Perspective
By: Linda H.
Dedicated to: Linda Cole
(Thanks to Paula)
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We all have days when nothing seems to go our way. Lately I seem to have more than most. Bad days that is. And I can't even think of what in particular is buggin' me, or
what I can do to make myself feel better.
I know Blondie is staring at me now. He gets this worried look to those blue eyes
of his. Well, let him look. I ain't talkin this time. I'll just keep typing up these dumb reports
for Dobey. Damn, made another
mistake. I rip the paper out of the
machine, crunch it into a ball, and pitch it towards the wastebasket. Hey guess what? I miss. No surprise, told
ya nothing was workin' out right for me.
Hutch reaches over, picks it up, and deposits it neatly inside the can.
When Bellamy poisoned me, I remember tellin' Hutch that some
people say the glass is half-full, others say it's half-empty. Sorta been feelin' like that damn glass is
bone dry.
I have to get out of the squadroom. The walls are closin' in on me, and it's gettin'
hard to breathe. I grab my leather
jacket and start headin' for the door.
Hutch is at my heels. I'm glad,
cause I really don't feel like being alone.
Finally I get to the Torino. I look over at Hutch, he grins and jumps in. We take off, to nowhere in particular. I just need to drive, FAST. I put my sunglasses
on, roll down the windows, and crank up the radio.
Anyway, I drive to this lake. Nobody is around. We
both get out and walk over to a bench.
We sit there for a bit, and then I start to feel sort of woozy, like I
am gonna pass out or somethin.
I lean against my partner's strong shoulders. Hutch is real good to lean on y'know. He asks me if I want to lay down, think he
can tell I feel sort of strange. Just
like I could tell if he wasn't feelin okay.
We always could read each other like that.
I nod my head yes, and stretch out on the bench.
"Where's it hurt, Starsk?" Hutch asks me in almost
a whisper.
"My head, Hutch."
I almost confess my heart does too.
He takes his fingers and starts to gently massage my
temples. I look over toward thewater.
It's so tranquil, and so I shut my eyes, and try to relax. I remember thinkin'
that Hutch's cologne sure smells good.
He runs his fingers through my hair.
We both are very tactile people, makes us feel better to touch like that.
I guess I fell asleep.
Hutch does this to me on purpose.
I swear he does. Like, he puts
me in a trance, and the next thing I know, I'm down for the count. Probably he can tell I ain't been sleepin so
well at night.
I snap my eyes open, and I sit up real quickly, all
apologetic. What a dope I am. Dobey must be pissed, wondering where the
heck we are. Poor Hutch's back is
probably killin' him from sittin' on the hard bench all this time. I just hang my head. Which by the way, does feel better.
Hutch asks me if I want to head home. I get up and walk over toward the car. I don't feel like drivin', not sure why, but
I toss the keys over to my partner. He
looks surprised. I just shrug and get
into the passenger seat. Hutch starts
the car, and backs it up nice and slow.
We start drivin' this time with the windows closed and radio
off. It feels real nice, sorta cozy
this way. Funny how earlier I wanted
the breeze in my face, the music screaming in my head, but now I feel at peace,
almost numb, but in a good way. I want
to stay in my car, near Hutch and just drift off.
Hutch asks me if I feel better. I tell him yeah, I do feel better. And thanks for being my pal.
I know that sounds corny, but he just nods. Blintz understands me like
nobody else ever has. So then it hits
me, how lucky I am to have Hutch. And
then another thought. Maybe the glass
ain't half-empty after all.
Finis