Revelations

You think you know someone…

Starsky was stuck behind a dumpster, covering Nicky as bullets flew around them. Damn! Hutch was gonna really be pissed if he wound up dead.

Of course, he wasn’t particularly thrilled with himself, either. All he wanted to do was visit his family a bit before he returned to active duty. How’d he wind up in a dark alley in Queens behind Mama Ritoni’s restaurant with some very angry goombas trying to mow him down?

Well, they were actually trying to eliminate Nicky. He could feel his brother shiver underneath him as the smells of meat sauce and pasta wafted from the restaurant. If he survived this, he swore to himself he was going to stay away from Italian restaurants–well, at least for a couple of months.

The shooting finally stopped. Nick raised himself off the ground and faced Starsky. Starsky brushed the gravel off Nick’s face. “Why didn’t you shoot back!? Do you think they’re gone?” Nick whispered both sentences in rapid succession.

“I’m not on active duty yet–that’s when I get my gun back. And I think they’re probably just reloading.”

“Oh.” Nick lowered his head. “Sorry for getting you into this.”

Starsky put his hand under Nick’s chin and raised it. “Hey, kiddo, we’re brothers. And they’re shooting at ya because you’re going straight–so no apology necessary. But right now we got more pressing matters. Is there a way outta here that they won’t be able to see us?”

“There’s a little archway between Mama Ritoni’s and the next building down that leads to the street, but we’re gonna have to move fast.”

“Okay, I’ll follow you. Stay low and up against the wall.” Hutch’s smiling face flashed into his mind. Hutch was supposed to join him in a couple of days after testifying in a trial in Bay City. He really wished his Blintz was with him now.

Nicky’s movement shook him out of his reverie. Quickly, they managed to reach the entrance. Once they ducked inside, both men stood up as much as possible. He’d loved these kind of tunnels–he’d only seen them in old New York buildings–when he was on the verge of juvenile delinquency. They were small arched passageways that were at the
most a few feet wide and six feet high that would occasionally occur with no discernable pattern between rowhouses or larger buildings that were linked together. Great way for a kid cutting school to avoid the authorities. Now, he hoped this one would provide him and his brother a way to escape Nicky’s ticked off former associates.

* * *

“Look, Nicky, I don’t like that we ain’t heard nothin’ for a while. It could mean they’re waiting for us at the end of the tunnel. I’m gonna go first. You stay a ways behind me, so if they are, you can run like hell back up here. Just hide somewhere until the sun comes up if ya hafta, okay?”

Nick started shaking his head. “Davey, I don’t wanna…”

“Promise me!”

“I love you too, bro.”

Starsky reached up and patted Nick’s cheek. Then he smiled, winked at his brother and started running down the passageway.

It was dark as hell. The smell of urine was overpowering. He could only hope the soft squishes he heard as his feet landed on the ground didn’t mean he’d have to buy new sneaks when he got home. Home to Hutch.

Finally, he started to see light from the street drifting into the tunnel. He turned back to see if he could determine if Nick had followed his directions. He couldn’t see him, but could sense his presence. He scanned as much of the street as he could. He didn’t see anything, but the hair on the back of his neck was tingling. Okay, here goes nothing.

As soon as he stepped onto the sidewalk, he heard gunfire. Then he heard shouting to his left, which caused him to turn his head in time to see a big blur coming toward him. Next thing he knew, he was pushed back into the passageway, landing with a thud on the ground, covered by a body he knew very well.

“Hutch! Where the hell did you come from?!”

Hutch, who had landed between Starsky’s legs with his head on Starsky’s chest, lifted himself so that he and Starsky were face to face, the breath from their nostrils tickling each other’s upper lips. “I wanted to surprise you. Are you surprised?” He then kissed Starsky.

As their tongues played merrily, Starsky could hear more shouts and sirens and all kinds of commotion. He wasn’t quite sure if it was his reaction to the kiss, or if it was actually the outside world.

Finally, they parted to get some air. They grinned at each other, until Starsky felt the urge to look up. Standing next to them was Nicky, with his jaw hanging open.

“Hi ya Nick,” Hutch said as he stood and offered Starsky a hand to help him to his feet. Nick just stood there staring at them, mouth still open.

Starsky and Hutch turned back to each other. ” I guess you haven’t told them yet.”

“Well, I had planned on doin’ it tomorrow…”

“You…him…you…” Nick started babbling, pointing between the two partners.

A uniformed cop ran into the tunnel. “Everybody okay in here?”

“Yeah,” Starsky answered, watching Nicky. Explanations were going to have to wait…

After giving their statements at the local precinct, the men were walking to Hutch’s rental car. Nick hadn’t said a word to anyone but the cop who took his statement. Starsky and Hutch hadn’t had a chance to speak to each other, either. Now, they glanced at each other and occasionally back at the very quiet Nick.

Once they reached the car, Hutch unlocked the passenger side front door for Starsky. Nick reached around and unlocked the back seat door and proceeded to get in. Hutch was now over on the driver’s side. He and Starsky exchanged a look over the roof of the car, Hutch shrugged and they both got in.

After driving a while, Starsky couldn’t stand the silence anymore. “So, how did you find us?” he asked Hutch.

“I went straight to your Mom’s after leaving the airport. She told me I had just missed you and where you and Nick had gone. So I called to get directions to the place. A panicked woman answered the phone saying she couldn’t talk right now. Before she could hang up I told her I was looking for you and Nick, and she blurts out that two guys had chased you both out of the restaurant and that there were gunshots and that she had just called the police. I got her to calm down and give me the directions. Considering how scared she was, they were really clear. I got there in no time.”

They both chuckled and then Starsky looked at Nick through the rearview mirror. Nick was leaning against the window, staring out.

“Well, as I approached, I saw the marked cars. There were some officers hanging back. I flashed them my badge and told them that my partner was one of the potential targets of the perps, and I was going to participate in this bust. They gave me the standard bull about this not being my jurisdiction, you know the drill, but I managed to maneuver my way up to where their frontline was. So, when you came out, I was ready to cover you. To watch your back…”

“It’s amazing that anyone in that neighborhood bothered to call the cops,” Nick stated.

Starsky automatically turned to look at Nick, then he and Hutch glanced at each other. He had begun to wonder if Nicky was ever going to speak to him again. He turned back to his brother. “Yeah, usually folks don’t want to get involved.”

Nick continued to stare out the window. “It was probably Gina, the hostess there. She’s a real nice lady. Once I got a job and got my act together, I was gonna maybe ask her out.” By the time Nick had finished talking, Hutch had pulled up in front of Rachel Starsky’s home.

“Well, we’re here,” Hutch blurted out. Nick finally sat straight up in the seat. Now Hutch watched Nick through the rearview mirror, while Starsky and Nick faced each other. Nick looked between him and Hutch with an expression that Starsky couldn’t discern. Then he left the car.

Starsky and Hutch then exited the car, with Hutch bounding quickly to Starsky’s side. “Babe, I’m so sorry. It’s just, I get here early to surprise you, and I find out some guys are shooting at you somewhere, and you have no way to protect yourself, and I had no idea if I’d get there in time…”

Starsky smiled at him. “It’s okay, Blintz. If the situation had been reversed, I woulda done the same thing. I will never, ever be sorry about the way we express our love for each other.” He grabbed Hutch’s hand and squeezed. “Telling them wasn’t going to be easy under any circumstances.” He let go of the hand and they walked to the house.

As soon as they entered foyer, Rachel Starsky threw her arms around Starsky’s neck. “Davey, are you all right? Nicky just told me what happened. How about you Kenny?” She had Starsky pulled down into a kind of head lock, plastering his face with kisses.

“I’m okay, Ma. We’re okay.” Starsky couldn’t help but laugh. But his laughter was cut short by his spotting Nicky leaning against the entrance to the living room, watching him and his mother with that expression he still couldn’t read.

Starsky pulled away from Rachel and stood up. Nick stopped leaning and stood straight himself. The men had locked eyes with each other. Rachel studied her boys for a moment. “All right, what’s wrong?”

“Ma, I think there’s something we all need to talk about…” Starsky began.

Nick stepped towards him. “Do we have to do this now?” They went back to staring each other down.

“Whatever it is, we may as well get it settled.” Rachel wrapped her arms around each of her sons’ waists. “I know you didn’t get a chance to eat before all heck broke loose at Mama Ritoni’s. What a shame, such a nice, family place.” She started to lead them towards the kitchen. “I’ve got some of that pot roast left over.” She turned back to look at Hutch, who had just stood there, watching the scene unfold. “Come along, Kenny, I know you probably haven’t had anything decent, either.”

Once Rachel made sure the men were all seated at the table, she started gathering what she needed to make the meal. “I think it’s best that we have sandwiches. These boys love their sandwiches, Kenny.”

Hutch, who had been watching Starsky and Nick glare at each other, almost didn’t hear her. “Yes, ma’am. Starsk loves sandwiches.”

Once she’d gathered everything she needed and turned away from the table to make the meal, Starsky and Nick began a completely silent argument full of exaggerated facial expressions and wild hand gestures. Nick obviously wanted Starsky to keep quiet and Starsky let him know that he had no intention of doing so. By pure instinct, every time Rachel would turn to face them for some reason, both men would become perfectly still as if nothing at all was happening. But as soon as her back was turned, the argument would begin anew.

Hutch wondered if similar scenarios occurred when they were kids. But as fascinating as it was, Hutch felt uncomfortable observing them, as if he were intruding. “Rachel, do you need any help?”

“Sure Kenny. Grab the potato chips from the pantry and you can help me bring the plates to the table.” She gestured to where the chips were without looking up from what she was doing. Hutch was happy to get a reprieve from the clash of the Starsky boys.

* * *

Once they’d finished eating, Rachel sat back in her chair and looked at Starsky. “Okay, Davey, now that we’re all fed, I think you should tell us what you want to say.”

Nicky shot up from his chair. “Ma, it’s been a long night. It’s almost one in the morning. We can do this…”

Rachel gave him a withering look. “Sit down and be quiet, Nicky.” He did what he was told, his eyes pleading with Starsky. “Go ahead, Davey.”

Starsky turned to Hutch, those beautiful blue eyes giving him all the support and encouragement he needed. He grabbed Hutch’s hand and then looked at his mother and brother. He took a deep breath and then blew it out. “Ma, Nicky…Hutch and I, well…I’ll just come on out and say it. We’re in love…I mean, we’re a couple. We’re a package deal. So, if you’re gonna accept me, you have to accept us.” He stopped talking, dreading their reaction.

Rachel looked at Starsky and Hutch. Then she glanced over at Nick, who was watching her intently. Then her gaze traveled back to Starsky and Hutch.

“Is this why you and Nicky have been acting like fools at this table all night? Is this the big announcement? I already knew you two were together. I thought you were going to tell me something good, like you and Hutch were thinking of moving here to Brooklyn, or bad, like Nicky was in more trouble…”

“Ma!” Nicky began to protest.

“I know you’re doing your best to turn your life around, sweetheart. I just thought that the way you two were carrying on, it had to be something important.”

Starsky and Hutch were now the ones with dropped jaws. Hearing Rachel mention Nick’s history brought Hutch out of his stupor. “I never did get the story. Why were those guys shooting at you tonight?” he asked Nick.

“After I got out of the joint this last time, I hooked up with Tony and Louie, the guys that were shooting at us. Just doing petty ante stuff. But then Davey was shot, and it got me to thinkin’ about goin’ on the straight and narrow. By the time Ma and I got back from California, Tony and Louie had connected with this new guy in town–Charlie Marcetti. It turned out he was into distributing child porno.”

Rachel shook her head. “Terrible, terrible…”

Nick continued. “All Tony and Louie could see was the money Marcetti promised them. But it was the last straw for me. I went to the cops and gave Marcetti up–anonymously. The older Family guys decided to let me go on my way, seein’ that they don’t like that child porno stuff either, and I wasn’t bragging about rattin’ Marcetti out. But all Tony and Louie could see was me messin’ with their ship finally comin’ in, so I guess they decided on their own to come after me. But I’m sure Davey woulda told you alla this.” Nick turned to his mother. “Ma, what do you mean you…”

“Ma, what do you mean you already knew?” Starsky interrupted, finally finding his voice.

Rachel chuckled. “Davey, I’ve suspected for a long time. I mean, you never, ever talked about any girl as much as you talked about Kenny. And, then, after you were shot, the way he acted, and once you were home…well, honey, you boys didn’t exactly hide the fact that you were sharing a bed very well.”

Hutch started to sputter. “But every morning, before you all came over, I made sure that the bed…”

“Kenny, you were so exhausted and worried about Davey, I’m not surprised you let minor details miss your attention. You had more important concerns. I did have to have a talk with your Uncle Al, though…”

Starsky couldn’t believe all this. “Uncle Al and Aunt Rose know too?”

“We may be older Davey, but we’re not blind. We all saw the same things. I just had to remind him that he was the closest thing to a father that you have, so he just needed to accept you and Kenny and get over it. He’s old fashioned, but I told him that it’s almost 1980 and he has to get with the times. Besides, we all love Kenny, he’s such a good boy. That makes it easier.”

Nick shook his head, dumbfounded. “Well, I must be blind, because it seems everyone had a clue but me.”

Rachel patted Nick on the head. “You were too busy dealing with the fact your brother almost died the way your father did.” Nick and Starsky looked at each other at that point, all the tension from earlier replaced by their brotherly bond.

Now Starsky shook his head, smiling at his mother. “Was it that easy for you, Ma? That easy to accept?”

“Well, no, I did mourn the loss of any grandchildren I would have had. And I feared the danger you might face if this gets out to the wrong people–like other cops who aren’t so open-minded.” She then ruffled Nick’s hair. “But now that this one is behaving, he can shoulder the grandbaby burden, and this is a family matter, to be kept in the family.” She gave Nicky a serious look. “Right?”

“Hey, you don’t have to worry about me saying a thing.”

Starsky turned to notice that Hutch had turned several shades of pink. “Ma, you know, at that time, Hutch and I were only sleeping in that bed. We hadn’t actually done anything yet. We hadn’t even told each other how we felt.”

“Really? Well, I guess you have surprised me tonight. You know…” Rachel whispered and leaned over the table, which caused all of the men to do the same, “you’re not the only ones in our family. My cousin Arnold is just like you.”

Nicky sat back quickly, almost falling out of his chair. “The marine cousin Arnold!?”

Rachel was delighted to be sharing this bit of gossip. “Oh yeah, he and his…mate have been with each other for years. And, they say my cousin Sally is the same way, although I wouldn’t really know. We’re not that close. She picked on me too much when I was little.”

Rachel stood up and yawned. “Well boys, it’s late and I’m going to bed. Kenny, I put extra linens in yours and Davey’s room. And, I got Davey to buy you some of that yogurt stuff you like so you can have it for breakfast.”

“Thanks, Rachel.”

“Oh, honey,” Rachel said as she walked behind Hutch and Starsky, placed her head between theirs and wrapped her arms around their shoulders, “since the cat’s now out of the bag, why don’t cha just call me `Ma’.”

Hutch and Starsky grinned at each other, then Hutch turned to Rachel. “Whatever you say, Ma.”

Rachel then kissed each of them on the cheek. “Well, good night, boys.” She walked over to Nick, who was standing by now, and they kissed each other’s cheeks.

Starsky watched his mother leave the kitchen, in her very conservative dark blue dress and flat shoes, and her gray hair pulled back in a bun. His mother, who he never heard utter a curse word in his life. To know that this same woman loved and accepted him and
his partner without reservations…God, he loved her!

Nicky now was making his way out of the room. Starsky started to rise from his seat. “Nicky…”

“Look, I’ve been wrapping my mind around this ever since I saw the two of you kissin’ in the archway. Hey, you’re alive, and even after almost dyin’ the way you did, you didn’t hesitate to put your butt in the line of fire to protect me. I didn’t want you sayin’ anything to Ma ‘cause I was afraid she’d have a stroke from the shock, but now we know the only one shocked tonight was me.” That made everyone in the room chuckle.

“Look, I ain’t naïve, I’ve been to jail enough times to know…” Hutch started to protest when Nick cut him off. “I’m not saying you guys are anything like that, not at all. What I’m sayin’ is, hell, I’m so tired right now, I don’t know what I’m sayin’. Look, you’re alive
Davey, so if you’re happy, I’m happy. Hutch, you’re a big part of his being alive, and me being alive, tonight–so welcome to the family. Now, I’ve got to go get my beauty sleep if I’m going to impress Gina at Mama Ritoni’s and start working on those grandbabies.” He and Starsky hugged, then he gave a single wave to Hutch, and left the kitchen.

Hutch stood behind Starsky, wrapped his arms around his waist and put his chin on Starsky’s shoulder. “I’m beat too, babe. Ready for bed?”

“Yeah.”

Hutch and Starsky were now lying on the bed in Starsky’s old bedroom, facing each other. Hutch was playing with the hair on Starsky’s chest while Starsky ran his fingers through Hutch’s hair. The only light they had was the glow of the street lamp through the drawn curtains of the window. But it was more than enough light for Starsky to see Hutch’s hair glow like moonlight, and for Hutch to drown in the deep blue pools of Starsky’s eyes.

“This was one weird night. It wound up good, hell, great! But definitely weird.” Starsky said, breaking their silence.

“You’ll get no argument from me.” Then Hutch lowered his voice. “You feel so good. I wish I had the energy right now…”

“Trust me Blondie, it’s just as well. The walls are really thin in this house.”

Hutch started nuzzling Starsky’s neck, eliciting a low moan. “What if we wake up early, and we’re really, really quiet…”

Starsky interrupted the statement by gently lifting Hutch`s face and pressing his lips to Hutch’s. Maybe they could get up early. After all, it wasn’t like everyone else in the house didn’t know they were in love…

The End