Chapter One

“This shit is crazy. I just wish things were different.”

Those were the last thoughts Kenneth Lopez a.k.a. Alice’s nephew had before his world was turned upside down. Kenny has entered the “what the f*** zone.”

Light was streaming through the curtained windows and a beam fell directly upon his closed eyelids. This was enough to wake him up. Kenny yawned and reached for his baseball cap, one of the many you will never find him without, all without even opening his eyes.

“Are you awake yet?” asked a woman’s voice, “We really need to be going. Especially if you want to grab something to eat before I have to go in for the day shift.”

He cracked open his eyes and peered over to his left, in the direction of the voice only to see some woman strapping on her gun holster and police hat. He could only see the back of her but he had to admit that the view from behind was definitely a good look. Suddenly the woman turned on her heel and his jaw dropped.

“Dana?”

“Excuse me?”

“Dana, wha…why are you in a cop outfit and why are you in my room and…is this a dream?”

“Who the hell is Dana?” said the officer, now approaching the bed, eyes ablaze and about ready to explode.

“Wha… yo…” Kenny started, sitting up in bed. He read the name on her badge.  “Crane?”

“Kenny, what the hell is the matter with you?”

“Da…”

“Is last night still bothering you?”

“Last night?”

“I told you sweetie it happens to a lot of guys,” said Officer Crane, joining Kenny on the bed, “There’s nothing to be ashamed of.” To punctuate her comment she leaned in for a kiss, well she tried to but Kenny jumped back from her like she had the plague.

“What are you doing Da… I mean, Officer Crane?”

“Oh Kenny, honestly, I don’t have time to play officer and the gentleman.  I’ve got to go to work. Jake and Randy are at the Planet, maybe you can meet up with them there?” said Officer Crane, crossing the room to the bedroom door.

“Sure,” replied Kenny, conceding even though he didn’t know who Jake or Randy were.

“Okay sweetie. See ya later,” said the woman, blowing him a kiss and winking.

“Bye,” said Kenny with a smile which turned into a grimace when the door was securely closed.

He fell back onto the bed trying to get a grip on the situation at hand. ‘Okay, Dana’s a cop. Only she’s not Dana, ‘cause Dana died.  This lady’s name is Officer Crane. And apparently we’re…well, we’re…jeez I’m not even gonna go there. So Officer Crane was in my room…wait a minute…this isn’t even my room. This looks like…Dana’s apartment! I’m in Dana’s apartment. This is so weird. I need to get out of here.’