Sunrise

He sat on the back porch of their home gently swaying in the swing marvelling at the sight before him. Never before had he taken the time, or had the inclination, to watch a sunrise.

He had learned so much in the last five months; learned to appreciate what was all around him; learned to listen; learned to let go when necessary, and learned a patience and deeper love than he had ever known.

Who would have thought that the disaster that had befallen them a little over a year ago could have such positive and uplifting results? He still marvelled at how things had turned out.

When Hutch had fallen after being so badly beaten by that vicious, demented sewer rat Bart Lombard, he had despaired of ever having his friend, partner and lover back. But after weeks of gradual improvement, the hammer had really fallen. Hutch was blind, permanently blind.

He didn’t relive those miserable months that followed, because they no longer had any meaning. Their new life was so much better, so filled with living that he wished he had had this understanding for all his life. Everyone around them, especially their families, were reaping the benefits of their new perceptions and ideals.

He was thoroughly content, and Hutch’s words from last night were still thrumming through his mind and body, along with the physical manifestation he had illustrated so well once they were home. Being blind certainly had nothing to do with his ability to show and give love, and Starsky no longer doubted, or held back, his own adoration of his golden boy.

He sipped his coffee with a gentle smile on his face, still held in awe of the gifts they had been given.

Once the emotional crisis and self-pity had been worked through, and they had both accepted that they were alive, still in love and still young, they had moved on–literally. Hutch had been accepted into the Orientation Center for the Blind in Albany, Calif. For five months they had lived, and learned, in this marvellous facility to the point where Hutch felt he could live and function independently without being a burden. Hutch’s phenomenal adjustment had dazzled him and made him so proud he glowed.

He gave a demonic little chuckle at having bested the rules and regs once again. It had been no easy task to convince the establishment that they needed to go through this together. Starsky had just as much to learn as Hutch. The Center never stood a chance.

He shadowed Hutch through every step, but held to his promise of no interference, though sorely tried at times. That was the beginning of his education in patience, and he was so thankful for it because he learned the all important lesson of allowing Hutch to just be Hutch. He hadn’t lost his partner, only gained a new understanding of what a true partnership meant.

Now, here they were, contemplating a new future. Oh, there would still be obstacles and prejudices to overcome, not counting their obvious relationship one, but there were opportunities galore out there, and like the sunrise, each held promise of a new beginning.

And he was so excited that Hutch had been added to the list for a seeing-eye dog. It would mean another training go-round, but the benefits and sheer fun involved had them impatient. Another of his worries would be put to rest. The Center kept coming up with wonderful new ways to make Hutch’s life, and his, more secure and safe. He was not alone, and could always find someone to reassure him and help him do his best, for both of them.

He was startled out of his reverie as Hutch sat down beside him, having gotten his own coffee and silently joined his partner.

“What’s it like, Starsky?”