A Special Day

Think March 1,1977 – Hutch is wondering what’s with his exuberant partner today?

I wrote this story on March 1, 2005; I just got to thinking…BTW March 1, 1940 was on a Friday and March 1, 1977 REALLY WAS on a Tuesday!!! Anyone who wishes to have my no cook lasagna, or bread recipe…ask and you shall receive! Just give me your email address in a private email to me and I will be glad to provide them for you. I make the bread every weekend…no bread machine either! GRIN!

Starsky was absolutely giddy…even more so than usual. Of course, with his happy go lucky partner that wasn’t necessarily an uncommon occurrence. It never ceased to amaze Hutch how he and Starsky could both be in the same car, go on the same patrol, see the same scum that seemed bring Hutch down and keep him down, yet his partner could bounce back and be smiling and laughing over something ordinary usually within a manner of hours. If the truth was known, Hutch needed Starsky’s ability to bounce back to help him over his bouts of melancholy when the job or his life in general seemed to bring him down.

What would he do without his partner? Oh Starsky, always said that he needed Hutch, and Hutch deep down knew that to be true, but Hutch really thought that it was HE who absolutely had to have Starsky in his life to function physically and psychologically. Without him, he didn’t think he would make it as a cop. Who would bring him back out of the deep oppression Hutch’s mind and soul often felt? He probably would have lost his mind if not lost his life a long time ago if it were not for his partner’s keen gut instinct and natural optimism.

…but getting back to his original observation…Starsky WAS giddy…even more so than usual today! The kind of giddy he usually reserved for Holidays such as Christmas and The 4th of July or even his birthday but today was nothing special that he was aware of. It wasn’t even Friday or a day off for either of them. To Hutch it was just another ordinary day like so many others. A day full of paperwork from an early morning routine, “nothing to write home about” kind of bust of a young pusher who had been seen lurking around the elementary school grounds. They hadn’t even had to pull their guns on this one! The kid was so overwhelmed at being caught he was blubbering and talking before they could even read him his rights. Hutch thought that maybe, just maybe this kid was going to be able to make a go at going straight. He wasn’t jaded and hard as some pushers he and Starsky had collared over the years. Oh, he was sure that they had enough on him for him not to get just probation, but he felt they hadn’t enough for him to do any hard jail time either. …and due to his young age…sometimes, this job had it’s over the top moments to be savored…when he and Starsky really felt that they were making a difference in peoples’ lives. Maybe THAT was what his partner was feeling too, only with him EVERYTHING was so over the top emotion-wise who KNEW what actually got Starsky on such a natural high?

Starsky was animated now pushing the keys to his typewriter before he ripped the paper out of the roll and scrolled his signature on it. The smile he shot Hutch could have blotted the sun from the state of California in its brilliance. Before Hutch could get in a word though, he was up putting his report in Dobey’s box, flicking his jacket off his chair and telling Hutch to hurry with his report and get himself over to his apartment in about an hour if he wanted some free chow for dinner!

Before Hutch could respond, the whirlwind that was David Starsky practically danced out of the squad room. The rest of the detective squad laughed with delight at Starsky and then at Hutch sitting at his desk looking after his exiting partner with his mouth hanging open in surprise.

As Hutch was finishing his report, he couldn’t help but think of how happy and mischievous his partner had been all day. Was this a special day and had he forgotten its significance? Was it the 1st day of their partnership? Did Starsky have a new girlfriend he wanted him to meet? Of course, as Hutch pondered the million questions that seemed to flow through his consciousness, he didn’t keep his mind on writing his report so that every few minutes the squad room would erupt with a few choice words from the frustrated detective. Out would come the corrective paper and so it went until FINALLY the report was finished and he was off to Starsky’s apartment for that before mentioned FREE CHOW!

The Torino was out in front of Starsky’s apartment in its usual place. No other cars were around. If this carefree attitude of Starsky’s was about a girl Starsky must have picked her up in his car. GEEZ Hutchinson…just knock on the door and find out what has your partner so excited.

Starsky answered the door with the same dazzling smile that Hutch had seen as he had left the squad room about 2 hours earlier! He must have showered and changed as he looked refreshed and his dark curls were a little damp from the shower he must have had.

“Hey man…come on in to Chateau Starsky! Make yourself at home ! Want a beer?”

“Sure Starsky, that would really hit the spot right now!”

Hutch saw that the table was set for two. Hmmm…obviously no other guests so scratch the girl idea. Then he noticed the tantalizing aroma of oregano, garlic and tomatoes. Pasta! If there was one thing that his partner had down to a fine art was the preparation of GREAT Italian food. For the hundredth time, he thanked Starsky’s grandmother for living over an Italian restaurant where she taught her grandson everything she knew about the cooking of wonderful sauce and pasta! Oh, this WAS going to be something special, but for the life of him he STILL could not figure out what the occasion was!

Starsky was back with the beer. Instead of the bottle though, he placed two chilled mugs with the foaming amber liquid on the table.

“I hope you brought your appetite my friend. I never could make JUST enough lasagna you know!”

“Starsky what in the world is all this? …and on a Tuesday night too?”

“Hey, can’t a guy invite his best friend over for some …if I do say so myself…INCREDIBLE food, drink and companionship without it being a special occasion?”

Hutch just chuckled out loud and with a slap to his partner’s back proceeded to sit at the table.

“Hey, can I help you with the food or anything?”

“Nope, you sit right there and chef Starsky will serve his famous No Cook Lasagna. Low fat, high taste! Now plant yourself, Blondie!”

The garden salad with Italian dressing, and garlic bread made its way to the table first. Then came the lasagna. It was of course another Starsky masterpiece! It was a wonderful dinner…relaxing with easy conversation…the way it was between 2 longtime friends as close as he and Starsky were.

Hutch said, “This is the best my friend. Thank you so much for inviting me over tonight…I’m going to remember this evening for a very long time to come.”

“Oh, dinner is far from over Blitz! Dessert is coming right now!”

“Starsky, you’ve got to be kidding! I’m so stuffed now that you could probably roll me on out of here home and I wouldn’t even have to get into my car!!!”

Starsky disappeared into the kitchen and Hutch heard the refrigerator door open. After a few seconds, Starsky appeared with a white frosted cake with a huge array of unlit candles on top.

“I KNEW there had to be a special occasion…! I’m sorry Buddy, I don’t remember why this day is so special for us.”

“Hutch, it’s March 1st…MARCH 1st!!! Count the candles.”

Hutch still stared blankly at Starsky, but started counting the candles.

“37?”

“Yeah, Buddy, 37!”

“I’m sorry, but I just don’t understand…

“Hutch today…37 years ago…your parents were married. You are a result of that union and I wanted to celebrate because without them I wouldn’t have my best Bud, my partner, my friend…YOU Hutch! Come on Hutch…you didn’t REALLY forget did you?”

No Hutch hadn’t forgotten…he was just startled that THIS was what his partner was celebrating…was bubbling over with joy about…HIS parents’ anniversary…because of HIS birth.

Looking at Starsky with a sense of wonder, Hutch replied, ” No, Starsk, I didn’t forget. Thanks Buddy…thanks so much. You’re really something you know that?”

Hutch stood and taking the beautiful cake and placing in the table, he turned and enveloped Starsky into as massive a bear hug as he could. What did he ever do to deserve a friend such as he had in Starsky? Hutch looked towards the twinkling stars shining just outside the open window of Starsky’s apartment and thanked the Lord for this life enfolded in his arms and in his heart. Please Lord…let me be to my partner what he is to me in my life!

“Hey Gordo…do you think your cake will wait for a little bit? I think I want to make a couple of phone calls…there are 3 people I need to talk to.”

“3?”

“Yeah, one to wish my parents a Happy 37th anniversary and one to a very special lady in New York. I need to thank HER for her VERY special son whom I consider blessed to call MY Friend!”

THE END