Keeping A Promise
It was a beautifully clear morning on what was the last day of March; a Thursday. Starsky and Hutch had been on late shifts for the week, which meant some much anticipated lay-ins for Starsky and a lot of long runs through the park for Hutch.
Sometimes in the past, they had also used the mornings of late shifts to undertake a sporting activity together, like tennis or crazy golf. A few weeks ago, it had also meant doing something else; something that had meant a lot to a small group of underprivileged and, in some cases, mentally challenged kids.
Maybe, today, it was time to get back to that activity and help his partner keep a promise in the process.
Hutch put on his green and yellow tracksuit, with solemn purpose, and then headed out to his car, trying to ignore the dull ache that had suddenly settled around his heart as he remembered the last time he had worn it. He collected a bag of clothes, stuffed his gun and holster inside and carried it and his jacket out to the car, where he locked everything in the trunk. Then he drove to Starsky's - without the radio on. It was broken but, even if it had been working, he would have craved silence, needing to sit alone with his thoughts for a while.
Just last night, he had figured he was ready to do this, but this morning he felt a mixture of deep sadness mingled with reluctance and pleasure at the prospect of going to see the kids at Terry's school. How would the kids be coping? Would they ask a lot of questions that he and his partner would struggle to handle? If he felt this confusion of emotions, he knew Starsky would be feeling them eight-fold.
He arrived at his partner's place and retrieved his bag from the trunk of his car. He took the stairs slowly, one at a time; delaying seeing his partner and anxious about the state he might be in. Would he be manically bouncy, denying his feelings? Or slumped with despair?
Hutch knocked and then opened the door cautiously. He could see Starsky was dressed ready - in his white shorts, a red t-shirt and a blue windbreaker – but his partner was stood, with his back to Hutch, seemingly staring at nothing. Hutch cleared his throat quietly and Starsky startled slightly.
"Hey, how are you doing?" Hutch asked softly.
Starsky nodded and answered, "'m fine. Let's go see Sally and the other kids." He attempted a smile as he said, "Think the score is even – Hornets are due a win!"
Hutch shook his head in response as Starsky crossed the room to get his keys.
"No, the Blond Blintz's Buffalos have got the measure of you, pal. They're going to win by a mile."
"We'll see about that!"
Starsky walked purposefully across the room, then hesitated at the door. Hutch laid a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. Starsky took a deep breath and then headed out, waiting for Hutch to pass by before locking the door and then following Hutch out onto the sidewalk.
"Which car are we going in?" Hutch inquired.
"Mine, unless you've got your radio fixed?"
Hutch indicated he hadn't and, with much tutting from Starsky, they climbed into his freshly polished Gran Torino. Starsky started the engine and they headed downtown towards the school. As they approached the building, Starsky slowed to a halt and pulled the car over. Hutch looked at him with tender concern. There was so much he wanted to say, but he didn't know where to start. Should he say that he understood and was riddled with his own mixed emotions? Should he ask again if Starsky was okay, if he felt ready? They'd talked about it last night and both agreed they felt it was time: what seemed like only yesterday to them, would seem like an age to the youngsters who counted on their as-frequent-as-they-could-manage visits to teach them teamwork and acceptance disguised as basketball.
After a moment or two, he said, "You okay, Starsk? Still ready to do this?"
"Yeah, I can do this. I promised Terry I wouldn't let Sally give up and that we'd keep in touch with all the kids and I always keep my promises."
Hutch nodded. "Yeah, we can't let Terry down. We made a commitment to those kids. You know I feel that way too…but when you've had enough, let me know. Don't push yourself too far, partner. I'm proud of you, Terry would be proud of you, for thinking about other people's feelings when you're hurting so badly yourself. Just remember it's okay to take it in small steps and just give as much of yourself as you feel able. Okay?"
Starsky wiped at his eyes and nodded. Then he moved the car further along the street until it was level with the playground.
At the sight of the red-and-white car coming into view, an excited chatter went up and some of the kids started walking towards the gates to welcome the detectives. They greeted them with big smiles and hugs.
"Who's ready for a game of basketball then?" Starsky asked.
They were lots of cheers and then the kids, with help from a teacher, began to get into two teams. Starsky drew his group into a huddle and encouraged them to remember what skills they already knew and then they began playing…with lots of encouragement from each partner and guidance as to whom the ball should be passed to in order to get it towards the hoop. After only a few minutes, Starsky and Hutch both looked at each other at the same time, realising that someone was missing – Sally.
Starsky accosted the teacher and asked where Sally was. The teacher explained that Sally would probably be in the library looking at picture books as she hadn't wanted to do any cheerleading since Terry had died. Starsky asked if it was all right if he went and talk to her and the teacher gave him permission and directions to where Sally might be found and took over cheering on the Hornets.
Starsky walked through the building until he found the library. Sally was sitting in a corner, looking at a book. He went and sat next to her and gently said her name.
She looked up at him and smiled.
"Hey, honey, the Hornets are doing terrible. They need their cheerleader. Think you can come and help me cheer them on?"
Sally frowned and shook her head a little. "I can't do it. I need Miss Roberts to help me. I miss her."
Starsky swallowed. "I miss her too…But you know something, Miss Roberts told me that you were so good at cheering, you could teach me how to do it."
"She did?"
"She did…How about it? Think you could teach me?"
Sally thought for a minute and then slowly nodded. "Okay."
"Good girl. Come on. Let's go find those pompoms and see if we can get the Hornets to beat the Blintz's buffalos."
Starsky led Sally outside and helped her find a pair of brightly coloured, stripy pompoms then picked out a pair for himself.
"So, what do we do first?"
"Shake 'em like this," Sally instructed. She nodded when Starsky copied her. "Then you say, 'Rah, rah, rah! Go Hornets!'"
Starsky copied Sally and soon the two of them were cheering their team on.
When the kids took a break for some drinks, Hutch came over and joined them.
"You're helping the Hornets to beat my Buffalos, Sally! I need to get a cheerleader of my own!"
Sally smiled shyly and said, "Sorry, Hutch."
"Aw, you don't need to be sorry," Hutch said. "I'm just saying you're doing a great job."
"Yes, you are," Starsky agreed. "Great job! Not that my team needs any help, you understand, Hutch. They've been taught by the best."
"'Course they have, Gordo!" Hutch said, with a roll of the eyes. "Time for the last quarter. We can beat you yet."
"Nah, not likely. Come on, Sally, let's get cheering!"
The game continued with very gentle friendly rivalry that had lots of the kids laughing and joining in. Then finally the whistle blew and the game was over. The Buffalos lost by a point. Hutch and Starsky made sure to hug Sally and shake hands with all the players and congratulate them on playing so well, then they made their apologies and left. There would just be enough time for a quick shower each at Starsky's before heading into work.
As they drove away from the school, Hutch could see Starsky was tired but looked calm. He placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You okay?"
Starsky glanced at him, with a small smile playing around his lips. He nodded and then looked back at the road.
"Thanks, Hutch. Thanks for helping me keep my promise."
"You're welcome."
"Sally's great, isn't she? So brave."
"Yeah, she is," Hutch agreed, silently adding in his head. "So are you, partner. So. Are. You."