Hi Mum, It's Sammy (Clone 63 - Part 7)

The next day, I got up as quietly as I could manage. Jer had been on baby duty most of the night and he needed some sleep. I played with and fed each of our little munchkins then grabbed something that seemed edible from the fridge.

I barely made it out of the door in time, given that I was supposed to show Jared around town before work officially started. I made it just before Jared. He pulled up in an old clunker.

“Hey, Jared. Bad news, Felipe has the only cop car in town. I don’t own a car so I’m afraid we are going to have to use yours.”

“Right, fine. I hope that the department can splurge for another car soon. Another few miles on this beast and it’s going to finish falling to pieces.”

Hi Mum, It's Sammy (Clone 63 - Part 6)

Things at home are going along very well. There may well be an available room upstairs that is officially mine but this is the place I want to be.

"Jer, just want to make sure you know. I love you."

"Right back at you, Sam. This exclusive dating idea, I think I like it."

I'm glad about that. I can't imagine saying no to Jericho, not with those big blue soulful eyes of his. But I want him to myself. It will tear me in two if he goes back to dating others. I seriously hope that he doesn't ask about it.

I do not understand how I ever slept in a bed by myself. There is something naturally relaxing about sleeping with someone you love.

Hi Mum, It's Sammy (Clone 63 - Part 5)

Another day at work spent mostly keeping the chair warm and the computer busy.

Ok, we did have one citizen stop by to make a report. This time, I noticed the door opening and closing. I looked up and waited for the visitor to take a seat.

"What can I do for you today?"

"I've come to file a report about a missing pet."

I started to pull up the Lost and Found report. At least this time I know what I'm looking for and how to find it. "A missing pet? A cat by any chance?"

"No. It's our dog. He's a beagle. Why did you ask about a cat?"

"I just had a report yesterday about a missing cat. So, I'll need your name and address first."

"My name is Cami House, the house is 309 Sweetapple Ridge Way." She started to say something more but stopped when she realised that my typing speed is very slow.

"My apologies, I'm still very new here. What can you tell me about the dog?"

Hi Mum, It's Sammy (Clone 63 - Part 4)

Mum, they gave us some good news at work. Apparently we don't have to be able to quote from memory the entire code. Given how long that was going to take me, the fact that I won't have to memorise the lot is a relief.

In fact, my supervisor may have me man the front desk soon. Mind you, he says it's so a real police officer can get out on patrol but if I can get away from these books, I'll be happy.

While I was stuck studying again, my housemates were having a much better time. Well, mostly. Jericho spent some time trying to teach the parrot a few words.

And then he went fishing. He tried fishing at the water treatment plant for a change and found it's salt water not fresh. That discovery made him a much happier guy. I think just being near salt water helped him recharge in some way, even if he wasn't allowed to go swimming.

Hi Mum, It's Sammy (Clone 63 - Part 3)

Well, no matter what you get up to in the evening, the next day it's back to the grind. Or at least so it seems. I should have the weekend off but that's never going to come quickly enough for me.

I had to head back to the station and get buried alive in books again. Damn, this police stuff is very tough.

Hi Mum, It's Sammy (Clone 63 - Part 2)

Well, Mum, there's not much to report on the work front. They won't let new police recruits anywhere near the streets until we've completed training. From the size of the manuals they dropped on the desks on the first day, that's going to be months or maybe even a year from now.

So, at the moment, my police career combines two of my least favourite activities. I have to sit and read. It's mind achingly dull.

There are exams every week so I can't skip on the reading and hope to make it up later. I do have a partner assigned, he's acting as a mentor to help get me through this. He does promise that some day, I will be on the streets and sooner then I imagine.

I came home to find this stray dog scratching on the back door, hoping for a handout.

"Hey boy, you hungry?"

Hi Mum, It's Sammy (Clone 63 - Part 1)

Hi Mum,

I'm just getting settled in to town and a new home. I found a roommate wanted ad, it's a share house toward the edge of town. The ad promised a separate bedroom and a very reasonable rent.

When I arrived, I was both impressed and surprised by the house. It's a really nice place and quite big. I thought it would be another run down bachelor pad.  I was introduced to the three guys already living here.

First I met Eddie Starr, musician. He's very intense when he's working on keyboard or guitar. His hands are just magic dancing across the keys. He's a big bloke, though I'm not sure if it's height or personality that give that impression.