We Gather Together

134

Starsky and Hutch have Thanksgiving dinner with the Dobey family.

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It was a damn fine feast, Hutch thought as he surveyed the smiling faces of his dining companions. It was a perfect Thanksgiving dinner, celebrated with friends whom he considered as dear as his family back home in Duluth. Perhaps even more so.

Captain Dobey had led the opening blessing as they gathered around the table.

Thank you, Lord, for the food we are about to eat. Bless those who are here and those who are in our hearts, and especially all those who are not as fortunate on this day. Amen.

Amen.

The turkey was perfectly dressed, the sweet potato casserole was divine, and the cranberry relish boasted the perfect balance of sweet and tangy.

“So what’s for dessert?” Starsky eyed the Tupperware containers stacked high on the buffet, wondering what types of home-baked pies and pastries were tucked inside them.

“Starsk, we haven’t even finished dinner yet.” Hutch rolled his eyes. He knew he shouldn’t be surprised by anything Starsky said, having long since gotten used to his partner’s sometimes indecorous gluttony.

“Geez, I was just askin’.” Starsky turned his gaze toward Edith. “Dinner was terrific, Edith. As always.”

“Thank you, Dave.” Edith beamed at her guest. “The quicker we can get the table cleared, the sooner we can have dessert.”

Hutch knew that was their cue. He stood up and grabbed the cloth napkin out of Starsky’s hand, dropping it indecorously on the table. “We’re up, Gordo.”

“Cal, help your uncles clean the table,” Dobey instructed his teenage son. Cal sprung to his feet and began collecting the emptied plates.

With everyone pitching in, the table was soon cleared of used dishes, errant crumbs were brushed away, and the table was set for dessert and coffee. Rosie carefully set down the fine china creamer and sugar bowl as Starsky grabbed the Tupperwares and carried them to the table.

“Dave, will you please put those on the silver tray?” Edith pointed toward a large shiny platter that was leaning against the inside of the china cabinet.

Starsky lifted out the tray, careful not to knock over the cut crystal bowl that was placed in front of it, and arranged the assortment of baked goods, pausing every so often to eat a stray walnut, a bit of pie crust, or a random tasty morsel.

As Hutch glared at his partner, he thought he could see just the slightest smirk on Starsky’s lips. Hutch smacked the morsel out of Starsky’s hand.

“Hey, what didja do that for?”

“Starsk, you’re worse than a child. Even Rosie hasn’t sneaked a bite of dessert yet.”

Rosie giggled. “Yes, I have, Uncle Ken.”

“See what you did, Starsk? You’re a bad influence on the child.”

“I try my best.” Starsky smirked again. “But you love me anyway, right?”

“Against my better judgment.” Hutch smiled as he leaned over and gave his partner a quick kiss on the lips.

After admiring the apple pie, Starsky picked up a light brown dessert square and brought it up to his nose. “Is that pumpkin pie spice I smell?”

“Yes, it is,” answered their hostess. “Those are pumpkin blondies. Do you like blondies, Dave?”

“Oh, I like them very much.”

“Have you had pumpkin blondies before?”

“No, I haven’t, but I’ve partaken of regular blondies many times. Blondies are my favorite,” Starsky snickered. Hutch kicked his partner’s ankle under the table.

“I also made walnut brownies. Here… have one.”

“Don’t mind if I do. Oh, Edith, did you know Hutch loves brownies?”

Hutch kicked him again.

“Does he? I would have figured you as the chocolate lover, Dave.”

Starsky leaned over and spoke close to Edith’s ear. “I’ll tell you something, Edith. Hutch really loves brownies. But Cap’n Dobey… he’s a real dark chocolate lover. Right Cap?”

Hutch groaned. “Starsk!” he uttered between gritted teeth.

“It’s okay, Hutchinson. Starsky’s right. I do love me some rich, deep chocolate.” The Captain looked at his wife and giggled.

Cal stared at the three men with jaw-dropping awe. “Dad!”

“What’s wrong, dear?” Edith was evidently flummoxed by Cal’s demeanor.

Captain Dobey looked at his two detectives as the three of them burst into gleeful laughter.

“Mama, do you know what’s so funny?”

“No, Rosie, I don’t, but I have a feeling it’s not appropriate for young ears.”

Now it was Rosie’s turn to be perplexed as she scrunched up her nose. “Uncle Dave, do you like other desserts besides blondies?”

“He also loves blintzes,” Hutch chirped merrily.

“And vanilla pudding. Isn’t that right, Starsky?” Dobey asked, trying to keep a straight face.

The three men burst into laughter again as Edith’s face suddenly lit up with understanding. “Boys! What AM I going to do with you? And that goes for you too, Harold!”

“Will someone pleeease tell me what’s going on?” Rosie asked between mouthfuls of brownie. She looked around at her father, her brother, her uncles, and finally at her mother.

“Never mind that, baby girl. Your father and uncles are just playing a silly game.”

“Can I play?”

Cal shook his head in a look of disapproval and rolled his eyes as his mother joined the three men in roaring laughter. “Rosie, I think you and me are the only ones who haven’t gone crazy.”

The grownups laughed again. Captain Dobey filled his plate with a second helping of dessert. Hutch poured a cup of coffee for his partner and stirred in two sugar cubes as Starsky cut a slice of pie for Rosie, placing it on her plate next to her other desserts.

“Hey, wanna hear a Thanksgiving joke, Rosie?”

“Yes, Uncle Dave! I love jokes.”

“Okay. Here goes. If April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring?”

Rosie thought for a moment. “I don’t know. What do May flowers bring?”

“Pilgrims!”

Hutch smiled as Rosie giggled at Starsky’s joke. It was a joke Hutch remembered from his childhood in Duluth, and he guessed Starsky remembered it fondly from his own childhood. Wasn’t it wonderful that he and Starsky could pass it onto Rosie? Perhaps one day, he thought, she’ll pass it onto her own kids. Or maybe he and Starsky would have the honor.

Outside, a dog barked under a clear blue sky. The chimes of the grandfather clock in the foyer rang out brightly, announcing the hour with an air of formal importance. Hutch helped himself to a forkful of his partner’s apple pie. Starsky rested his hand on Hutch’s knee as he told Rosie another joke.