“Kenny,
hurry up honey, we need to be going. Come
on, your dad is waiting in the car and you know how he hates to wait.”
Ten-year-old Kenneth Hutchinson ran down the stairs with
his GI Joe in hand. “I’m ready mom.”
“Kenny, put GI Joe back, he’ll have to stay home for this
trip.”
“But mom…”
“Kenny! Don’t talk
back! Put him in your room and lets get
going. There will be other children
there for you to play with.”
The sullen little Hutchinson put his head down and took Mr.
Joe back up to his bedroom. “Guess I’ll
see ya when I get back Joe. Mom says
you have to stay home…wish I could stay with you. I don’t want to go to this stupid resort anyway…won’t know what
to do with myself. Mom and dad say
there will be other kids there for me to play with…yeah right. As if they’ll let me ‘play’! See ya Joe.”
---
“Davey! Oh honey,
it’s so good to see you! I’m so glad
your ma and pa are letting you come with me!”
After a near bone crushing hug from Aunt Rosie, ten year
old David Starsky caught his breath and said, “me too Aunt Rosie! Thanks for taking me. Will there be other kids there?”
“Of course dear, your favorite aunt wouldn’t take you to
some prison camp where you had to hang around with your old aunt Rosie, Bertha
and Phoebe now would she?”
“Did you really win this trip? Daddy said you’re a lucky lady.”
“I am lucky Davey, I get to take you along with me! Have all your ‘stuff’?”
“Yeah!” Little
David started to unpack his duffle bag to show his aunt which of his favorite
toys he brought with him. “Look Aunt
Rosie! Daddy got me this new GI
Joe. Isn’t he cool? And look at this one…”
“Whoa…why don’t you show them all to me when we get to the
resort? I think GI Joe is going to need
a nap right now, cause once you get him out…well, ready Davey?”
The young Starsky ran into the kitchen to give his mother
and father one last hug and kiss, thanking his dad once again for his new toy.
“Ready Aunt Rosie!”
---
Heading to Dawson’s Resort near Lake Michigan, the young Hutchinson sat in the backseat of the new car in silence. Hutch watched the scenery pass him by, wishing he were anywhere but headed for another vacation with his parents. He stared out of the window until he fell asleep and only woke when they arrived at the airport.
“Kenny, wake up, we’re at the airport dear. Are you okay honey? You’re awfully quiet.” Mrs. Hutchinson sometimes worried about her son who seemed to sleep way too much for a ten-year-old boy.
Hutch wiped at his eyes and followed his instructions to get out of the car and help with the luggage. Once on the plane, Hutch sat quietly, bored, eventually falling asleep once again.
---
“Aunt Rosie! Look!” The young man with the dark curls became fascinated with the smallest of things, pointing out every thing he thought would be of interest to his aunt, taking delight in her every praise. He was thrilled that they took the train from his hometown in New York to the resort where his aunt had won the trip.
“I think you must be related to a cat David, you’re the most curious little boy.” Aunt Rosie ruffled her nephew’s curls.
“Aunt Rosie… people and cats can’t be related…but it’s a neat idea.”
“Well, how about I tell you a story?”
“Yeah! Please…please….”
The little Starsky was soon asleep, his head resting in his aunt’s lap. Rosie marveled at the little boy she was so proud to call her nephew. She silently wished she had a little boy just like David, of her own. She covered her little joy and she too was soon lulled to sleep by the slightly bumpy rhythm of the train.
---
“Kenny. Kenny…come on honey, wake up, we’re here.” Mrs. Hutchinson got out of the car and joined her husband who had already met up with friends. Hutch knew he probably wouldn’t be missed and went back to sleep. He was dreaming of Mr. Joe who had to stay home, when he was pulled up and out of the car by a strong arm. He didn’t have to look to know it was his father.
“Kenneth! I paid a lot of money for this trip; you could at least wake up and enjoy it! Now get out that car and help your mother unpack!”
Hutch was still groggy and didn’t move fast enough for the elder Hutchinson. He was roughly pulled from the car and shoved toward the rented cottage, catching himself before he fell totally to the ground, knowing what would happen if he got dirt on his new ‘show and tell’ outfit.
“Kenneth!”
‘I…I’m going dad.”
---
“Look Aunt Rosie! Is that really all ours?” David looked wide-eyed at the cottage. “Hey, there’s a playground! And a lake! And….”
“Davey, Davey, Davey… Yes, this is our cottage…well, your cottage. Is it okay if I stay with you Mr. Starsky?”
David giggled. “Aunt Rosie…”
“Looks like we have neighbors Davey. That little boy looks to be about your age.”
Starsky stopped and looked at the cottage next to theirs, his eyes drawn to the fair-haired boy sitting on the top step of the porch and leaning against the railing. The boy didn’t look happy. Didn’t smile, say hi…didn’t even seem to notice his new neighbors.
“Davey?”
“Yeah Aunt Rosie, coming.” Yet he stood in place looking at the sullen blond.
“Come on Davey, it’s not nice to stare. Lets unpack okay?”
“Aunt Rosie…why do you think that boy looks so sad? He’s just sitting there. There’s a whole playground full of kids…why isn’t he playing with them?”
“I don’t know David. Maybe later you can go and say hello to him?”
“Okay!” Starsky turned to help his aunt carry their luggage up the steps and into their own cottage, glancing once more at the boy next door who still had not moved.
---
The next morning, David woke to the smell of bacon and pancakes, one of his favorites. “Morning Aunt Rosie…” he yawned and rubbed at his eyes.
“Morning Davey…sleep well?”
“Um-hmm.”
“Want some breakfast? Made your favorite.”
The young Starsky ate everything on his plate and then some, got dressed and went outside to check out the territory. He walked through the playground, which was still pretty empty, and then down along the lake. As the day went on he met many of the other children and almost forgot about lunch. He was too busy with his new friends. They were going to be at the resort for three weeks and he was glad to have made friends in the first couple of days.
The next day Starsky and some of his new buddy’s were swinging from a rope tied to a tree and then letting themselves fall into the creek below. When he was crawling out of the water he once again saw the blond boy standing at a distance, just watching everyone else having fun.
“Hey!” Starsky yelled to his quiet neighbor. His pace grew as the blond turned and walked away.
Hutch knew he was being followed and just wanted to hide. His pace fastened.
“Hey! You! Stop! What’s your name?” Starsky was determined and felt sorry for the boy who seemed very lonely.
Hutch stopped and turned toward the boy who was trailing him. “I…I…have to…have to go home. Did…didn’t mean t...to stare.” He turned away in embarrassment, hating himself for the stuttering he could not control, especially when he got nervous.
“Blondie! Don’t run away. Why don’t you come down to the creek and join us?”
“Can’t…” He kept walking.
“Why not? It’s fun…we, we can be friends.”
Hutch froze in his tracks.
“You okay?” The curls finally caught up with his goal. “Something wrong?”
“Friends?” Hutch turned toward the friendly boy. His tongue seemed twisted as he searched for something more to say.
“Yeah…friends. You know…like hanging out together. Sharing secrets. Playing games. Friends.” Starsky searched the blonds face unsure of what he was waiting for, but from day one, he knew he wanted to be friends with his temporary neighbor.
Hutch turned away from Starsky and started to run. He didn’t get far before he was tackled.
“Hey!” Hutch got up, brushed himself off and looked at his trousers, which now had a grass stain on each knee. He went pale.
“You’re shaking…what the matter?”
‘Noth…nothing…I…I have to…have to go. I’ll see ya later…” This time Hutch ran as fast as he could, dropping his book along the way. He liked the curly haired boy and wished he could have a friend like him. He seemed so nice and there was something special about him.
(Oh my God! I can’t let mom or my dad see this. He’ll kill me!) Hutch found himself silently crying, knowing the consequences he would soon have to pay. He wanted to run, but he knew he would be caught and only be in more trouble. All too soon, he found himself on the porch of the cottage, a trembling hand opening the door. He crept quickly and silently to his bedroom, where he stayed for the rest of the day.
---
The sun was going down and Starsky headed back to the cottage, anxious to see his aunt. His attention was drawn to the cries and screams coming from the cottage next door. What he saw made his knees feel like jello. He froze, not knowing what to do…not knowing what he could do. Tears came to his eyes for the blond he was determined to become friends with. Now he knew why he was so quiet. Through the back window of the Hutchinson cottage, Starsky saw a large blond man, who looked a lot like his friend, bringing down a belt on his new friend, again and again. He wanted to look away but couldn’t… he wanted to cover his ears, but couldn’t. His own heart ached and he felt each lash as if it was hitting his own body. He instantly hated the large blond man. He wanted to help, but the sounds kept him frozen in place.
“Daddy! Please stop!” Hutch cried between lashes. “I’m sorry…I…I…did…didn’t mean to do it. I…I…fell. Please…I’ve…I’ve had enou...enough.”
“Kenneth, when will you ever learn? Words don’t seem to mean too much to you. This is the only thing that seems to get through to you!” The belt cracked down again. “And no dinner for you either. I want you to get into bed and think about what you’ve done! When I think you’re sorry enough and mean it, maybe you can go outside again, but you better be more careful!” The lashing ceased and the larger blond left the room, shutting the door and locking it behind him.
Starsky watched in horror, despising the man who hurt his friend so violently. He watched through the window as Hutch tried to pull himself up, holding onto the bottom wooden frame of the bed. He was having noticeable trouble getting up and staying standing. He finally reached his bed, throwing himself onto it. Starsky couldn’t stop watching as his new friend curled up into a ball and continued to cry.
“Davey? Dinner’s ready, you hungry?”
“Comin Aunt Rosie…be there in a minute.” Starsky said so soft he wasn’t’ sure if his aunt even heard him. He walked up to Hutch’s window, wanting to help, to comfort, to do something. He’d have to wait til tomorrow.
---
The next morning Starsky went looking for his new friend. He found him down near the creek where the other boys had been playing the day before. The blond pulled at blades of grass, intermittently looking up, pushing his thick glassed up on his nose.
“Hey…are you okay blondie?”
“Kenny…Kenny Hutchinson.”
“Huh?”
“It’s my name. You can call me whatever you want.”
“Kenny… how’s your back?”
Hutch moved away from Starsky as he saw that he was reaching for near his shirt. “I’m fine…why are you asking about my back? I…I’m f…f…fine.”
“It’s okay Kenny, you don’t have to be afraid of me. We’re friends remember?” Starsky said softly, hoping to lift the sad boys spirits.
“I…I’m not afraid. Why don’t you go and play? I see some of your friends have come out.”
“They’re not really friends. Just kids I met here. Just something to do. Why don’t you join us?”
“I can’t…I..” Hutch looked away. “Just go…”
“Listen, I saw what your dad did to you last night. What did you do to make him so mad?”
‘I…I…got grass stains on my pants. It...it was an accident…I…I fell…but…but… Oh, it doesn’t mat...matter anyway!” Hutch threw the handful of grass he had accumulated.
Starsky moved closer to his friend and this time when he reached for Hutch’s shirt, Hutch didn’t pull away. “God…Kenny, you didn’t deserve this. Listen, come with me will you?”
“I said I…I’m fine! Go with your friends.” Hutch turned away, but not before Starsky saw the desperation and moisture in his friends eyes.
“C’mon…you’re coming with me.”
Hutch took the hand offered to him and let himself be led by the nice kid with the curls. “Where…where we going?”
“You’ll see. I want you to meet my Aunt Rosie.”
“NO! Don’t tell her about this….”
“David…David Starsky. Now c’mon! No arguments.”
David took Hutch into his cottage. He introduced Hutch to his aunt and told her that Hutch had fallen and scraped his back badly. He knew she would know what to do.
“Kenny, how did you fall honey?”
“I…I slipped on some…some rocks.”
Rosie saw the “please don’t ask” expression on her nephew’s face and would let the questioning go this time. She knew somehow that the blond did not fall. She retrieved antibiotic cream and applied it liberally to the openings on Hutch’s back. She then gave him one of Starsky’s t-shirts to wear under his own so the cream would not soil his new shirt.
“Kenny, I’ve made some homemade chocolate chip cookies. How about you and Davey share them with a tall glass of milk?”
“I…I shouldn’t ma’am, but thank you anyway. They smell good.”
Rosie ran her gentle hand through the fine light hair. “Listen Kenny, I don’t know what happened to your back, but I know you didn’t fall. I won’t tell your parents if you have some cookies. Go ahead…it’s okay, really.”
Hutch looked up at the kind woman and managed a small smile, taking one of the still hot cookies. It was good…so good.
“See Kenny, didn’t I tell you she was a great lady?”
“Yeah, sure did David. Thanks.”
“For what?”
“For being my friend. I never really had a friend before. Not like you anyway. Most of the other kids make fun of me because of my glasses…call me names… You never did that. You’re a good friend David. I wish I had an aunt like Rosie, she’s so nice.”
“Hey, you’re not stuttering Kenny!”
Hutch smiled. “Only gets bad when I get nervous. I like it here…with your aunt…and mostly with you. Can we stay friends? I could write to you…and maybe someday…someday we could get to see each other again?”
“Definitely. You don’t think I brought you this far to let you go do ya? Friends for life okay?” Starsky stood and embraced his new and best friend.
Hutch was not used to any type of affection and even though his instincts told him to pull back, he didn’t. “What…what was that for?”
“Cause we’re friends. Best friends.. It’s okay for best friends to give each other a hug.”
Hutch stared at his amazing friend. “Okay.” He reached out and gave Starsky a hug in return. The bond was sealed. Friends forever.
“Hey…Kenny, I’ll show you my toys. C’mon!”
Starsky dug out every toy he could find. They were having a good time, laughing when Hutch noticed Starsky GI Joe.
“You have a GI Joe?” Hutch began to play with Joe, having such a good time with Starsky that he forgot about his father and his life. For the moment he was happy, and it didn’t go unnoticed by Starsky.
---
The three weeks had gone by quickly…too quickly. Starsky and Hutch promised to write and stay in touch. It was a promise that would be kept, neither knowing at the time that their paths would cross again where no more goodbyes would need to be said.
“I have to go David. I’m so glad I met you. Thank you for everything.” Hutch smiled.
“Don’t worry, we’ll be in touch soon. Hey, I almost forgot. Here, this is for you.” Starsky handed Hutch a brown paper bag.
“Starsky? I can’t take this.”
“Yes, you can and you will. He’ll keep you company on the way home. When you take him out to play with, think of me okay?”
Both with tears in their eyes, they hugged for long moments. They were both going home with something special they did not have when they arrived at the resort...each other… And it was only the beginning….
END