Vanessa1

Vanessa: Part 1

   Detective Ken Hutchinson drummed his fingers on the desk impatiently. "Come on, Starsky. This isn't the great American novel you're writing. It's just a lousy report, for Christ sake. How long does it take to say 'we screwed up'?"
    "WE didn't screw up, Hutch. YOU were the one who trusted Bruce, of all people. I tried to tell you he wasn't rowing with both oars, but you wouldn't listen. Besides, we spent the last two weeks tryin' to bust a porno dealer that turned out to be a sex education teacher. What's another few minutes gonna matter? Dobey's still gonna kick our tails for wastin' the taxpayer's money."
    "I know that, Starsk. Which is why I don't want you to turn in one of your literary masterpieces. He�s already in a bad mood. Why antagonize him?"
    "Fine. I'm done. Let's get this over with."
    The two men had been so intent on their conversation that they didn't notice the middle-aged man come into the squad room.
    "Excuse me. Could you tell me where I could find a Detective Kenneth Hutchinson?"
    Hutch looked up for the first time. "I'm Detective Hutchinson. What can I do for you?"
    "My name is Walter Madigan. I'm an attorney. I represent your ex-wife's estate."
    "I didn't know Vanessa had an estate."
    "In all honesty, Detective, all she had was a small life insurance policy, and a few modest investments. Still, you were named as her beneficiary."
    Hutch motioned to the chair beside him. "Won't you sit down? Mr. Madigan, Vanessa and I had been divorced for several years at the time of her death. How could I possibly be her beneficiary?"
    "Apparently, she took out this policy while you were still married, and made the investments shortly before you separated. Whether or not she meant to change all that, I couldn't guess. It's possible that she meant to make the necessary changes, but never got around to it. Your ex-wife was a young woman. I�m sure she never envisioned these unusual circumstances."
    "Probably not. Mr. Madigan, I don't know exactly how to say this, so I'll just be blunt. I don't want it. Whatever Vanessa left should go to anyone else but me. Our marriage wasn't a happy one, and we didn't part on very good terms. The only reason she contacted me before she died was she was in trouble and thought I could bail her out. Only she was killed before I even had a clue as to what she was in to."
    The attorney replied, "I'm aware of that Detective. Unfortunately, Vanessa has no other living relatives, except for her mother. I made an attempt to contact her before I came here, and was told that she is in a nursing home in Duluth. She's suffering from Alzheimer's. I contacted her attorney instead, and he assured me that Mrs. Winslow has more than enough funds to pay for her care. So, like it or not, Detective, the inheritance belongs to you. What you do with it is your prerogative. Give it to charity, if you like."
    "Excuse me, Mr. Madigan. I'm Detective Starsky, Detective Hutchinson's partner. Exactly how much is the inheritance?"
    "Well, the life insurance policy was for ten thousand dollars. However, there was a double indemnity clause, which covered death by violent crimes. So that makes the total value of the policy twenty thousand dollars. The investments she made were fairly sound ones. At the moment, they're worth about ten thousand dollars."
    Starsky cleared his throat before he spoke. "So you're saying that Hutch has just inherited thirty thousand dollars?"
    "That's correct. Now, Detective, if you would just sign this receipt, here is your check. As I said, what you do with the money is your business. Now that I've settled Mrs. Hutchinson's estate, my duty as her attorney has ended. However, if you need my services in the future, please don't hesitate to call. Good day, Detectives."
    As soon as the attorney left, Starsky turned to Hutch. �Did you hear that? You just inherited thirty thousand dollars! Can you believe it?�
    �You heard what I said, Starsk. I don�t want it. Money was Vanessa�s god, not mine.�
    With that, Hutch gathered the files on his desk and stood up. Instead of going to Dobey�s office, he left the squad room without saying anything else.
    Starsky ran down the stairs, struggling to keep up with his partner. "Hutch, will you slow down, damn it?"
    Hutch turned around and waited. "Starsky, I don't want to hear any more! I'm not keeping the money, and that's it!"
    "Look, all I'm sayin' is don't do anything you'll be sorry for later. You heard Madigan. This isn't money that Vanessa got from one of her shady deals. She did all this while you two were still married. It's NOT dirty money. Why shouldn't you keep it?"
    "It just doesn't feel right, Starsk. I loved Vanessa once. We had a bad marriage, that's true, but it doesn't change the fact that I did love her. I may have been divorced from her, but I didn't want her to die, either. This just feels...funny. It's like I'm profiting from her death."
    Starsky sighed. "OK, I see where you're coming from. So, how about this? Take the check and put it in the bank. Then sit on it for a while. Give yourself some time to get over the shock. You don't have to spend it, just let it sit there. What harm is that going to do?"
    Hutch thought about it for a while, then nodded. "OK, you win. I'll put the damn thing in my account. But that doesn't mean I'm keeping it! Come on; let's go, before somebody mugs us."
    Starsky drove straight to the bank, before Hutch could change his mind. When they arrived at Hutch's apartment, he got out and leaned back into the car.
    "Well, are you satisfied?"
    "Yeah, I'm satisfied. Why are you so down? What have you found to feel guilty about now?"
    "I don't feel guilty, Starsk. I told you. It just doesn't feel right."
    "So don't think about it anymore. Just leave the money where it is and forget about it. Figure out what you're going to do with it later."
    Hutch sighed. "I guess you're right. I'll see you in the morning. OK?"
    Hutch watched the Torino disappear around the corner, and then climbed the stairs to his apartment. He wandered around aimlessly for a while, and ended up in front of his dresser. He pulled the bottom drawer out and rummaged around in it. Finally, he found what he was looking for. The picture had been buried for a long time. Carrying it with him, he grabbed a beer from the refrigerator and sat down in the recliner. He stared at the face in the picture.
    "Well, Vanessa, you did it again. You always knew the right buttons to push. Even now, you know how to mess up my head. What the Hell am I supposed to do with thirty thousand dollars?"
    His ex-wife stared back at him. As usual, she wasn't answering. He shook his head slowly. God, she was beautiful.
    "You really were something, weren't you? I loved you so much. I used to think I was the luckiest man in the world. I almost wish.... but you know that, too, don't you?� He could almost see her nod as he thought back to another time.

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    Ken Hutchinson decided that he wasn't going to like Vanessa Winslow long before he met her. He stood in the living room of the Hutchinson home, and glared defiantly at his mother.
    "I don't want to go!"
    "Kenny, you would be doing me a great favor. Marjorie Winslow is a good friend of mine, and she wants Vanessa to have a wonderful time while she's here. What is so terrible about escorting her to the Fall Cotillion? It's only one night."
    "I have other plans, Mother. Jack Mitchell is coming over and we're going out. We're supposed to meet some of the other guys and shoot some pool."
    "You can do that some other night. Kenny, you have all your friends to run around with. Vanessa has been away at boarding school. She's sadly out of touch. She doesn't know anyone. This would be a nice way for her to meet people her own age. What's the harm in showing her around?"
    Ken stood there, feeling like he was sixteen again. This was worse than babysitting his own sister. His mother was using all the right words. 'Intelligent', she'd said. 'Great personality. Wonderful sense of humor.' He rolled his eyes and thought that Vanessa must really be a dog. Why else would his mother try so hard to pawn her off on him? He tried his best to keep his voice even. He was much too old to whine.
    "I know why you're doing this to me. It's because I said I want to go to medical school. You're angry because I don't want to stay here and work on the farm."
    Richard Hutchinson lowered the newspaper he was reading and looked sharply at his son.
    "Now where did that come from? We�ve known since you started college what your plans were. I won't deny that I had hoped you would stay here and take over the farm someday, but if you want to go into medicine, I certainly won't stand in your way. This is a simple favor for your mother. For heaven's sake, it's just one night. We're not asking you to marry the girl."
    "Father, you know that I don't like those parties. You've never made me go before, why are you making me now?"
    Mary tried to reason with her son. "Because the party will give Vanessa a chance to meet people her own age. If you take her, you can introduce her to all of your friends. Then she will have someone to talk to."
    "None of my friends are going, mother."
    Richard spoke before his wife could respond. "All right, that's enough. Tomorrow afternoon, I expect you to go over to Mrs. Winslow's and ask Vanessa to the dance, properly. You WILL take Vanessa to the dance and you WILL be nice to her and act like a gentleman. Is that understood?"
    "Yes, sir." He whirled around and stalked out of the room.
    When he was safely in his own room, he locked the door and flopped on the bed.
    Spitefully, he mimicked his father. "You WILL be nice to her. You WILL act like a gentleman. Well, you got that one right. She's probably got a face only a mother would love. I wouldn't be caught dead kissing something like that."
    The next day, Ken forced himself up the steps to the Winslow home, and knocked lightly on the door. *Too bad*, he thought, *no one's home. Oh, well, at least I tried. *
    Just as he was leaving, he heard the sound of footsteps from inside the house. He groaned inwardly as he turned back toward the door. His mouth fell open when he saw the vision standing in the doorway. She had to be the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. He stood there, dumbfounded, as he took in dark, luxurious hair, beautiful blue eyes, and a figure that would make a statue come to life. Her eyes sparkled and she laughed gaily.
    "Hello? Is there something you wanted?"
    He finally found his voice, and stuttered, "Y-yes, I-I was looking for Vanessa Winslow. I'm Hutch-Ken Hutch-Hutchinson. My mom knows your mom."
    "Oh, that's right. Mother said you might be stopping by. Would you like to come in?"
    He tried to saunter through the doorway, but caught his foot on the threshold of the door, and fell headlong into the hallway. Mercifully, he grabbed a table and kept himself from falling flat on his face.
    Vanessa laughed that intoxicating laugh again. "Oh! Are you OK?"
    Ken straightened his shirt and tried not to blush. "Yeah, I'm fine. Um, the reason I came over is my mom thought you might need a...uh, you might like to go to the dance next Friday."
    "I'd love to. I've been gone for so long that I don't know anybody anymore. I haven't seen any of my old friends since grade school. It would be nice to see them again, and to have someone show me around. What time should I be ready?"
    "Would seven be all right?"
    "That's perfect. I'll see you then. I can't wait, Ken. I know we're going to have a great time."
    "Yeah, me too. Good-bye, Vanessa. I'll see you Friday."
    He walked down the stairs, then sneaked a look behind him. When he was sure that she had closed the door, he jumped over the hedges and onto the street.
    "OH, YEAH!!!!! FALL COTILLION, HERE I COME!!!!"

   The next two months were the happiest of the young Hutchinson's life. As time went on, he realized that he was falling in love for the first time. The relationships that he had in high school were simply infatuations compared to what he felt for Vanessa. He could tell by the way she looked at him that Vanessa felt the same way.
    When the letter came that he had waited so long to receive, Ken was faced with a dilemma. Before he had met her, going to UCLA was the most important event in his life. Now, he wasn't sure he wanted to go. He couldn�t stand the thought of leaving her. He read the letter over and over again, as if expecting it to tell him what he should do. Finally, he went over to Vanessa's, hoping that she would help him decide.
    "You have to go, Ken. You've had your heart set on this since you graduated from high school. You can't change your mind now."
    "I don't want to leave you, Van. I love you. Look, I can finish college here. The University of Minnesota is a good school. I don�t have to go to California. I can get my degree here.�
    "I know the University is good, but that's not the point. If you earn a medical degree from UCLA, any hospital in the country will be glad to have you. Don't you want to work in the best hospitals?"
    "Honestly, I haven't thought that far ahead. I don't care where I work. I just don't want to leave you."
    "I don't want to be separated from you either, but this is our future we're talking about. You have your whole life ahead of you. Doesn't it make sense to get the best education you can get?"
    "I guess it does. God, I don't know what to do!" He turned away from her for a minute, then suddenly turned back. "I've got it! Why didn't I think of this before?"
    He took both of her hands in his and looked into her eyes. "Come with me. The school has off-campus housing for married couples. I'm sure mom and dad would help us if we needed money. Please, Van; say you'll come to California with me."
    "Why, Ken Hutchinson, are you asking me to marry you?"
    He dropped to one knee and looked up. He held her hands tighter in his. "I love you, Vanessa. Will you marry me?"
    "Yes."
    She laughed out loud as he picked her up and swung her around the room.
    The couple's announcement to their parents set off a flurry of activity. The new semester would begin in just eight weeks, which didn't give a lot of time to plan a wedding. Still, Mary and Marjorie accepted the challenge, vowing to give their children the most glorious wedding Duluth had ever seen. Exactly one month later, Kenneth Richard Hutchinson and Vanessa Anne Winslow were married.
    After a spectacular honeymoon in Europe, the newlyweds returned home to pack for their move to California. They barely had time to settle in before classes started. Vanessa was wise enough to realize that Ken would be very busy with his classes, so she decided to enroll in a few classes of her own. Jewelry had always fascinated her, so when she saw that courses in gemology were offered, she signed up for them. When she was offered a job at a well-known jewelry exchange, she was thrilled. Not only would the job help pass the time; she would be working with some of the most beautiful pieces of jewelry she'd ever seen. Vanessa was soon convinced that the move to California was just what the newlyweds needed.
    Unfortunately, Ken wasn't as content as his wife was. The classes were demanding, which wasn't a surprise. He was only a few weeks into the first semester when he started to doubt his decision to become a doctor. He saw years and years of classes, internship, and residency ahead of him. Already, he was getting restless. There weren�t enough hours in the day to study, and there was no time left for any kind of private life. His heart simply wasn't in it any longer. He wasn't sure if it had ever been. Was his decision a way of rebelling against his father? Did he ever really want to become a doctor? The war that was raging inside of him made him tense, and very unhappy. Although he tried not to, he was starting to take his unhappiness out on his wife.
    One afternoon, Vanessa came in from class, carrying cartons of food from the campus cafeteria. As she sat the table, she talked enthusiastically about her day.
    "You should have seen the diamonds Professor Allen brought to class today. They were raw, and uncut, but they were gorgeous. He said he thought I�d be interested in seeing them, because of my job at Hartford's. We had a really nice talk about them after class."
    Ken carefully moved his papers away from the food, and tried vainly to concentrate on his studies.
    "That's nice, Van. I'm glad you're enjoying yourself."
    "Enjoying myself? Kenneth Hutchinson, are you listening to anything I say?"
    Ken dropped his pen and looked up at her. "I'm trying to study, Van. I've got another quiz in Chemistry tomorrow, and Professor Elam's tests are a bitch."
    "Well, I'm sorry that I distracted you. I was trying to tell you about my day. I thought you might be interested."
    "I AM interested, but you know how hard this is for me. I have to maintain a high GPA to stay in all my classes, and that means I have to study. Look, I'm glad that you like your classes, and your professor. I'm happy that you're happy. I sure as Hell haven't been much fun lately, so I'm glad you've found something that you like to do."
    "I wasn't complaining, Ken. I knew this wasn't going to be easy. That's why I took the course in gemology. It keeps me interested, and occupies my time. It's all so fascinating."
    "That's good, considering I've been as fascinating as that wall lately."
    "You know I didn't mean it that way. Why don't you take a break for a few minutes? Think about something besides Chemistry for a change. Come here and I'll show you a picture of the diamond I saw today. It�s actually larger than the Hope Diamond.�
    Ken looked at the photograph she was holding. �Boy, that�s a rock, all right. It must make that ring I gave you look like a grain of sand.�
    �I didn�t mean it that way. Why are you twisting every word I say? I�m not cutting you down.�
    Ken sighed. �I know you aren�t, Van. I�m sorry. I�m just not happy right now, and I�m taking it out on you. It�s not your fault.�
    Vanessa stood behind him and massaged his shoulders. �I know you�re stressed out, but it�s all going to be worth it some day. You�ll look back on this and you�ll be happy you stuck with it.�
    Ken shook his head slowly. �Will I? No matter how well I do, I�ve got at least ten years to go before I can open up a practice of my own. I don�t know if I want to spend the next ten years waiting to be a doctor.�
    �What are you saying, Ken?�
    Ken paced around their small living room. �I thought this was what I wanted. I know I don�t want to take over the farm, and I don�t want to spend the rest of my life in Minnesota. I told myself that medicine was a good profession. It was a way to help people, to make a difference. Now I�m not so sure that it was the right choice for me. I�m so tired that I don�t know what I do want any more.�
    Vanessa put her arms around his waist. �You said it yourself; you�re tired. Don�t make any decisions right now. Give yourself some time. If you still feel this way by the end of the semester, then we�ll talk about it again.�
    �OK, but I don�t think anything�s going to change in a couple of months. I guess I need to get back to studying. Look, I promise I�ll knock off early and we�ll go to bed at a decent time.�
    Ken promised himself that he would at least finish the first semester before making any major changes in his life. However, his chance meeting with Luke Huntley soon changed his mind.

   Ken Hutchinson was halfway through his first semester of med school when he met Luke Huntley. He was coming home after another grueling day when he heard a strange voice calling his name.
    �Ken? Ken Hutchinson? Is that really you?�
    He looked around for the owner of the voice. An older man was crossing the street and walking toward him. The man smiled warmly as he extended his hand.
    �I can�t believe it! Little Kenny Hutchinson, all grown up! What are you doing all the way out here?�
    Ken looked at the man for a moment, confused. Then, he remembered. �Oh, hello Mr. Huntley, it�s been a long time. I almost didn�t recognize you. How are you?�
    The two men shook hands, and then Luke motioned to the curb.
    �I�m doing great. Come on, Ken, sit down for a minute. How�s your dad?�
    �He�s well. He�s still busy with the farm, of course, but he�s happy. How long have you lived in LA?�
    �For almost twelve years now. I�m a detective with the LAPD.�
    �A detective? Really? How did you get into that?�
    �Well, I moved out here right after I married Doris. I don�t know if you remember my wife, but she had some health problems and the Minnesota winters were really hard on her. The weather out here was a lot better for her, so we bought this house and I started looking for a job. I started out as a security guard and really liked it. A couple of years later, I applied to the police academy and was accepted. I worked a few years in uniform, and then decided to take the detective�s exam. I�ve been a homicide detective for almost six years.�
    �That must be very rewarding, but isn�t it rather dangerous?�
    �Sure, it can be, but it�s worth it. I couldn�t think of doing anything else with my life. So, you�re in college now, right?�
    �Yeah, I�m in pre-med, but I have to admit, I�ve been having second thoughts. I�ve been thinking about changing my major next semester. I don�t know if medicine is the right choice for me. How long did you have to attend the academy, Mr. Huntley?�
    �Please, call me Luke. It�s a seven-month course, and they pay you a salary while you�re going. Then you train with a senior officer for at least a year. After that, you�re assigned a partner, and after two years you can take the detective�s exam. Why? Are you interested?�
    �I might be, but I don�t know how my wife will take it. Being a cop can be a dangerous and a thankless job sometimes. It�s worth thinking about, though. I�d like to talk to you some more about it, if you don�t mind.�
    �Sure. Hey, why don�t you and your wife come over for dinner one night? I�ll tell you all about it and your wife can keep Doris company. She spends a lot of time alone, and I feel guilty about that sometimes. We don�t have any kids.�
    �OK, I�ll ask Vanessa, but I really don�t want her to know that I�m thinking about applying to the academy yet. I�d rather look into it first, before I say anything.�
    �Fine with me. She�s your wife. I won�t let on what you�re thinking. How about Friday? That way, you won�t have to worry about classes the next day.�
    �That sounds great. I�ll call you tonight and let you know for sure.�
    When Ken asked Vanessa about meeting the Huntley's though, she was less than enthusiastic.
    "We don't have anything in common with the Huntley's, Ken. I'm sure they're very nice people, but Luke Huntley is a friend of your dad's, not yours."
    "I know that, Van, but they're also from Duluth. The Huntley's are the first people we've run into that are from home. Come on, what's it going to hurt? You might like them."
    "Oh, all right. It would be nice to talk to someone who made the move, too. I�ll go, on one condition. The next time Mr. Talbot throws a party for his clients, you go with me."
    Ken grinned happily at her. "You�ve got a deal."
    The small get together went better than Ken had thought. Despite her misgivings, Vanessa seemed to get along well with the older woman. Doris Huntley had adapted well to California, and to being a cop's wife. Instead of simply waiting around for Luke to come home at night, Doris had developed many hobbies to occupy her time. One of her hobbies was jewelry making. Although her creations weren't as elaborate as the gems Vanessa saw every day, it still gave them a common interest. Ken was congratulating himself on a successful evening when Vanessa asked the one question he didn't want to answer.
    "Why on earth were you asking so many questions about the police department? Every time Doris and I stopped talking, I heard Luke telling you another story about his work."
    Ken thought quickly. "It's interesting, Van. It's the first chance I've had to talk about something besides medicine, and California is a lot more exciting than Duluth. Trust me, I wasn't bored."
    "Well, I suppose that kind of life is all right for some people. At least Doris keeps herself busy, since she said that Luke is gone a lot. I guess she has to be a very strong person to live like that. I'm sure I couldn't do it."
    Ken turned away from her so she wouldn�t see his expression. He had hoped Vanessa would be more receptive to the idea of police work. It was going to be hard enough to convince his parents that the change was the right decision for him without having to fight Vanessa, too. Still, he was determined to go through with his plan. He decided, though, to wait and see if he was accepted to the academy before breaking the news to his family.
    Fate, or rather school, forced his hand before he was ready. Ken started spending more time with Luke and less time studying. One day, after he had sent his application in, he went to the precinct where Luke worked, and spent the day with him. He came home to find a very angry wife.
    Her voice was cold. "Where have you been? I've been waiting all afternoon for you."
    "I thought you had a class."
    "I did. I missed it. Your chemistry professor came by as I was going out the door and wanted to talk about you. Would you like to tell me why you're cutting classes and not turning in your assignments?"
    Ken sighed. "I wasn't going to say anything until I knew for sure, but I guess I might as well tell you now. You know how unhappy I've been, Van. I hate my classes, I'm tired of studying twenty-three hours a day, and I really don't want to spend the next ten years in school. I was trying to figure out what I really wanted to do with my life when I met Luke. I listened to him talk and I realized what I wanted. I'd thought about going into police work before, but in Duluth it would be about as exciting as watching the grass grow. In a city like LA, though, I could do some good. It would be a chance to really make a difference."
    "You could make a difference by being a doctor! And you wouldn't end up getting yourself killed. You can't be serious about this, Ken!"
    "I AM serious, Van."
    "Why on earth do you want to be a cop? It's a filthy, dangerous job, and no one appreciates what cops do. It's also a lousy paying job. Cops don't make ANYTHING!"
    "Is that what you're really worried about, Van? Do you care more about how much money I'll make than if I'm happy?"
    "That's not fair. What about me, Ken? Do you care if I'm happy? Am I supposed to be like Doris Huntley? I don't want to spend the rest of my life waiting for you to come home. I don't want to have to wonder if you're even coming home at all."
    Ken struggled to keep his temper. "I'm not saying that it's going to be easy, Van, but I really want to do this. You have your studies. You're happy with what you're doing. I'm not. You'll have your own career. You won't be like Doris."
    "And just what do you think your parents are going to say about this? Have you thought about that?"
    Ken flinched. "I know they won't be happy about it, at first. But once they see how much this means to me, they'll come around."
    "Are you sure about that? What if they don't? Will you drop this ridiculous idea if they're really against it?"
    Ken's jaw tightened. "I'm not a child, Van. My parents don't tell me what to do anymore. I decided to go into medicine so I wouldn't have to stay in Duluth and take over the farm. That was a mistake, and I won't let my parents force me into making another one. I'm going to do what I want. If they don't like it, that's too bad."
    "Does that go for me, too, Ken? Do I matter to you? What about how I feel?"
    "Yes, you matter to me. I love you, Van, and I don't want to hurt you, but I am going to do this. I've already applied to the academy. I'll know in a few weeks if I've been accepted."
    "So you made the decision without me. So be it. I only hope you know what you're getting yourself into."

   Two weeks later, Ken received the letter of acceptance from the academy. He would start with the next class, in four weeks. Vanessa was beside herself. Despite a very heated argument with his father, Ken was determined to go through with his plan. Desperate to change his mind, Vanessa called her mother. Marjorie Winslow had controlled her husband until the day he had died, so Vanessa was confident her mother would help her do the same with Ken.
    "Vanessa, I know I taught you better than this. The more you fight Ken, the more adamant he's going to be. You have to let him think he's making his own decisions. If he's dead set on this ridiculous career, it's up to you to make the best of it."
    "How on earth am I supposed to do that, Mother?"
    "By turning it around, dear. Let him go to the academy. Let him become a policeman. Then, after he gets this out of his system, guide him. There have been lawyers, and even judges who started out as policemen. It's up to you to nudge him in the right direction. Be careful not to push too hard, though. Concentrate on your studies, and build your own career. Once he's out of the academy, and joins the force, gently suggest that he go to law school. Tell him that it will help him be a better police officer. Suggest that he take a few classes while still working. It will take some time, Vanessa, but this could be the best move for you both."
    "The best move? I don't think I'm going to enjoy being a cop's wife, Mother."
    "No, but you'd enjoy being the wife of a Supreme Court judge, wouldn't you?"
    Vanessa smiled slowly. "Yes, I would. Hmmm, I can see Ken as a judge. I suppose I could endure this for a while, if I can continue my studies. I could supplement that pitiful salary he'll be getting and do something I enjoy at the same time."
    "Yes, I'm sure all those precious gems that you'll be handling will help you survive, dear. If you handle this right, Vanessa, you can have everything you�ve dreamed of. Guide him gently, though. Ken is a man, and all men have to believe that they are in control of their lives."
    "I understand, Mother. I'll talk to you soon."
    Even though he couldn't explain Vanessa's change of attitude, Ken was immensely grateful for it. He was nervous enough without Vanessa's sarcastic remarks and cold shoulders. When she suddenly accepted his decision, he breathed a sigh of relief. She even took over hunting for an apartment, and found a small, but clean furnished apartment not far from the academy. He cheerfully let her take over the car so she could go back and forth to the college while he walked to the academy each day.
    The weeks in the academy passed quickly. The pace of the program was so fast that Ken no longer had time to be nervous. One unexpected bonus occurred when he met David Michael Starsky. David was the polar opposite of Ken. He came from New York, was of Jewish descent, and had struggled hard in his short life. Ken learned that David�s father had been murdered when he was young, and that his mother had raised David and his younger brother. What David lacked in formal education, he made up for in physical prowess. The two cadets quickly made a bargain. Ken would tutor David in the academic classes and David would return the favor by helping Ken in classes such as Firearms, Hand to Hand Combat, and Defensive Driving techniques. Though the team started out through a mutual agreement, they soon became good friends. David Starsky was the first person to ever accept the young Hutchinson unconditionally. Unlike his parents, and even Vanessa, David didn�t expect Ken to live up to the Hutchinson name, or remind him of the social status expected of his family. With David, Ken could simply be himself. It was David who started calling him �Hutch�. While the nickname made Ken a little uncomfortable at first, he secretly admitted to himself that he liked it. To Ken, the nickname was a sign of a new beginning. It seemed only natural to call David �Starsky� and soon the team of �Starsky and Hutch� was known all around the Academy�s campus.
    If Vanessa had any misgivings about her husband�s new best friend, she kept it to herself. It only took one slip of the tongue to convince her that attacking Starsky was not the wisest thing to do. The faux pas occurred soon after the two cadets met. Hutch had brought Starsky home to meet his wife and insisted that he stay for dinner. After a long day of classes and work, Vanessa wasn�t in the mood for company. Still she endured their banter and their stories with a small smile, and even managed to laugh when necessary. Finally, Starsky decided to go back to his dorm, and the couple got ready for bed.
    As he got undressed for bed, Ken smiled over his shoulder at his wife.
    �He sure is something, isn�t he?�
    �Who?�
    �Starsky. Who do you think I was talking about?�
    �I�m tired, Ken, and I�ve had a long day. Can�t we talk about this in the morning?�
    �Talk about what? I was just making conversation.�
    Vanessa sighed. �Yes, David is really something. I�m glad that you have a new friend and I think you�re being very generous by helping him out.�
    �Van, Starsky is my friend. Why shouldn�t I help him?�
    �That�s exactly what I mean. I�m very proud of you for taking someone like David under your wing, so to speak.�
    �Wait a minute. What do you mean, �someone like David�?�
    �It�s obvious that David hasn�t had the same opportunities that you�ve had. You can tell by the way he dresses and the way he talks that he hasn�t had much formal education, or the social advantages that we�ve enjoyed.�
    �OK, you can stop right there. Starsky is my FRIEND, Van. I don�t care about his education, or what social advantages he�s had. And I may be helping him out with some of the academic lessons, but it�s not a one way street by any means. He happens to be the best shot in the class, not to mention the best driver, and he is one of only two people in the entire class that can get our Combat instructor to the ground.�
    �That doesn�t surprise me at all. You would expect him to be physically strong and very streetwise because of his background. I think what you are doing for him is very admirable. No one would expect you to be good at those things, Ken. You�ve never needed that type of expertise before. David needed those techniques to survive.�
    �He wasn�t exactly raised with wolves, Van.�
    �Now you�re mocking me. I didn�t mean it that way and you know it. David was raised in New York City, and without his father. New York is a very violent city to grow up in, with or without both parents. I�m simply saying that I can imagine how hard his life has been and I�m glad he�s found a friend like you. Let�s not fight about this, Ken.�
    Ken walked over to his wife and held her close for a moment. Then he led her to their bed.
    �OK, no fights tonight. I want you to understand something though. Starsky is the first real friend that I�ve made in a long time. He�s not interested in who my family is, or in how much money I have. Someday, when we�re out of the academy, we want to be partners. I don�t EVER want to hear you putting him down. All right?�
    �Of course, darling. I wouldn�t dream of putting your future partner down.�
    Vanessa was grateful when Ken turned off the light in their bedroom. The darkness hid her expression. It was going to be hard enough to endure Ken as a police officer. Now she was going to have to endure that...ruffian as well. She thought to herself, Ken, my love, you�d better be the youngest Supreme Court Justice in US history, or this marriage is definitely going to be in trouble.

   Over the next few months, Vanessa hid her true feelings well. That wasn�t hard to do, considering the time Ken spent on duty, away from her. Although her anger was simmering at the surface, she hid it by immersing herself in her classes and her work. As she became more proficient in judging the value and clarity of different stones, her employer gave her more responsibilities at work. Soon, she was traveling outside the city, stopping at various warehouses to purchase or inspect new merchandise. As a result of this, Vanessa was introduced to some very influential people in the area. It wasn�t long before an idea began to grow in the back of her mind. It was an idea that would hopefully aim her husband toward a more suitable profession. Whenever she talked about Ken, she always emphasized that his job as a police officer was only a stepping stone to a higher goal. She charmed the older clients, and soon they were offering to help move Ken�s career along. *Now, * she mused to herself, *all I have to do is think of a way for them to meet. *
    The obvious move was to arrange for Ken to attend one of the parties the jewelry exchange often gave to attract new clients. However, with Ken�s schedule, that was hard to do. Every time Vanessa managed to convince her husband to go to a party with her, his job interfered. Vanessa was beginning to think her plan was doomed to failure. These circumstances chafed at her, until one night when her feelings could no longer be ignored. One of the exchange�s most influential clients was giving a party that evening, and Vanessa had seduced Ken into going with her. Unfortunately, that was also the night when his superior officer decided he needed Ken�s assistance on a stakeout. Vanessa waited alone for over an hour for her husband to get home. When he called instead, she blew up.
    �Where on earth are you, Ken? The party starts in just fifteen minutes. We�re going to be late if you don�t come home right now.�
    �I�m sorry Van; I don�t know when I�ll be home. Look, why don�t you go on without me? There�s no sense in you sitting home alone, waiting for me. Give Mr. Goines my apology and have a good time.�
    �Kenneth Hutchinson, this is the third party in the last two months that I�ve attended alone. Everyone is beginning to wonder if I really HAVE a husband!�
    �Now you�re being silly, Van. I didn�t do this on purpose. You know how this job can be.�
    �Yes, I know all too well how much time your job takes up, Ken. You don�t have to remind me. Obviously, your job means more to you than I do.�
    Ken sighed over the phone. �I didn�t call to fight, Vanessa. I just wanted to let you know I�ll be late. If you want to go to the party without me, then go. If you don�t, don�t. I�ll be home as soon as I can.�
    �Fine. Don�t expect me to be here. I�m tired of waiting for you to come home, Ken. I�m going to the party, and I�m going to have a good time. You�ll see me when you see me.�
    Vanessa slammed the phone down and muttered, �I�m sure I can find someone there that will appreciate this dress.�
    Vanessa didn�t return home until very late that night. Ken had gone to bed, but was not asleep when he heard the door open. He got up quietly as he heard Vanessa go into the small kitchen.
    �Hi.�
    Vanessa turned around to face him, and simply stood there. Ken smiled slightly.
    �You look beautiful, as usual. Did you have a good time?�
    She smiled back, sadly. �I would have had a better time if you had been there. I made your excuses to Thurman. Don�t worry, I was very inventive. I�m getting good at it. I seem to be doing it a lot lately.�
    Ken gathered her in his arms. He kissed her forehead gently, then stepped back.
    �It�s not like we thought it would be, is it? I�m sorry, Van. I know that�s mostly my fault. I shouldn�t have allowed my father to force me into a career that I wasn�t sure I wanted. We�ve been in a tug-of-war with my life since I started high school. I didn�t mean to put you in the middle of it. I�ll promise you this much: it will get better. As soon as I can, I�ll take the detective�s exam. Once Starsky and I are both detectives, we can be partners. You�ll see. We�ll have a lot more time to spend together then.�
    If you think I�m going to be a third wheel to you and your precious partner, think again, Vanessa thought to herself. You are on your way up, my dear husband, and I�m not about to let David Starsky hold you back.
    Carefully hiding her feelings, Vanessa kissed Ken passionately. She led him to their bed, and used the one advantage she had: her body. Later, as he lay beside her, she stroked his face.
    �I hate it when we fight, Ken. The party wasn�t that important. It�s just that every time we have the chance to go out, you can�t make it. I love showing you off to everyone. I�m very proud of you, and I want all my friends to get to know you. I miss you.�
    Relieved that another battle was over, Ken kissed her again. �I miss you, too, Van. I�ll admit that I don�t exactly enjoy these parties the way you do, but the next time you want to go, I�ll do my best to come with you. OK?�
    �That�s all I ask, Ken, that you do your best. Who knows? You might even enjoy yourself. After all, they�re not All stuffed shirts.�
    They laughed together, then settled down to sleep. Vanessa smiled to herself. Plan A is now complete. Now on to plan B.
    When the invitation to another party came a few days later, Ken kept the promise he made to his wife. By being inventive himself, he convinced his superior to let him off duty for the whole weekend. Since Starsky was back in New York, visiting his mother and brother, Ken spent the whole time with Vanessa. The weekend reminded him of their honeymoon, and made Ken realize how much he�d missed Vanessa. They spent most of the weekend in their apartment, making love. Although he would rather have stayed home, going to the party was Ken�s way of letting her know how much he cared for her.
    The party was as tedious as he thought it would be. Most of the guests were considerably older than they were, and all conversation was centered on jewelry. Still, he tried his best to be sociable. For a while, he was content to wander around, watching his wife thrive in a setting that she loved. He was lost in his own thoughts when he heard a voice beside him.
    �You have a beautiful wife, Ken, and an intelligent one. You must be very proud�
    Ken smiled at their host. �Yes, I am, Mr. Talbot. I�m also a very lucky man.�
    �She�s very proud of you, too, Ken. She talks about you all the time.�
    He smiled deprecatingly. �I�m sure you have more exciting subjects to talk about, Mr. Talbot. Being a police officer can be tedious at times.�
    �The future she envisions for you is far from tedious, Ken. She�s told me all about your plan to attend law school. Even though we only met tonight, I feel I know you already. You�re an intelligent young man. Being a judge someday is well within the realm of possibility.�
    Stunned, Ken tried valiantly to keep from choking on his drink. �Vanessa told you that I want to be a judge, Mr. Talbot?�
    �Please, call me Andrew. Yes, and I think it�s admirable. Most young people these days waste their time trying to �find themselves�. It�s refreshing to see someone your age with ambition. I have some very influential friends. If there�s anything I can do to help, let me know. You and Vanessa deserve any advantage that I can give you.�
    �Thank-you very much, Mr. Talbot. I�ll keep everything you said in mind. Now, if you�ll forgive me, it�s getting late. I need to gather up my wife and say our good-byes. I have to return to duty tomorrow.�
    �Of course. A good reputation as an officer of the law will help you immensely. Just be careful. A greater destiny awaits you.�
    Ken managed to hold his temper while he and Vanessa said good-bye to the other guests. However, by the time they got back home, he was seething.
    �OK, Vanessa, just what have you been up to now?�
    �I have no idea what you�re talking about, Ken. Why are you suddenly so angry?�
    �Your boss told me all about your plans for me, Van. Why the Hell did you tell him that I wanted to go to law school and be a judge? If you were trying to build me up in front of your boss because of his clients, you could have a least clued me in.�
    �What is so wrong with showing a little ambition, Ken? We were just talking one day, and I told him about you. He�s the one who suggested law school, not me. He said that he knew some very famous judges who started out as cops. I was just daydreaming, for Heaven�s sake. It didn�t mean anything.�
    �Bullshit. I know you, Van. You never do anything without a motive. So why don�t you try telling me the truth, for once?�
    Vanessa�s eyes hardened. �Fine, if that�s the way you want it. You are WASTING your life, Ken. You are burning yourself out in a career that nobody CARES about. What good is it going to do? You�ll spend thirty years in a thankless job, and do you know what you�ll get? You�ll end up with a cheap watch and a tiny pension. That is, if you live that long. How can you possibly not want MORE?!!�
    �I�ll tell you how. I�m not in it for the money, or the glamour. Contrary to what you believe, people do care. I�d rather spend thirty years in a job that I love, and make no money at all, than one year in a job that I hate, making all the money I can stand. It�s not ABOUT money to me, Van. It�s about being happy with myself. I have spent my whole life doing what everyone else wanted me to do. I let my parents push me into doing what made them happy while I stayed miserable. I�m not going to do that anymore. Being a cop is the first decision that I�ve made for myself. I love you, and I want you to be with me, Van. We can have a good life together, if you�ll stand beside me instead of trying to push me from behind. I wish you could see how important this is to me. You keep talking about what makes you happy. Why can�t this marriage be about what makes us BOTH happy?�
    �That works both ways, Ken. You get angry when you feel like I�m pushing you in a different direction, but think about how I feel. You made your decision about being a cop without even talking to me about it. If you had discussed it with me, maybe I would have understood. Now that you�ve made up your mind, it�s up to us to find a common ground. I don�t know if we can do that, anymore.�
    Ken gazed into her eyes. �I want to, Van. I honestly do.�

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