Mrs Wilson 11: Keeping an Eye on her Boys

7

Following on from story 10, Starsky comes around to Hutch’s apartment to find Mrs Wilson still keeping his partner company.

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As Starsky walked up the stairs to Hutch’s apartment, he heard the sound of a female giggle and smiled. He recognised the sound as coming from Mrs Wilson. She must have stayed after making lunch for his injured partner and he was glad. It was a relief to know Hutch was being well looked after and Mrs Wilson was just the tonic he himself needed after the trying day he’d had.

He opened the apartment door and called a greeting, which was returned from the greenhouse by Hutch and Mrs Wilson. Starsky collected a beer from the fridge and then went through to join them.

He heard Mrs Wilson say, “I had no idea that it was so late.”

“You were too bent on defeating me,” Hutch teased.

Starsky sat down at the table.

“What’s the game?”

“Gin and Mrs Wilson is a card sharp!”

Mrs Wilson giggled again. “Well, I had some lucky cards…”

“And you used them to your advantage,” Hutch said, without rancour.

Mrs Wilson laid down her cards, saying, “I’m afraid that’s Gin again…Now, I really better be going. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Look forward to it.”

Mrs Wilson paused and looked Starsky over. She patted his arm and then kissed him on the cheek.

“Don’t you stay too late. You both need some rest.”

Starsky nodded and smiled after the elderly lady as she left. It was nice to have a grandmother figure keeping an eye on him too. He turned back to find Hutch watching him.

“You okay?”

Starsky sighed. “I will be.”

“Thought Dobey had you desk bound?”

“He does, but there was an incident this afternoon and it was ‘all hands’…”

“Bad?”

“Bad.”

Hutch frowned slightly. “I’d offer to cook you dinner but…” He raised his sling. “…How about we go to Huggy’s and I’ll pay?”

“That’s okay. You don’t need to.”

“I want to. You’ve been coming here all week and cooking dinner and running errands. Least I can do.”

“All right. Thanks. I’ll just wash up. Okay if I borrow a t-shirt?”

“Since when did you need to ask?” Hutch said with raised eyebrows.

Starsky chuckled. “Since never.”

Hutch was glad to see his friend’s demeanour had lightened and felt happy that he could do something to help his partner after all his support during his convalescence.

“Hey, don’t borrow my favourite shirt!” Hutch called after him. “I don’t want chili stains on it!”

“What are you saying? I’m messy?” Starsky demanded with mock outrage.

Hutch just grinned.