The Gifts of the Starsky
Christmas 1972
Starsky came into the squad room carrying a tall cardboard box, which he placed carefully on his desk and then proceeded to pull out a small Christmas tree. It was a live miniature pine in a bright red pot and was already decorated with tiny baubles and the thinnest tinsel Hutch had ever seen. The pine scent filled the room and instantly made it smell like Christmas.
"Starsky?"
"Yeah?" Starsky responded automatically, as he moved the box to the floor and then repositioned his tree until it looked just right.
"Starsky. It's December sixth."
Starsky sat down on his chair and looked at his desk with satisfaction. "So?"
"You know the latest department memo said no decorations until Monday the eleventh. Two weeks before Christmas, no earlier."
Starsky rolled his eyes; trust Hutch to have memorised that rule. What was it with his partner and Christmas anyway? Starsky shrugged at the frown Hutch gave him. "Do you know, Hutch, in some countries, they give presents to each other on December sixth, which is St Nicholas Day…I'm keeping the tree."
Two of the older detectives in the room exchanged amused glances. Even after nearly three months, the newly partnered detectives were a constant source of interest and amusement to Russo and Hansen. They waited to see what Hutch's response was going to be.
Against his better judgement, Hutch asked, "And how did you come up with that piece of information?"
"Glad you asked," Starsky replied and reached into the cardboard box again. "From this." He pulled out a thick hard-backed book entitled Christmas Traditions from Around the World.
Hutch groaned, pinched the bridge of his nose as if he had a headache coming on and slumped in his chair. He had a feeling it was going to be a long month. After a minute, he looked up at his partner, whose head was buried deep in his book, and stated, "That's why you didn't want me to pick you up this morning. You knew I'd stop you bringing the tree in."
Just then, Captain Dobey came into the room, carrying a pile of folders. He stopped and stared at Starsky's desk. "Er, Detective Starsky?"
"Yes, Cap, what can I do for you?" Starsky turned towards his captain, wearing his most innocent, trusting, child-like face.
"Er, nothing. As you were." Dobey headed off towards his office, shaking his head slightly.
Starsky looked over at Hutch and smirked. Hutch hung his head in defeat and wondered why the universe had given him a partner who loved Christmas so much.
A few seconds later, the phone on Starsky's desk rang and he answered it. "Detective Starsky. Uh-huh, uh-huh. On our way." He stood up and put his jacket on. "Come on, partner. We've got a robbery/homicide to investigate."
Hutch grabbed his jacket and followed his partner out of the room. As the door closed behind them, Starsky starting humming Jingle Bells and half-dancing along the corridor.
Hutch sighed. It was definitely going to be a long month.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Thursday morning saw Starsky pulling the Torino up outside the bakery that sold his favorite donuts.
Hutch groaned. "Why are we stopping for donuts, Starsky?"
"To spread a little Christmas cheer."
"Donuts have absolutely nothing to do with Christmas!" Hutch exclaimed.
"Well, now, that's where you're wrong. In Croatia, they eat something called krafne at Christmas, which is basically a donut filled with jam, jelly, marmalade or chocolate. Sounds like I place I would enjoy visiting," Starsky said as he climbed out of the car to go and buy a box of assorted donuts for the squad room.
"Maybe you should think about moving to Croatia," Hutch muttered to himself. He stared at the tinsel and baubles, which Starsky now had dangling from the car mirror. His partner had also draped plastic holly across the dashboard. Hutch sighed. "I wouldn't be a bit surprised if he hangs lights in here next."
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
On Friday the eighth, Hutch pulled up outside Starsky's place to pick him up for work. He beeped the horn and waited, dreading what his friend might appear with today. As his partner jogged down towards the car, Hutch was relieved to see that he appeared to be holding nothing. Maybe the Christmas frenzy was over.
Starsky settled himself on the passenger side and then pulled a small thin box with a white lid from his pocket.
"Spoke too soon," Hutch mumbled.
"What did you say, Blintz?"
"Nothing, Gordo. Whatcha got there?"
"This is a little present just for you, buddy. Hope you like them." Starsky handed the box over.
There was Greek writing on the lid and a picture of a tree. Hutch eased the rectangular lid off the box and sniffed the contents suspiciously. There was a not-unpleasant sweet fruity smell coming from the box. "What are they?"
"Dried figs from Greece. Huggy helped me track them down. These are a Christmas treat in Greece and they are full of minerals and vitamins so they're good for you. Thought you'd like that, partner. Just don't have too many in one go 'cause they are sugary…and they are high in fibre, if you know what I mean."
Hutch didn't know whether to be pleased or affronted by the present. He decided for a cautious: "Thanks, buddy. I'll have one with lunch."
Starsky nodded and smiled. "Great, I'm sure you'll love 'em."
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
On Saturday morning, Starsky arrived at Hutch's cottage on the canal. They had the weekend off work and Starsky had convinced Hutch to go with him today to get a Christmas tree. There had been a lot of begging, pleading, and persuading yesterday before Hutch had finally given in. Starsky knew Hutch would be grumpy about it so he'd come bearing a bribe. He knocked briskly on the door and let himself in. As expected, Hutch grunted in response to his cheery, "Good morning!"
Starsky placed his paper bag on the table and strode into the kitchen to get two plates out of the cabinet. He opened the bag and placed an H-shaped pastry on one plate and an S-shaped one on the other.
Hutch came closer and peered suspiciously at the plates. The pastries were decorated with a dash of white icing sugar and glace cherries. "What's this?"
"It's an H, dummy. You know. H. As in H for Hutch."
"Yeah, I can see it's an H. Why?"
"Eat it then I'll explain."
Hutch picked up his pastry and bit into it. The flaky pastry melted on his tongue and was sweet without being cloying. He could taste a hint of almond. He took a second bite and nodded to his friend. "It's good, Starsk. Where'd you find these?"
Starsky grinned at him and said proudly, "I made them. They're called Banketletter and they're a traditional Christmas treat in Holland. If a family is having a party, they make one for each of the guests. It's supposed to have something green on it as well so it looks like holly and berries on top but I couldn't find what they use in Holland."
Hutch finished off his pastry with enjoyment. "Well, Starsk, you did a good job. It was delicious and I'm impressed you made it yourself."
Starsky beamed at him. "Glad you liked it. Ready to go get my tree now?"
Hutch tried not to let his good mood evaporate too quickly. "All right."
As they walked up to his car, Starskypaused and suggested, "If we took both our cars, you could get a tree as well."
Hutch fixed him with a look that would have destroyed lesser men.
Starsky conceded temporary defeat. "Okay, we'll get yours another time."
Hutch clamped his mouth shut to keep from saying what he felt like saying and took a deep breath. Just getting a tree. No big deal. Just getting a tree. Don't spoil his day. Just getting a tree. The mantra in his head was repeated all the way to the tree lot.
Hutch trailed around after his excited partner as he looked at, touched, measured, and turned every tree this way and that until he found the perfect specimen. Hutch could have sworn it was the first one they'd looked at but, by now, he was completely disoriented and wasn't sure which side of the lot the car was parked, let alone which trees they'd looked at. Once Starsky had paid for it, he helped his partner tie the tree to the roof of the Torino and they set off for Starsky's place.
"You sure it's not too big for your apartment?" Hutch asked for the third time.
"Nah, it'll fit just right. You'll see."
"If you say so."
"You gonna help me decorate it?"
"Do I have a choice?"
"Nah…. If you don't decorate, I won't give you a ride home." Starsky threw a cheeky grin in his partner's direction.
Hutch chuckled despite himself. "I guess I'm helping to decorate your tree then."
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
On Sunday morning, Hutch went for his usual run around the Bay City Park only to find Starsky lurking near a group of trees. "Hey, partner," Hutch puffed. "Whatcha doing here?"
"I wanted your help to hang these." Starsky pulled a whole load of strung half-coconut shells from behind his back. He led the way into the copse and Hutch followed, feeling totally mystified.
As Starsky handed him half the coconuts, Hutch said, "I'm afraid to ask, Starsk, but what are these and what are we doing?"
"They're bird feeders, dummy. See, they're stuffed with suet and seeds and fruits. All the foods birds like."
"Oka-ay…and why?"
"Well, in Finland, they give presents to their animals, especially to farm animals and birds. I thought it was a nice idea so here we are."
Hutch hung the last bird feeder up and stepped back to look at the effect in the trees.
"I like this tradition, buddy."
Starsky beamed at him.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
On Monday the eleventh, Starsky pulled up outside Hutch's and strode into the cottage, greeting Hutch with a very happy, "Good morning, partner." He was holding a small cardboard box in his hand.
Hutch finished his milkshake and put the glass in the sink. "Okay, what's today's tradition?"
Starsky started opening the box. "It's not a tradition today; it's the first of your Christmas presents."
Hutch froze. "Starsk. We talked about this last year. I don't do Christmas. I don't buy presents and I don't expect you to get me anything…let alone more than one thing."
"Relax! It's only a little something and you'll love it." He proceeded to reveal a small potted plant. "It's a Christmas cactus. It's got some sort of fancy name but the main thing you need to know is: it's not a desert cactus so it does need watering and it needs shade. I asked the lady at the shop."
Hutch felt like a heel. "I love it, Starsk. Thanks…but don't get me anything else, okay. This is a really nice present. It's thoughtful. It's all I want."
"Glad you like it, buddy. With any luck, and your green fingers, you'll have flowers opening up by Christmas Day."
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
As the two of them drove into work on Tuesday the twelfth, Hutch looked curiously at the round lidded cake tin on Starsky's back seat.
"What's in the tin, buddy?"
"You'll see. Hey, I read something really crazy last night about some of the Christmas traditions in Iceland."
"Oh yeah, like what?"
"Well, there's an old tale of magical people, who come down from the mountains from the twelfth of December through Christmas Eve. They play tricks on folks but they also put sweets in good kids' shoes if they leave them out on a windowsill. I can't begin to pronounce the name but I like the sound of them."
"Sounds like a fun tradition."
They arrived at the Parker Center and Starsky picked up the large cake tin, and a plastic bag that was lying beside it, and carried it into the building. When he got to the bull pen, he emptied the bag on his desk to reveal napkins and a knife. From the tin, he produced an odd cake that looked like a cross between a loaf of bread and a sponge and began slicing it up. He handed it to everyone on the napkins, which were blue and sported white snowflakes in a pattern across them. Then he knocked on Dobey's door, entering before he was invited, and handed a slice to the startled captain. "Happy twelfth of December, Cap!"
"Er, thank you, Detective Starsky."
"You're welcome."
Starsky bounced back out of the captain's office and settled at his desk to munch his cake. Hutch appeared with a mug of coffee for him, then settled himself at his desk and took a sip from his own mug.
"This goes well with a coffee, buddy," Hutch observed. "What's it called?"
"It's a panettone from Italy."
Detective Russo walked across the bull pen and stood next to Starsky. "Thanks for this. You've reminded me of Christmases with my Nona. Really happy times. Thanks."
As the older detective walked back to his seat, Hutch saw him wipe at his eyes. Hutch felt a lump form in his own throat and became aware that Starsky was watching him. He glanced at him and gave him a small smile. Starsky nodded, understanding there were some things it was easier for Hutch to leave unsaid.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
On Wednesday the thirteenth, Starsky turned onto the track leading up to Hutch's cottage and parked a little way back from Hutch's car. He didn't want Hutch to know he was there yet. From the trunk of his car, he retrieved a wreath made of natural twisted woods, pine cones, and finished off with a red ribbon. He also held a small wrapped parcel and a hammer. He reached Hutch's door and put the present and wreath on the ground. He took a nail out of his jacket pocket and proceeded to use the hammer to knock the nail in the wooden front door.
Hutch came to investigate the noise and opened the door just as Starsky was about to hang the wreath. "What on earth are you doing?"
Starsky just looked at him.
"Starsky. I keep telling you…I don't do…" Hutch's voice trailed off as he saw the naked disappointment in Starsky's face. Was it worth upsetting his friend that badly? "Oh, what the hell…All right, put the wreath up but, that's it, okay. I am not getting a tree. I am not stringing lights and I am not buying presents."
Starsky sighed happily as he set the wreath on the door and tied it on.
Hutch had disappeared back inside to get his jacket. As he came out of the front door, Starsky handed him the small present, wrapped in white tissue paper. "Present number two."
Hutch ground his teeth. He took a calming breath. "No, no more presents. I have made my feelings very clear on the subject." He tried to hand the present back.
Starsky held up his hammer. "Hutch, open the damn present or I will hit you with my hammer!"
Hutch stood there stubbornly refusing to do as Starsky ordered.
Starsky said softly, "You have to open it. It goes with the cactus. It's only a little present. It's not a big deal."
Hutch let out a long sigh and then tore the tissue paper off the gift. Inside, was a small book about the owning of cacti and how to look after them. Silently, Hutch took the book inside and put it on the table next to his new cactus plant.
When he came back out of the house, he said, "Thanks." He tried to sound grateful, which deep down he was really, but his heart wasn't in it. "Well, we'd better get going."
Hutch looked so miserable; Starsky took his arm and stopped him from heading towards the Torino. "Babe?"
"I can't do it, Starsk," Hutch's voice was edged with misery. "I can't get into the whole buying presents extravaganza. It's too much pressure."
Starsky wrapped a gentle arm around his friend's shoulders. "Hey, dummy, I know you well enough to know that. I'm not expecting anything from you…But you're my best friend and I wanted to give you a present. It's just who I am and what I do. If I've gotta accept that you won't buy a tree, you gotta accept that I am going to give you presents. Deal?"
Hutch let out the breath he'd been holding and agreed, "Okay, deal. But the figs, the cactus, and the book are more than enough presents…Okay?"
"Mmm. Come on, we'd better go or Dobey will be yelling at us for being late again. By the way, a book is a traditional present in Iceland."
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
On Thursday the fourteenth, Starsky brought in a tray of homemade Christmas lemon cookies, which were wolfed down by his fellow detectives in just a few minutes. Surprising themselves, Russo and Hansen found they were voluntarily asking Starsky which Christmas tradition he was celebrating that day.
"These are mailanderi, Christmas biscuits from Switzerland," Starsky told them proudly. "They are traditionally served on Christmas Eve but I thought I'd try out the recipe and bring some in for you guys."
"You can try out your cooking on us any time," Hansen said, as he crunched through a mouthful of cookie.
Even Hutch took a second one. Starsky's grin couldn't have been wider.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
It was the morning of Friday, the fifteenth of December. Hutch arrived at Starsky's place to find him ready and waiting, which was practically unheard of. He was holding a shiny green cardboard box tied with a red bow, which he handed to Hutch as soon as he got in the car, saying, "Happy fifteenth, buddy!"
"I thought we agreed no more presents."
"I didn't agree to nothing."
Hutch sighed. "Starsky, don't you think you're going a bit overboard with the whole Christmas spirit thing, even for you?"
Starsky shrugged.
"I mean I know we've got to work Christmas this year and you're probably disappointed about that but…" Hutch's voice trailed off as he saw the shadow pass over Starsky's face and, at last, it dawned on him what was going on with his partner.
"Just open the present, Hutch, okay?"
Hutch caved under the pleading in Starsky's voice. "Yeah, sure." He untied the bow and lifted the lid. The box was filled with folds of blue tissue paper, from which he unearthed a white jacket edged with pale blue around the collar and wrists. It wasn't like anything he had seen before. It felt light and soft against his fingers. For some reason, he couldn't begin to fathom, Hutch found himself feeling very moved by the gift. "Thanks buddy. It's great," he said in a soft voice.
"According to my book, Inuit men wear white anoraks on special occasions, especially at Christmas. Also, in Iceland, everybody gets a new piece of clothing to wear at Christmas. I've given you yours but I'll have to try to get something for myself."
"Well, I like it. It feels really soft." Suddenly, it was important to let Starsky know that he really appreciated the present and the thought behind it. "Tell you what; I'll wear it Christmas Day evening when we meet up to celebrate, okay."
The smile he got from Starsky was so delighted, it warmed his heart. Hutch carefully put the jacket back in the box, and laid it on the back seat of the car, then he started the engine. As he drove, he listened to Starsky humming Rudolph, the Red-nosed Reindeer and began to think.
He knew Starsky had been very upset when he'd found that they would be working Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. They were the newest and youngest members of the squad. They also didn't have families. Somebody had to work over Christmas and this year it would be them. The more senior detectives with families had been given two days off. Dobey had apologised as he'd handed them the roster and promised them time off in January in lieu, which suited Hutch fine, but he knew that the same couldn't be said for Starsky.
Starsky had been saving all year to afford the plane ticket to see his mom and was depressed not to be able to see her over Christmas. When he'd told Hutch he'd bought a plane ticket for the middle of January, his voice had been hard and flat - very un-Starsky like. Suddenly, Hutch had an idea.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Hutch picked up the phone and dialed a number he now knew by heart. "Hi, Mrs Starsky, I mean Ma, it's Ken."
The voice on the other end of the phone responded with a hint of worry.
"No, don't worry. Everything's all right with David. I just wanted to call you because I've had an idea and I wanted to check what you thought about it."
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Starsky arrived at midday on Saturday the sixteenth, carrying a bucket and cloths. He walked past Hutch into the kitchen, filled up the bucket with warm soapy water, and then headed back through the front door. Hutch was still blinking in surprise, when he realized his partner had already gone back outside and had started cleaning his windows. He hurried out to find Starsky had rolled up his sleeves and was whistling as he worked.
"Hey, Starsk, why are you washing my windows?"
"I'm helping you get your house ready for Christmas. I've already done mine. You want to help here or are you gonna make a start on the vacuuming?"
Hutch stood open-mouthed for a moment then shook his head. "I'll start vacuuming…Which country does this tradition come from?"
"Lots of European countries but it's especially popular in Poland."
"Good to know," Hutch said, with a bemused chuckle, as he went to get his vacuum cleaner out of the closet.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Hutch didn't see Starsky all day on Sunday and was just starting to wonder if something had happened to his partner when the phone rang.
"Hutch?"
"Yeah."
"I'm picking you up in half an hour. Wear a suit or something smart." With that, Starsky put the phone down.
Hutch felt a little thrill of excitement as he wondered what his partner was up to and went to wash up and get changed.
Starsky arrived exactly half an hour later and was wearing a jacket he had bought in case of court appearances. He drove his friend to one of the outer suburbs of Bay City. It was a pleasant looking residential area with wide roads and green trees lining the sidewalks. Even in the gathering darkness, there seemed to be a lot of families out on the streets, all heading in the same direction. The two of them got out of the Torino and joined the stream of people heading along the road. It soon became clear that they were headed to a brightly lit church.
Hutch looked enquiringly at his partner.
"It's a big tradition in Britain to go to a Carols by Candlelight service the weekend before Christmas. I asked around and found there was one being held here. I thought it would be nice to appreciate why people celebrate Christmas."
Hutch nodded. It had been a long time since he'd been inside a church and he wasn't really sure how he felt about it. He guessed this would be a first for Starsky but his friend didn't seem perturbed by the thought: in fact, he was smiling in anticipation. They received a warm welcome from the steward on the door. She handed them a sheet covered with the words of the carols they were going to sing and then directed them to some unoccupied seats on the left-hand side under the balcony. There were candles on the windowsills and candles on high wooden trestles running down the length of the church.
A minute before the service was due to start, all the electric lights were turned off and an expectant hush fell over the congregation, from the youngest to the oldest. The silence was broken by a single note being played on the organ and then a lone child's voice began to sing, "Once in Royal David's City". It was coming from the balcony over their heads and floated out across the congregation as if an angel was hovering in the air above them. As the second verse started, the choir joined in and walked into the church, with each robed person carrying a candle. They headed towards the choir stalls at the front.
Hutch thought the singing was the most beautiful sound he had heard in a long, long time.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Hutch picked up his partner on Monday morning and saw he was carrying a cake tin again. Obviously, today's tradition involved more food.
To Hutch's raised eyebrow, Starsky said, "Gingerbread squares for the squad. I know we do Gingerbread Houses in this country but any sort of gingerbread is a big thing in Denmark." Starsky opened the tin for Hutch to see what was inside.
He sniffed the air appreciatively. "Smells delicious…Starsk?"
"Yeah."
"Thanks for taking me to the carol service last night. I really enjoyed it."
"Yeah, me too. It was beautiful, wasn't it?"
Hutch nodded. "Yes, it was…It felt like…Well, it felt like Christmas."
Starsky placed his hand on Hutch's shoulder and squeezed lightly. Then he looked out of the window to hide the fact he had tears in his eyes. If Hutch hated every present he ever bought him from now on, it wouldn't matter. Starsky would remember this moment for a long time - the moment he succeeded in giving Hutch back a little bit of forgotten Christmas spirit.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Their shift on Tuesday went smoothly and Starsky dropped Hutch home without mentioning Christmas at all. Hutch was almost disappointed. Around 7 pm he heard a knock at the door and went to open it. Starsky stood on the doorstep, looking nervous.
Hutch stepped back. "Well, are you coming in?"
Starsky swallowed. "I need your help to carry something in to your house."
"It's not a tree, is it? 'Cause I can tell you right now that if-"
"-No, Hutch. It's not a tree."
"Okay."
Hutch followed Starsky out to the Torino. Even before he reached it, he could see something dark green in the car. For a second, he thought Starsky had lied to him and it was a tree but then he saw a large potted bamboo plant was laid diagonally across the back seat.
"I need your help getting it out. I don't want to damage it."
Hutch was torn between irritation (that his friend had bought him yet another present) and longing (for the new green friend awaiting introduction). Longing won out. "It's beautiful, Starsk."
The two of them carefully eased the pot and plant out of the car and carried it into the cottage. They placed it behind Hutch's sofa and he stood back to admire it. The stems were dark, almost black, and the shiny green leaves contrasted prettily against the darker color.
Hutch put his arm over Starsky's shoulders. "Thanks, buddy. I love it."
"Going to give it a name?"
"Maybe. I'll give it some thought."
"How about a beer to celebrate that it's only six more sleeps till Christmas?"
"Yeah, why not?" Hutch said, as he went to get the beers from the fridge.
"And then I'm going to see if I can get these tiny wooden decorations to hang in amongst your bamboo leaves. They come from Germany."
"Starsky!"
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Friday the twenty-second of December was a day off for the two detectives. Dobey had arranged it for them as they would both be working Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. When they left the office on Thursday night, it had the additional decorations of a large angel - which Starsky had placed on his desk on Wednesday with the accompanying explanations of Mexican traditions - and paper hearts. Starsky had strung these all around the office on Thursday. He was up a ladder, explaining that the hearts came from Norway, when Dobey came in and enquired if the detective had actually done any paper work in December or had he spent the whole month decorating and baking?
Maddeningly, Starsky proceeded to produce all his reports, dated correctly and even signed.
Starsky had arranged to meet Hutch at Huggy Bear's for lunch. Hutch arrived at midday and grabbed their usual booth. He chatted to Huggy while he waited for Starsky to appear.
A few minutes later, he came in, carrying a silver rectangular box. "Happy Christmas, Huggy! I got you a present." Starsky handed the box over to his bemused friend.
"Thank you, Starsky. That's a nice surprise." Huggy opened the box and pulled out a string of illuminated lights in the shapes of stars.
"In Greenland, it's traditional to put stars and lanterns in the windows to illuminate the houses. They sure need 'em as it's dark all day in the winter. They're like tiny beacons in the night."
"I love 'em, Starsky. I'll put them over the bar. Thank you. What a great present."
As Starsky gave Huggy a smile of pure pleasure, Hutch looked at his friend fondly and smiled to himself.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
On Saturday, Starsky invited Hutch to come around and string popcorn. In Hutch's opinion, they'd already decorated the tree to within an inch of its life but Starsky insisted they had to make and string popcorn as it was tradition. Starsky was quite subdued as they did the decorating and seemed to have run out of good cheer. Afterwards, they drank beer and watched a movie but didn't make it a late night as they had to be at work eight a.m. the next day.
Hutch thought his friend looked very wistful as he said, "Goodnight," to him and headed home.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Their shift was uneventful enough on Christmas Eve. In some ways, it would have been better if it had been busy, as the hours seemed to drag until it was time to go home. They spent the last couple of hours in the office, catching up on paperwork.
Starsky had gotten quieter and quieter as the day went on and Hutch could see his friend was feeling miserable.
Hutch had driven them both in to work and at four p.m, he picked up his jacket and declared it was time to go.
"Wanna go get a beer or something tonight?" Starsky asked.
"No, I'm pretty tired. I think I'll drop you and then head on home. After all, we're doing the real celebrating tomorrow night. May as well wait till then."
"Okay." Starsky stared out of the window and his shoulders slumped.
As they drove along the road to Starsky's home, he suddenly stiffened and said in alarm, "Hutch! There are lights on in my house!"
"Hey, don't worry," Hutch said calmly. "That just means Huggy's delivered your present from me."
Starsky turned towards him with wide eyes and his face broke into a smile. "You got me a present?"
"Yep."
"I thought you said you don't do presents."
"I don't but as you've given me hundreds, I thought I'd better get you at least one."
Hutch turned off the engine and watched as Starsky bounded up the steps, excitement in every footstep. He followed along but hung back a little to give his friend time to unlock the front door and go in.
Hutch watched from the front door as Starsky went to look under his tree. "I don't see it."
"That's because you're looking in the wrong place, Davey," a woman's voice spoke from the bedroom.
Starsky turned around. "Ma!" He dashed across the room and hugged his mother and spun her round, making her breathless.
"Crazy boy! Put me down! I'm pleased to see you too."
"But how?"
His mother nodded towards his partner.
Hutch was still standing in the doorway but he had a goofy grin on his face. "Hope you like your present, buddy."
Starsky shook his head in stunned disbelief. "Are you kidding me? This is the best present anyone ever got me." He walked over to his partner and gave him a huge hug, pulling him into the room. There was so much he wanted to say but all he got out was a squeaky, "Hutch!"
Hutch hugged him back. "You're welcome."
Once Starsky let him go, Hutch went over and kissed Mrs Starsky on the cheek.
She patted his face. "You're a good friend…and a good son. Thank you, Ken."
Hutch swallowed down the emotions that were threatening to overspill and just squeezed her hand in response. "I'd better head off and let you two catch up," Hutch suggested.
"Stay," Starsky said. "It's Christmas Eve. I want my family close tonight."
His mother nodded her head. "Come on." She walked over and sat in Starsky's peacock chair. "Come and sit down and tell me everything you've been up to, both of you."
Hutch surreptitiously wiped his eyes as he followed Starsky over to the sofa and sat down next to his best friend.
Starsky grinned happily as he started answering his mother's questions and, without conscious thought, laid his arm across Hutch's shoulders.
Hutch felt as if he truly belonged in a family for the first time in a very long time and it was a good feeling.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Starsky nearly drove Hutch crazy during their shift on Christmas Day. What with his constant singing of Christmas carols and songs; pointing out every inflatable Santa or snowman he saw; saying every few minutes that he couldn't wait for their Christmas dinner that evening; and thanking Hutch at least a hundred times for flying his mother out to Bay City for Christmas, it was a wonder Hutch stayed calm. For Starsky's sake, Hutch curbed the Grinch-like comments and tried to let it all wash over him. He had to admit, though, it was a relief when Starsky finally dropped him home to have a few hours to himself before joining the Starskys for dinner that evening.
Hutch took a shower and talked to his plants, gradually letting the stresses and strains melt away. He smiled ruefully at his new bamboo plant smothered with wooden Christmas ornaments. After he'd played his guitar for a while, he suddenly realized he had better get ready. He dressed carefully - dark grey pants, a sapphire blue turtle neck, and the white and blue jacket Starsky had given him.
Before he left the house, he picked up three packages: one was a box about the size of a shoe box; the other two were soft tissue-wrapped presents.
Hutch knocked on Starsky's door and then let himself in as dual voices bade him to "Come in!"
The Starskys were sitting on the sofa and both gave him welcoming smiles.
"Hey, you're wearing the jacket I gave you!" Starsky said, with startled delight.
"I said I would." Hutch smiled at his excited partner. He saw Starsky was wearing a smart red shirt and dark blue jeans. Not ones he wore often but certainly not new. Hutch walked over to the Christmas tree and placed the box and one present underneath it. "You know, somebody told me about this tradition of wearing new clothes at Christmas." He handed Starsky a soft package.
"Another present? Who are you and where's the real Hutch?" Starsky said with a goofy grin. He quickly tore the paper off. Inside, was a vest with a deep red background sprinkled with white snowflakes. "I love it!" Starsky exclaimed, jumping up to put it on.
"Good." Hutch sat down. "Something smells really great."
"Ma's been slaving away all day." Starsky gave his mom a peck on the cheek. "I'm starving! Let's eat!"
Hutch and Mrs Starsky looked at each other and chuckled.
"What?"
"Nothing, partner," Hutch said. He stood up and held out his hand to Mrs Starsky and she let him pull her to her feet. Then she started giving both of them instructions for what dishes to bring through and put on the table, which had already been set with a white table cloth, red and gold table mats, cutlery and candles.
After they'd eaten, they took their drinks with them and sat around the tree. Starsky sat on the floor and passed his mom her present. He'd got her a wooden jewelry box and a pair of earrings that she seemed delighted with. Then he found Hutch's one for his mother and they watched as she opened it and showed off the scarf and gloves set Hutch had bought her.
Hutch was handed a bag with a label on saying, "Merry Christmas from Ma." He looked inside to see a mini watering can for houseplants, cactus food,and some tiny gardening shears. He gave the smiling woman a kiss and a hug as he said, "Thank you."
There were two boxes left under the tree. Starsky pulled out the one he knew was for Hutch and handed it to him.
"Starsk!" Hutch protested. "You've spent too much already. Really." He shook his head but it was softened by his smile. He undid the ribbon, opened the box, and then burst out laughing.
"What's so funny? I thought you'd like it!" Starsky looked a bit hurt.
Hutch tried to stop laughing but failed. "Open your present," he gasped.
Starsky looked puzzled as he pulled the last present out from under the tree. He saw his name written on it and noted the shape and size. He looked at Hutch with dawning comprehension. "No!"
"'Fraid so, pal."
Starsky undid the ribbon and looked inside. He grinned and showed his mom. "We got each other the same presents!" He looked up at his partner and smiled. "I'm really glad, buddy. When I bought yours, I wished I could have afforded one for myself."
Hutch grinned as he lifted out and looked at each carved wooden figure. "It'll be a new tradition for both of us. I may not get a tree or hang decorations but I promise I will always put out my nativity set. It will remind me of this year and you, Starsk, and all your research into Christmas traditions. I love it."
Starsky grinned from ear to ear. He lifted his beer bottle and said, "Merry Christmas, Ma, Hutch. To family!"
Mrs Starsky and Hutch raised their glasses and echoed the toast. "To family! Merry Christmas!"
/\/\/\FINIS/\/\/\