My latest collection of conversations and snippets. Older guys and younger guys.
8th July 2025
(Wimbledon Tennis tournament related and also related to a story I wrote in 2020 about Starsky visiting Wimbledon)
Hutch walked into Starsky’s home and couldn’t help smiling. The unmistakable sound of tennis being played wafted down the hallway towards him. He heard Starsky’s voice. He sounded as if he was talking to someone.
Hutch put his head around the door to Starsky’s den and said, “Hey, who’s winning?”
“Who d’ya think?”
“That would explain the muttering I heard.”
Starsky grinned ruefully, caught out.
Hutch sat down next to his friend and watched a few points of play before asking, “Why do you dislike him so much?”
Starsky shrugged then said, “I think it’s because Emily can’t stand him and I can’t argue with her!”
“Heaven forbid! Have you spoken to her recently? How’s she doing?”
“Funnily enough. I spoke to her this morning. She’s doing great! We were reminiscing about how we first met.”
“Ah yes, in the queue at Wimbledon. That was a real experience.”
“I’ll never forget it. And it got me hooked on tennis.”
Hutch looked at the clock. “Time for a coffee?”
“Yeah sure.”
Starsky went to get up.
“I can get it.”
“You’ll need help,” Starsky said.
“To carry two mugs of coffee?”
“No, to carry the dishes of strawberries and cream. I promised Emily I’d eat them the same time she’s going to.”
“But it’s nine in the morning!”
“It’s five p.m. where she is! Anyway, it’s fruit, you’re always telling me it’s good for me.”
“What about the cream?”
Starsky shrugged. “When at Wimbledon…”
“That doesn’t even make sense. We aren’t at Wimbledon.”
“I am in spirit,” Starsky said with a grin and Hutch decided that was good enough.
9th July 2025
“You know I really hate people who leave their tea bags on the side instead of putting them in the bin,” Starsky said, pointedly looking at the herbal teabag Hutch had left on the counter top.
Hutch rolled his eyes but went back and picked up the offending article and threw it away.
“You’re so neat at home,” Starsky observed. “Why do you turn into a slob when you come over to my place?”
“One tea bag doesn’t make me a slob!”
“It’s a slippery slope, my friend, a slippery slope. The thin end of the wedge.”
“Have you finished?”
“For now.”
Hutch rolled his eyes again behind Starsky’s back.
“And don’t roll your eyes at me because you think I can’t see you.”
Hutch couldn’t help chuckling. “I’d ask how you knew, but that would be a stupid question.”
Starsky just gave him a look and then grinned.
“So who are you siding with? What’s-his-name? Or the other one?”
“The other one.”
“Fine. Usual stakes?”
“You’re on.”
The two of them settled down side by side to watch the tennis match.
“Got any more strawberries?”
“Nope. All gone.”
“Shame.”
“How about the loser today also buys more strawberries for the finals at the weekend?”
“Deal.”
15th July 2025
S: Morning pal, how are ya?
H: Frustrated to be honest. I can’t find my mallet.
S: You can borrow mine. What d’ya need a mallet for anyway?
H: The grandkids are going to camp in the yard tomorrow. I was just making sure I had everything ready for putting up tents.
S: Oh okay. Did you still need me to come over and help you with that shelf?
H: Yes, please. Can you bring your tool box? I can’t seem to find mine at the moment.
S: Okay. That’s strange.
H: Yeah. I’m starting to think I’m losing it. I can’t seem to remember where I’ve put things these days.
S: That’s normal at our age.
H: I guess. See you later.
S: See ya.
/\/\/\
Later…
S: Here ya go, pal. Everything you need for those jobs that need doing.
Silence.
S: Hutch?
H: Good to know I’m not going crazy.
S: Huh?
H: That’s my mallet and my tool box, Gordo! You’ve been borrowing my stuff again!
S: Ah. About that…ya see…
20th July 2025
Hutch walked out onto the porch in time to hear Starsky say, “Best investment I ever made.”
“Er best investment WE ever made,” he corrected his former partner. “Good job I wouldn’t take no for an answer. You took some persuading to buy a cabin for the families to share but look at all the years of fun and joy we’ve had here.”
Starsky nodded. “Yeah, I wasn’t all that keen on coming out to the woods to start with.”
“Master of the understatement!”
“Can you blame me, Hutch?! Think about what happened the first few times!”
“Yeah, I suppose. But that was a long time before I suggested getting this place.”
They looked out over the lake and smiled as they saw their grandkids playing by the side of the lake, waiting to go out on the boat with them.
“Time to do some fishing?”
“You bet!”
As they walked down towards the little quay, Starsky said again, “Best investment I ever made.”
“We!”
“I wasn’t actually talking about the cabin.”
“Oh, what were you talking about?”
“You, dummy, and our friendship. Investing in you was the best thing I ever did.”
“Oh.” Hutch sniffed slightly and then said, “I’m glad I invested in you too.”
They grinned at each other as they carried on down the path to join their grandkids.
22nd July 2025
Hutch heard the sound of a car gingerly making its way down the rutted path leading to the cabin. He frowned, wondering who it could be. Maybe it was a forest ranger although the vehicle didn’t sound heavy enough. He got up and walked to the cabin door. Surprise registered on his face when he saw Starsky’s jeep coming around the corner.
He walked down the steps to greet his friend: “Hey, what are you doing here?”
Starsky barely said hello as he climbed out, walked right up to Hutch and then past him. Hutch followed frowning and watched as Starsky walked into the bedroom and then came back with Hutch’s cell phone in his hand.
“You’re supposed to keep this thing turned on!” he admonished Hutch. “I know you’re a free spirit and all that and sometimes you like to be by yourself but we need to know you’re okay. Okay?”
Hutch grimaced but then apologised, “Sorry, I forgot to turn it on this morning and then I got reading.”
“Yeah, well, glad to see you’re okay. I’ll grab a coffee and then I’ll go and leave you in peace.”
As Starsky poured himself a mug of coffee, Hutch realised he was done with needing space.
“Stay for a walk?” he suggested. “You don’t have to go straight away, do you?”
Starsky grinned. “I can stay as long as you like.”
“You’ve got an overnight bag in the trunk, haven’t you?” Hutch asked with a playful smile.
“Well, you know, just in case. You told me it’s always best to ‘Be Prepared’.”
Hutch rolled his eyes but smiled. “I bet you’ve bought food with you as well.”
Starsky shrugged. “Wanna help me bring it in?”
Hutch chuckled as he answered, “Sure.”
2nd August 2025
Younger Guys.
S: Hey, there’s a roadside diner coming up in a mile. Let’s stop.
H: I wasn’t planning on stopping yet.
S: I need coffee.
H: What happened to your flask?
S: Drank it all an hour ago.
H: Gordo, we only left an hour ago!
S: I needed help to wake up. You made us get up so early. Look, only half a mile to go…to tell the truth I need the john.
H: I’m not surprised!
S: So you’ll stop?
H: I guess I’ll have to.
They pull off the road.
S: Thanks. I won’t be long. You want anything?
H: No, thanks. I’ve got everything I need and I don’t think you should be having more coffee. You’ll be bouncing off the car roof.
S: Yeah, yeah.
A few minutes later, Starsky returns carrying a cup and a bag.
H: Thought we agreed no more coffee.
S: It’s not coffee. I thought I’d try an iced tea.
H (as he starts driving away): What’s in the bag?
S: Freshly made donuts.
Hutch slams on the brakes.
S: What’s the matter?
H: Give me the bag!
S: Why!?!
H: You eat those you really will be bouncing off the roof. I’m going to stick them in the trunk, you can have them later.
S (sighing): You’re no fun. Next time, I’ll do the driving and I’ll be in charge!
H: Fine. And next time, I’ll drink too much coffee and drive you crazy!
8th August 2025
On a stake-out.
S: Artichoke, Beetroot, Carrot, errr…
H: Dandelion.
S: You can’t eat dandelions!
H: Yes, you can. I know YOU wouldn’t but they are edible.
S: Hmm. Eggplant, French beans, Garlic, err…
H: Horseradish.
S: Why is it called horseradish anyway?
H: I don’t know. Maybe a horse discovered it?
S: Err, where was I? Oh yes, I… ice-cream bean.
H: What?
S: It’s a real vegetable. I read about it last week. It grows in South America.
H: Oh.
S: Jalapeno, Kale, L…hmm.
H: Easy. Lima beans.
S: Thank you. Mushrooms, N…hmm.
H: Nettles.
S: No way!
H: I’ll have to introduce you to nettle soup.
S: Please don’t! Oregano, Potatoes, Radishes-
H: -you forgot Q.
S: Oh…help, please.
H: Quinoa.
S: Quinoa, Radishes, Spinach, Tater tots-
H: -you can’t have tater tots!
S: Why not?
H: They’re not a vegetable! They come from a vegetable!
S: Same difference. Err U. Underdone calabrese-
H: What on earth? How about umbrella squash!
S: Thank you. Umbrella squash…Violets?
H: Violets? How about Vidalia onions?
S: Only you would know the name of a specific onion.
H: They’re delicious, really sweet.
S: If you say so. Wasabi. Nothing starts with X. Yam and Zucchini. Made it.
H: I bet there’s a Chinese vegetable that starts with x.
S: Last one to find proof of one pays for dinner.
H: You’re on.
S: Right, it’s your turn. The topic is fruit.
H: I can’t wait for this stakeout to be over!
S: Come on, Blintz.
H: Okay…Apple…
12th August 2025
S: Hey, Hutch, listen to this! Australia is wider than the moon!
H: Gordo, what are you talking about?
S: It says here that Australia’s landmass is almost 4000km (2485 miles) wide. The moon is only 3400km (2113 miles) in diameter.
H: Interesting.
S: Did you know that Venus is the only planet to rotate backwards?
H: If I did, I’d forgotten.
S: Well, make sure you remember now.
H: Why? How’s that going to help me in real life?
S: Oh, did I forget to tell you I’ve signed us up for a quiz on Friday and I thought we could each brush up on an area of knowledge.
H: I’m guessing my area is Space!
13th August 2025
Starsky sat reading his encyclopaedia of weird animal facts as Hutch bustled about in the kitchen. Hutch was cooking for Starsky because he’d lost a bet earlier in the day.
“What are you cooking?” Starsky asked after a while.
“Steak.”
“Mmm,” Starsky made a noise of approval. “With?”
“Baked potato.”
Starsky nodded and continued reading. After a few minutes, he asked, “Any veggies?”
“Salad.”
Starsky wrinkled his nose then shrugged to himself. After a couple more minutes, he inquired, “Any dessert?”
“Why don’t you get up off that couch and lay the table then you can see what I’m doing?!”
Starsky grinned to himself, placed his book on the coffee table and then heaved himself upright. He sauntered into the kitchen area and peered over Hutch’s shoulder.
“Smells good.”
Starsky then walked over to the refrigerator and opened it. He saw a Key Lime Pie inside. He stuck a finger in it.
Hutch was too late with his: “Don’t go tasting the dessert!”
“Tastes great!”
Hutch rolled his eyes.
Starsky closed the door as he asked, “Did you make that?”
“Yes.”
“Wow.”
Hutch smiled as he started dishing up the main course. Starsky went and got cutlery and drinks ready then sat at the table.
As Hutch placed the meal in front of his partner, he said, “You’re washing up.”
“Figured I would be.”
They chatted as they ate. When they had finished the dessert, they started clearing up. Starsky couldn’t resist teasing his partner.
“Great meal. You’ll make someone a great wife one day, Blintz.”
Hutch threw a dishcloth at him as he retorted, “Firstly, men can cook. Secondly, shut up, Gordo!”
22nd August 2025
They’d been at the beach for hours: Starsky, Hutch, their wives and kids. Now, it was getting late and they really should be heading home but certain members of the family didn’t want to leave.
“I’m almost finished my defences. Just a couple more minutes,” said one.
“I just want to see the waves breach those defences,” said the other.
The two wives rolled their eyes.
“Come on, kids. Let’s leave your dads to play while we get pizza!”
As their wives and kids headed off the beach, Starsky and Hutch looked at each other sheepishly.
“Did we get carried away?” asked Hutch, as he looked at the huge structure he and Starsky had made.
“As if we could!” Starsky said.
Grinning at each other, they wrapped an arm around each other and headed up the beach.
25th August 2025
Approaching Starsky’s 40th birthday, Hutch hands him a pile of leaflets.
S: Why are you giving me life insurance information, Blintz?
H: Well, I was thinking you’re due a midlife crisis soon and you’ve already got the loud car so what is there left to do? I figured you’d go for something really crazy like skydiving!
S: Very funny! My car is not loud!
H: Gordo, I’ve heard jet engines that are quieter! But I meant the colour.
S: There’s nothing wrong with candy apple red. Anyway, if I’m due a midlife crisis, you won’t be far behind. What are you going to do? Join a commune?
H: How did you know?
S: (shocked face)
7th September 2025
Hutch opened his front door to collect his paper and found two pebbles sitting on his doorstep. He grinned as he picked them up and looked at them. One was decorated with a beautiful pine forest against a blue sky. The other was an ocean scene. With the paper and pebbles in hand, he headed to his kitchen. He poured himself a coffee and then picked up his phone.
Starsky answered on the third ring. “Hey pal.”
“Morning. In answer to your question, the forest.”
“Great! I’ll be round at nine-thirty. See ya.”
“See you then,” Hutch said.
He’d got time to eat breakfast and then make a flask of coffee for them to share. Maybe he’d make some sandwiches? From experience, he knew Starsky would start saying he was hungry about ten minutes into the journey and he’d have fun teasing him about it. As he set about his tasks, Hutch smiled.
17th September 2025
They’d driven across State to drop Hutch’s son off at University. It was the first semester for Benjamin and he was the first Hutchinson child to leave home. Laura had needed to stay home with the younger children so Hutch had been psyching himself up to make the trip home alone. He should have known better. Starsky had appeared as they were packing up the car ready to go. As always his presence when help was needed felt natural. No-one questioned it when he climbed in the back of the car as Benjamin said goodbye to his mother and siblings.
Hutch just quietly said, “Thanks,” as he settled in the driver’s seat. The response: a squeeze of his shoulder.
Now everything was unpacked and Benjamin was already chatting to his roommate. They seemed to be getting on well. Hutch smiled.
Starsky looked at Hutch and he nodded. It was time to go.
“Hey kiddo, Starsky and I had better hit the road.”
“Thanks for all the help,” Benjamin said as he hugged Starsky. In a whisper, he added quickly, “Keep an eye on Dad for me.”
Starsky grinned and nodded.
Hutch wrapped his arms around his first born child and said gruffly, “Call your mother occasionally or she’ll be calling local law enforcement to check in on you.”
“I will.”
“Have a great time. Maybe learn something as well?” Hutch teased.
Benjamin grinned. “Maybe…Thanks Dad. See you Thanksgiving weekend.”
Hutch nodded and smiled and then he and Starsky headed out and towards the parking lot. As they neared Hutch’s car, Starsky held out his hand and said, “Keys.”
Hutch reached into his pocket and handed the keys over to his friend. They both climbed in and Starsky started the engine. Hutch looked over his shoulder at the campus and then looked forward. After a couple of minutes, he pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and blew his nose.
Starsky turned on the radio and said nothing for a while but when the moment felt right, he asked, “You okay?”
“I will be. Thanks for coming with me.”
Starsky nodded. “You’re welcome. It’ll be my turn next year. I hope you’ll return the favour.”
“Of course.” After a moment, Hutch admitted, “It seems only yesterday I was holding his hand as he took his first steps.”
Starsky nodded. “Where did the time go?”
Hutch placed his hand on Starsky’s shoulder. “I don’t know.”
“One thing I do know,” Starsky said, “is the journey’s been easier because of you.”
“Ditto partner. Can’t imagine getting through any of it without your help.”
“Me and thee,” Starsky said.
“Me and thee,” Hutch agreed.
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