Basketball Game

14

Starsky gives up a Sunday to help Hutch out at a youth basketball program.

 

Written for the SHFAFF January prompt: I can’t believe you talked me into this.

---

Starsky looked around the gym and grimaced. “I can’t believe you talked me into this,” he grumbled.

Hutch spoke out of the side of his mouth: “You wouldn’t leave your partner without back up, would you?”

Starsky rolled his eyes. Of course, the answer was “no” but he wasn’t going to tell Hutch that. “Let’s get this over with.”

They walked over to the bench where six sulky looking teens were waiting.

“Hi guys, I’m Hutch. This is Starsky.”

One of the teens offered his name, “Benny.”

The others glared at him. They had to be here but they didn’t have to like it or get friendly. They certainly weren’t going to get chummy with these cops. But it didn’t matter whether they offered their names or not, Hutch had memorised all of their names anyway.

“Why don’t we just get straight into a game? Benny, you can be captain of one side. Jason, you be the other.”

Benny grinned. “Okay, Verne, Pete, you’re with me.”

Reluctantly, Verne and Pete went onto the court with Benny, who’d picked up a basket ball and started bouncing it. Jason looked at the other two boys, who shook their heads and sat down.

Before Jason could think to join them, Hutch said, “Looks like you got stuck with us. We’ll try not to let you down too badly. We’re getting a little slower than we used to be.”

“Speak for yourself!” Starsky retorted with an outrage that startled the boys into chuckling. “Hey Benny! I want to be on your team. Losing team – that’s Hutch – buys the cokes afterwards.”

Benny grinned. “Sure, Starsky, why not. Verne go help Jason out.”

Soon, a competitive three on three match was being played. The score was pretty even all the way through. Just before the end of the third quarter, Starsky tripped Hutch over by accident and Hutch went down hard on one knee. He grunted with pain. Immediately, Starsky was by his side apologising and offering his partner a hand. The boys looked on, displaying various emotions from humour to fear as they waited for Hutch’s reaction.

“No problem, buddy,” Hutch said, “but I think I need to sit out for the last quarter. Denzel, can you sub me?”

Denzel hesitated and then nodded. Hutch noted the sense of relief that appeared on Tony’s face at his mild response to Starsky. He knew he had his work cut out getting Tony to trust him. He slowly limped over to the bench and sat down.

“Who do you think’s going to win?” Hutch asked, without looking directly at Tony.

After a minute of silence, Tony said, “Jason’s team. Denzel’s good.”

Denzel made a basket from quite a distance and Hutch settled back with a smile.

“You’re right. He is good. Looks like the cokes are gonna be on Starsky.”

The game wound up and the group headed to the cafe next door. Starsky and Hutch went to get the cokes, paying half each – although the boys didn’t know that. When they arrived back at the table, Tony looked surprised.

“I didn’t play.”

“So? You’re part of our group,” Hutch said. “Everyone’s included.”

Tony frowned. “Why are you doing this? What are you hoping to get from us?”

“I will be here every Sunday for the next five weeks, not because I have to but because I think you deserve a chance to be part of this program and I’ve promised to be here. Maybe by the end of the five weeks, you’ll decide to carry on coming and maybe you’ll realise there are some people you can trust…But it goes both ways. You have to prove you’re men of your word. If you promise to turn up, make sure you stick to it.”

The boys looked at each other and then nodded. They finished their drinks and then headed off.

“Still think it’s a waste of time,” Hutch quietly asked his partner.

Starsky shrugged. “Don’t know. I think you might have gotten through to a couple of them. We’ll see who turns up next week.”

“We? I figured I’d be going solo the rest of the program.”

Starsky shrugged. “I can give up five Sundays if you can. Now, lets go get some ice for that knee.”

“Thanks,” Hutch said as he stood up. He handed his keys over to Starsky. “Think you’ll have to drive us back.”

Starsky grimaced. “I deserve hazard pay if I’m gonna drive your rust bucket. Pizzas are on you tonight.”

“She’s not a rust bucket, she’s got character,” Hutch corrected his partner as he hobbled after him.

“Character? That’s code for ugly, right?”