Mrs Wilson 6: Plant Talk

Hutch’s elderly neighbour, Mrs Wilson, invites him in to talk plants.

“Ken!”

Hutch smiled as he waved to Mrs. Wilson, his elderly neighbour. He checked it was safe and then crossed the street.

“Hello, how are you?”

“I’m well, dear, I’ve been fighting with the greenfly on my roses but I have prevailed!” Mrs. Wilson declared. “And how are you? What sort of a week has it been?”

Hutch spoke lightly, “Busy as usual but nothing we couldn’t handle.”

Mrs. Wilson’s gentle eyes searched his and she clearly saw something that told her the week had not been easy. “Do you have time for a coffee?”

Hutch hesitated.

“And a look at my new plant catalogues?”

“I could spare half an hour,” Hutch said happily. “Starsky’s coming over later.”

“Oh good, you can help me decide on my colour scheme for my pots next Spring. But I won’t keep you too long.”

“Sounds good.”

He followed her into the house and through to her welcoming kitchen. She set about making coffee and told him to sit down at the table, where a pile of catalogues were sitting. Soon the two of them were discussing the virtues of this and that plant or bulb and hardly noticed as more than an hour went by.

There was a knock at the door and then a familiar voice called, “Mrs. Wilson? Do you have my partner in there?”

“Oh, do come in, Dave!” Mrs Wilson called back. When Starsky appeared in the kitchen, she apologised, “I’m sorry. I’m afraid I’ve distracted Ken with plant talk. I know you boys have plans.”

Starsky grinned at her but shook his head. “Nothing important. Just pizza and a game to watch, but I’ll drag him away now, if that’s okay?”

“Of course.”

Hutch kissed the elderly lady’s cheek as he said goodbye and then headed out. Starsky lingered for a moment. “Thank you,” he said

“For what?”

“For always knowing when Hutch needs distracting with plant talk. He’s had a bad week, but I can see it rolling off him now. You understand him.”

“No dear. You understand him. I just know how to listen or when it’s best to not even ask.”

“Well, thanks anyway. I figured it would take most of the evening to get him to unwind but he’s looking better already.”

Mrs. Wilson looked pleased. “Anytime. My door is always open.”

Starsky kissed her on both cheeks and then hurried out after his partner. He caught up to him as he was headed up the stairs.

“I ordered pizzas,” Starsky said, “They should be here soon. Pepperoni for me. Veggie for you.”

“Great. Stick the game on. I’ll get the beer.”

After a long, tiring week with a couple of difficult cases, they were both ready to unwind. Starsky had already had his chance to rant and felt better for it. He knew Hutch had to work through his emotions in a different way and, like Mrs Wilson, he knew when he should just listen. Hutch would decide when he was ready to unload but until then they would enjoy each other’s company and a well-deserved night off.