Popcorn

58

The simple things of life…

 

First published 2023.

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Starsky had persuaded Hutch to let him make popcorn so they’d have something to eat while they watched the game, something other than kale and carrot sticks. Sometimes it was clear Hutch must have been a rabbit in a past life. Starsky chuckled under his breath as he listened out for the pop, pop, pop to increase in speed and volume. At just the right moment, he removed it from the heat and, once he was safely near the bowl on the table, carefully lifted the lid and poured the delicious smelling contents out. Then he drizzled heated butter over it and gave the bowl a shake.

“‘S’ready,” he shouted to Hutch, who was doing something with a plant. “Turn the game on, will ya?”

Hutch came through, turned on the TV and then settled on the couch. Starsky carried the golden, puffed, buttery kernels through and placed them on the table.

Through a mouthful of popcorn, he said, “Help yourself, Blintz.”

Hutch rolled his eyes and reached out for a handful, saying, “Didn’t your mother ever tell you not to talk with your mouth full?…Oh wait. She couldn’t, could she, because you’re always eating!”

Starsky was prevented from answering back by a knock at the door. Hutch leapt up to answer it and found Molly standing there.

“Can I watch the game with you guys?”

“Sure, Pete. Come on in.”

Starsky moved up on the sofa so Pete could sit in the middle. He passed her the bowl of popcorn.

“Thanks.”

Hutch settled in next to her. “You may as well hang on to the bowl, Pete, then we can all reach it.”

Molly nodded in agreement.

“How are you settling in at Kiko’s?” Starsky asked.

“‘S’okay,” Pete mumbled. She finished her mouthful of popcorn and reached for another. “Pretty good, I guess. You arrested any desperate criminals today?”

“Nah, it was pretty quiet today.” Starsky shoved another handful of popcorn in his mouth. “We were investigating leads from the office most of the day. Even had time to eat a whole lunch today.”

Hutch snorted. “Whole lunch? It was more like two whole lunches. Anyone would think you hadn’t eaten for days!”

Starsky shrugged. “If you’re hungry, you eat. I was hungry.”

Hutch rolled his eyes. Starsky shook his head. Molly looked at both of them with a bemused expression.

“Do you guys always argue about food?”

The two men looked at each other as if considering the question seriously.

“He eats too much rubbish.”

“He eats like he’s a rabbit.”

“We struggle to agree on what to eat when we’re on stakeouts.”

“Yeah.”

Molly’s eyes widened. She crunched on some more popcorn and the said, “But you do both like popcorn at least.”

Hutch smiled and said, “That’s true. We do.”

Starsky looked into the bowl and saw it was getting quite low already.

“Game’s starting and we’re nearly out of popcorn. I’d better make some more.”

Hutch grabbed the bowl. “I’ll make this batch. You watch the game.”

“Okay. Thanks.” Starsky settled back and then called to his partner, “Nice and buttery, please. Just in case you were thinking of skimping because of some nonsense healthy eating idea!”

“Don’t know what you mean,” Hutch protested, even though he had been thinking of halving the amount of butter. “Maybe Pete doesn’t like it so buttery?”

“I liked it just the way it was,” Molly replied.

“Of course, you did,” Hutch mumbled.

“What did you say, pal?”

“Nothing.”

“That’s what I thought,” Starsky said, giving Molly a triumphant grin. “Reckon you and me might even get Hutch weaned off his butterfly bones, if we work at it.”

Hutch arrived back at the sofa. “I keep telling you they are dried banana chips.”

“Hmm…”

Starsky and Molly grabbed huge handfuls of popcorn and shovelled it into their mouths. Hutch sighed and then smiled. The sound of contented munching filled the air. It created a happy atmosphere and it was especially nice to see Molly seemingly so happy and settled.

“Nice popcorn, partner,” Starsky stated and Molly agreed. “Thanks.”

“My pleasure.”

And Hutch decided it was true that sometimes the simplest things could give the greatest pleasure.