Related by Marriage: Skippy

Mr. Irene grew up with one type of pet: parakeets. There was a succession of parakeets; he named all of them "Skippy." Only one Skippy, however, learned to talk. That was the *blue* Skippy.

Suburban Chicago, January 1971. Mr. Irene, fresh home from classes, is still wearing his grade-school uniform as he greets Skippy. He's standing in the corner of the living room, near the coat closet. Mr. Irene's Mom wrote on this photo, "'Skippy,' your best friend."