He had already been moved on three times and now this kind looking detective was asking him if he had somewhere to go.
This was the first time in many years that anyone had genuinely paid any attention to his needs.
A silent tear rolled down his cheek.
"Hey pops" said the young man, who was looking at him tenderly. "It's okay we'll go down to the mission and see if they have anything for tonight eh?" It was soothing, as was the feeling of this man's hand on his shoulder. "What's your name?" He continued.
More interest and another tear rolled down.
He looked up to see kindness looking back at him and decided to be brave. He hadn't spoken a word to another living soul in months. There was no need. There was no one to listen but this young man, this detective would listen. So he began.
"Many years ago I was like you. Vibrant full of hope. I remember watching this place as it went up. How the locals protested at it's ugliness, all that concrete, steel and glass and yet I thought it was beautiful. I would rush to finish school so that I could run here to sit and gaze at it in wonder.
As I got older the magic of this place seemed to absorb me even more than when I was a small boy. I met my sweetheart here you know." he smiled absently, then continued "Her name was Hilda. This place will be forever known as Hilda's place to me." he gazed up at the curvature of the ceiling and smiled and took a deep breath in, as if savouring the moment and then continued " we were together a long time. Never married mind. We just used to sneak here and hang out, then I'd go back to my little home and she'd go, well I don't really know, but it didn't matter. We always had this place.
One day I sat her waiting, I waited and waited but Hilda never came. I couldn't contact her, I didn't know how. So I waited and I waited and I waited. Pretty soon I was moved on, but I couldn't go home. I walked around in a daze for many hours and eventually ended up on a park bench and spent the night. The next day I came back. I sat and I waited but she never came." he looked down, another sigh escaped him.
"I'm still waiting for her sonny. It's been a few years now but I'm sure she'll come. This building, with it's magic has seen a lot. This building knows where my Hilda is. I'm sure she'll come."
Just then the young detectives partner arrived. He had left to get the old man a coffee. "hey Starsk' we about ready to go?" He asked eagerly.
Starsky nodded. So that was the detectives name, thought Sonny. "Starsky" he said. Starsky responded with a smile. "Do you think she's coming? You ca answer me honestly boy."
Starsky shook his head, "No Sonny I don't think she's coming. This building is a building like any other. It doesn't have any answers for you. There's no magic here."
Hutch looked at Starsky and raised his eyebrows. He had no idea what this conversation was about but he knew Starsky would tell him later. At the moment all he could think of was getting this old man out of here so he could go home.
"Look Sonny, how'bout we go now?" he urged. "You got somewhere to go?" then looking at Starsky said, "We could get him down to the mission."
Starsky nodded silently He put his hand out to Sonny, "Come on, let's get out of here eh?"
The old man nodded. The young detective was right, there was nothing for him here anymore.
The end.