Mrs Wilson 8: Christmas Amaryllis

Hutch receives a surprise Christmas present.

Another Mrs Wilson story.

It was nearly Christmas, but you wouldn’t know it from the amount of crimes being committed. In fact, maybe the crime rate was worse because of the desperation engendered in some people by the season. Hutch sighed as he parked his car and wearily climbed out. A light drizzle was starting, which seemed to capture his deteriorating mood perfectly.

He dashed through the door that led to his apartment and hurried up the stairs. As he reached the top, he was surprised to see a medium sized box waiting for him. It was wrapped in brightly coloured, festive paper. A white envelope was propped next to it.

Torn between wariness and surprised delight, Hutch cautiously picked up the present and card and then unlocked his front door. He placed the items on the coffee table before taking off his jacket and holster and then going to collect a much needed beer. Starsky would be around a little later for a movie and pizza, but Hutch wanted something to take the edge off after the dreary day they’d had. He walked back into the living room and looked curiously at the present, wondering who it was from. A smile formed on his lips – his partner would have ripped the paper off by now and already have known the answer!

Hutch sat down on the couch and reached for the card first. “Another thing Starsky wouldn’t do,” he thought with a chuckle.

The Christmas card was decorated with a colourful Christmas tree. Inside it said: To Ken, Thank you for all your help this year. I really appreciate the time you give up to me. Merry Christmas! With love from your friend, Mrs Wilson.

Hutch smiled as he swallowed down a lump that had mysteriously appeared in his throat. He picked up the present and carefully unwrapped it. Inside was a box containing all that was needed to grow an amaryllis. With his spirits feeling suddenly lighter, Hutch took the box into the kitchen and unpacked the items inside: a gold pot, an amaryllis bulb and a bag of dehydrated soil. He tipped the soil into a large Tupperware pot and added the required amount of water then watched in fascination as the volume of dark brown material expanded to three times its size and became crumbly and moist. He half-filled the gold pot, added the bulb and then carefully layered a little more soil around it to hold the bulb firm as it grew. Knowing how large amaryllis could grow, he went through to his greenhouse and found a small stake that he could use to tie the flower to once it developed. Then he returned to the kitchen and pushed it down into the potted soil, making sure it was firm.

Carefully, he carried the pot back into the living room and made room for it on a table against the wall. He didn’t want to take any chances that it might get knocked as it grew.

He sat down and picked up the phone.

“Hello?”

“Mrs Wilson, it’s Ken. Thank you so much for the amaryllis and especially for the card. It’s very sweet of you.”

“It was the least I could do to thank you for all your help, my dear.”

“Well, thank you and I’m always happy to help.”

“Thank you. When you next see Dave, tell him I have a little something for him.”

“He’s coming over to watch a movie in a few minutes. Shall I send him over?”

“Oh yes, that would be fine.”

“Have a good evening and Merry Christmas!”

“Merry Christmas Ken!”

* * *

When Starsky arrived, Hutch sent him over to Mrs Wilson’s to collect his present. His partner returned a few minutes later, grinning from ear to ear.

“Look!”

Hutch blinked and then shook his head as he saw the glittery Christmas tree decoration, perfect for hanging in a car, and the bag of festive candy. Starsky was already munching on one.

“Mrs Wilson knows you too well!” Hutch observed.

Starsky grinned wider. “You bet!” Changing gear, he asked, “Have you got any plans on Sunday afternoon?”

“No, I don’t. Why?”

“I’ve invited Mrs W around for some eggnog. Sound like a good idea?”

Hutch nodded. “That sounds like a great idea.”

“Good. I’ll call and tell her we’re on. What time?”

“Two?”

Starsky nodded. He picked up the telephone and rang Mrs Wilson, confirming arrangements for Sunday. Then he dialled again and ordered pizza.

As he put the phone down, Hutch said, “You didn’t ask what I wanted.”

Starsky popped another candy in his mouth. “Did you want something different from your usual?” he asked with unfeigned surprise.

“Well, no…but one day I might. You should check.”

Starsky just shook his head and raised an eyebrow at his partner’s ridiculous nature.

“What did Mrs W get ya?”

Hutch pointed to the golden pot on the table. “An amaryllis.”

Starsky looked nonplussed.

Hutch sighed and pointed to the packaging on the kitchen table. “There’s a photo of what it should look like once it’s grown.”

Starsky wondered through to the kitchen and picked up the box. The photo showed beautiful blooms of stripy red and white.

“That is just perfect.”

Hutch chuckled. “Thought you’d like it.”

Starsky came back and dropped onto the couch. “What movie are we gonna watch?”

Hutch handed his partner the TV guide and said, “Your turn to pick.” And even though he knew it would inevitably be a monster movie or some ridiculous action film, he smiled. A weekend relaxing with his best friend was worth his occasional dire viewing choice.