A Cabin Christmas

Starsky and Hutch escape Bay City for a Christmas get-away.

Bay City Squad Room

November 3rd

8:00 a.m.

Hutch was at his desk, browsing a brochure. so absorbed that he didn’t notice his partner bouncing in.

“Mornin’,” Starsky said, going directly to the coffee maker and pouring himself a mug full. He sauntered over to his desk and sat on
the back of the chair, observing his partner as he sipped the hot brew. When Hutch still didn’t pay attention to him, he cleared his throat loudly.

Without looking up, Hutch greeted him. “Good morning.”

“What exactly are you so engrossed in?” Starsky asked, leaning forward, and snatching the brochure from Hutch’s hands. “Historic Year-Round Family Resort Golden Bear Cottage.” Starsky looked at him puzzled.

Hutch snatched it back.“I was thinking we could go up there for a couple of days. Ya know, get away from the constant sunshine in LA and the unnatural warmth of the season.”

“So, you wanna go someplace where it’s cold?” Starsky asked, still perplexed.

“Yeah. I think it’ll be a nice change. I loved it in Duluth during the winter months when the air was cold and crisp. Plus, there was always snow to do all sorts of cold weather activities.” Hutch smiled as he reminisced about the winters back home.

“I don’t like the cold,” Starsky announced, resolutely.

“How could that be? You grew up in New York City?”

“Yeah, and I never liked the cold or the snow. The only good thing was that when it snowed the schools would close, but afterwards the sidewalks and streets would be covered with dirty, disgusting snow and slush that you had to trudge through in order to get to the subway. Then once you got on the train, most of the time the cars didn’t have any heat, so you’d sit there freezing your ass off.”

“Man, that doesn’t sound pleasant, but it won’t be like that at the resort. The snow will be clean, and there’ll be fun things to do,” Hutch stated, trying to convince him.

Starsky peered over his mug. “Like what?”

“Well, skiing, tobogganing, and ice skating.”

“I don’t ski and the last time I went ice skating Nicky banged into this kid and knocked out his tooth. The kid broke his eyeglasses, and his father made Ma pay for ‘em, so she had to pay for a pair of eyeglasses and for Nicky’s tooth to be fixed. Needless to say, that ended us ever going ice skating again.”

“What about tobogganing?” Hutch looked at the confusion on his partner’s face, so he explained. “It’s like a roller coaster on snow.”

“I’ve never been one for roller coasters. I hate that plunging feeling in the pit of my stomach.”

Hutch blew out an exasperated breath and tried to think of something else. “How about snow mobiles? It’s like a motorcycle with skis and you like riding your motorcycle,” Hutch grinned, nodding.

Starsky raised his eyebrows, intrigued by the idea. “Can you go as fast as you want?” he asked, his cobalt eyes bright with excitement.

“I guess if you’re being safe.” Suddenly, Hutch panicked at the thought of Starsky tearing around in the snow like he does on the streets of Bay City in the Torino. Now he was regretting suggesting it.

A smile appeared on Starsky’s handsome features. “That might be fun,” Starsky admitted, drinking the last of his coffee and placing the mug on his desk. “Lemme see the brochure again.”

Hutch handed it to him and Starsky read it, “Golden Bear Cottage celebrates snow by bringing you the finest winter sports and activities in California. Come ski, ride, skate, and snow mobile at Golden Bear Resort,” he concluded, then added, “And these photos of the cabins look terrific! When do we leave?” Starsky asked, grinning.

Hutch chuckled at his sudden eagerness. “How about the week before Christmas? The traffic and crowds should be a lot less,” Hutch reasoned, then he noticed the sudden sadness on his curly haired partner’s face. “What?”

“Don’t ya think it would be nice to be there on Christmas?” Starsky asked, with adorable puppy dog eyes.

The blond man smiled warmly. “Sure. I’ll make a reservation to arrive on Christmas Eve.” Hutch was never one for celebrating the holiday, but he knew how much Starsky loved it, so he agreed. He just hoped it wasn’t too late to book one of the better cabins.

***

Big Bear Lake, California

December 24th – Christmas Eve

The boys arrived at the resort in the afternoon. After checking in and getting the keys they trudged through the snow to the cabin. Hutch had rented a cozy, A-frame dark wood cabin, with a small balcony. Once inside, they dropped their bags and checked it out. The living space was decorated exotically, with rich shades of red. A maroon leather couch was set against the wall, with throw pillows that matched the décor. Various cushions lay on the hard wood floor, circling the plush area rug that was beneath a wooden coffee table. In the corner sat a wood burning stove with a neat stack of logs next to it. It was lit, providing warmth and a beautiful glow to the room. Next to the couch stood a mahogany stereo console, with a TV and a record player. Last but not least, a real, fully decorated, 7-1/2 ft. Christmas tree was placed in the corner. It was decorated with red and gold ornaments and twinkling white lights.

“Hutch, this place is beautiful!” Starsky exclaimed, shrugging off his coat and warming his palms in front of the fire, then stood back to take in the tree.

“It’s got two bedrooms in back.” They checked out the bedrooms, which were decorated in rich warm colors that complimented the living area. The rooms were also decorated with real pine garland that framed the large triangular windows near the ceiling.

Starsky was eager to rent a snowmobile, so they didn’t bother to unpack. They made it to the rental booth and luckily there was one available. Astonishingly, it was red with a white stripe on the side.

“A striped tomato snow mobile. I guess you’re happy,” Hutch stated, rolling his cerulean blue eyes sarcastically.

“Would ya look at that! Terrific!” Starsky grinned.

A young male instructor, who’s name tag read Kevin, greeted them, and began to explain how to use it and the safety protocol, but Starsky wasn’t listening. He immediately climbed onto the seat, raring to go.

Hutch smiled at his partner’s youthful exuberance. “Starsk, he hasn’t finished explaining everything.”

“I know how to ride a motorcycle, so I’m sure I can ride this. Come on. Get on!” Starsky yelled, patting the space behind him.

Hutch and Kevin exchanged worried glances, then Hutch shrugged and climbed in back of his partner. After making the sign of the cross, he wrapped his arms firmly around Starsky’s waist.

Starsky revived up the engine. “Okay! Hold on tight! Here we go!”

The snowmobile took off like a shot and if it wasn’t for Hutch’s secure hold on Starsky he would have fallen off. He expertly drove the powerful sled across the vast plain of snow and to make the experience more interesting, bales of hay were placed throughout the area for riders to maneuver around. When Starsky approached one, he aggressively turned the sled without slowing down.

“Starsky! You’re supposed to slow down on the turn!” Hutch shouted, holding onto his partner for dear life.

“Don’t worry! I got this!” Starsky yelled, accelerating even more.

When another bale of hay approached, Hutch braced himself and held him tighter. “Starsk! Slow down! We’re gonna turn over!”

Starsky ignored him and made another fast, sharp turn, but this time Hutch lost his hold and went flying off the sled, buried in the thick bed of snow. Not feeling Hutch’s arms around him, Starsky glanced back, and Hutch was gone. He immediately stopped and began to panic.

“Hutch! Where are ya, huh?” Starsky yelled, climbing off the sled, and moving as quickly as possible through the deep snow, in search of his partner. He followed the sled’s tracks and soon came upon an object lying in the pristine, white snow. He ran awkwardly towards it. “Hutch! Hutch! I’m comin!”

Starsky helped Hutch to his feet. “You okay?”

Hutch stood brushing snow off his clothes. “Yeah,” Hutch answered, anger clearly in his tone.

With heavy, laborious steps they made their way back to the striped tomato on skis. Starsky immediately climbed on, and Hutch grabbed his arm.

“Oh no you don’t. I’m driving us back,” Hutch demanded, sitting in front, with Starsky silently getting on behind, hugging the blond man’s waist.

Hutch drove them back to the rental booth and when they arrived, Kevin was looking at them oddly. “I saw you fall off out there. Are you all right?”

Hutch glared at his partner, feeling the flush of embarrassment color his cheeks. “Yeah, I’m okay,” he said with a smile, then scowled at Starsky.

As they walked back to the cabin, Starsky kept apologizing. Hutch pretended not to hear, then abruptly stopped in front of the resort’s restaurant. “Are you hungry?” Hutch asked, finally acknowledging Starsky. Eating always improved Starsky’s mood and Hutch wanted to let him know he was forgiven.

Starsky’s sullen face instantly brightened. “I’m starving!”

Hutch smiled at him, and they went in and ate a delicious meal, enjoying each other’s company as always.

It was twilight by the time they arrived back at the cabin. Once inside, a light snow began to fall.

“Hey, it’s snowin’!” Starsky exclaimed, stepping out onto the balcony, turning his face towards the sky, and opening his mouth to capture flakes on his tongue.

Hutch went out and stood beside him. “Yeah. I haven’t seen a snow fall since I moved to L.A. It’s beautiful, isn’t it? It’s always so quiet, like there’s no one else on the planet.”

“Yeah, can we go out? Maybe make snow angels? I haven’t done one since I was a kid.”

“Sure,” Hutch answered, chortling.

They quickly put on their coats and boots and headed back out.

Starsky fell back and moved his arms up and down and his legs from side to side. Hutch fell next to him, doing the same, then they got up to observe their creations. “Looks good,” Starsky stated, proudly.

“Yeah, that was fun. Let’s go back inside. The snow’s coming down harder,” Hutch said, running back in the cabin, with Starsky right behind.

After shedding their winter gear, they settled down on the couch, exhausted. “I’m going to make some hot cocoa,” Hutch announced walking into the well-stocked kitchenette.

“With marshmallows, if they got any!” Starsky yelled, propping his socked feet the coffee table.

Hutch returned carrying two mugs of the steaming chocolatey drink and handed one to his partner.

“Yes! Marshmallows!” Starsky exclaimed happily as he blew on it, then took a sip. “Mmm, just like Ma use ta make.” Starsky licked his lips savoring the taste.

“Hey, it’s Christmas Eve. Ya wanna open presents?” Hutch asked, setting his mug on the coffee table.

“Can we wait until tomorrow morning? It’ll make Christmas morning more special.”

“Okay,” Hutch replied, and the partners settled down for a cozy evening by the fire, eating fresh popcorn and watching “A Christmas Carol,” then went off to bed so they could get up bright and early the next day.

***

“Do I smell bacon?” Starsky asked, emerging from his bedroom in red long johns, yawning and stretching.

Hutch glanced back. “Canadian bacon and pancakes.”

“Sounds terrific,” Starsky commented, as he sat at the table.

After they ate, Starsky jogged into the living from and sat cross-legged in front of the Christmas tree. He slid a heavy wrapped box from underneath and pushed it towards his best friend.

“Hutch, this is for you, Merry Christmas, Blondie.”

Hutch sat in the same position facing Starsky and eagerly tore off the decorative paper. His bright blue eyes grew wide as the present was revealed. “Starsk, it’s beautiful!” It was a six and a half inch, handmade, clay pottery planter in natural colors, with trees and mushroom designs.

“It’s to replace the one that got broken when Diana trashed your place.”

“I love it, thank you,” Hutch said, then crawled to get his present for Starsky, handing it to him. “For you, Gordo, Merry Christmas.”

Starsky tore off the paper, grinning broadly as he discovered what it was. “Fats Domino! It’s the record they stole from my apartment!”

“Yeah.” Hutch beamed, enjoying the joy on Starsky’s face.

Starsky jumped up. “I know it’s Christmas and all, but can I play it now?” he asked, going over to the console, and peeling the cellophane wrap off the album.

“Why not,” Hutch replied, sliding back against the front of the couch with his ankles crossed.

After putting the record on the turntable, Starsky turned it on, and “Blueberry Hill” resonated throughout the cabin. Immediately, Starsky began to sing along and dance around the room.

Hutch watched his partner and even though Fats Domino wasn’t his favorite, he joined in singing joyfully.

The End