Chapter 3

Davey's Party

At Jennifer's request, the four of them had more discussions about her condition. She made it clear to Hutch, Starsky and Jeanne that she knew they would all have their good days and bad days and it was okay to show all the emotions they had. It helped her to express her own anxieties, fears, anger and everything else she was feeling. Huggy and Edith helped with the boys so they could talk without the boys being present.

Jennifer talked to Hutch about giving Starsky and Jeanne custody of Davey if anything ever happened to him. There had been several times during his career that Hutch had ended up hospitalized and it would make things easier if Starsky and Jeanne had written documents giving them custody during those times. Hutch thought it was a good idea and had a lawyer help him draw up the papers. Hutch made Starsky his Power of Attorney. So he could make medical decisions for him if need be. Starsky was Hutch's POA before he married Jennifer. It came in handy more than once.

Jennifer talked to Jeanne about Davey's upcoming birthday and couldn't decide what she wanted to do to make it special. She said a silent prayer one night, when Hutch was at work, before going to bed, "God, I know I'm going to be with you soon. Please let this birthday be special for Davey. It's the last one I'll get to see him have and he's so young. I'm going to miss them all so much. Thank you for giving me such a wonderful family. And I know you'll be watching over them when I'm gone."

Jennifer thought about hiring a clown, then a real cowboy, and various other themes came to their minds but nothing really appealed to her. Jeanne and Jennifer were watching the boys play in the park a week before Davey's birthday. They were taking turns going down the slide "I got it!" Jeanne said.

"I hope it's not contagious," Jennifer said.

"No. I mean I know exactly what to do for Davey's party. It'll be perfect."

She told Jennifer her idea and she loved it. "The guys are working late, but I'll tell Hutch when he gets in. He'll love it."

Jennifer was tired from being at the park and she had another bad headache but she wanted to be awake when Hutch came home. She was excited about the idea Jeanne came up with for Davey's party and wanted to tell him about it. She told him all about the idea after he took his shower. No matter how late he got home, he always took a shower. He told Jennifer it was his way of washing away some of the dirt and filth he saw on the streets. He was happy she was excited and he loved the party idea and agreed it would be perfect. He could tell that Jennifer was having another headache and handed her a glass of water along with one of the pills that were now being taken more frequently.

It was a beautiful day without a cloud in the sky the day of the party. "Dad, where are we going?" Davey asked as Hutch bent down and tied his shoe.

"You'll see, Son."

Davey looked at Jennifer hoping she would tell him but instead she said, "Someplace and guess who were going to see?"

"Who?" He asked excitedly.

"People," was her reply. She giggled seeing his anticipation.

By the time they drove to the little picnic spot in the mountains, Huggy and the Dobey's already had everything set up. There was a banner stretched between two trees that said Happy Birthday Davey in big red letters, a picnic table with brightly wrapped presents on it and another table full of foods including a cake. Davey got out of Starsky's van as soon as Hutch said he could. He ran to Huggy and hugged him. "Uncle Huggy, you came to my party."

"Of course I did, my little man. I wouldn't miss it." Huggy looked up and smiled at Jennifer.

Davey let go of Huggy and went to Dobey next, "Cheep, you came too? And Mrs. Edith, Cal and Rosie."

Hutch giggled when Davey mispronounced Chief. He could never quite say Chief and it always came out Cheep. Harold just smiled at Davey and ignored Hutch. "Of course we came, Davey, we're all family."

Davey turned around and ran back to his parents. "Starsky, Uncle Dave, Jeanne, Uncle Huggy, the Cheep, my whole family's here!" Davey called Kenny, Starsky and Kenny called Davey, Hutch. It was a little confusing at times to have the boys named after their father's partner and call each other Starsky and Hutch but everyone thought it was cute.

"Yes, Davey. We thought you would like a party with your family here. This is a family birthday party. How's that sound?" Jennifer said. Family was important and that's what she wanted to instill in her young son.

"I love it, Mommy. I love my family," Davey said smiling. "Look, Uncle Kiko and Aunt Molly are here too!"

Kiko and Molly pulled up just in time to help Starsky and Hutch unload the van. Kiko grinned, "It's still hard to believe you have a van, Starsky."

Starsky carried a bag to the table, "Yeah, well having a wife and kids changes everything." He saw the look he received from Jeanne and added, "For the better."

He grinned at his wife who said, "Nice save." She smiled and carried a box to the table.

Huggy started the grill while Jennifer took Davey on a short hike. This would be the last birthday party she would be with him and she wanted to be alone with him a little while. They talked about what they saw as they walked. Davey saw some bugs and looked up when he heard some birds.

She took him on a little path that went to an overlook and they sat down on a big rock and looked at the city below. "It looks so small, Mommy."

"Yeah it does. Do you like seeing all the trees here?"

"It's pretty, just like you."

Jennifer hugged him and said, "I love you, Davey. I want you to always remember that, okay?" Her heart was breaking and she had to choke back her tears.

"I know you love me, so does Daddy. I love you too." A yellow butterfly landed on his tiny hand and he lifted it up to show Jennifer. "Look, a yellow flutterby. That's your favorite." Davey couldn't quite say butterfly yet and it made Jennifer laugh.

"Yes, I love yellow butterflies," she said butterflies slowly so he could hear how it was supposed to be pronounced.

He was fascinated by the tiny creature that crawled on his hand and up his arm. "It tickles," he grinned.

They stayed and talked about the butterfly and the colors of leaves on the trees and other things they saw while they were just sitting there on the rocks. Jennifer wished the time would stand still, just for a little while longer. She wanted to remember this moment and she wanted him to remember it. She finally stood up and brushed off her pants and said, "Let's get back and see if your Uncle Huggy has the hot dogs ready." He held her hand as they walked back to the others.

When Davey saw his dad he let go of Jennifer's hand and said, "We saw a yellow flutterby, Daddy. It walked on my arm."

Hutch smiled, "You did."

"Uh uh, and we saw trees."

"Well how about seeing these hot dogs disappear," Huggy said as he set down the plate of perfectly grilled hot dogs on the picnic table next to the other food that had been prepared. Edith made potato salad and baked beans, Kiko and Molly brought chips and punch with ice cream, Starsky and Jeanne brought deviled eggs, fried chicken, macaroni salad. And there was the cake. Huggy made the cake and would not allow anyone near it. He smacked Starsky's hand when he tried to take a peek.

While the others were finishing up, Hutch noticed Jennifer closed her eyes and gritted her teeth. He put his arm around her and whispered, "You okay?"

She nodded. "It's just another headache. I'll be fine and before you ask, I don't want another pill. It will make me sleepy. I'll take one when we get home if it doesn't get better."

Davey stood up so he could see the cake when it was set in front of him. His mouth gaped opened. "I love it." On the cake was a picture of Jennifer, Hutch, Starsky, Jeanne, Kenny and Davey. They were all smiling and looked very happy.

Jennifer stood up and walked over to Huggy and said, "It's perfect, Huggy, thank you."

"Anything for my family. This party was a good idea," Huggy said.

After cake and ice cream, it was time for Davey to open his presents. Kenny gave Davey an 8x10 photograph of Davey and Kenny to put on his wall in his room. It was a good picture of the two of them that was taken right after they had played in the mud after a storm a month ago. The boys had their arms around each other's necks and they were covered from head to toe in mud. In fact, about the only thing you could see was their white teeth. Davey always liked that picture and said it should be called 'best friends'. Starsky and Jeanne gave him a small photo album full of pictures of his family. The first picture was one of Jennifer by herself. There was another one of her holding Davey in the hospital the day he was born. Other pictures included Starsky, Jeanne and Kenny. There were also pictures of everyone who was at the party. "Davey, I'll add the pictures from this party at the end when they come back," Jeanne told him.

"I love family pictures," Davey said as he flipped through some of pictures.

Starsky bent down in front of Davey and said, "And we've got something else for you too. We'll it's for you and Kenny both."

"What is it?"

Starsky took a deep breath and said, "We're putting bunk beds and a dresser in Kenny's room, so when you stay you can have your own bed and dresser."

Davey looked confused. He turned toward Jennifer, "Mommy, what's bunk beds?"

Jennifer smiled and said, "Do you remember seeing one bed on top of the other one at the store?"

"With a ladder going to the top bed?"

She nodded and said, "Those are called bunk beds."

Davey looked at Kenny, "Starsky, we get bunk beds in your room!" He was excited and his little face was all smiles. Starsky hugged Jeanne who turned her head away. Hutch had his hand on Jennifer's shoulder. Starsky was putting bunk beds and a dresser in Kenny's room was because they knew he would be spending more time there. It was just another reminder that Jennifer would not be with them much longer and their lives would change forever.

Kenny said, "I like them, Hutch."

Chief Dobey and his family gave Davey a real police uniform in his size. It came completed with a real Bay City police patch and even a police badge and hat. He tried it on and said, "Mommy, take my picture. Aunt Jeanne can put it in the book."

Jennifer thought Davey looked so cute in his police uniform. She wondered if he would grow up to be on the force like his dad. She died a little inside when she realized that she would never know. She was determined to make this the best birthday for him and she put a fake smile on her face and took several pictures.

Huggy gave Davey a new bike and explained that he couldn't bring it today but he would bring to his house the next day.

Kiko and Molly gave Davey money and promised to take him shopping and out to lunch wherever he wanted to go. Davey held up the two twenty dollar bills and said, "I got two monies."

The last present was an envelope from his parents. He carefully opened it and took out six tickets. "What's these?"

Hutch bent down and said, "Those are tickets do Disneyland."

"Disneyland! I'm going to Disneyland!"

"We're taking Starsky, Jeanne and Kenny too," Jennifer said with a smile.

Starsky put his hand on Hutch's shoulder, "Hutch." It was in that you-shouldn't -have tone. Starsky knew Disneyland was expensive and didn't want Hutch to pay for the whole trip.

"Trust me, Starsk, it's okay." He winked at his partner. "We want to do this."

Starsky bowed his head and nodded, "Okay."

It had been a good birthday for Davey and that's what they all wanted. Davey wanted Kenny to stay the night and Jennifer was glad to have him. Kenny was as much of a son to her as Davey was. She loved them both dearly.

Davey was excited and when Jennifer finally put them to bed and Davey said, "Mommy, I want to wear my police hat and Kenny to wear my badge to sleep. We're gonna be partners like Daddy and Uncle Dave."

Jennifer took the police hat off the dresser and put it on Davey's head. He smiled and said, "Thanks, Mommy. This is the bestest birthday ever."

"I'm glad you had a good birthday. I love you Davey." She hugged him so tight he could barely breathe. She finally let go of him and tucked him into bed.

She removed the badge from the police shirt and pinned it on Kenny's pajama top. "Thanks, Aunt Jennifer. I love you."

"I love you too, Kenny." She held him and rocked him back and forth a few minutes before she put his head on the pillow. She turned the night light on and the overhead light off as she left the room.

Hutch was waiting for Jennifer on the couch after she put the boys to bed. She sat down next to him and put her head on his shoulder. "This was a good day. I'm glad he had a good birthday." She closed her eyes and made small circles with her index finger on her right temple.

He put his arm around her and said, "Let's get you to bed and I'll get you a pill."

Her head was pounding and she nodded and let him help her up. "Honey, we need to take that trip to Disneyland soon, okay."

"Chief Sterling said I could take it anytime. What do you say we go next week? I'll check with Jeanne and see when she's off." They were walking down the hall toward their bedroom.

"I can't think right now, will you make the arrangements?"

"Of course I will." He stopped walking and turned so that he was facing her. "I love you, you know."

"I know. I love you too."

It was two weeks before they could arrange their schedules to go to Disneyland. They spent three wonderful days there and it was worth the wait. They didn't see everything there was to see, but they saw everything they wanted to see. The boys had a great time and were thrilled to have their picture taken with Mickey Mouse and Goofy. Hutch promised Davey that he could hang the pictures on one of the walls in his room. The trip tired Jennifer out and by the end of each day she'd have one of her headaches, but she wanted to spend this time with all of them together. She wanted it to be a happy time full of good memories and it was.