Ritner and Sherry were neighborhood friends and gradeschool classmates as well. Ritner and I were in the same class. Sherry was a year younger.

I liked them both alot, they were very kind. Most of us liked to play "cowboys ad indians" I can remember one day as we were all chasing each other,

Ritner grabbed hold of my blouse It was a peasant blouse with elastic, I had it pulled down around my shoulders. Well he grabbed it and it was down around my waist.

I was only 9, but I did need a bra which I refused to wear, I ran into the house crying. Sherry did not play outdoors much, I would visit her house and we would play cards and dress our dolls,

I only vaguely remember Mom and Dad. One day as I started to run down to their house, My mother said. "Dont go there today" "How come" said I "Mr. Krikbaum has passed away" "But how?, was he in an accident,....."

"No" "Was he sick. then?" "No" "But how, why.....?

Mom was reluctant to say, but she went on "Ritner found his Dad in the garage.....in the car,.... dead"......... "Ritner!" I said......... "Yes, she continued. it seems he committed suicide, a hose from the exhaust ........." "But why?...." I began to cry, headed to my room. "They dont know for sure, they had financial problems....I dont know"

I did not ever go back to their house. Remaining family moved away, a new place to live, A different school. I never saw Ritner again.

I saw Sherry about 10 years later at a party. We looked at each other, we could not not speak, I wanted to say, " Im so sorry...", but did not. She seemed a bit drunk, she was fighting with her date.

We just avoided each other, they stayed in the small living room, We, me and my date, went to the patio to dance, Dont think I ever saw her again after that night.