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My Friend

by

Kathy Kellenberger

 

   It was a nice day, sunny and warm, the kind of day that Starsky loved to go to the beach or hang out at the park.

   Hey, Hutch...I'll race you to the car.

   That was just the other day. Starsky did beat me to the car. I left him win just to make him feel good. Hutch smiled sadly to himself.

   He parked the Torino at the curb. The walk up to the tent seemed a million miles away, but so close it could have been inside of him.

   Come on blondie, you can do better than that...you gonna let me win again?

   They had the day off and as usual they were spending it together. It turned out to be one of the best days they had together in a long time. No work today, both were in a great mood, no recent relationship breakups to bring them down....it was the perfect day. Sunny and warm...just the way Starsky liked it.

   Okay Hutch, what do you want to do today? Your turn to buy me lunch remember?

   Yeah, yeah, yeah....guess I don't have to ask where we're going do I? You know Starsk, your eating habits are gonna be the end of us both.

   Hutch indulged Starsky by taking him to the best burrito stand in town. Starsky loved it...it was new and he had never tried this one before.

   How'd you find this Hutch! You're the best ya know.

   Starsky was overjoyed. It didn't take much to make the little boy happiness in his partner surface. Starsky must have eaten four of the darn burrito's.

   Hey, next time we can go to one of your favorite places. I might not be able to eat all that garden stuff, but I'll keep you company.

   The rest of the day went just as well. For once they didn't feel stressed. They went to the beach, relaxed, talked, and reminisced. They didn't talk about work at all, not even once. This was their day.

   Come on in Hutch, the water is great! Its warm, just the way you like it. Come on...get in here Starsky urged his partner.

   Hutch joined him in the clear blue water and they dove into the waves like little kids. It was really refreshing.

   I guess you want to build a sand castle when we get out too huh?

   Sure, now that you mention it, I haven't done that in ages. Maybe instead of a castle, we could mold the sand into a Torino!

   Oh Starsk, only you.... (Hutch laughed). It would be easier to build my car in the sand

    It would be even better to bury your car in the sand Hutch. Starsky laughed.

   They got out of the water, but that was not enough play time for his partner. Hutch was attacked from behind and was wrestled to the ground. Another game. Starsky did love his games. They wrestled a lot, it was a good stress reliever and fun for them both. Sometimes Hutch would win. Sometimes Starsky would win. Today, they both got their chance to be the winner. Hutch was having just as much fun as his playful partner. They had to go back into the water to get all of the sand off of themselves. The water and wrestling tired them out and they spent about another two hours just laying on the beach, taking in the warm sun, enjoying life and without saying it, enjoying each others company....as usual...Me and Thee...best friends till the end.

   Hutch, I'm hungry again. Wanna go to Huggy's?

   Yeah, I could use a cold beer. You're turn to buy.

   Hutch stood outside of the Torino, holding on to the door handle. Others were gathering up near the tent. He wished that everyone would stop looking at him. He didn't want to be seen. He didn't want to be talked to.

    Hey Hutch, you ready? Why don't we go back to my place. You still owe me a game of Monopoly and there's a great horror flick on TV tonight. Why don't you stay over? The frig is stocked with beer. You're gonna need it for consolation after I whip your butt at Monopoly...(Starsky gave one of his devious smiles)

   The night was fun. Starsky did win the game...Hutch knew his partner had some method of cheating that he just had not figured out yet. The horror flick was just that..."horrible"...just the way Starsky liked them. Hutch tried to persuade his partner to watch the Clint Eastwood movie instead, but Starsky gave his best pouting face to Hutch. Its the eyes....he can always get me with those eyes...I'll show him someday...those eyes are not going to make me feel guilty every time... Although Hutch knew there was no way he was going to ever be able to escape the eyes that spoke to him in so many ways...Heck, Starsky didn't even have to talk, just look at me and I'm a gonner...(Hutch chuckled to himself).

   It was time to go. He had to make his way up the hill to join the others. It was almost time.

   Hutch... hey you gonna sleep all day...get up. I'm gonna run out for some donuts....what kind do you want?

   Starsky, how about we just make a good breakfast? Something healthy?

   You know I have to have my donuts....why don't you walk to the bakery with me?

   Okay, okay, okay....lets go...

   Little did Starsky or Hutch know that leaving Starsky's apartment would be the last memory they would have together in the warm comfortable walls of one of their homes.

   They walked around the lake at the park and then went on to get the donuts to feed his partner's donut addiction. Traffic was bad, the city was alive and in a hurry.

   Come on Hutch! I'll race you to the bakery. Starsky started to run, looking back to see if his partner was following. Their eyes met, their smiles disappeared, a feeling came over them both. Not a good feeling. The last feeling.

   Starsky took off to beat his partner to the bakery across the street.

   STARSKY!!!!!! LOOK OUT!!!!!! The last words to be spoken to his partner.

   Hutch ran to his partner who had been hit and throw by the racing car on the busy street. Starsky now lay in the middle of the street. Bloody. Broken. Dead.

   Hutch screamed in agony and grief. He tried CPR for a long time knowing that was not going to bring his partner back to him. It was too late. Blood was coming from Starsky's mouth and nose. His eyes were now closed. They would never again speak to Hutch. Hutch cradled his friend in his arms, rocking him slowly, crying into his curls. This just couldn't be happening. This couldn't be the way it would all end. Hutch felt his sanity slipping away from him. Life as he knew it and loved it was over.

   Hutch slowly made his way up the hill to the tent. He saw Mr.'s Starsky, dressed in black with a black scarf over her head. What could he say to her? She loved him to. It was her son laying in the casket under the tent.

   Hutch was there. Under the tent. He took a seat next to Starsky's mother. He was so lost. She took his hand and gently wiped away at the tears on her son's best friends face. He was numb.

   The service was long. Starsky was well liked and remembered by the LAPD and other friends. Hutch barely made it through the eulogy. He had to say something as his partner and friend, best friend. He didn't feel he could go on living and knew he would soon follow his partner, somehow, some way....

   This was the hardest think he ever had to do. Bury his friend.

   Hutch was only able to say a few words...all in attendance were in tears. They were crying for their lost friend and fellow officer, but also crying for Hutch, Starsky's best friend, his partner, his world. Hutch was assisted to sit down by Captain Dobey when he began to crumble.

   It was finally over. Most of the others left the site. Hutch needed to have some time to say good-bye. He was now alone with his friend.

   "I love you David Michael Starsky. I know you're at peace now and I thank God for that. You know I left you win all those Monopoly games don't you? (Hutch tried to smile...it was such a sad smile). Oh Starsk, I'd give anything to bring you back. I'd eat burrito's everyday...I'd never make another joke about your car...I'd laugh at your jokes... Oh buddy, I miss you so much. Where do I go from here? Wherever you were, that was home. Oh God Starsk. I love you. I know I didn't tell you that enough before, but you knew didn't you? I loved you with all of my heart and I always will."

   Hutch felt he would die on the spot and would have welcomed it. He leaned over and hugged the closed casket, placing a single red rose on top. It was hard to let go. The headstone that Hutch picked out for his friend would read:

DAVID MICHAEL STARSKY
BELOVED SON AND FRIEND
ME & THEE ALWAYS

   "Hutch? Hutch...come on...wake up buddy... you're having one hell of a nightmare! Come on...." Starsky slapped his face to get him out of the dream. "Hutch...its okay."

   Starsky had been with Hutch when he had nightmares before, but was having trouble getting him out of this one. He sat Hutch up on the couch and rested his partner back against himself, holding him tight. Hutch was drenched in sweat and sobbing in his sleep. He kept yelling "NO....No.....no....please no, I need you....please don't leave me...please....."

   Starsky shook him gently, he had to get him out of the torment he was in. Hutch did wake up, shaking, crying almost hysterical.

   "Its okay buddy, I've got ya"....

   "Starsky? Oh God....am I dreaming?

   "Not anymore...you were having one hell of a nightmare. Tell me about it Hutch...what happened?"

   "Oh Starsk....." Hutch just held on tight to his partner. He never wanted to let go. He held on and continued to cry and tremble.

   "Hey...come on...lets get you some fresh air. I was just gonna go and get some donuts, why don't you come with me?"

   "NO! Starsky, you can't have donuts...We're gonna have breakfast right here....I want to stay in today. Please stay with me...."

   "Okay, its okay....shhh. It'll be okay. We'll stay in...you gonna tell me about your dream?"

   "No...."

 

THE END