneth is a nice name but ----"

"But?"

"Well, it's kinda --- it sounds kinda --- ya know, uppity."
Dave shot a quick glance to Kenneth before looking back at his blanket again.

"Uh huh." Kenneth had to smile.

Dave looked at him and asked,
"That don't bother you? You're not mad?"

Kenneth gave Dave a warm smile,
"No, I don't mind. In fact, I agree with you. And I like it. Hutch I mean. Just call me that if that a grees with you more."

Dave looked puzzled.

"If that's easier for you I mean, just call me Hutch."

"'Kay."

Dave definitely looked fuzzy around the edges and knew he should get some sleep, so he settled back underneath his blankets again, reached up for the light switch and said,

"Well, nighty night."

"Yes, goodnight, Dave." Kenneth turned his overhead light off as well.

Five minutes passed. Kenneth was just about to surrender to the sandman when Dave's overhead light flashed on again.

"Hey!" Dave exclaimed.

"Mmmm ----- what?" Kenneth was very much in need of some sleep.

"What did you call me? You were saying somethin', just when I was saying something. What was that? What did you call me?"

Kenneth looked flabbergasted. He just wanted to sleep.
"I'm sorry, Dave, but do you mind us getting some sleep first?"

"I gotta know, otherwise I can't sleep. I'll keep thinkin' on it all the time, ya know?"

"Dave, please! I'm dying to get some sleep here. I almost was asleep and then you woke me up again. Come on, let's finish this conversation tomorrow."

"I gotta know now, Hutch! I'm gonna keep thinkin' on it all the time now. It'll be impossible for me to get some sleep ---"

"Dave!"

"Don't you ever get that, huh? That, like for instance, someone ----"

"DAVE!"

"---is telling a joke, ya know, and then right as they----"

"Starsky, cut that out will you, I need my sleep."

"---come up to the punchline, they get----"

"Starsky!"

"---called away or something, or they gotta answer the phone or----"

"STARSKY!"

"---something and they never make it to the punchline and then you're just left wracking your brain about ----"

"STARSK!!!!!!!!!"

"---- what the hell the punchline could've been. What? What was that? Starsk? You called me Starsk?"
Dave's high-speed monologue came to an abrupt end.

Kenneth sat up, looking like he'd been run over by a truck. He was not a happy camper.
"Starsky, so help me. Either you shut up NOW, and get some sleep voluntarily or I can always put you to sleep!"
Kenneth said it an a soft, but menacing tone.

"Okay."
Dave instinctively knew not to push this otherwise docile roommate of his too far.
"Night, Hutch."
He turned off his overhead light.

In the pitch black of the room, Kenneth grumbled, as he found a comfortable position,
"Night, Starsk."

"I KNEW IT, I thought I'd heard you say that!" Dave sounded excited.

"STARSK!!!!!"

"Oh yeah. Nighty night."

David "Dave" Starsky "Starsk" turned and was asleep before his cheek hit the pillow.

Kenneth "Ken" Hutchinson "Hutch" however, lay awake for another two hours, after Dave's energetic outburst before finally falling into an exhausted sleep.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

The bumpy road to Me and Thee

Part two

Getting to know Me and Thee

By Jacqueline © 2000

THIRTY NINTH INSTALLMENT

For their second full weekend off, 3 ½ months into the training, most intern cadets traveled home to be with their families. The Friday was only half a roster day allowing the remainder of the day free for packing and traveling.

Dave wandered over to Jeremy's room and looked inside through the open door. Jeremy was busy packing his overnight bag for his visit to his family back in Iowa, when he felt he was being watched. He looked up and saw his best friend at the academy standing in the doorway.
"Hey, Dave. How are you?" the ever-friendly Jeremy inquired.

"Okay. Ya got everything packed?"

"I'm getting there." Jeremy put the last items in his bag and zipped it closed.
"There! Done!" he chuckled.
"So, what are you going to do over at your aunt and uncle's?"

"My mom is over from New York. So it's just gonna be family -- ya know."

"Well, that's nice though, isn't it?"

"Yeah. I just --- " Dave stopped.

"What?"

"Well ---- I mean, y'already know Uncle Al and Aunt Rosie, but -- ya know, I just thought it would be nice if you guys could meet. Ma an' you. She's been askin' about ya. Says you got a good influence on me." Dave gave Jeremy a sly smile.

"Is she already there?"

"Yeah."

"Why don't we go over there now. That's about an hour's drive, right? And then you can drive me to the airport from there. Deal?" Jeremy asked.

Dave's eyes lit up.
"You sure you wanna do this? You're not gonna be late for your flight?"

"The way you drive? Not a chance!" Jeremy poked Dave in his ribs before almost crushing him in a bear hug.

"Okay, terrific! Now let go, you big bozo! You're killin' your driver!" came Dave's muffled reply.
Dave sprinted over to his room. He got his overnight bag out from his closet, tossed in some toiletries and clothes and together with Jeremy, he left. As they were driving off the parking lot, they saw John Colby and Hutch approach. The two cars stopped side by side and both drivers, Starsky and Hutch, rolled down their windows.
"Hiya, Hutch, John!" Dave exclaimed.

"Hi, Starsk, Jer. So you decided to leave early?" Kenneth asked his young roommate.

"Yeah, well, actually I'm just gonna let Jer meet my mom and then drive him to the airport, but I ain't coming back until Monday either. So have a nice weekend, you guys!"

"You too," Kenneth smiled.

Each car went on its respective way.

Rachel Starsky was not only pleased to see her oldest son again, for the first time in eight months, she was also very pleased to notice the ongoing process of growth in him.
The whole family was absolutely delighted with Jeremy Hendricks. Jeremy was stuffed with all kinds of great food before he really had to tear himself away from the hugs and cheers and have Dave drive him to the airport in time.

Dave spent the rest of the weekend with his mother, brother, cousins Gary and Alan and Alan's wife, Aunt Rosie and Uncle Al as well as with all his friends and neighbors. On both Saturday and Sunday, he had two long phone conversations with Jeremy, since the two of them had become quite a unit at the academy. Uncle Al even made a joke saying he thought Dave was on the phone to a girlfriend, when he found him lying on the couch in a fit of laughter, with the phone to his ear. Jeremy had Dave talk to his parents for a while, eager as he was to introduce them to his best friend at the academy. The conversations resulted in a heartfelt invitation for Dave to come visit the Hendricks' home in Iowa for their next full weekend off.

Kenneth, meanwhile, spent the rest of Friday with John Colby and then returned to his dormroom. It seemed eerily quiet, without his young, curly haired roommate. Even the silence seemed different.
The Saturday and Sunday he spent mostly with John, going out on the town, going to a ballgame, having a double date with two girls John had picked up and always returning to his dormroom, alone. To his amazement, Kenneth became aware of the fact that he didn't just miss company, but that he really missed the kid.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

The bumpy road to Me and Thee

Part two

Getting to know Me and Thee

By Jacqueline © 2000

FORTIETH INSTALLMENT

On Monday morning, everyone who had been staying off the campus grounds had to be back in time for class. Dave went looking for his buddy Jeremy in the Academy building, but couldn't spot him.
Maybe he's already in homeroom, Dave thought to himself as he walked through the corridor.

At 8.00 AM the cadets all were seated in their home room. At 8.15, they were still on their own, without their mentor, without any instructor. And, as Dave immediately noticed, without Jeremy. He did not want to worry, but a gnawing feeling began to settle itself in the bottom of his stomach.
"Whaddaya think is goin' on?" Dave asked his neighbor.

"No idea," Kenneth answered while looking around the home room. He, too, noticed Jeremy's absence. He looked back at Dave and noticed the worried look in the kid's eyes. Just as he was to say something reassuring to Dave, he noticed another seat was empty.
"Hey, look at that," Kenneth said as he nudged Dave with his elbow.
"Ron Jacobs isn't in either."

Dave looked over to the other empty seat, a tiny hint of relief filling his system.
"Hmmm. Wonder what's up."
Impatient as he was, Dave leaned over and asked another cadet,
"Hey? Where's Ron?"

"He's got the flu. He's back at the dormitory, staying in his room today."

A little more relieved Dave sat back again.
"Ron's got the flu so he's stayin' in his room. I bet Jeremy's sleepin' off some bug too."

"Yes, I guess so," Kenneth answered.
He was just going to add something when finally Branson walked into the homeroom.

Without any explanation about the delay, Branson started class, an hour late.
His lecture was even more dry and saturated with facts than usual but compared to his usual stern demeanor, he seemed distracted and off. Only at the end of the lecture, before the class was dismissed for lunch, did Branson have one of his characteristic flare-ups, after one of the cadets asked a -- in the opinion of Branson -- stupid question.

As they walked into the cafeteria Dave and Kenneth were discussing how weird they thought this Monday had been so far. They walked up to the counter to order lunch.

"D'ya see John somewhere?" Dave asked as he watched Kenneth surveying the cafeteria in search for his friend.

"Nope, not so far. Perhaps he has the flu too. It seems to be going around now."

"Hey, d'ya think they have chicken soup? My great grandma swore by it, like penicillin from the old country, ya know? I'll take some up to Jeremy to fight the bug, huh, whaddaya think?"

"Good idea, but watch your time. The way Branson is now, you don't want to be late for class." Kenneth answered.

"No kiddin'," replied Dave, as his eyes searched behind the corner for the cook.
Five minutes later he walked up the stairs and down the corridor holding a bowl of chicken soup in his hands. With a big smile on his face he knocked on Jeremy's door.
"Hey, it's doctor Pup makin' his house-call!" he exclaimed merrily, but when he tried to open the door, it wouldn't budge.
"Locked?" Dave mumbled to himself, then he knocked again, harder this time.
"Hey, Bozo? Open up, I got some medicine for ya. This stuff should get ya back on your feet in no time!"
Still no answer. Dave looked at his watch.
Damn! I still gotta eat. Maybe he's asleep. The soup …… where the hell should I leave the soup? Well, if he's been asleep all mornin' he's bound to hafta take a leak, when he wakes up. I'll just leave it here then.
After his private contemplation, Dave left the soup next to the door and knocked one last time.
"Hey, Jer? I'm leavin' some soup for ya, right here by the door. It's chicken soup, buddy, it's supposed to work miracles when you're fighting a bug. I gotta get back now, Jer. I'll check by later, okay?"
When no answer followed, Dave said, more to himself than anyone,
"Okay," and ran downstairs.

Down at the cafeteria, Dave joined Kenneth at a single table.
"Hey. Still no John?"

Kenneth looked up, first at Dave then at the tray he was holding, which -- despite that almost half their lunchtime was up already -- was still filled to capacity with all kinds of rolls and fatty substances.

"No. I'll check on him later. How's Jerry?" Kenneth asked, while unsuccessfully trying to hide his disdain at Dave's choice of edibles.

"I dunno," Dave answered, while stuffing half a hotdog into his mouth, but only after having topped it with relish, ketchup, mustard and hot sauce.

"Didn't you take the soup up to him, just now?"

"Hmmmm, yeah, but ----," Dave struggled to process the hotdog,
"He didn't answer, so I just left the soup there. He's probably asleep or somethin'."

"Yeah, probably," Kenneth agreed, wearily. He looked with growing disbelief as Dave devoured the stack of horrible food combinations from his tray. Finally he couldn't contain himself any longer.
"How on earth do you do it?"

"Hmmm? What, do what?" Dave mumbled through the corner of his stuffed mouth.

"That ---- eat that --- that --- garbage!" Kenneth finally blurted out, a pained expression on his face.

"Garbage? What are ya callin' garbage?"

"You know something, Starsk? I think what you just ate equals what's considered the normal amount of calories for a family of four!"

"Oh, c'mon man. You sure know how to exaggerate!"

"I don't understand how you can even chew your way through all that, without getting nauseous."

"Says Mr. Germ-drink," Dave uttered dryly, while finishing off his lunch just as the buzz sounded for homeroom again.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

The bumpy road to Me and Thee

Part two

Getting to know Me and Thee

By Jacqueline © 2000

FORTY FIRST INSTALLMENT

The cadets filed into their classroom, and again, had to wait for Branson. It was totally out of character for their mentor to be late.

"Well, this day's one for the books." Kenneth sighed.

"No kiddin'. What the hell is the matter with everybody today?" Dave replied.

It wasn't until 1.30 PM that Branson entered homeroom. He seemed even more off than during the first half of lectures.

"What the hell ya think is goin' on?" Dave whispered to Kenneth.

"You got me," Kenneth whispered back.

Branson's lecture was cool, factual and was delivered in an almost grim way.
Then at 3.00 PM, there was a knock on the door and Branson was called away, leaving the cadets alone in homeroom for the third time that day. Soon homeroom was buzzing with questions and speculations, as all cadets were confused as to what was going on this day.
At 3.10 PM Captain Branson and Captain Williams, the commanding officer of the academy, as well as two other uniformed men stepped into the homeroom.

Dave's gnawing-gut feeling of earlier this day returned. Kenneth's heart started beating faster. He was getting very bad vibes as he took in the serious expressions on the faces of the instructors.

Branson demanded silence. Then Captain Williams stepped forward.
"Gentlemen. Can I have your attention please?"

His question was not necessary, for the room was already so quiet, one could hear a pin drop.

"You may have noticed two empty seats as you returned to classes this morning. One of them belongs to Cadet Jacobs, who's suffering from a bad case of the flu. The other seat belongs to Cadet Hendricks."
Williams paused ever so briefly before continuing.
"It is my sad duty to announce to you the news that Cadet Jeremy Hendricks was tragically killed last evening, at 7.00 PM in a shooting incident on his way from the airport to campus. He was 22 years old."

A gasp went through the homeroom. Kenneth immediately looked at his curly haired neighbor. The expression on Dave's face was heartbreaking. He looked like a two-year-old whose favorite toy had been snatched away. A look of total bewilderment covered his face as he sat next to Kenneth, staring wide- eyed at Captain Williams who continued his sad news.

"The BCPD is right in the middle of investigating this case, but I am at liberty to tell you that right now it looks like Cadet Hendricks was an unfortunate bystander to the incident which took place between two competing cab companies. Cadet Hendricks was a passenger of one of the cabs, on his way back from the airport to the academy."

The cadets were exchanging looks of complete disbelief at the shocking news. They all agreed that kind, gentle Jeremy Hendricks would have been the last person one would think of losing his life in such a violent manner.

Williams continued,
"Cadet Hendricks' body currently is still at the city's morgue. Due to the nature of his passing, his body will not be released for burial until all evidence and reports have been booked and completed. You will be able to sign a register at the funeral chamber of the Jefferson's Funeral Home downtown as of 5.00 PM this afternoon, to give the family your condolences. Now, as this is the first day after a full weekend off, and since this is such sad news, I have decided, together with the rest of the academic staff, to postpone academics for section B for the rest of the day, until tomorrow afternoon 1.00 PM sharp. Those of you who wish to do so, can visit the funeral home. That will be all. My condolences to all of you."

The senior officers left the homeroom. Branson assumed his normal position in front of his desk.
"Gentlemen, as you have just heard, you are free to go and do as you wish for the rest of the day. I have the information regarding the funeral home right here. Those of you who have no desire to go downtown, please do not interfere or disturb any of the other sections, who all DO have normal classes until 4.30 this afternoon."

The cadets got up and left the homeroom, stunned. Dave did not move. Kenneth was already in the doorway when he looked over his shoulder, only to notice Dave was still in his seat, staring into space, with that heartbreaking expression on his face.

Branson, who was arranging the papers on his desk, noticed both cadets and caught Kenneth's eyes. He, too, looked in Dave's direction, and even Branson was moved by the young cadet's obviously shocked reaction at the news. Despite Branson's harsh and stern style in class, he knew the background of each and every cadet in his homeroom, and thus was aware of the personal tragedy which had taken place some years earlier in Cadet Starsky's life. He nodded to Kenneth.

Kenneth understood, and walked up to Dave.
"Hey, Dave?" he softly asked as he put his hand on Dave's arm.

Dave looked up at Kenneth, as if he had just woken up from a deep sleep.
"Hmmm?"

"Hey, buddy, are you coming? Homeroom's dismissed."

Dave looked from Kenneth's face toward Jeremy's empty seat.

"Come on, Starsk. Let's get to our room, huh?" Kenneth pleaded, looking at Branson for support.

After a long moment Dave nodded his curly head.

Unbelievable, buddy, but you need a haircut yet again went through Kenneth's mind as he watched the thick, full curls.

"'Kay." Dave responded and let himself be led to the door. He stopped in front of Captain Branson's desk and picked up a brochure of the funeral home. He gave a short glance at Branson, turned and walked out of the classroom, leaving Kenneth and Branson to exchange concerned looks.

"Would you mind terribly staying close to Cadet Starsky?" Branson asked, concern palpable in his voice.

"No, sir. No problem, we're roommates." Kenneth answered.

"Excellent. And don't hesitate to call for help at the desk should he need it."

"I won't, sir." Kenneth nodded to Branson and quickly exited the room to catch up with Dave.
He looked down the corridor, but no sign of Dave. Kenneth quickened his pace and went for the stairs, his eyes frantically searching all corners of the building.
Where the hell did he go so fast?

The bumpy road to Me and Thee

Part two

Getting to know Me and Thee

By Jacqueline © 2000

FORTY SECOND INSTALLMENT

Kenneth walked across the campus toward the dormitory and heard John's voice call his name.

"Hey, Ken! What's the hurry?"

"John! Where have you been all day?" Kenneth answered, his eyes still searching for Dave.

"Had a dentist appointment -- root canal -- and I have an excuse note. That was fun. Took the sadist several hours to get to the root of the problem," John chuckled, but soon noticed the humor was lost on Kenneth.
"What are you doing out here?" John asked, while following Kenneth's eyes across the campus.

"Listen, have you seen Dave?" Kenneth asked anxiously.

"No. Why?"

"I uh, I'll tell you later. I have to find him." Kenneth started to walk away, but John pulled him back.

"Tell me now, I'm late as it is and I've got that excuse note so who's going to know? Tell me," John urged, not liking the frantic look in Kenneth's eyes.

"Jeremy's dead. We were just told in homeroom. You know how close Dave and he were? It really shook Dave and he just disappeared. I was only a few steps behind him and I just lost him."

"Jesus, Jerry? Dead? But how?" John was shocked, as they all had been at the news.

"Unfortunate bystander in a shooting incident. The poor kid was in the wrong place at the wrong time." Kenneth started to walk again.

John swiftly followed and grabbed Kenneth's arm again.
"You're not kidding, right? The kid was really shot to death?" he pressed, his voice now filled with worry.

Kenneth for the first time looked into John's face and was surprised to find him looking so troubled.
"Yes, he was shot. Why, what is it, John? Is there something I should know?"

"Dave's father was shot and killed." John replied, seriously.

"Yes, I know. That's why I have to find Dave."

"Did you know how his father was killed?"

"Yeah, I just said I do! He was shot."

John looked closely at Kenneth, then said,
"I'll spare you the gory details. He should tell you those himself. But let me assure you, they were bad enough to give an 11-year-old a bad trauma. We really have to find him!"

"You've still got class!" Kenneth answered.

"To hell with class! The day's almost over anyway. We have to find Dave!"

"You go excuse yourself, I don't want you to lose merits over this. I'll go check our dormroom and meet you there, okay?" Kenneth's facial expression told John he wouldn't take no for an answer, so he nodded in understanding and left for the commanding officer's offices.

Oh, God, Dave, don't do anything funny, kiddo. Let me find you first.
Worry filled Kenneth's mind as he raced toward their shared room.
Locked!
He fumbled to get the key into the lock, opened the door, but -- as was to be expected -- no sign of Dave.
Dammit! Where the hell can the kid be?