BEST FRIENDS (I HOPE)
(Hutch's letter to Starsky, after Kira incident)
Starsky was tending to his plants, when he heard something slipped under his door. He was too late to catch the messenger, but he knew who it was from. It was Hutch's handwriting. He stared at the envelope, which was half in and half out of his home. Things had been strained between he and Hutch. Although they were trying, there was still something standing between them. He didn't want it, he hadn't asked for it, but it was there, hanging over them like a thundercloud.
He picked up the letter, opened it and read:
Starsk,
I guess it's time for me to face up to what I've done. I've sidestepped the issue, made excuses for my behavior, blamed you for overreacting, gotten mad at you, accused you of not loving her, ignored it and even made jokes about it. I've done everything, but own up to the wrong I've done you. I've said, everything except what I should have said in the first place. So, I'm asking for your forgiveness and saying a heartfelt, I'm sorry.
There is no excuse for what I did. I allowed my lust for Kira to rule my thinking. As soon as you said, you loved her that should have been enough for me. I had no right to second-guess you. I should have backed off. I could say, it was she who seduced me, but we both know the truth…I wanted her.
I won't blame you if you can't for forgive my selfishness, my arrogance or me. For what I've done, I hate myself more than you probably hate me. My thoughtlessness has hurt you--the person dearest to me--and for that, I'm not sure if I can forgive myself.
I'll see you tomorrow, at the office. There's not much to do with the office being painted, but I'll be there waiting for you.
I know how you hate soapy scenes, so I'll tell you what. If you bring in your ping pong table, I'll know that all has been forgiven…and, I'll beat you out of a steak dinner.
Signed,
Still your best friend (I hope)
Hutch
Starsky had tears in his eyes when he finished reading. He couldn't believe Hutch actually wrote a letter instead of talking to him. He put the letter down and went into his bedroom. The noises coming from the room could have woken the entire neighborhood. Things were thrown to the floor and flung into the walls with such force, the cops were sure to be called.
Finally, Starsky emerged from the room. He carried the ping pong equipment, which had been buried in the back of his closet.
Starsky smiled to himself. "No best friend, it's me who'll be getting the steak dinner. Get ready." He put the table by the front door, so as not to forget it. "See ya tomorrow buddy."