A long time ago, a young man named James Gordon went to a college university in Chicago. His roommate was a man around his age named Ben Parker. Ben was an easy going roommate, and Jim got along fine with him. The two were very good friends during their four year stay at the Chicago college. After Ben and Jim graduated from college, they amicably parted ways, promising to keep touch with each other whenever they could.

20 years later, Jim was a Police Commissioner for Gotham City, and now a single father. From what he heard from Ben on occasion, whom was happy to know his friend got far in life, Ben married his sweetheart May Reilly, and they adopted their nephew Peter. Jim admired Ben for actually keeping his marriage intact, unlike him. On one particular day, Jim was at his home with his 15 year old daughter Barbara, on his one day off. Suddenly, Jim's phone rang. Jim picked up his phone and said, "Gordon here. May Parker? Nice to hear from you, I haven't talked to you in years. Oh my... May, I'm so sorry... Of course I'd want to come. When is it? Okay, I'll be there. You and your nephew take care now May. Bye..." He hung up from his phone, took off his glasses, and rubbed his eyelids. "Everything okay Dad?" asked Barbara. Jim put his glasses back on and said, "Barbara, did I ever tell you about the college I went to?" Babs adjusted her glasses and said, "I think you told me several times." Jim got out his old college yearbook, and went to a page, showing Barbara a photo of himself as a young college freshman. "See this man over there?" he said, pointing at the photo of Ben, "That man is Ben Parker. He was my roommate. Yesterday, a burglar was robbing his house. Ben surprised the burglar, and... Ben got shot and died..."

"Oh.... Dad, I'm so sorry.." said a shocked Barbara as she held her father's hand. "His funeral is at Queens," said Jim, "it's in a couple days. Would you like to come with me?"

"Sure," said Barbara. A few days later, Jim and Barbara were in Queens, attending Ben Parker's funeral. Also at the funeral was Ben's widow, May, their 15 year old nephew Peter, several of Ben and May's friends and associates, including Captain George Stacy.

During the moment Ben was buried, young Peter tearfully looked down as he saw his uncle be buried. He quietly said to himself that this was his fault. Barbara saw the grieving young man around her age, and decided to comfort him. She quietly walked to him, and put her hand on his shoulder. "You okay?" she asked. Peter looked down and quietly said, "No..." There was silence for a few minutes. "Are you, Ben's nephew?" Barbara asked, trying to make small talk with the young bookworm. "Yeah... How'd you guess?" Peter asked, looking at Barbara. "My dad went to college with your uncle," explained Barbara, then she offered her hand in a handshake, "I'm Barbara by the way." Peter shook her hand and said, "I'm Peter. That's interesting that your dad knew my Uncle Ben. I think I read about your dad in a newspaper." Barbara smiled. She gently hugged Peter to make him feel better.

During the funeral reception, Jim talked with Captain Stacy, and Peter talked with Barbara. Peter and Barbara got along fine, and instantly liked each other. At the end of the reception, Peter said, "Thanks for talking with me Barbara. I feel better talking with someone I can relate to." Barbara smiled and said, "I'm glad I could meet you too Peter. I think you have the potential to go far." She looked into his brown eyes, and Peter looked into her sky blue eyes. "Babs, I was wondering if you'd like to maybe be pen pals?" Peter asked, smiling sheepishly. "I'd love to," said Barbara, "let me write my address, and you can write yours so we can exchange addresses." Barbara wrote her address, and Peter wrote his address, and they exchanged their addresses. Barbara gave Peter another hug as a way of saying goodbye. And that's how Peter and Barbara became pen pals.