Back To Mypos

Canon: Current day, 2021, 35 years after the first episode.

The sun shown on the small village as people milled about doing what needed to be done. The quaint island country had its share of updates over the years. So much so that one previous inhabitant returned.

Inside one medium sized cottage, Balki sat by a window working on his Dimitri comic strip. His beloved stuffed sheep Dimitri sat on a shelf of the bookcase beside the window.

But Balki paused, his gaze going out the window and his thoughts turning inward. He missed America but it had afforded him more heartache than he cared to think about. It had been nearly ten years since he and Mary Anne were divorced and she got custody of Robbie. Most of the time he didn't think about them, but every now and then when he would work on the comic strip, the memories would come back.

Balki turned to the bookcase and pulled down a collection of envelopes and papers tied together. He kept them in order except for the one on top. He started to unfold the letter.

He paused, considering the rest of the stack. Half had been sent by his Cousin Larry, then they came more from his then Cousin Jennifer. Then all were from Jennifer… especially the one where she stated she and Larry were divorced and she retained custody of Tucker. Jennifer wrote him a few more times.

The one letter Balki kept out was from Larry, a one off letter from about five years ago. Balki took in a deep breath and looked at the letter. It was hand-written and an utter mess of a scrawl. Larry hadn't said much other than he might not write for a while and that was it.

Balki refolded the letter and put the collection back on the shelf. He stood and stretched, then decided he'd go for a walk to clear his head. He stepped out into the sun and paused.

Balki still wore his peasant shirts with a vest or suspenders, jeans or patterned slacks, and a large variety of footwear. He watched a mail cart stop a few cottages down. Then he spotted a taxi cart pass the mail cart then stop almost directly in front of him.

"Okay, you, out, and next time no backseat cart driving!" The taxi cart driver was fuming.

A shorter, slightly heavy set man climbed out and rambled something brief in Myposian at him.

The cart driver was shocked and took off.

Balki watched the exchange with slight amusement and was about to walk away when the shorter man spoke in English this time.

"Hey… am I looking up Bal-ki Bartok-omous?"

Balki turned at the familiar voice asking a familiar question. It was almost exactly how he had greeted… "Cousin Larry?!"

Larry smiled thinly at him, grayed eyebrows lifting bemusedly. "Hi Balki."

Balki crushed him in a hug. "Well, I'll be snookered!"

Larry didn't return the hug, but didn't push him away. "Balki…"

He let Larry go. "Come in, Cousin! Here, I get those." He picked up the two sizable bags Larry had with him and carried them inside the cottage.

Larry followed, his smile gone. Also gone was the mop of curly hair. Overall he looked rather rumpled. "Balki, we have to talk."

"Of course, Cousin!" Balki returned from putting Larry's bags aside and beckoned him onto the couch. After they sat, Balki spoke again, "So how the heck are ya?"

Larry paused, almost as if he hadn't heard Balki, then finally he put his face in his hands, and gave off a sobbing whine of words that couldn't be understood.

…Except by Balki. He listened to Larry's ramble, nodding sympathetically. When his cousin finally stopped, Balki said nothing. He let everything sink in. Basically, Larry had fallen apart. From the divorce to losing his job, he'd had a nervous breakdown in the end. He'd been going to a psychiatrist who had not even a month ago unknowingly suggested to Larry that he drop everything and move to Mypos with Balki. The familiarity of the situation didn't elude Balki, who had done a similar thing to Larry back in the mid 1980s. Well, at least the moving in with part.

"Cousin," Balki began gently, "I would be pleased as goat spleen to have you live here with me."

Larry looked up, eyebrows creased, a slight whine remaining, "You would?"

Balki nodded. "Have I ever lied to you?"

"No… I'm the one who usually lies…" Larry frowned.

"Cousin, this is the honest truth. Please stay. I have more than enough room. Besides… I missed you," Balki admitted. "When we parted twenty years ago, it wasn't something I ever got used to. We both had new directions. We had to try and makes things work for our families." He put a hand on Larry's. "I know it hurts. I am sorry about you and Jennifer."

"She told you. I… wasn't exactly in a good place about that for a long time," Larry said.

"But, Cousin, you know makes you stronger than you may think?"

Larry's brow creased. "What's that?"

"You traveled here. That is no an easy trek," Balki answered with a smile.

"No… no, it isn't," Larry agreed. He paused, then began again, "Maybe there's something else I should tell you…"

"Cousin, we have plenty of time for talk. Let me show you around the village!"

"Okay."

They got off the couch and headed outside. Off to the side of the cottage was a slightly smaller building with double doors. Balki started to open the doors.

When Larry saw what was inside, he gasped. "Balki, where did you find that?!"

Balki patted the hood of an early 1980s red Mustang. "It was in New York. Funny story, I had a layover waiting for my flight so I went onto the street and did some sketches for people. This one guy pulled up in the Mustang right in front of me. Well, turned out he thought I was someone else, but I noticed he had a for sale sign on the car and that was that. I still say that guy was real familiar. Kinda short, balding, real thin…" He paused and tilted his head to one side, then he shrugged.

"Balki, this car couldn't have been cheap!" Larry exclaimed.

"Weeell, no, it wasn't, but…" Balki paused, then got in. "Get in, Cousin, and we'll take her for a spin!"

Larry got in the passenger side. "Oh my Lord…! Balki, is… was this…?!"

"Your car? Yes, yes, it was. When did you carve your initials on the glove compartment? I didn't remember that," Balki said.

Larry sighed. "The night before I sold it. I went out after you went to sleep." He shrugged. "Never thought I'd see it again so I didn't think it mattered."

Balki patted Larry's shoulder. "Good thing you did, Cousin." He turned the key and the car roared to life. "Buckle up, Cousin, it's going to be a bumpy ride!" He laughed.

Larry couldn't help himself. He grinned slightly at Balki's antics. He'd missed that. He'd missed him! He buckled up as Balki drove the car out of the garage

These were not paved roads. Mostly carriages still moved along them, but there were a few other cars. Everything moved slowly, but Larry didn't care. He rolled down his window and watched the sights of the village. Somewhere deep down, he could already feel something ease. He just hoped he hadn't gotten too late of a start.

"Oh, Cousin!" Balki exclaimed, bringing Larry out of his reverie. Balki parked the car and got out. Larry also got out and watched Balki go up to the flock of sheep. He hugged one around the neck. "Cousin, this is one of my family's flocks."

"One of?" Larry queried. He was starting to wonder just how well off Balki was…

Balki frowned slightly. "I should have brought a camera!"

"Wait…" Larry reached inside the suit jacket he still had on and pulled out a cell phone. He tapped the screen then held it like a camera. "Say goat cheese!"

Balki did, ending with a big grin and Larry took the picture. He turned the phone for Balki to see the picture. "Oh, Cousin, you still have an eye for photography!"

Larry's eyebrows creased. "You think so?" He looked at the picture and gave it a look of so-so.

"You do'n think so?" Balki asked. He paused, biting his lip. "Cousin, you do'n seem… happy… at all." He patted the sheep once more then it trotted off, leaving just the two men at the fence.

"I don't think this is a good time to get into this. Why don't we finish the tour… and I'll tell you at dinner, okay?" Larry suggested.

Balki nodded. "Okay, Cousin. Balki's okay with that."

"And maybe you can share a few things later, too…"

Balki nodded again. "It has been very long since we see each other. We have lots to talk about." He paused, then added, "Let's keep going."

Larry nodded. "I'd be happy to."

They both got back into the Mustang and Balki pulled out onto the road.

They eventually drove by what looked like a huge fortress. An older woman was out front planting flowers.

Balki pulled the car over. "Cousin, remember Queen Cookie?" He nudged him, grinning.

Larry nodded. "I certainly do. She saved my hide." He looked over. "That's her? She does her own gardening?"

"Of course she does, do'n be ridiculous!" Balki replied. "Let's go say hi!" He got out of the car as Larry sputtered. Finally, he got out and followed Balki. Balki and Cookie did a brief exchange of greeting, then Balki sat on the ground cross legged as Larry walked up. "Cookie, you remember my Cousin Larry!"

Queen Cookie beamed up at him. "Yes, I saved Mypos from you." She grinned at him.

Larry sighed, though. It hadn't been a joke to him. "Hello, Queen Cookie. It's good to see you again."

"Have a seat!" Cookie exclaimed and patted the grass.

Larry shook his head. "If I get down there, it'll take me an hour to get back up again. I'm okay standing."

Cookie shrugged. "Suit yourself. So Balki, how the heck are you? You've been keeping quiet lately."

"Oh you know me. Just drawin' my sheep," Balki replied.

"Well, your flocks of real sheep are doing wonders for us. All of the wool products are keeping us firmly in the black," Cookie said, beaming.

Larry winced at the business talk. This was exactly what he wanted to get away from. He walked away while Balki and Cookie chatted. Larry admired the flowers that had been planted. All the different colors and types. As he walked along, he slid his suit jacket off and draped it over an arm. The shirt sleeves had been rolled up a while ago. It was a perfect weather day to be quite honest.

Larry eventually came upon a bench and took a seat. He'd had a long couple days and was really starting to feel the weariness settle in. He slid his cell phone out of his jacket pocket and went to the photos app. He looked at the picture of Balki and the sheep. Okay, maybe the picture was better than he initially thought. Balki had seemed very pleased with it, so why couldn't he?

He scrolled through other pictures, many scenic shots he took during his trek to Mypos. Maybe… he shouldn't have given up on photography. Yes, he had been a decent investigative journalist, but he wasn't ever truly happy in that role. He frowned as his thoughts wandered.

Larry finally put his phone away and looked up as a carriage rode by. The driver waved. He returned the wave. It didn't matter that they didn't know each other.

Just then, the red Mustang pulled up in front of him. Balki leaned over. "My Cousin always told me to never pick up hitch hikers." He paused and grinned. "But I think he wouldn't mind this time."

Larry nodded and stood, then went over and got in the passenger seat He buckled up, but said nothing.

Balki frowned slightly and pulled onto the road. He knew Larry wasn't telling him something and he knew it was bad. He just wondered exactly how bad it was.

It was evening by the time the two men returned to Balki's cottage. He'd parked the Mustang and led Larry back inside. Balki began working on dinner while Larry finished getting settled in.

Eventually, Larry appeared at the dinner table, cell phone in hand. He was looking intently at something on it, but Balki didn't want to pry.

As the food cooked, Balki set their two place settings and Larry nodded, putting his phone aside. "Almost ready?"

"Just about. Hope you're hungry," Balki said and went back to the kitchen.

Larry wasn't sure. His stomach grumbled, but he didn't feel very hungry. He eyed the phone, then decided to turn it over so it sat on the screen.

Balki returned with two plates of food and set them down. "Be right back with drinks." He went back into the kitchen.

Larry eyed the plate. It looked… pretty good. He waited for Balki to return and when he did, said, "This looks good."

"Oh, good, Cousin!" Balki replied happily. He did not tell him what it was however. He set two cups down.

Larry peered into his cup, then at Balki. "What's this?"

"Iced coffee. Too warm for the hot stuff," Balki said, grinning.

"Coffee? You don't drink coffee…" Larry trailed off.

"No, I didn't used to, but… when I returned to Mypos I had many visitors and I wanted to offer drinks so I started keeping coffee. I have a little bit iced now and then," Balki explained.

Larry nodded and sipped the cold drink. It tasted good. While he might not need the caffeine so much, just the cool taste was enough to provide some comfort. He felt a little more at ease.

They ate in companionable silence. When the main meal was finished, Balki took the empty plates and told Larry to stay put. Today he was a guest, tomorrow they would figure out what he would do around the cottage. Balki returned with dessert.

Larry's browed creased upward. "Bibi bobkas?"

Balki nodded. "I keep some frozen for certain occasions." He smiled. "This is definitely a special occasion. I have my cousin back!"

Outwardly, Larry smiled in response, but somewhere back in his mind, a small voice asked 'but for how long?' He swallowed a bite. "This bibi bobkas are great, buddy."

Balki nodded. "These are some of the best bibi bobkas I've baked in a while, bubby."

"Balki," Larry began, but paused when he looked up at him. Balki was giving him his full attention. Larry had a feeling Balki knew something was wrong. "I had a heart attack last year. That's when I knew I had to do something about the anxiety and everything else. It's just been a horrible downward spiral that I hope I've caught in time. This is the only place I knew where I could truly relax and just not worry about anything."

Balki kept his gaze locked on Larry's tired hazel eyes. He knew this was no lie or stretched truth. "Then I will help you. No matter what it takes."

Larry blinked and nodded. He pinched the bridge of his nose. Balki produced a handkerchief and offered it to him. Larry accepted it and wiped his eyes.

"Would you like to watch tv for a while?" Balki asked.

"Yes," Larry answered softly. "I would like that."

They moved over to the couch and Balki turned the tv on, but he didn't pay much attention to the program. He kept replaying what Larry told him. A heart attack? Balki knew Larry was a perpetual worrier, but…

Balki's thoughts were interrupted when he felt pressure against his shoulder. He glanced over and found Larry had dozed off against him, arms still folded over his chest. Balki turned the tv off and decided it was never to early for a good night's sleep.

Around 2am, Larry began to moan. He had the same dream (nee nightmare) every night. Everyone started leaving him and everything began to crumble around him. This usually continued until he'd wake up screaming. Instead, as he felt wakefulness return, he heard a gentle voice.

Balki shook Larry gently, having felt his slight thrashing movements and heard his moaning that Balki feared could have gotten worse had he not done anything. "Cousin, wake up. Balki is here," he said softly.

Larry's eyes opened and blinked, then saw Balki looking down at him concerned. He blushed slightly and embarrassedly scratched the side of his head that was away from Balki. "I think I should have told you about the dreams."

Balki shrugged. "Might have been a good idea, but it do'n matter. Are you okay?"

Larry sighed. "Better now."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"Now?" Larry asked and lifted his right arm to check his watch. "It's after 2am…"

Balki shrugged again. "So what time is? Cousin, the only thing I care about right now is you." He paused, then added, "Besides, I couldn't sleep. I kept thinking about what you said." He paused, slightly, then continued, "Remember, I think it was about six months after I moved in with you. You pushed me out of the way of the speeding car and I said your were the Primodopolos."

Larry's brow lowered. "Balki, what does that have to do with anything? Besides… I'm sorta blanking on that at the moment…"

"You didn't let me finish. I started doing everything for you, including tying your foot to the table so you wouldn't sleep walk and fall out the window—"

"You tethered me to the table. The memory is returning…"

"Yes, but the other thing that happened was I had tried to see if you were breathing and I stuck a pot lid under your nose. I didn't realize you'd had your mouth open a little and well, I got no fog on the lid and got scared and that's when I woke you up by making your eyes open." He paused a moment. "I couldn't sleep tonight because I knew you were in a bad place and wanted to be sure you were okay," Balki explained.

Larry sat up a little bit, blushing a little again. "I… you never told me the rest of that. Matter of fact, you just let me yell at you… I think. It's been a long time and my memory isn't what it used to be."

Balki nodded. "Yes, you did." He paused a beat, then continued, "But, Cousin, I was worried then and I'm worried now. I do'n want to lose you again."

Larry sat up straight now. He didn't know what to say. A thank you seemed nowhere near enough. "Balki, I don't know what to say…"

He put a hand on his shoulder. "That's okay, Cousin." He paused, "Now, how would you like a real bed? This couch folds out…" Balki grinned.

Larry's brow creased. "Anything to keep my back from acting up."

"We'll work on getting the spare room set up for you, but there's no bed in there right now. I think you'll be okay here," Balki said and got up. He offered Larry a hand up.

Larry waved it off. "Thanks, Balki, but I can still get up off a couch on my own." He did so with only a slight grunt and stood off to the other side.

Balki slid the coffee table away, then removed the couch cushions. He grabbed the handle and tugged. The insides of the couch pulled out easily and he unfolded the two additional portions. He clicked the legs at the end. "Let me get some bedding." He turned and disappeared briefly.

Larry watched with a bit of amusement. Balki hadn't changed a bit. Heck, he even seemed to have similar energy, which unfortunately made Larry feel older than he already did.

Balki returned and tossed the end of a sheet towards Larry and they started fitting the sheets to the mattress. They did the tandem work without so much as a word or noise between them. When they finished, Balki put an arm around Larry's shoulders, "We still make a good team."

Larry nodded, a faint smile appearing. "We sure do, buddy." He paused, suddenly troubled. "Balki…"

"Oh, I almost forgot!" He went to the bookshelf and retrieved his beloved stuffed sheep. He handed Dimitri to Larry.

Larry looked at Dimitri and petted him.

"Goodnight, Cousin Larry. Dimitri, you keep an eye on your Uncle Cousin Larry," Balki said and patted Dimitri.

"Goodnight, Balki," Larry said. He sat on the couch bed as Balki headed for his own room. Larry felt more an ease now. He thought about changing into his pajamas, but he was very tired. He laid down, an arm over Dimitri and was out like a light in seconds.