A Little Painting

Two short scenes related to painting and decorating.

Part One

Starsky arrived just in time to hear Hutch swearing. He tensed, opened the door cautiously then breathed a sigh of relief: his partner was in one piece.

“What’s up, pal?”

Hutch rolled his eyes, directed at himself, as he said, “Just walked into that freshly glossed door frame for the third time.”

Starsky could see a few blobs of paint on his partner’s old t-shirt and jeans. He smothered a smile.

“Ah, I see.”

Starsky carefully peered into the bedroom. The bed was gone and the furniture was all in the middle of the room.

“Where are you sleeping tonight?”

“On the mattress on the floor. Like last night.”

“Why didn’t you ask me to help you with your decorating? And when did you decide to decorate?!” Starsky wanted to know.

“I’ve been thinking about it for a week or so. When we got out of work early yesterday, I went and got paint. I moved all the furniture last night.”

Hutch opened the fridge. “Beer?”

“Sure. You didn’t say why you didn’t ask for my help.”

“Didn’t want to take up your weekend, buddy. No point two of us being covered in paint.” Hutch sat down on the couch. “I’m done for now. I’ll get up early tomorrow and paint the walls. Do you mind if we order in? I’m too tired to go out.”

“No, I don’t mind. But I’m coming over early tomorrow to help you paint. Then we can get the furniture back where it should be late afternoon.”

Hutch looked grateful. “You sure you don’t mind? That would be great.”

Starsky nodded. “You need everything straight before we’re back at work else you’ll be grumpy and I’m the one who has to put up with you.”

“I’m never grumpy!”

Starsky’s look said it all.

Part Two

It was Friday night. There was a noise outside his front door, but Hutch wasn’t worried; he was expecting Starsky. When however the door didn’t open, Hutch went to investigate. He found two pizza boxes, a bag of assorted snacks and Starsky’s staying over bag. With a slight frown (had he missed Starsky saying he was going to stay overnight?), Hutch picked up the items and carried them inside.

He heard the door to the street opening and then Starsky’s footsteps ascending. His partner appeared, carrying old sheets, a pole with a hook on it and a large plastic bag.

“What’s going on?”

Starsky laid down his burdens and headed to the fridge for a beer.

“Well, it’s been two weeks since you painted your bedroom. Long enough for you to enjoy it. Long enough for you to start worrying that this room looks a bit faded in comparison. Figured you’d start moving furniture tomorrow. I thought I’d help.”

Hutch managed to look both frustrated and grateful. Sometimes it was both a blessing and a curse having a partner who knew him so well.

“Thanks. What’s that thing?” Hutch asked as he pointed to the pole.

“They got these poles and rollers now, Hutch, that make it easier to do ceilings. Figured that’s the way forward. And before you say you prefer brushes, let me tell you that’s just your puritanical streak telling ya a job’s got to be hard to be worthwhile! That’s rubbish and besides this will save your back.”

Hutch opened his mouth to speak but was defeated on all counts by Starsky’s logic. Finally he said, “I’m not a Puritan!”

“Puritan, Lutheran, Pain in my Butt. What’s the difference? So do you want to move furniture tonight or in the morning?”

“After the game?”

“After the game,” Starsky agreed. “If we put the couch in the greenhouse, I can sleep in there tonight and tomorrow.”

“It’ll get light early.”

“I’ll live. What colour paint have you got for in here?”

“Sea Froth.”

Starsky choked on his beer. “Is that beautiful white or dirty yellow?”

“More a cream.”

“Why couldn’t they just say ‘cream’?”

“Because the cream was different, slightly darker.”

Starsky rolled his eyes. “Pale cream.”

“No, it’s not a cream. It’s more of an off-white.”

Rather than argue about shades of cream all evening, Starsky leapt up and turned the TV on. “See if the pizzas are still warm, Blintz. Game’s about to start.”

As Hutch walked away from him, Starsky rolled his eyes.

“I heard that!” Hutch said.