Anna Akhanatova’s POV

Anna’s thoughts on Hutch. From the episode, “A Body Worth Guarding.”

Who would’ve thought that a gentile artiste from the Soviet Republic like myself and a hard-nosed cop from America like Hootch could find each other and fall in love? Not me. If someone would have told me before we arrived here that I would fall in love with a policeman, I would have laughed in their face and turned away in contempt.

But that is exactly what happened.

Oh, we did not get along at first. I felt he treated me horrible. Walking ahead of me, letting doors close in my face. Barring me from going places. Ignoring me and then insulting me when he thought I didn’t hear.

I did NOT want any protection or guardians. But my manager told me I had to accept the two policemen because of threats made against me. Unbelievable that a country as advanced as America would produce such animals that would hurt an artiste. So I got stuck with these two policemen. My rude, intolerant (or so I thought) Hootch, and his charming, but dimwitted (again, so I thought at the time) partner Starevsky.

But one thing led to another, is how they say it, and Hootch ended up protecting me the first night. Oh yes, he protected me in the oldest form possible. With his body and self.

That night was the most romantic I’ve ever known. I like to talk. And we talked about ourselves all night long. But it wasn’t just the talk that made it special. It was the sharing, the fire; his touches and kisses. The way he looked into my eyes.

Hooch has the most beautiful eyes. I could lose myself in those eyes. I told him that the next morning when Starevsky came to take over, as he put it. I think Starevsky was amused when I called Hootch “dahlink”. He winked at me and told Hootch to watch over me.

They did not want me to practice. They wanted to wrap me up in cotton. But I told them I could not live like that. I had one more performance at the ballet and Marsha agreed that my pas de touts needed work.

So Hootch took control. It is nice to have someone make all the decisions once in awhile. Sometimes I feel all alone except for Marsha. So my bodyguard enfolded me with his love and concern, and gave myself up to him. And we look so beautiful together; all blonde and aristocratic features.

My Hootch is very smart and artistic. He paints and he grows plants. And he has the most beautiful voice. He sang for me. I don’t understand why such a sensual man is a police officer. But I guess his career is as important to him and mine is to me.

That night I dance the dance of my career. I dance for my Hootch. Marsha said I was like a butterfly. And the police caught the man who wanted to hurt me. Afterwards in Hootch’s arms I realized why it felt so good to be there. I’m in love with the big beautiful policeman.

The next morning my company was leaving for another city, another tour. I did not want to leave Hootch, but I love my career. I work hard at it and I’m good. Maybe he’ll come to visit me in Leningrad. Maybe after my career is over… Ah, no use playing the ‘what if’ game. But at least he loves me too. We’ll always have Paris, as these Americans say.

Fate is not kind. One finds their soul mate, but they cannot be together due to circumstance. Perhaps in another time, another life.

“Goodbye my Hootch.” I whispered as the limousine drove me away from the hotel and my beloved American ‘bodyguard’. “I hope someday we’ll meet again.”

He disappeared from sight as we drove away, and I slowly turned my head forward toward my next destination.