There for Me

Nicky Starsky gets a call from his mother.

There for Me was first published in the zine, Lifeline: A Decade of Sweet Revenge, in May, 1989, on the 10th anniversary of that episode.

Special thanks to Donna F. for helping to digitize this story for the archive.

“Yeah, hello.”

“Nicky, where have you been? I’ve been calling all over for you for hours.” His mother’s voice scraped across the phone lines sharp and tense.

“I have a deal cookin’, Ma. Wha’d’ya need?” The phone cord stretched behind him as he pulled open the door of the fridge. “Are you still having trouble with the bank? Look I’ll talk to them,” he flipped the cap off a beer as he spoke, enjoying the foam that trickled over his knuckles. “Just as soon as I get a chance.”

“No, no, that’s all taken care of. It’s family. I…”

Nick cut in before she got off on an involved explanation. “Uncle Lou didn’t have another heart attack did he? Myrna must be hysterical–want I should drive you to the hospital?” He felt like he’d been waiting for this beer for hours.

“No! It’s not Lou….” He wandered over to sit on the couch as he waited for his mother to get to the point. “I… oh, God.” She broke off with a hissing breath.

“Ma? Ma! Are you all right? Tell me what’s going on? What’s the matter?” He found himself practically shouting. Carefully, he set the bottle on the coffee table before continuing in a lower tone. “Are you there? Please, Ma, just tell me what’s wrong.”

“Nicky…” his mother’s voice quavered, eluding her control. “Nicky, it’s your brother….”

There was an icy lump in his belly that had nothing to do with the beer he’d just drunk. All he could think was I told you so. He’d warned him about the job. It was turning David into an old man; now it looked–

“How bad?”

“I’m not sure. The doctors think he’s going to live. They… ah… removed the bullets and he’s out of the coma now.”

“Coma? Wait a minute, when did this happen?”

“The day before yesterday; Ken said they wanted to wait ’til they knew something definite before they called us.”

“Sure.” Of course. Hutchinson interfering as usual. Where was he when David was getting shot?

“I’ve gotten us reservations on a flight tonight.” Her voice was calm now; having shared the news she seemed eager to deal with arrangements. “It leaves at ten. You should pack to stay for at least a week. Ken said he’d pick us up at the airport. We should probably–”

“Wait a minute,” he cut her off. “I don’t think I’m going.”

“Not going! Of course you’re going. Your brother’s been shot and you’ll come with me to see him.”

“You said yourself he’s going to be all right. You don’t need me to come along.” David’s never really needed me for anything. “I told you I’ve got this deal going; I can’t leave now.”

“I can’t believe this. I need you with me. Can’t your business wait?”

“No it can’t. Look, you’ll have Hutchinson there to take care of everything. Just don’t let him push you around.” Arrogant son-of-a-bitch. Thinks he’s more family than we are.

“Push me around? What are you talking about? Ken’s just being helpful. He cares so much about Davey. If you won’t go for my sake, go for your brother’s sake,” she pleaded. “He’ll need you there.”

“I’ll send a card.”

He yanked the receiver away from his ear as his mother slammed down the phone. Ah, shit. He leaned his forehead tiredly against the earpiece, listening to the hum of the dial tone. David, why the hell don’t you take better care of yourself? I’ve got better things to do than to be worrying about you. He hung up the phone as the dial tone turned into an obnoxious beeping.

I just can’t take the time to fly out there now. Anyway, Ma says you’re going to be fine; there’s really no need to go. And besides, you’ve got your partner–he made it pretty clear you didn’t have much use for me. Doesn’t seem like you’ve ever really needed me.

He rose to get a fresh beer. “I’m sorry, David, this time I just can’t be there for you.”