A Walk

Hutch decides to get out for a walk.

Hutch stepped out onto the sidewalk and took a slow, deep breath. Beautiful. Fresh air, sunshine, freedom. He felt momentarily guilty for regarding Starsky’s care as a prison. It wasn’t that he was ungrateful, it was just that he wanted to start getting his life back to normal.

The plague had taken a lot from him. He was slowly clawing those things back. Including getting out for a walk. He knew he wasn’t up to going very far yet, certainly not going for a three mile run, but maybe a short walk. Before Starsky arrived to check in on him and he had to justify his need to get out for a walk alone.

Hutch turned right and set off at a steady space. He took in the various sounds of the city: cars passing by, mothers talking to their children, birds chirping, music playing, feet pounding the pavement as one or two joggers passed by. He felt a pang of jealousy but squashed it.

He was grateful. Grateful that he was still alive, that he could breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the sunshine on his face. He’d be back jogging soon enough.

Hutch turned at the next block and walked to the end of the street. He contemplated walking straight on but reluctantly had to concede that he was tiring. He turned right and walked a block and then turned right again to head back towards his apartment. As he came near his apartment, he saw Starsky’s car parked outside.

Oh no. Starsky would be mad and a mad Starsky was more than he could deal with at the moment. He took a deep breath before slowly climbing the stairs and turned the door handle.

As feared, his partner was pacing the living room. He swung to face him, eyes scanning to check Hutch was okay. Satisfied, he relaxed a little.

“Nice day out there. Figured I’d go for a walk.”

Hutch took off his jacket and wearily hung it on the peg. He avoided looking at Starsky as he headed towards the kitchen for a glass of water. As he drank slowly and thankfully, Hutch waited for the inquisition to begin.

He was surprised when Starsky said, “I bet you enjoyed getting out.”

Hutch looked at him. “I did. It was good to do something normal and not feel like an-not feel frustrated how long it’s taking to get back to normal.”

Starsky shifted his weight. “Hutch.”

“Yeah?”

“Got a beer?”

“Sure.”

Hutch took a beer out of the fridge and walked towards Starsky with it. As he passed it over to Starsky, Starsky said, “Sorry if I’ve been smothering you. It’s only ’cause…” He swallowed.

Hutch patted him on the stomach and nodded. “I know…But I’m doing okay. Okay?”

“Yeah.” Starsky’s eyes were a little too bright as he said, “I’ll drink my beer and then leave you in peace.”

Hutch sat on the couch.

“Why don’t you put the game on? Stay and watch if you want to.”

Starsky grinned and put the TV on before dropping onto the couch next to his friend.

“Next time, leave a note, okay? So I don’t put out an APB on ya?”

Hutch huffed a laugh. “Will do, partner. Will do.”