(This one is for Thanksgiving)
The Dobey's had invited Hutch and me over for Thanksgiving dinner.
We had originally planned on flying to Hutch's parents in Duluth for the long holiday weekend but my getting shot had changed all that.
This will be the first real outing other than to and from the constant Doctor's visits since I had come home from the hospital and I was really looking forward to it, and I wanted Hutch to have a carefree day aside from taking care of me constantly.
"Hey, Hutch said to me, "If we're going to the Captain's you are gonna
have to tear yourself away from "Godzilla".
"We're expected at his house in a couple of hours."
My partner glanced at the screen and shook his head.
"I have got to be the only one in this city that has a partner that would rather watch "Godzilla VS Rodan" for the 100th time then any of the BOWL games that are on".
"Yup, I said, How did you get so lucky?"
He just shook his head some more.
But I got the hint and switched off the TV.
I started to get up off the couch when the movement sent a stabbing pain shooting through my stomach and a moan and a cry escaped me before I could stop it.
Hutch was beside me in an instant.
Damn, it still hurts awful sometimes just trying to do something as
simple as getting up off the couch.
Hutch could see my face and he reached out to me and helped me up from the couch the rest of the way, holding on to me until he was sure I was steady enough to be on my own. Only then would he let me go.
"Buddy, Are you ok?'"
I just nodded my head and we stood there, me trying to pretend I was just fine.....and him desperately wanting me to be...........God, what a pair.
Finally the spasm passed and I was able to take my shower with minimal help from Hutch.
Even taking a shower tired me out these days and Hutch, God bless him.......knew that because he had already laid out my clothers for me and we went through the ritual that was by now all too familiar with me, he helped me on with my clothes.
I hated this, but I still needed the help.
I couldn't reach down to tie my own shoes.
He bent down to tie them for me.
I couldn't remember the last time we had both dressed up like this.
Hutch in a tan jacket, white turtleneck sweater and khaki pants...........he looked like he could run for President.
On the other hand, I knew what I looked like, I'd lost a tremendous amount of weight from the shooting and the subsequent hospital stay.
I chose a navy blue blazer and a light blue shirt and tan pants. The pants just hung on me and if it weren't for the belt holding my pants up, I probably would have "Mooned" everybody the first time that I stood up.
I knew that I looked like a "Bag of Bones".
But still I said, "Hey, Hutch, do I look ok?'
I stepped back for my "Hutch Inspection".............he's never trusted me to know what goes with what...........He was looking at me and he closed his eyes and shook his head and he spoke almost in a whisper.
"My God, Starsk, what would I have done if you hadn't made it?."
"I can't imagine ever smiling again without you here with me".
Hey, I said, but I did make it and thats why today is so special for us, we truly can count our blessings this year.
"Hey, and I put my hand on his shoulder, I really am gonna be ok, you know that".
He said, "Yea, Starsk, I do, but it was so close to being all over for me..............
Enough of this I thought.
"Come on Blondie, let's go".
He grabbed my leather jacket and put it under one arm and we headed out the door to the car.
I said, "What's the jacket for?" "It's not cold outside."
"No, it's not cold right now but when the sun goes down it might and I'm not taking any chances on you catching cold".
He's my ever present nurse, protector, partner, comforter and best friend and without that constant care and love from him I'd have never seen this Thanksgiving day, less long be well enough to enjoy it.
I had so much to be thankful for, especially for having "Blondie" love me like he does.
We had a great dinner at the Captain's, a feast fit for a King.
And sweet little Rosie made sure all the food was always within my reach and when something wasn't she made her Mom and Dad bring it to me.....
She told Hutch that this was her house and she was going to take care of Uncle Starsky, Hutch just smiled.
She waited on me hand and foot.
When we all got up from the dining room table she told Hutch, "I'll help Uncle Starsky".
My partner just stood back and watched.
We all sat in the living room for a while eating slices of homemade apple and pumpkin pies.
Hutch only played nurse once that whole evening. He had seen me wince from the pain when I got up to use the Little Boy's Room and he was waiting for me with a glass of water and two of my pills.
"I really do think you should take these, Babe, it's been quite a while since the last ones."
By this time I needed to take something and I was grateful that he had thought to bring the pills along.
Seems he is always thinking about me............what I need.
Lucky me.
It was Hutch who decided it was time for us to head on home knowing I had
been out probably longer than I should and he wanted to get me back home.
But................I had other ideas.
"Starsky, you doing ok there, Buddy?"
I said, "Yea, getting sort of tired but I'm really fine, so fine in fact, I was just thinking...
Hutch? "Can we go look at the lights..........they turn on the Christmas lights for the whole city tonight.........Pleeesse?"
"I don't know , Starsk, you've been up a long time already today and you know what the Doctor's said about you over doing it."
Aww, I could see I'd have to use some desperate measures.
I sank further down into the seat of the car and put on my best "Sad, pouting face."
Hutch looked over at me and just shook his head.
I knew by the look on my partner's face that it worked.
It really wasn't fair because ever since I've been sick he hasn't refused me anything that I have wanted to do, big or small.
He turned the car around at the next intersection and headed out of town.
"Hey, I said, Where are we going?"
"The city's that way, and I pointed in the opposite direction that we were heading."
He wouldn't answer me, just kept right on driving and then I realized we were heading up into the Hollywood Hills.
In my best, "Little Boy Lost" voice I said, "Hey, I thought we were gonna go see the lights?"
"Be patient, Gordo, be patient", and thats all he said and we drove for a few more minutes and then I knew exactly where we were headed.
He put the car in park, turned off the engine and got out and came over to my side of the car.
He helped me out of the car, one hand gently around my back and the other under my elbow.
When I had straightened up he reached behind me into the back seat of the car and took out my jacket.
"Here, put this on if you want to see the lights."
He helped me on with my jacket and zipped it up, and said to me, "Leave it zipped up Starsk, the airs cold up here."
He was going into "Protector mode" and there's no stopping him then.
"Kay", I said, and I wouldn't tell him but the jacket was a good idea, it was getting chilly and I got cold so easily these days.
From where we were sitting the City of Angels was just coming alive with millions of twinkling Christmas lights.
They were coming on all over the city and lighting up the sky ushering in the beginning of the Holidays.
..............................................................................
...............
And God looked down and he saw two of his children sitting on a hilltop side by side, their arms around each other, the dark curly haired one leaning his head on the shoulder of the blonde haired one.
One was Starsky's Angel and the other one was Hutch's Miracle.
Both of his children were saying their own prayer of thanks................
to a kind and merciful God.
Love Linda
continued...