Cravings
Starsky sneaked a look toward the kitchen.
Hutch was busy making lunch.
He glanced toward the pill bottle just within reach.
His mind was telling him he needed another pill. His body was aching and he just needed another one, that way he could feel better, he rationalized.
Hutch would never miss it. He hadn't missed any of the others Starsky had sneaked.
Starsky's hand stretched toward the bottle.
He needed it, he craved it. He was ashamed of it but told himself, he would resist the next time.
A hand gently grabbed his right arm.
Starsky stopped as he looked up at Hutch who had somehow materialized beside him, with a grave look on his face.
"No, buddy," Hutch said softly.
"But I need it," Starsky was ashamed of the whine he heard in his voice.
"I keep count of the pills, Starsk," Hutch said softly.
Starsky lowered his head in shame.
A slight pressure on his right arm, made him look up. Hutch's face was a study in sympathy.
"I understand," Hutch said simply
Both of them fell silent for a moment, remembering a dirty disheveled Hutch in an alley, Starsky holding Hutch through the shaking throes of withdrawal in Huggy's upstairs room, Hutch sweeping away the contents of the top of the dresser in the same room and then slamming his fist on the door, while Starsky standing stalwart against it, not flinching when the fist came close to his head.
All due to unwanted addiction.
"Starsky," he heard Hutch's soft tone again.
Starsky lifted his head, shame and a bit of fear washing across his face.
"I understand," Hutch said once again, then, "We can get through this together."
Starsky and he locked eyes in agreement.
Brothers in unwanted addiction, united against it.
They would get through it like they had before.
Me and Thee once again.
Fini
Sally July 2012