A Very Minnesotan Christmas

56

Set after the events of Shootout. Starsky is recovering and Hutch is supposed to be going to Duluth for Christmas. Will he leave his partner to celebrate on his own? Or will he bring some of Duluth and Minnesota to Starsky?

 

First published in the Euphoric Sentimentalism Countdown Calendar December 2024 on SHFAFF FB page.

---

“God, if you let Starsky live, if you let us both get out of this alive, I promise I’ll pay more attention to you from now on. Please, please let him live!”

That had been Hutch’s prayer in the back of a small Italian restaurant a week ago—one week before Christmas. Starsky had been home from the hospital for a couple of days. Hutch had spent as much time at the hospital as Dobey would allow and had spent the last two evenings at the beck and call of his partner, doing his best to entertain a very grumpy Starsky.

He couldn’t blame Starsky for being frustrated and fed up. His partner was still in a lot of pain for one thing. For another he had had to postpone his flight to New York to see his mother and brother. It had been too late for his mother to get a flight out to see him. There were only a few spaces left on flights over the seasonal period and all the prices were sky high.

When Hutch had suggested that he postpone his own trip to Duluth to see his parents, Starsky had insisted that he should go. Hutch had thought about it and acquiesced. Or at least had given the appearance of doing so.

On the evening of the twenty-second of December, Hutch wished his partner a “Merry Christmas” and then left. He could see the loneliness and disappointment because of his messed up Christmas plans already appearing in Starsky’s eyes.

Starsky thought Hutch was going home to get ready to go to the airport. Hutch was really going home to put the finishing touches in place for the festive plans he had in store for his partner. Unbeknownst to Starsky, he had rebooked his flight for the end of January and asked Dobey for a few days off then so he could go for a long weekend. When Hutch saw Starsky’s sorrowful face, he knew he’d made the right decision.

On the morning of the twenty-third, Hutch packed clothes into an overnight bag (in which he had also placed the two small presents Starsky had pressed into his hand before saying goodbye) and loaded up the car with festive treats and surprises. He purchased a TV guide on the way over to his partner’s apartment and flicked through it, delighted to see one particular programme was being shown on Christmas Eve. At midday, he arrived at Starsky’s apartment, feeling quietly excited at celebrating Christmas with his best friend.

He unloaded the trunk of his car and took everything up the steps to Starsky’s apartment door. His friend’s home seemed unusually quiet. He knocked and waited. After a moment he heard the sound of footsteps and grinned to himself.

The door opened and revealed his partner. His face was a picture of astonishment.

“Merry Christmas, partner!”

“W-What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be on your way to Duluth about now.”

“Well, I’ve decided to bring some Duluth to you instead. Let me get these things inside and I’ll explain.”

Mystified, Starsky stood back and let Hutch go past with his collection of bags. He opened one and placed some presents under the tree. Starsky’s eyes instantly brightened.

“No shaking them, Gordo, to try and guess what’s inside,” Hutch warned his friend.

Starsky pouted. “You’re no fun.”

“Yeah, yeah. Help me unpack these bags of food,” Hutch said, as he gathered up some bags and went into the kitchen area. He was glad to see Starsky take a seat. His friend was looking a little peaky. He was even more pleased that he’d decided to stay in Bay City and look after him. This way he could do all the cooking and Starsky could get some more healing rest.

“You pass me the food stuff and I’ll find homes for it,” Hutch suggested.

“Okay.”

Starsky opened the first bag and crinkled his nose in disapproval at the assortment of vegetables that came into sight. He handed them to Hutch, who found space for them in the refrigerator. Next, came orange juice and extra milk. Starsky showed more interest when he discovered some tiny marshmallows.

“What are these for?”

“Topping for hot chocolate.”

Starsky nodded with approval. He reached into another paper bag and found popcorn kernels. He grinned.

“Thought we could make that soon and then string some and eat some,” Hutch said. “I always used to help my grandmother string popcorn. It was a family tradition.”

“For me too. Good thinkin’, Blintz.”

“Leave that bag,” Hutch said, as Starsky went to pull out items from it.

Starsky peered in and observed, “Potatoes, flour, sugar and cinnamon. What’s that for?”

“I’m going to teach you how to make Lefse. It’s something my grandmother used to make and I think you’ll like it. I thought we could make them on Christmas Eve.”

“Okay. Why not.”

Starsky opened another bag to find it was full of oranges and grapes.

“Why so much fruit?”

“It’s Vitamin C for you to help you heal.”

“I got a bullet wound, not a cold!”

Hutch rolled his eyes. “Eating better will help you heal faster. Fruit is not just to ward off colds! Anyway, I’ll eat it if you won’t!”

“I didn’t say I wouldn’t eat any of it!”

“Then what are we arguing for!”

“I don’t know!”

They looked at each other and both started chuckling. Hutch folded up the now empty paper bags ready for recycling them.

“I managed to reserve a small turkey for us. I’ve got to collect it first thing tomorrow.”

Starsky shook his head. “You’re too much. Look, let me pay for the turkey. You’ve already spent a lot on food.”

“All right. Thank you…Now, go rest. I’ll make the popcorn and we can get stringing.”

“And eating!”

“And eating,” Hutch echoed with an indulgent smile.

*****

On Christmas Eve morning, Hutch went out early to collect the fresh turkey he’d ordered and was back before Starsky woke up. While his partner was still asleep, he also hid an item in the Christmas tree for Starsky to find later. Then he set about making a breakfast that was hearty but also healthy. The sounds from the kitchen roused his sleepy partner, who appeared after a few minutes.

“Morning sleepyhead,” Hutch said.

“You’re way too perky,” Starsky grumbled.

Hutch handed him a coffee and placed a plate of breakfast foods in front of him. Starsky started eating and was soon looking more awake and much happier. After breakfast, the two of them started a game of monopoly with all the usual taunts and digs every time one or the other seemed to get the upper hand. The game took nearly all day. Part way through, Hutch boiled some potatoes and then left them to cool down.

When it started to get dark, Hutch told Starsky to get his jacket because they were going out for a few minutes.

“Going out where?”

“I’m taking you to see some Christmas lights,” Hutch explained.

“I’ve already seen the Christmas lights in the shopping centre,” Starsky pointed out.

“We’re not going to see those ones. We’re going to see some others.”

“All right. I didn’t peg you for a checking out lights kinda guy.”

“Well, we can’t go sledding, which is what normally happens in Minnesota but we can go see some Christmas lights. That’s something we always did in Duluth growing up—we’d go out for a walk around the neighbourhood and see who had the best lights according to my sister and me.”

Starsky gave a tiny hiss of pain as he climbed into Hutch’s car. Hutch turned to him with concern.

“Maybe this isn’t such a good idea. You’re doing so well that I keep forgetting you were only wounded a week ago. We don’t have to go out.”

“Hey, yes we do, I’ve been staring at four walls long enough. I ain’t going back until I’ve seen the lights.”

“You’re sure?”

“Sure, certain, definitely yes,” Starsky said.

Hutch chuckled. “Okay, okay, let’s go.”

Hutch drove his battered old Ford a few blocks to a still residential area of the city. The houses were mid-size with small yards and not much sign of decoration. They were half way along the block when the glow of lights and the movement of people came into focus. Hutch parked the car and the two of them climbed out.

The house in question had lights on its roof, decorations in the windows and on the porch and more decorations all over the front yard. The family that owned the house had set up a stall giving out hot chocolates and mulled wine and a sign read: “Donations to Bay City Orphans Fund.”

Starsky and Hutch both searched their wallets for as much cash as they could to donate and then each accepted a mulled wine. They moved away from the stall and stood a little way away so they could appreciate the lights and decorations for a few minutes.

“I like the Santa in his sleigh being pulled by those glowing reindeer,” Starsky said.

“Don’t get any ideas. You don’t have room for anything like that at your place,” Hutch joked.

“One day…One day, I’ll have a big yard and then maybe I’ll put on a display for charity. I really like that idea.”

Hutch smiled. “I bet you will and I bet I get asked to hold the ladder so you can climb on the roof.”

“Nah, I’ll hold the ladder. You can do the climbing.”

“But it’s your house. Why should I climb on the roof?”

“’Cause you know I don’t like heights and you’ve got my back.”

Hutch rolled his eyes. “I don’t remember anything in police training that says I have to climb ladders to protect my partner.”

Starsky just gave him a look.

Hutch surrendered. “Fine.”

They finished their drinks and handed the glasses back in at the stall. Waving goodbye, they headed off back to Starsky’s place. Hutch checked the time as soon as they got inside and turned on the TV.

“Great, we’ve just got time to make the Lefse and then enjoy another Minnesotan tradition.”

“What’s that? And what’s a Lefse?”

“I’ll explain as we make them. The programme is A Charlie Brown Christmas.”

“That’s everybody’s tradition.”

“But Charles Schulz comes from Minnesota,” Hutch pointed out, “so we own him.”

“Well, I won’t argue. I love watching Charlie Brown.”

The two of them moved into the kitchen.

“So what is Lefse and how do we make it?”

“It’s a Norwegian soft flatbread. It’s made with riced potatoes and flour. You can eat it with savoury or sweet toppings or fillings. I thought we’d have some of each. I thought we could make a batch with sausage and cheese for you, salmon and cheese for me plus a batch with sugar and cinnamon for dessert.”

Starsky started salivating. “Sounds delicious. Let’s get cooking.”

The two of them worked side by side: Hutch instructing and Starsky copying what he did. Soon they had a pile of soft round flatbreads ready to fill with the other ingredients Hutch had got ready earlier. He fried the savoury fillings and then dished them out into the middle of each Lefse.

“They kinda look like pancakes,” Starsky said. “Didn’t know you could make pancakes with potato as well as flour.”

They took a plate each and went and sat down on the sofa. The movie was just starting as they bit into the first Lefse.

“What do you think?” Hutch asked.

“Great. We’ll have to have these again.”

When they both finished the savoury course, Hutch went and made some sweet Lefse and brought them over for Starsky to try.

“These are delicious and somehow that cinnamon just makes it taste Christmassy. Great choice, Hutch.”

Hutch smiled, glad that his friend liked the recipe handed down by his grandmother. As the movie wound down to its close, Hutch went to clear up the dirty dishes. Starsky followed him to the kitchen.

“You should rest,” Hutch said.

“I can dry the dishes,” Starsky said. “I’ll sit here and you can pass them to me.”

“All right.”

Once the task was underway, Starsky said, “Thanks Hutch. Thanks for staying in Bay City. I appreciate it.”

“Couldn’t leave you on your own, Gordo, not at Christmas…There’s definitely something about that in police training. Section 6, subsection 22: never leave your partner alone at Christmas.”

“Is that right?”

“Yeah.”

“What a big old mushball,” Starsky muttered under his breath.

“What was that?”

“Marshmallows. I think it’s time we got those marshmallows out.”

Hutch nodded. “I’ll warm some milk. You go sit down…oh and see if you can find something in your Christmas tree that shouldn’t be there,” he instructed.

Starsky looked totally bemused but did as he was told.

A few seconds later Hutch grinned when Starsky called out, “Why is there a gherkin hanging in my tree, Blintz?”

“It’s a Minnesotan thing!”

“Minnesotans are weird!”

“You’re not wrong about that!”

*****

On Christmas Day morning, Starsky was up early and started making waffles and bacon. The sound of cooking woke Hutch. He put on his robe, folded up the blankets from the couch and then joined his friend in the kitchen.

“This is my tradition on Christmas morning. Waffles with eggs and bacon. You can have fruit with yours if you must.”

“I should,” Hutch said, “but bacon and eggs sounds good. As soon as we’ve eaten breakfast, I’ll put the turkey on to cook.”

Starsky nodded. He served Hutch and then himself.

“And then presents, yes?” Starsky said through a mouthful of food.

Hutch chuckled and nodded. He figured Starsky had been patient long enough.

After they’d cleared the breakfast things and the turkey was cooking in the stove, Hutch went to his bag to retrieve his presents from Starsky and then joined his friend at the couch. Hutch grabbed the three presents from under the tree and handed them to Starsky. He settled down on the couch next to his friend, with his own presents in his hand.

“Wait. Before you open that one,” Starsky said, looking unusually serious, “I’m going to get you the real thing. This is just a loaner until I can. I’m kinda glad you’re here so I can explain. I can imagine you would have been very confused if you’d opened this before talking to me.”

Hutch was mystified. “Should I open it now?”

“Yeah. Go ahead.”

Hutch carefully unwrapped the small box. He glanced at Starsky and then back at the box. Slowly, he lifted the hinged lid to reveal a medal. A medal he recognized: one that had belonged to Starsky’s father.

“You saved my life, Hutch, and not just my life. You deserve a medal for the way you handled yourself last week. I wouldn’t still be here if it wasn’t for you. The present I got you didn’t seem enough of a thank you.”

Hutch swallowed down the emotions that had appeared in his throat.

“Pal, I…You don’t need to thank me…I’m just glad you’re still here. I’ve thanked God every day this week that you’re still here…I’m touched. I really am…Look…Open that present…It seems we were thinking on much the same lines…as usual,” Hutch said with a smile.

Starsky opened the flat, book-shaped present that Hutch had indicated.

“That’s just a loaner too.”

Inside the paper, there was a leather-bound book that said Journal on the front. There was a bookmark half way through.

“Sometimes when something big happens and I can’t express what I feel about it, I write it down. Last week was one of those times. Open it there.”

Starsky opened the journal and read the entry. He wiped at his eyes.

Hutch moved his arm around his partner’s back and pulled him in close, but gently, being careful not to jostle his still sore shoulder.

“Glad you’re still here, pal.”

“Me too.”

Hutch released his friend and asked, “Shall I open my other present?”

“Yeah and I’ll open the one from you.”

Hutch’s present from Starsky turned out to be lots of packets of seeds, which he was delighted with. Starsky’s present from Hutch was a pair of driving gloves and some fancy chocolates. Starsky immediately ate one and offered one to his partner.

“That last present is the one your mother asked me to get for you when she realized you wouldn’t be able to make it to New York for Christmas.”

“Aw, my Mom called you and asked you to get this. She’s so sweet.”

Starsky unwrapped the circular gift to find a tin of car polish. As was his usual custom, he went to open it to see what it smelled of.

BOING!

A concertinaed red and white stripy thing erupted from the tin making him jump into the air. Hutch started laughing.

“You should see your face!”

“It’s not funny,” Starsky protested, even as his lips started twitching. Very soon, he was chuckling and groaning. “Don’t make me laugh! It makes my stitches hurt!”

“Now I know where you get your wicked ideas for practical jokes from,” Hutch said and began to laugh even more.

“Hutch! Stop laughing! Ouch!”

“Sorry, pal. I can’t help it…Merry Christmas!” Hutch said, as he went off into another set of giggles.

“Merry Christmas to you too. Ouch. Stop laughing, will ya?”