A Poppy and a Patient

66

Starsky has a small accident in his yard.

 

This started out as conversation and very short story that somehow collided and turned into this. Older guys.

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H: Good morning! How are you, pal?

S: I was fine. I was sleeping in! Why are you up so early? And why are you ringing me this early?

H: Oops, sorry. I was out gardening before it got too hot and I hadn’t realised it’s still early.

S: I’ll forgive you. Just this once.

H: Thanks Are we still meeting for coffee later this morning?

S: Of course.

H: Great. Would you like a red poppy for your yard?

S: Erm. I guess.

H: Only it must have been labelled wrong when I bought it. I was expecting it to be orange.

S: So it’s only crime is being red and it’s getting booted out?

H: I’m afraid so. It’s wrecking my colour wheel.

S: Of course it is. Bring it here. All red things welcomed and accepted here!

H: You’re crazy.

S: Have you only just noticed? See ya later, pal!

H: See you later!

/\/\/\

Starsky was fed up. Actually, that was an understatement for what he was. Of all the silly things to do; tripping over Rusty as he bounced around in the yard was bad enough. Landing awkwardly on the decking area and ending up with a broken arm was the worst. It made him feel like some elderly klutz. And because he was 75 and there was always the possibility of osteoporosis, he had been taken to Acute Care for the Elderly upon his arrival.

“Who are they calling elderly?!” he had demanded of Hutch. “I ain’t no geriatric, you know!”

Hutch had placated his friend to the best of his ability but Starsky hadn’t cheered up till a nurse told him he only looked 65. Then the twinkle had returned.

/\/\/\

Starsky’s wife met Hutch as he was coming in to visit. They had been taking it in shifts to spend time and entertain the reluctant patient.

“How is he?”

“A bit fed up now. I hope they let him out soon. Good luck!”

“Thanks!”

Hutch walked into the ward and saw his pal was dozing. He sat down next to him and opened up the paper he had brought with him. About half an hour later, Starsky came to. He sat up straighter in the bed.

“Hey pal, how long have you been here?”

“Only a few minutes. How are you doing? How’s the pain?”

“Better today…I feel stupid, Hutch. I don’t know how it happened. Do you think I’m losing my spark?”

“Never! Anyone could fall over like you did, especially with Rusty around. He’s a liability sometimes!”

“True.”

“Any news on when they’re letting you out?”

“I’m waiting on the doc.”

Hutch picked up a brown paper bag and placed it on Starsky’s table.

“What have you got there?”

Hutch started unpacking: a car magazine, red grapes, a checkers board and a fancy looking muffin with frothy icing on the top.

“What’s that?”

“A red velvet muffin.”

“Oooh, hand it over!”

Hutch did as he was asked and, while Starsky ate, he set up the checkers board. Just then a doctor appeared. Starsky shoved the last of the muffin in his mouth and hid the wrapper.

“Afternoon Dave, I’m here to tell you that you can leave tomorrow. Everything looks fine with the arm. The x-ray showed everything is aligned properly.”

“Hey, that’s great,” Hutch said. The break had been a bad one and there had been some concern that another surgery might be required.

“Just make sure you take it easy over the next few weeks,” the doctor advised and then said goodbye.

“So you can escape tomorrow. Want me to collect you?”

“Yep and maybe we could go to Huggy’s kid’s place for lunch. The food is terrible in here.”

“The doctor just told you to take it easy.”

“Eating lunch is easy.”

Hutch rolled his eyes. “Ready to play checkers?”

“Sure.”

“And don’t think I’ll go easy on you just because you’re a one armed man at the moment.”

“Never crossed my mind! Loser pays for lunch tomorrow.”

Hutch nodded. He mentally made a note to make sure he had his wallet with him tomorrow. Whatever he said out loud, he knew his friend needed a win and just this once he would let him have it.

/\/\/\

“Hutch, I didn’t have time to plant that poppy you gave me. I hope it’s survived being stuck in a pot for a few days,” Starsky said, as they left the hospital parking lot.

“Oh, I’m sure it’s fine. Poppies are tough plants,” Hutch said, a hint of a secret smile playing around his lips.

“I am so glad to be going home,” Starsky said. “Three days in the hospital feels like an eternity. You think I’d be used to it after all the times I’ve been in in the past.”

“Nobody likes being in hospital, pal, but just forget all about it now. Let’s go grab that burger and then I’ll take you home so you can rest on your decking area.”

“Huh. Not sure I want to see my decking ever again,” Starsky grumbled. The fall was a painful memory and he shifted in his seat with a small grunt of pain.

Hutch cast a look sideways, but said nothing.

Starsky reached out with his left hand and patted Hutch’s leg.

“I’m okay, Blintz, don’t worry.”

Hutch relaxed. “Good job it wasn’t your left arm.”

“Tell me about it!”

They arrived at the Great Bear Restaurant, which was owned by Huggy’s son and parked up. Starsky smiled in anticipation of his favourite burger.

As they walked in and headed towards their usual booth, they saw a lean framed man already sitting there.

“Huggy! What are you doing here?”

Starsky shook hands with Huggy and then sat down beside him.

“Word on the street was that my man was getting out of the hospital today. Figured you’d need some real food after being in that joint!”

The three of them ordered and then sat talking as only old friends can. Only when Hutch and Huggy could see Starsky tiring did they break up the reunion.

“Come on, Gordo. Time to go.”

“Look after yourself, Curly, and I’ll see you both next month,” Huggy said, as he headed off.

Hutch helped Starsky into the car and then set off towards his friend’s home. When they arrived, Hutch suggested they go through to the yard.

“I’m tired, Hutch. Think I’ll go to bed for a while.”

“Humour me,” Hutch said, barely suppressing a smile.

Starsky raised an eyebrow. “What are you up to, partner?”

“You’ll see.”

They walked through the house to the yard and stepped out. Starsky stopped in surprise and whistled.

“You did this?” he asked his now openly grinning friend.

“With help.”

“I love it! Thank you!”

“Go try it out.”

Hutch watched contentedly as Starsky walked across the yard and onto the decking area which was now partly enclosed with trellis along the sides to stop Rusty bouncing in unexpectedly. A rattan couch with comfy cushions had been set up and the poppy was in pride of place in a bed that could be viewed from where Starsky sat.

“I love it! Come and sit down, pal.”

“You get some rest and I’ll come back later and join you.”

“Okay. It’s awfully quiet around here. Where’s Ali and where’s my crazy dog?”

“Ali told me she’d take Rusty for a long walk so you can rest. They’ll both be back later.”

“Okay.” Starsky settled back against the cushions with a deeply satisfied sigh. “Thanks again, Hutch.”

“You’re welcome. Get some rest, Starsk. See you later.”

“See ya.”

Hutch could swear he heard snoring before he was out of the yard.