Knowing When to be Thankful

2.1K

Sometimes we don’t realize just how blessed we are…

---

Starsky observed the layout of the Hutchinson dining room table. A white linen and lace tablecloth, each table setting consisting of a crystal water glass and a crystal goblet, three plates–the largest on the bottom–stacked on each other, and all kinds of forks, knives and spoons. It resembled one of the rich family’s banquets from that PBS show he watched while he was recovering in the hospital–Upstairs, Downstairs. Though he knew that if Richard Hutchinson, his wife Iona, and his daughter Karla had their way, he wouldn’t be upstairs sharing Thanksgiving dinner with them. He would be downstairs where they thought he belonged–way downstairs.

“Thanks, Nellie,” Starsky said to the maid as she placed a bowl of pumpkin soup on top of his plates. Besides him, Hutch had been the only other person to thank her. The black woman gave him a knowing smile, and left to get ready to serve the rest of the food prepared by the cook. Hutch told him the house staff consisted of two maids, the cook, a driver, a handyman, a gardener and his assistant. There had been a butler when Hutch was growing up, but he died in a car accident a few years ago, and Mr. and Mrs. Hutchinson felt that, considering the informality of the times, they wouldn’t bother to hire a replacement. Starsky grinned. Yeah, those Hutchinsons were becoming hippies!

Starsky picked up the biggest spoon and started eating his soup. Hutch had warned him that the dinner would be a formal affair, and advised him that the easiest way to handle all those forks, knives and spoons was to start with the ones on the outside and work your way in. What Hutch hadn’t warned him about, because he hadn’t known himself, was that Ma and Pa Hutchinson had invited a debutante to join the festivities. A woman they were obviously trying to fix up with Hutch.

Feeling his favorite pair of blue eyes watching him, Starsky looked up at Hutch and smiled. He knew Hutch would get the message: that everything was okay between them and that he didn’t blame Hutch for the situation at all. He was happy to see Hutch instantly relax and return the smile. Poor Blintz, he’d been as tight as a bow string even before they’d arrived at the Hutchinson homestead the night before…

 

After the great time he and Hutch had spent with Rachel and Nicky, they went back to Bay City in high spirits, even if it was to return to more desk duty. Captain Dobey decided that until they could go out on the streets together, neither of them would. And then, Hutch’s mother had called and invited Hutch home for Thanksgiving…

Hutch and Starsky were both surprised when Dobey allowed them the additional time off. The Captain had groused a little, but then added, with a smirk, “You might as well make your travels now, because once you’re back on the streets, I expect to see your bright, eager faces at least five days a week, every week, for a very loooong time.” Starsky smiled inside. It was kind of touching to see how excited Cap was to have him back.

But then he remembered the look on Hutch’s face after Dobey gave his approval. He could tell that Hutch had hoped the Captain would refuse the leave. Once they got to Venice Place after work that day, he told Hutch that if Hutch wanted to, they could skip the family reunion. But Hutch felt they should go since they’d been invited (though Starsky knew that, originally, only Hutch had been). Besides, Hutch reasoned, there wouldn’t be a better time to tell his family about the turn in their relationship.

 

“So David,” Richard said loudly, “I must admit I can’t understand why you would return to police work after everything that’s happened to you.”

Starsky knew the only reason he was receiving his host’s attention was because Richard wanted to break the connection he’d just made with Hutch. He inhaled and tried to remember that centering thing Hutch had taught him. He wasn’t going to lose his cool, he wasn’t going to lose his cool…

Every time Richard said his name–“David”–he made it sound like he was spitting something really nasty out of his mouth. And Hutch hadn’t even told them their news yet.

“Kenneth has mentioned that you went into the army right out of high school. Maybe if you had attended college, even a little community college, you would have more options…”

Starsky turned, looked Richard straight in the eye and smiled. “I’m a cop. That’s the only option I need.”

The two men locked eyes for a moment, neither of them giving an inch. Then Richard decided to join the conversation between Hutch and the debutante. Not that it had been much of a conversation up to that point. She was doing most of the talking, with Hutch offering a non-committal “oh” or “ah” every few sentences.

Again, Starsky and Hutch caught each others’ attention. This time, Hutch slightly tilted his head toward Miss Debutante, rolled his eyes, and grinned. Starsky glanced briefly at Richard, rolled his eyes, then grinned back at Hutch. After letting their gaze linger a few seconds, Hutch went back to his “ohs” and “ahs” and Starsky went back to his soup.

Nellie re-appeared, this time taking away the soup bowls, preparing for the next course. Starsky looked around the table at its other occupants: Richard at the head, Miss Debutante, Hutch, Iona at the other end, Karla, and her husband. He pretended not to notice Richard’s glare directed at him. For the first time in his life, Starsky couldn’t wait for the end of a Thanksgiving dinner.

 

They were now “retiring” to the den for after-dinner drinks. Starsky brought up the rear, observing the others. As Miss Debutante linked arms with Hutch, Hutch glanced back quickly at Starsky. Starsky made sure no one was paying attention to him, and then winked at Hutch. A slight grin, along with a slight blush, appeared on Hutch’s face. Miss Debutante didn’t even notice, just kept chattering away.

Starsky had to admit that the Hutchinson mansion was beautiful and huge. On the way from the from the dining room to the den, one first passed the billiard room and the library (on opposite sides of the hall), then opposite the den was the living room, and off from that was the music room that had an entrance to the terrace. In the opposite direction from the dining room was the breakfast room. Starsky shook his head–a room just for eating breakfast. He’d seen restaurants that weren’t decorated as well. Hell, the foyer alone was bigger than the entire first floor of his Ma’s house.

The den was warm from the lit fireplace. The room, like the rest of the house, was immaculate: two leather couches (one smaller than the other) along with matching oversized leather chairs, walls covered with dark wood panels. Definitely old money, none of that nouveau riche tackiness of the palaces they’d raided when busting affluent bad guys in Bay City.

The Hutchinsons were immaculate too: blond, blue-eyed–tall with long legs. Richard wearing what had to be a $500 suit, the ladies in cocktail dresses and pearls. But the Minnesota Hutchinsons were as cold as the winds blowing off of Lake Superior. For probably the thousandth time since he’d met this family, he marveled at how Hutch had escaped the iciness–at the warmth, kindness, and passion of Hutch’s heart and soul.

Starsky sat back in the chair he’d commandeered and just smiled at Hutch. Then he watched Miss Debutante. The fact that his parents tried to fix her up with Hutch was further proof that they didn’t understand Hutch at all. And it wasn’t even about his relationship with Hutch. The girl was a pretty redhead, probably from the “right” kind of family, but she was too young and way too shallow–Hutch wouldn’t have given her a thought back when he dated women. As much as she talked, it sounded like she had the IQ of a kumquat. (He loved using that word. Ever since he’d read about them in a book he bought about foods from around the world, he would say the word constantly, earning him consistent eye rolls from Hutch.)

Richard was pouring drinks. “A brandy, David?”

Hutch stood up, interrupting Miss Deb. “Mom, I thought you were going to buy beer for me and Starsk?”

Iona, who’d been holding a conversation with Karla, gave an exasperated sigh. “I’m sorry, Kenneth, I must have forgotten. I had so many other things to do to prepare for this evening…”

“You asked me what I would like and the one thing that I asked for…” Hutch began, his annoyance seeping into his voice.

“It’s okay, Hutch. I’ll try anything once,” Starsky cut in, hoping his tone would signal Hutch to calm down.

Richard handed the drink to Starsky. “See, Kenneth, David is willing to expand his horizons. I would have thought you had plenty of time while being his nursemaid to introduce him to some of the finer things.”

Oh, oooh. “He was recovering from serious gunshot wounds. Plying him with brandy wasn’t something that occurred to me.”

“No need to get testy, Kenneth. It’s just that you insisted on taking care of him, which you needn’t have done since you decided to finally use your trust fund. You could have hired all types of medical staff to care for him…”

“He’s my partner. I took care of him.”

Father and son were now only a foot away from each other. Besides the way he said “David,” what really irked Starsky about Richard Hutchinson was the way he took obvious delight in baiting his son.

Starsky noticed that this little battle managed to do one thing: it shut Miss Debutante up. She was sitting there, silent, with her mouth hanging open. Karla was shaking her head slightly, disapproving of the skirmish. Her husband looked as though he were fascinated by the goings on.

Iona noticed that Miss Deb was starting to look uncomfortable and broke the stalemate. “It’s such a shame that Amy and Tucker are donating Cotswald to the University. It’s meant to be a private family home. I’m sure Daniel and Rochelle are spinning in their graves. And it has dire implications for your family, Alyssa.”

This got Miss Deb’s–Alyssa’s–attention. “What do you mean, Iona?”

“Well dear, your family’s estate is right next to it. Either the University will turn that fabulous home into some kind of dormitory, with a lot of wild college students running around.” Then Iona gasped and grabbed her husband’s hand as he sat next to her. “Or, even worse, they could make it into some kind of museum, with tourists traipsing through the neighborhood!”

Starsky choked on his brandy, stifling a laugh. Who used the word ‘traipsing’ anymore? He covered very well by pretending to cough, but he could tell by the look Hutch gave him that at least Hutch knew what he was really doing. Starsky’s mind became full of visions of Japanese tourists with cameras chasing Richard, Iona and their neighbors across their finely manicured lawns.

Hutch sat on the arm of the chair Starsky occupied. “I think it’s great that the Wallace heirs want to help the University…”

“Again, Kenneth, you’re missing the point. East Duluth has been a high-end residential neighborhood since the turn of the century. This could start a very disturbing trend, third-generation East Duluthans giving away their family estates,” Richard added.

“That’s so true, father…” Karla began.

“I mean, if you were to finally settle down with the right girl,” Richard turned and grinned at Miss Deb, who blushed on cue, “your mother and I were planning on leaving our home to you.”

This time, Karla sputtered her drink. “But, Kenneth lives in California now! He’s given no indication that he wants to come back…”

Iona spoke then. “Karla, you and Jonas already have a fine home. Kenneth can’t be a policeman forever. Maybe, once he settles down…”

“Of course, what was I thinking. All hail the prodigal son!” A very miffed Karla stood, banging her glass down on an end table. “Jonas, let’s go.” Jonas stood up immediately, following his wife. She picked up the house phone. “Nellie, Jonas and I are ready to go now…” She covered the receiver. “Alyssa, would you like us to take you home?”

Alyssa looked over at Hutch. “Well, I wasn’t quite ready to go yet…”

Iona rolled her eyes. “Karla, stop being so dramatic. There’s no need for this. What will David think?” She laughed, somewhat nervously.

“David thinks this is the most fun he’s had since he’s gotten here,” Starsky said loud enough so that only Hutch could hear him.

Hutch glanced down at him and grinned. Then Hutch stood up. “Starsk and I will be happy to see you home, Alyssa.”

“Oh,” Alyssa replied, clearly disappointed.

“I’m sure David is probably tired after your journey, with his recovery and everything.” Richard inserted.

Starsky now stood. “Not at all. I could use a little fresh air about now. Besides,” Starsky winked at Miss Deb, “I would never miss the opportunity to escort a pretty young lady home.” The look of disgust on her face almost made Starsky laugh out loud, which caused Hutch to barely control himself.

“That’s very kind of you,” Alyssa replied, now rising. “But, I’ll leave with Karla and Jonas.”

Karla continued on the telephone. “Nellie, bring mine and Alyssa’s wraps, and Jonas’ coat.” She hung up and said to no one in particular “Good night.” She stomped out to the hall, with Jonas following her.

Miss Deb, looking slightly confused, turned to Iona and Richard. “Thank you for a lovely evening.” She looked longingly at Hutch, and went off after Karla.

“Oh, I better try and smooth things over,” Iona said to Richard as she followed the others out of the room.

Starsky and Hutch looked at each other and smiled. Then they turned to face a glaring Richard. “I’m glad you find all of this amusing, Kenneth. But considering that you’ve used a good portion of your trust fund, you should take our offer seriously. I imagine a police officer’s salary isn’t that much, and if you want a home of your own…”

“Father, your offer is very generous, but, actually, I’m kind of tired myself. I think this is something we can discuss tomorrow,” Hutch replied.

Now, Richard was suspicious. “You want to discuss your future with your mother and I?”

“Yes Father, but tomorrow. Ready to go up Starsk?”

Then Iona re-entered the den. “She’s so sensitive…Kenneth, David, are you going up now?”

Hutch went over and kissed his mother on the cheek. “Yes, Mother, we are. Good night.” He turned toward Richard. “Good night, Father.”

“Good night, Richard and Iona. Thanks for dinner and a very interesting evening,” Starsky added as he followed Hutch out of the room.

Starsky and Hutch just watched each other as they headed down the hall, making sure not to say anything until they were out of earshot of Iona and Richard. Happily, their bedrooms were in a separate wing of the house, so they were assured of their privacy.

Once they climbed the stairs and reached the hall that led to their bedrooms, Hutch grabbed Starsky by the waist, kicked open his bedroom door, and pushed them both through it. Once they were inside the room, he leaned against the door to close it again.

For a brief moment, the two men just stared into each other’s eyes. Starsky marveled at how Hutch’s eyes appeared more blue when Hutch was feeling passionate, even in the dark. But that thought didn’t last long. As Hutch’s lips claimed his, all thought left Starsky’s brain.

Finally, Hutch pulled back as both men gasped for air. “I’ve been wanting to do that all day, babe,” he said as he stroked Starsky’s cheek.

“You and me both. After passing out after gettin’ here late last night, we have a lot of making up to do.” Starsky started kissing and nipping Hutch’s neck, eliciting a very loud moan. Starsky pulled away, stifling a giggle but still showing a very big grin. “Shhh, Blondie. We don’t want Mummy and Dahddy bustin’ in on us.”

Hutch, a devilish glint in his eyes, yanked Starsky’s arm so that Starsky fell face up on the bed. Hutch then laid over top of him. “They’re on the opposite side of the house. We could set off explosives in here and they wouldn’t hear a thing.”

“Settin’ off explosives…is that what we’re calling ‘It’ now?” Starsky imagined that the full blown smile that broke out on Hutch’s face probably matched his own.

“Sounds…appropriate…to…me,” Hutch said as he kissed Starsky’s face and neck, while removing Starsky’s jacket and unbuttoning his shirt.

The next thing he knew, Starsky was totally naked. He marveled at how quickly Hutch could undress him. Must be all that guitar playing that made Hutch’s fingers so fast.

Hutch, having just finished feasting on Starsky’s chest and stomach, with an extra long detour at his belly button, now crawled up so that they were face to face again. After another long, sensuous kiss, Starsky managed to whisper, “What do you want, beautiful?”

Those blue eyes were peering right at him, so soft and full of love. “I want you inside of me.” It was amazing how hard he could get, just from Hutch’s simple declaration.

He brushed his fingers through the silky, golden strands. “Where’s the stuff?”

Hutch popped up off the bed. “It’s in my shaving kit,” he said as he ran into the adjoining bathroom to retrieve the K-Y. Starsky took the opportunity to turn down the bed. As Hutch re-entered the room, Starsky looked up at him.

“Blintz, we ain’t gettin’ very far with you like that.”

Hutch stopped, confused.

“The clothes?” Hutch was still fully clothed.

Hutch chuckled. “Oh, right.” He tossed the tube to Starsky and proceeded to undress quickly. He then leaped off the floor and took his previous position, on top of Starsky.

“Hey, I wanted to undress you,” Starsky started to protest.

“I’m in a bit of a rush…” Hutch began before Starsky flipped them over so that now he was on top.

“Well, babe, there ain’t gonna be no more rushin’ tonight.” He took the cap off the K-Y and started to prepare Hutch for their love making. “We’re going to take it slow and easy…”

 

Much, much later, Starsky held Hutch while Hutch lay his head on Starsky’s chest. He liked playing with the hair on Starsky’s chest during the after glow. “Each time I think, it can’t get any better than this. But tonight was…wow,” Hutch said, kissing the spot he’d just brushed with his fingers.

“Wow is right. I know your parents are on the other side of the house, but I figure that they, all of Minnesota and…what state is next door?”

“Wisconsin.”

“And at least half of Wisconsin heard us declaring our love for each other…”

Hutch now lifted himself up so that he could kiss Starsky. “Over…” kiss, “…and over…” kiss, “…and over again.” He ended with a long kiss.

“Yeah, maybe the cook added some vitamin E to the mashed potatoes,” Starsky grinned, very pleased with himself. “And as loud as we were, your parents probably already know the score with us.”

Hutch settled back on Starsky’s chest. “Trust me, they didn’t hear a thing.”

“Well,” Starsky sat up, surprising Hutch “I guess that means I better head to my room.” Starsky had been given the bedroom across the hall from Hutch’s.

Hutch pushed him back down and settled back to his position. “You’re not going anywhere.”

“What about the maid? You don’t want your parents finding out before you get the chance to tell ’em yourself.”

“It’s going to be difficult in any case. But look at it this way. After I tell them and I get kicked out and disinherited, we’ll catch a plane and be home by tonight. You’ll only have spent about 36 hours total in Duluth.”

They were both quiet for a minute, lost in their own thoughts. Starsky spoke up first. “Hutch, don’t feel that you have to tell them just because Ma and Nicky know…”

“I love you. You’re the best thing in my life. You are my life. And I’m not going to behave with my family like I’m ashamed of you, of us. I have no doubt about how this is going to play out, but I need to be honest with them. And,” Hutch added with a snort,” at least I’ll know that I’ve made Karla happy.”

“How’s that?”

“She’ll definitely get the house now.” They both looked at each other and started laughing.

After planting a kiss on top of the sleeping blond head, Starsky snuck out of Hutch’s room before sunrise. He entered his room, showered and dressed, but his mind was on Hutch the entire time. Though they’d joked about the Hutchinson clan’s reaction to their news, he was still worried about how their rejection would affect Hutch.

Feeling antsy, Starsky decided to take an early morning stroll around the grounds in the back. With a light dusting of snow covering landscape: the evergreens and the other cold weather loving plants, the barren trees that would awake in the spring–the place had a beautiful, quiet glow. Starsky smiled. In that way, it reminded him of Hutch.

He walked down the three-leveled brick terrace to the marble-edged “pond.” At least, that’s what Hutch called it. Starsky insisted it was a swimming pool, but Hutch laughingly told him that the only swimming the Hutchinson’s were allowed to do was in the pool at “the Club” and that, the one time he attempted to swim in the “pond,” he was grounded for doing something so gauche.

He could imagine little Ken Hutchinson loving this place, all calm in the early morning before the rise of activity around the mansion. Then, he noticed the gardener and his assistant digging around some shrubbery in the distance. So much for the quiet before the storm.

His stomach starting to grumble, Starsky decided to head to the breakfast room to see if he could get at least one more meal before he and Hutch were thrown out. He shook his head again upon re-entering the house–a room just for eating breakfast…

Upon entering the room, Starsky was surprised to see Richard and Iona were already seated at the table next to each other. Iona was eating grapefruit, while Richard was drinking coffee.

“David, you’re up. Have a seat, ” Richard said. Starsky did so as Nellie placed a cup and saucer in front of him and started to pour the contents from a coffee pot. “We only have time for a cup before we head to the Club. Where’s Kenneth?”

“I’m right here,” Hutch stated as he strolled into the room. He wore his black turtleneck and brown cords. Starsky was still amazed at how just the sight of Hutch could take his breath away. Then Hutch turned to face Starsky (out of his parents line of vision) and gave Starsky the smile that always melted his insides. And I call him the mushball, Starsky thought happily as he returned the smile to his love.

“Well, we only have a few moments before we need to leave…” Richard began.

“Thanks, Nellie,” Hutch said as he sat next to Starsky and received his cup of coffee. “Leave? I thought we were going to talk this morning…”

“Oh, Kenneth,” Richard started, “don’t tell me you forgot about the Post-Thanksgiving Breakfast at the Club?”

Starsky and Hutch looked at each other and Starsky shrugged. “Yes, Father, actually I did forget. But it happens every year–I think you can miss one. I really want to speak to you and Mother…”

Starsky now stood. “I’ll leave you alone to talk…”

Hutch looked up at him with pleading eyes. “No. Stay.” With that, Starsky sat back down. When they discussed this scenario, Hutch had said he thought it would be better if he told them alone. But, now that the time was here, he’d changed his mind. Which was fine by Starsky. He believed that they handled everything better together.

Iona started fidgeting. “Really dear, whatever you have to say can wait until later. You know, Warren Mitchell is anxious to see you…”

Richard chimed in. “I’m sure you remember Jack Mitchell, David. Well, Warren is his father…”

“I would like to see Mr. Mitchell before we leave, but I really think it’s important that we talk now…”

Richard practically jumped out of his seat and took his cup over to the side table where Nellie had place the coffee pot. He started to pour himself more coffee. “Honestly, Kenneth, there’s no reason for us to be late and hold up the entire gathering. I’ve always told you that punctuality is even more important for social occasions…”

“I know, Father, but this is important, and since I have both you and Mother here…”

Then, it dawned on Starsky. They knew what Hutch was going to say. They just didn’t want him to actually say it. Like, once he said it, they couldn’t pretend anymore.

Richard suddenly sat back in his seat and banged the cup and saucer on the table, coffee spilling over the side. Then, with his jaw squared, he very quietly demanded, “Fine. Say what you have to say.”

Hutch looked at Starsky once more and absorbed even more strength from his partner. Then he turned to his parents. “Starsky and I…well, we’re in love. We’re a couple. I guess, in a way, we always have been, but now, we’re together in every way that counts, and we will be for the rest of our lives.”

Iona looked at Hutch, purposefully avoiding looking at Starsky. “Oh, Kenneth,” she moaned quietly, shaking her head and looking down at her grapefruit.

Richard glared at Starsky for what Starsky guessed was a full minute, then stood up from the table. “Fine. Grab your coats. We’re going to be late.” Then he walked out of the room.

Hutch and Starsky now looked at each other, Starsky waiting for Hutch to decide what they were going to do. Now, Hutch shrugged, and they followed Richard to the car.

Sitting in the back of the limousine, Starsky watched father and son. They sat next to each other, Richard at the right-side door, Hutch in the middle, and he on the left. Even though the Hutchinson men were next to each other, anyone could tell that they had never been farther apart. Of all the scenarios Starsky had imagined, he never thought that Richard’s reaction would be to load him and Hutch into the limo and drive them to the country club to meet with the Hutchinson’s high-society friends.

 

The limo drove up the huge driveway to the entrance of the Northland Country Club. It was a huge white building surrounded by grounds that included a golf course, with Lake Superior in the background. Starsky had to admit that it was lovely, like the cover of a Christmas card. But his admiration was interrupted by Richard practically knocking over the driver in his rush to get out of the vehicle as the driver opened the door to let them out.

Hutch sighed and gave Starsky a wan smile as he got out. “Thank you, Henry,” Hutch said to the driver as he waited for Starsky to exit. “Yeah, thanks, Henry,” Starsky added, feeling like he had to say something to cut the tension.

“You’re welcome, Mr. Kenneth and Mr. David,” Henry replied as he returned to the driver’s door. “Enjoy the Breakfast,” he added as he got in the limo.

“Fat chance of that,” Hutch mumbled as he and Starsky watched the vehicle leave. Hutch then turned to Starsky and grinned. “The food was always really good, so you should enjoy that much, anyway.”

“Hey, if the food is good and I get to look at your face most of the time we’re here, I’ll be a happy camper,” Starsky responded with a wink.

Hutch laughed, the happy sound instantly making Starsky less worried about his Blintz. “You are a total nut, Gordo.”

“Right now, I’m a hungry nut.”

“Yeah, let’s go in and feed you.”

As soon as they entered the building, two members of the staff greeted them, helped them off with their coats and took the coats away. More dark wood paneling and marble floors in the foyer. Again, Starsky admired the décor, until he noticed the large stuffed bear in the room right off the foyer. A large, stuffed, standing on two legs with raised paws in

mid-growl bear. Starsky wondered how someone managed to kill the bear at that point (the bear definitely didn’t look pleased), stuffed him, and why anyone would want to look at that constantly.

“Starsk…the dining room’s this way,” Hutch said, interrupting his thoughts.

“Yeah, okay…” Starsky replied as he followed Hutch, still eyeing the bear. Rich folks liked some weird things.

As they arrived towards the entrance to the dining room, a man who resembled an older, slightly shorter and stockier version of Jack Mitchell grabbed Hutch in a bear hug. Starsky surmised that this was Jack’s father, Warren Mitchell.

“Kenny,” Warren said as he pulled away from Hutch, but still kept his arms around Hutch’s waist. “Peg and I want to thank you again for being there for Jack…”

“Mr. Mitchell, you don’t have to keep thanking me,” Hutch interrupted. “Jack was my friend.”

“I know, but it still means the world to us that you were there for him,” Warren continued. He finally released Hutch and turned to Starsky, extending his hand. “And I take it this is your partner?”

Starsky grabbed Warren’s hand and they shook as Hutch said, “Yes, this is my partner, Dave Starsky.”

“Well, your father’s already inside. Let’s get the two of you seated,” Warren said as he put one arm around Hutch’s shoulders, the other around Starsky’s and led them into the dining room. Warren Mitchell seemed as easy and warm as Richard Hutchinson was hard and cold. Starsky decided he liked Jack’s father.

Starsky noticed that the huge table they approached in the middle of the room had no women seated. And that they were the only occupants of the dining room. So, this was a men’s-only affair. As they walked towards the empty seats that had obviously been reserved for them, several men stood and shook Hutch’s hand as Hutch introduced him, until they finally reached their destination. Richard sat across the table from them.

“You boys are sitting on either side of me,” Warren began as they took their seats. “You know, Dave, Kenny always ordered the waffles, scrambled eggs and bacon. If you want to order something else, we can get one of the waiters to bring you a menu.”

“Is that what your ordering, Kenny?” Starsky asked, with a lot of emphasis on the word “Kenny.”

Hutch matched smirks with Starsky, and then asked Warren, “Is Mario still the chef?”

“Oh yeah, Mario’s still here. He was just a little younger than the two of you when he started.” Warren turned to Starsky. “For my money, he’s the best chef in all the Twin Cities.”

“I agree,” Hutch said. “Then I’ll order my usual.”

Starsky was salivating. This Mario sounded pretty good. “How’s his pancakes?”

“Ahh…now you’re talking my language. His pancakes are the best! I always order them,”Warren responded.

“Yeah, Starsk, if I recall correctly, Mr. Mitchell attacks those pancakes the same way you wolf down your food.”

“It’s ‘Warren,’ Kenny, and there’s nothing wrong with enjoying one’s food.”

“That’s right, Warren. Hutch just doesn’t appreciate food the same way we gourmands do,” Stasky added, causing all three men to laugh.

At that same moment, Richard glared at he and Hutch. But, just as quickly, Richard changed his expression and went back to the conversation he’d been holding with the man sitting next to him. But Starsky saw that Richard’s expression hadn’t escaped Warren’s notice.

After the meal (which Starsky thoroughly enjoyed), different groups of the men gathered around the room to hold various conversations. After joining Hutch in several groups, Starsky had to go to the little boys’ room. As he left the dining area, Starsky noticed that he hadn’t seen Richard or Warren, but relieving his current distress was foremost on his mind.

After leaving the men’s room, he decided to wander around the club. Eventually, he found his way to the pool area (the only pool Hutch was allowed to use growing up), and then he wandered over to a patio near where the golf carts were parked. There, he saw Richard and Warren, having an animated conversation. He knew he probably should go back inside and leave them to their privacy, but since he had a feeling he knew what they were discussing, his curiosity led him in their direction. He was able to approach them along a smaller side patio, where they couldn’t see him, but he could hear them very well.

“You have no idea what I’m feeling, Warren…” Richard practically shouted.

“No, I don’t, but I wish I had the opportunity,” Warren retorted.

“You say that now, but if things were different…”

“But they aren’t,” Warren stated. He lowered his voice. “I was exactly like you, holding what I thought was the responsible parent hard-line with Jack. How do you think Peg and I feel, knowing that our son was dying, and he didn’t feel he could come to us and tell us?”

Richard lowered his voice also. “But your situation was different, is different…” There was a twinge of sympathy in his tone.

“Not really, Richard. All we saw was that Jack had left his residency, and was traveling from city to city, wasting his life. And then, when he landed in Vegas, well, to me it was the culmination of all of things I had always brow-beat him with since he was in high school: he was an under-achiever, he was a disappointment…”

“Yes, but Kenneth is so smart, much smarter than Iona and I. He aced pre-med, and even if he decided medicine wasn’t for him, and he wanted to get into law enforcement, why not become a lawyer, a district attorney?”

“Because, that’s not what he wants to do.”

“But, every decision he’s made since he decided not to go to med school, with the exception of marrying Vanessa…”

“Seems to have been made to vex you? Come on, Richard, the boy is just following his heart.”

“Which has led him to a job where is regularly shot at…and now this…”

They were both silent for a while. Then Warren said, “Look Richard, do you think for one second that if God, or the devil himself, came to me and Peg and said ‘You can have your child back, but only if he comes back as a life-long practicing homosexual,’ that we wouldn’t jump at the chance?”

“But…”

“No buts. If I could get my boy back, I’d march right beside him in those parades they have, and anything else he wanted me to do.”

“But you’d never have grandchildren.”

“We’re never going to have grandchildren now, Richard. But, at least we’d have our only child, and as long as Jack was alive…” a choked up Warren stopped speaking.

After another pause, Warren continued. “Look, it’s obvious that Kenny and Dave really care for each other, and Dave seems to be a nice man. Jack had a brain tumor that came from nowhere and took him away from us. With Kenny’s profession, which he shows no signs of quitting, you know he can be taken away from you in an instant. You don’t want to live with the regrets and pain that Peg and I do, Richard. Trust me, you don’t.”

Again, silence. After a few moments, Starsky dared to peek over to where the men had been standing. Richard was standing by himself, facing the golf course, his head down.

For once, Starsky felt sorry for him. He had no doubt about the man’s snobbishness, but he had expressed caring about Hutch’s safety. That raised him several notches in Starsky’s book.

As he went back inside the building and headed for the dining room, Starsky wondered if Richard would take Warren’s advice. He hoped, rather than believed, in the possibility.

 

After one more strained day at the Hutchinson’s, Richard and Iona drove Starsky and Hutch to the airport for their trip back to Bay City. Starsky had told Hutch about the conversation he’d overheard between Richard and Warren, but Hutch thought that Warren’s words probably fell on deaf ears.

Luckily, they arrived at the airport just before the plane was scheduled to take off, so there wouldn’t be time for long, awkward silences in the boarding area. Iona gave Hutch a cursory hug and nodded a good-bye to Starsky.

Richard, on the other hand, stared at the two of them until the second call to board the plane was made. He shook Starsky’s hand briefly. Then, as he shook Hutch’s hand, Richard said “We’ll talk about plans for Christmas.” Both Iona and Hutch were obviously surprised. Starsky was, too, but his little hope for Hutch and his family grew a bit more. Hutch turned and watched Richard, who returned the gaze, as he and Starsky boarded the ramp.

As they took their seats, Hutch turned to Starsky and whispered, “Did my father just intimate that we may be invited for Christmas, too?”

Starsky leaned back into his seat (next to the window, just the way he liked it) and said, “I believe he did, buddy-boy, I believe he did. Obviously, your family is starting to succumb to the old Starsky charm.” Then he flashed a grin at Hutch.

Hutch laughed out loud, which he knew he would. “You are such a goof,” Hutch said as he ruffled Starsky’s curls.

“As long as I’m your goof,” Starsky whispered back.

“Always,” Hutch replied. Then they both said “Me and thee.”

As the plane descended down the runway, they both started giggling like loons. “Boy, do we got it bad,” Starsky chortled.

The End