CHAPTER 15
Starsky stepped out of the shower and dried his lower body with the blue towel. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly as he realized that for the first time in twenty four hours, he was pain free. His vision wasn't blurry, nor was he dizzy; lingering symptoms he often experienced after a migraine that had plagued him since his severe concussion.
He slid his sweat pants up over his hips then moved to the sink to shave and brush his teeth. He opened the door and with the towel over his shoulders, joined Hutch in the living room who was busily putting his blankets and pillow back in the hall closet.
Hutch turned to inspect his friend. He could tell Starsky was feeling better. He'd heard his friend whistling while still in the bathroom and now he looked more relaxed instead of holding his body in a stressed posture. Even his eyes held a sparkle rather than the hazy cast they had to them when he was hurting.
The dark-haired man stood in the middle of the room. His chest and head still wet from the shower, he absently rubbed the material over his hair as he spoke from behind the towel.
"Didn't I hear the phone earlier?" He pushed the towel down over his chest as he sat on the couch. He let the towel drape over his shoulders and reached for the day old paper.
"Yeah. It was Merle. My car isn't ready yet but Ronnie showed up and Merle's got him working on it." Hutch shoved Starsky's feet off the coffee table before sitting down next to him.
Starsky let the paper slide to his lap as he reacted to Hutch's news.
"I wanna go talk to him." The blond reached out to Starsky, patting his knee in understanding. The look that passed between them reassured both of them. It was understood that Starsky wanted to help the boy and that Hutch would support him.
"I know. So it looks like I'll drive your car today." Hutch put up his hand to stop the protest his friend was about to utter.
"I've got physical therapy so why don't I drop you off at Merle's and I'll pick you up on my way back?" As his friend stood up, Hutch readied himself for the barrage of complaints that he would hear about this plan.
Instead of disagreeing, Starsky gave his consent. "Yeah, that'd be great. I can talk to Ronnie while he's workin'. Maybe that way he wouldn't feel like I was interrogating him. I just don't want to scare him off again."
"Why do you feel so strongly about this kid?" Hutch couldn't resist asking because he didn't trust the youth. Ronnie had run away rather than engage in conversation when they saw him the first time at Merle's. Not to mention standing over Starsky with a bloody board in his hands at the end of the gang fight
Hutch watched a variety of emotions cross Starsky's face. At first, there was anger. The blond could only guess that it was because he was questioning the other man's motives. Often impatient when it came to explaining things, Starsky would rather get things done using his feet and muscle rather than analyze and question. He bit his lip and the dark eye brows tented in thought.
Letting out a long breath, Starsky began to try and explain to his friend.
"I don't know why Ronnie got to me. For all we know, he's a little thief and a trouble maker, but in a lotta ways he reminds me of Nicky. Everyone deserves a second chance Hutch. Maybe Nicky shoulda been sent to Uncle Al and Rosie's instead of me. But this kid just needs somebody to look out for him."
"You know if you get involved with him, it'll mean sending him to a foster home or a juvenile detention center. What then? What if all you accomplish is pushing him further away and he resents you rather than trusts you?" Hutch spoke quietly, watching his friend closely.
"Hutch I don't know. If I can spend some time with him and get him to see the benefit of foster home and promise I'll be here for him…" Starsky broke off his thoughts, realizing that it didn't sound very promising.
"Maybe you should just forget him. Let the courts handle it and don't get anymore involved." Hutch didn't like the sound of his own voice as he spoke what was really in his heart. He had a bad feeling about all of this but couldn't keep silent for the sake of his friend. He saw the dark look return to Starsky's face and the lips thin out in a hard line.
"Tell me this, smart guy, what woulda happened if you'da done the same thing with Kiko. Starsky stood up, began to pace, the agitation keeping his feet moving.
"Huh, got no answer other than the truth do ya? If nobody cared, he would have just fallen through the cracks and become another juvenile delinquent." Starsky returned to stand in front of Hutch, hands on his hips. The two men stood toe to toe. Hutch purposely kept his voice level as he responded.
"Kiko had a mom… was already in school. He just needed…" Starsky cut him off, his frustration getting in his way of listening.
"Yeah and Ronnie needs parents and school, but shit, he needs somebody that believes in him. I just want him to know he can trust me. I'll be here no matter what." He began to pace again, pulling his fingers through his still damp hair.
"Starsky, be honest here. He's been involved in purse snatching and he was at the playground during the gang fight. He's already in trouble." Hutch tried to stop the other man's pacing but Starsky pushed away the hand that reached out. He continued to circle the living room.
He stopped suddenly, his chest heaving with anger. "You saying it's too late? What's wrong with you? What about all those homeless bums that we see everyday? We give 'em money so they can eat." Starsky looked intently at Hutch, making sure he had the blonde's full attention before he said anything more. "We've even helped out the hookers and druggies on occasion." He dropped his eyes, not wanting to see the hurt he knew that last sentence would cause his friend to experience.
Hutch winced just like Starsky knew he would. This wasn't getting them anywhere though.
Silence loomed for a few minutes until Starsky finally sat down. He rubbed the back of his neck, feeling the tension tighten the muscles there.
Hutch joined Starsky on the couch. He leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. He looked over at Starsky, who peered back at him. Measuring each other up and silently deciding that they'd agree to disagree.
"I just don't want to see you hurt. Just be careful." Hutch spoke in a whisper which reached Starsky loud and clear. They both smiled and stood up.
"C'mon mushbrain, I gotta get to therapy."
"How much longer before you're done with it?" Starsky asked. Even though they felt differently about Ronnie, neither one would let it get in the way of their friendship. They might not agree on every aspect of the other's life, but they would support each other.
Hutch rotated his shoulder to prove how much mobility he had and to show that he didn't have the intense or constant pain anymore.
"Not much longer. The therapist is pleased and I see the doctor on Friday. So get ready to hit the streets again!" Closing the door behind them, they walked toward the Tornio.
Starsky reached the driver's side of the Torino first but Hutch held out his hand for the keys. The other man sighed as he jangled the keys in front of the blonde's face.
"Ok, this time you drive but as you said, it won't be long before we're cruisin' the streets again, just me and thee!" Starsky chuckled as he surrendered the driving to his friend and hustled over to the passenger side of the red car.
