RED BALLOONS
CHAPTER FOUR
-----------------------
Later I'm at home and still mildly curious about Starsky. Wonder where he went and why he hadn't checked in? Seems a long time since that disastorous alley chase. But no matter. It's done, over and I'm moving on. Right now I'm just relaxing with my plants. Snipping, talking and pruning at them, they seem to appreciate the care and feeding. I can't think of another thing that eases my mind like these green, living creatures. Of course, thinking of Gillian is a pleasure and I can't wait till it's time to meet up with her. She's gonna make dinner, probably breakfast too! I'm lost in my fantasy when the phone cuts into my daydreaming.
'Hello?' I realized the phone had been ringing a few times before I picked it up. I half expected to hear the dial tone after the caller would understandably have given up. Maybe it was Starsky.
'Hutch, listen, I have a message for you from Starsky.' Huggy seemed to be really serious. Unusual for him. No snappy greeting. He was all business.
'Hey, what's up?' I thought about going to The Pits and meeting him for a drink but the suggestion died before it became a complete idea. His formal tone made the hair stand up on the back of my neck. Something wasn't right.
'You need to get to Gillian's right away. Meet Starsky there. You need to be there like 5 minutes ago, brother.'
"What's the deal Huggy? Wait, is Gillian in trouble? Why's Starsky there? When did...'
'Hutch, trust me. Just get there as fast as that junky car will take you. No more delays. I can't tell you anything else. But go now'. It wasn't like Huggy to cut me off. But before I could ask anything else, the line went dead. A thousand questions raced through my head. I amost wondered if it was some kind of joke. Starsky would've called me if ... Why was he at Gillian's? I asked myself all these questions as I grabbed my holster, gun and jacket and raced to the car.
I was lucky tonight. The engine turned over on the first turn of the key. No babying needed.
------
As I pull up to Gillian's apartment building, my heart races even faster. I can almost feel the pounding of blood in my head. Starsky's car is double parked with all the lights flashing. Had Gillian called him instead of me with a problem? I'm really confused but I don't waste anymore time reaching her apartment.
"What's going on?" I stop inside the door as I see Gillian on the floor on the other side of the room.
-----
The meaning of those red balloons is clear. His heart just broke with the popping of the last balloon. He's confused by all the red balloons, laying deflated around him. When had they broken? Why hadn't he heard their startling noise before? The pieces lay in disarray around him, no hope of recovery.
------
Somehow, Starsky gets me out of the apartment as soon as he can. I have no memory other than being held by Starsky and feeling my lover's spirit leave my soul.
But Starsky had the energy to coordinate the units and coroner as they swarmed the apartment. He pushed me out to my car without me even being aware of it.
"Look Hutch, one more thing we gotta do. We can do this for Gillian" Starsky grabbed my face. His hands were warm against my clammy skin. My throat hurt with the drainage of tears. He forced me to look at him. I gathered the courage I needed just by the determined face that stared back at me.
No words needed. Starsky knew that he could count on me. I won't let him down or Gillian down this time. I heard him say Royal Theatre and Grossman and that's all it took. From somewhere the adrenaline kicked in as I drove down to the theatre. I parked my car but looked down at my hands. Alone, I felt the stress reach my hands as they clutched at the steering wheel. They belonged to someone else. My body belonged somewhere other than here. I felt disconnected like I was watching myself go through the motions. But it was a kick in the gut that I felt when I got in the theatre and heard Grossman's voice. Briefly I froze again but knew that I had a job to do. I wasn't gonna let Grossman drag Gillian down to his slimy level. I shut everything out except my partners voice. He directed, I followed. Do this for Gillian.
Finally, Gillian's memory is safe. Grossman has nothing and no one. Not even the twisted relationship with his mother can save him now. He lays at the bottom of the steps, the result of his desperate attempt to take me with him. Never again. He failed both in his desire to cheat Gillian of her dignity and ruin my love for her. Nothing would ever change that.
I watch Grossman writhing in his self induced pain. As I was climbing the steps toward him, all I wanted was revenge. I hated the man. But now as I step back toward the wall for support, all I feel is pity for him. That pity takes me by surprise and I look to Starsky for confirmation that it's all over. Now I just want to go home.
Like the deflated balloons, the man is spent. His energy, like the pieces of rubber, are scattered and weak. Alone he is not capable of putting the remnants back together nor is he able to ask for help.
