YOU DO GOOD WORK

Edith had lost Hutch. Well, maybe it was more that she had misplaced him. He must, after all, be somewhere nearby. As he still had only the strength of a day old kitten, after his brush with that terrible plague, he really couldn't have gone far. Even the slightest activity left him somewhat breathless and pale...but less breathless and less pale than yesterday (and less so than the day before) so that was something. He was headed in the right direction, as people often said.

Edith had invited him to stay at the Dobey house for a few days, partly to give Starsky a break so he could return to work, partly because she wanted to keep an eye on a young man who had become part of her and Harold's extended family. She'd been doing her best to feed him up and she was pleased to see that he was starting to look less thin and drawn.

A short time ago, she'd helped him out onto the swinging seat on the porch so he could get some fresh air and then gone off to do a couple of chores, promising to return in half an hour with lemonade. And now here she was, jug of lemonade in hand but no Hutch. She set the jug and two glasses down on the small table and went in search of her convalescent guest.

Perhaps he had felt cold and gone back indoors. She checked the lounge and Harold's den. No sign. Maybe Hutch had decided to go for a nap? Very quietly, she went upstairs and checked the bedroom. No Hutch to be seen. He had to be outside then, but where?

They didn't have a large backyard but over the years Edith had managed to carve out a few corners where plants were used to create small, secret spaces. The children loved hiding in them when they were really little (Rosie still did) and occasionally Edith liked to take a book and hide herself for half an hour for a quiet read. She decided that Hutch must be in one of these hideaways.

She checked the one nearest the house and then walked to the next. There she found Hutch sat cross-legged in amongst her plants, eyes closed and a serene expression on his face. She sat down quietly on the bench beside him and waited, face upturned slightly to enjoy the sunshine of this lovely day.

After a few minutes, Hutch opened his eyes and reached out to take her hand in his.

"Thank you," he said softly. "For looking after me so well."

Edith smiled. "You're very welcome. Anytime."

"I like this spot. It's good for meditation."

"It's good for hiding from the children," Edith responded with a chuckle.

Hutch smiled. They sat there companionably for a few minutes and then Edith asked, "Are you ready for some lemonade?"

Hutch nodded and began to try to get up. Edith waited patiently, ready to offer assistance if it was required but aware that Hutch needed to start building up what he could do by himself. Once he was on his feet, Edith offered her arm and Hutch hooked his arm through hers. It looked as if he was supporting her, although it was definitely the other way around. She could feel the very slight tremble rippling through his frame. They made it back to the porch just in time to hear Cal and Rosie arriving home from school.

"I'd better get two more glasses," Edith said.

"Make it three," Hutch suggested, as he sank gratefully onto the seat. "Starsky's due any minute and he'll want some of your home made lemonade, I'm sure."

The children came hurrying through to see Hutch. Rosie climbed up beside him and showed him a daisy chain she had made and carefully carried home. Then she slipped it over his head and around his neck.

"Thanks Rosie."

Edith came back with some cookies on a plate and the extra glasses. She poured the liquid out and handed the glasses of lemonade around. Just then the roar of an engine was heard.

Hutch lifted his eyebrows. "Right on time," he said.

They heard a door slam and Cal went to open the front door. Soon he was back with Starsky in tow.

"Ah! Edith's lemonade!" Starsky said, with delight. He drank quickly and smacked his lips. "Beautiful!"

Then he sat down opposite his partner and gave him an assessing look, which Hutch didn't notice as he was too busy explaining something to Rosie.

Starsky turned happy eyes to Edith and said, "You do good work."

Edith flushed with pleasure at the praise but said, "I can't take all the credit. I think a little meditation in amongst my plants has helped a lot today."

Hutch looked up. "It really did. It was good to be outside."

Edith stood up, saying, "Children, go and play while I get started on supper. David, you'll stay, won't you?"

"Yes, ma'am, thank you."

Edith and the children moved away, leaving the two men alone together.

Starsky turned to his partner and asked, "Are you going to have a nap before dinner?"

Hutch shook his head. "No. I feel okay. I want to try to stay awake all day today."

Starsky bit back his instant concern and exchanged it for support, asking, "What'll help keep those eyes open? A game of something? Or a drive along the coast?"

Hutch's eyes lit up. "I'd like to see the ocean."

"Okay, partner, ocean it is."

Hutch looked around him. "I just need my shoes."

Starsky hopped up. "I'll get 'em and I'll tell Edith, I'm springing ya for an hour."

Hutch nodded.

Starsky quickly made his way through the house, found Hutch's shoes and then went to see Edith, who was busy in the kitchen. He told her his plan.

She kissed him on the cheek and said, "You do good work too."

Starsky's eyes twinkled as he nodded at her. Then he went to get his partner ready for the short drive out to the coast.