Blue Christmas
Hutch was getting worried. It was only a week until Christmas and Starsky was acting weird. He was used to an exuberant, reindeer loving, carol singing, elf this time of year. What he was getting could only be described as melancholy. He was on his way to pick his partner up and was hoping for his normal holiday cheer. He could not believe he was hoping for that, but he was.
He saw Starsky outside leaning on the Torino when he pulled up. The look on his face told Hutch nothing had changed. Still melancholy.
"Good morning Starsky. Are you ready for another day of crime fighting?"
Starsky froze for just a second, then continued to get in the car. He gave Hutch a very strange look.
"What is going on with you today? Another day of crime fighting? What is that about?"
Hutch sighed. He didn't know if he could handle this. He had come to realize how important Starsky's enthusiasm for Christmas was to him. He was beginning to understand how his own lack of enthusiasm could bring another person down. Starsky's lack right now was definitely bringing him down.
"Aw Starsk, I am just worried about you. You don't have your usual excitement for Christmas right now. Is something wrong?"
Starsky took a deep breath. "I guess I should tell you. Nicky has taken off again. Christmas is in a week, and Ma is going to be alone. I don't have any paid time off available, and can't afford to take off. Oh, she has neighbors that will invite her over, but they aren't her sons."
Hutch looked at his partner sadly. "Starsky, do you have any idea where he went? Can you get in touch with him?"
Starsky shook his head. "No, if I did know how to get my hands on him I am not sure that would be a good thing."
Hutch started driving. They did not want to be late for work. He had the beginnings of an idea, but he would need some help.
They had just closed a fairly large case, so spent most of the morning wading through paperwork. Hutch stood up and stretched.
"Hey Gordo, I am going to see if the cafeteria has any decent salads. Do you want me to bring you back a sandwich?"
Starsky glanced up, "Sure, do you want me to come with you?"
"No, I think I can handle a sandwich and salad. Be back in a bit."
Hutch did not go directly to the cafeteria. He stopped off to see Minnie. He spent about thirty minutes with her. He told her what his plan was, and gave her a list of phone numbers so she could get things organized. He could not do much without giving the surprise away to Starsky.
After talking to Minnie, he quickly got the food and made his way back to the squad room.
Starsky looked up as he came through the door. "That took a long time."
Hutch shrugged, "There was a bit of a line and I could not decide what I wanted. I found you a roast beef sandwich."
Starsky took the sandwich and the men quietly ate lunch. They went back to the paperwork and had it wrapped up in about an hour.
"Hey Starsk, let's go. I need to get out for a while. We can take a look around our beat."
Starsky got up and they went to the garage. Hutch's car happened to be parked directly under a light.
"Hutchinson, when are you going to wash this thing. I can't believe how dirty it is."
"Listen Partner, there is nothing wrong with my car. But, just because of how down you have been, we will take yours the next couple of days."
Starsky shook his head. "Gee, thanks. You are really all heart."
The rest of the day was uneventful. Hutch offered to come up and help Starsky with his tree, just to find out he had not gotten one yet. He said goodnight as his partner got out of the car. He drove off hoping he wasn't too late. He found a tree lot that still seemed to have a good selection and pulled in. Thirty minutes later he pulled out with a nice tree tied to the roof. He headed back to Starsky's. He could not leave the tree outside on his car all night.
He struggled with the tree up the stairs. He was about to knock and open the door, but stopped. Through the door he could Blue Christmas being played. He took a deep breath. This was bad. He sure hoped they could all survive until tomorrow.
Hutch squared his shoulders, gave a knock on the door, and walked in dragging the tree and singing Jingle Bells.
Starsky looked up, startled. "Hutch, what are you doing?"
Hutch stopped, "It is almost Christmas and you don't have a tree yet. So, I have brought you a tree. Go get your decorations."
Starsky sighed, "I told you. I am not having a good Christmas. I am worried about Ma."
Hutch continued in to the apartment with the tree in tow.
"We are just going to have to see if we can get a little Christmas cheer going in here. I know you are worried about your mother, but she would not want you to mope around. Go get your decorations."
"Hutch!"
"Go get your decorations!"
Starsky got up, not unlike a child being made to do a hated chore. Hutch shook his head, this was worse than he thought.
Starsky came back with his box of tree decorations. He handed it to Hutch and then went to the kitchen. He came back with two beers. He handed one to Hutch, and sat back on the couch with his.
"C'mon Gordo, you have to help with this. After all it is your tree and your decorations."
Starsky pointed at the tree, "Not my tree. I don't know that tree. You brung it, you play with it."
With that he turned on the TV and set out to ignore his partner.
Hutch heaved a heavy sigh, then started decorating the tree. He had a flash of an idea. He knew how picky Starsky was about his tree and decorations. He could feel Starsky glancing in this direction. He deliberately started putting the same kind of ornaments right next to each other. He rearranged the lights so the same colors were side by side. He could tell it was working. He knew he had him with the intake of breath after he bunched a half dozen ornaments in one spot, practically on top of each other.
"Hutchinson! Haven't you ever decorated a tree before?" He reached for the ornament in his partner's hand. "Gimmee that!"
Starsky got busy fixing all that Hutch had done wrong. Muttering the whole time. Hutch was hoping the muttering would turn in to some semblance of his normal Christmas joy. He left Starsky working on the tree and went to make some popcorn. He knew for a fact one of Starsky's favorite Christmas specials was on tonight. Once the tree was finished he thought they could settle down with popcorn, a beer, and Rudolph.
He went back to the living room armed with the beer and popcorn. Starsky had finished fixing the tree and stood back to look at it.
"Looks good Gordo. How about we settle down with Rudolph?"
Starsky gave his partner a suspicious look. "What are you up to?"
Hutch shrugged, "I am just trying to help you get a little of your Christmas spirit back."
Starsky sat down and picked up his beer, "I guess I can try. I really do love Christmas. I just hate that my Mom is alone."
Hutch smiled, "You are a good son Starsk. Maybe we can start planning so you can go to New York next year."
Starsky perked up, "Yeah, we plan now, it should be easy. Thanks partner. I will let Mom know when I call her on Christmas that we will be there next year."
"You want me to come with you?"
Starsky reached out to pat him on the shoulder. "Of course, where else will you spend Christmas."
The next morning they arrived at work just to find Dobey waiting for them. He told them to come to his office. As usual, Hutch sat in a chair, and Starsky perched on the arm of that chair.
"Starsky, Hutchinson, I got notified that the DA is expecting a key witness today. I need you to pick the witness up at the airport. The plane arrives at 3:00PM. Make sure you are free at that time."
Hutch reacted first. "Captain, the DA has people. Since when did we become a taxi service?"
Dobey gave him a glower, "If I tell you to be a taxi service, that is what you will be! This witness is a woman, and traveling under an assumed name. There is a good reason for you to pick her up. She is traveling under the name of Smith. Here is the flight information. Don't be late. Now get out of my office."
They went back out to the squad room. Starsky took the flight information from his partner.
"This woman is coming from New York. I wonder what the DA has going on that needs a witness from New York? Think I could hitch a ride back with her?"
Hutch looked at him, "We don't even know when the trial is or when she is going back, but there is no harm in asking."
They had managed to catch all their paperwork up the day before. They decided to head out and cruise around their beat. They were hoping for things to be quiet so they would not be late to the airport.
They had a relatively quiet shift. Not much going on. They managed to avoid having to run anybody in. Just gave some redirection, yeah that's a good word, to some folks headed the wrong way.
About 2:15 Hutch suggested they head to the airport. Traffic was a little heavy, being so close to the holiday. They had to park in an adjacent lot and walk to the terminal. Not far. They got to the disembarking area just as the plane was pulling in.
Starsky looked at his partner, "How are we supposed to know who this Smith chick is?"
Hutch shrugged, "Good question Gordo. I guess we just look for a lady who gets off the plane with no one to pick her up."
They watched as passengers starting coming off the gangway. Starsky suddenly reached out and grabbed Hutch by the jacket. Hutch started to laugh as Starsky let go and started running towards the passengers.
"Ma!!!!"
As his mother came off the plane he grabbed her in a bear hug and started spinning her around.
"Ma, how did you get here? Why didn't you tell me? I am so happy to see you!"
Hutch walked up and started to steer his partner and his mother out of the way so other passengers could get through.
Starsky turned to him, "You did this! How?"
Hutch was still chuckling. He loved it when that little boy quality came jumping out of his partner. He stepped up to give Mama Starsky a hug of his own.
"I hope it was a good flight. Let's go get your luggage and get out of here."
Mama Starsky was crying, "Oh Ken, the flight was fine. Thank you so much for doing this for my Davey. I know he was worried about me."
Hutch smiled, "Yes Ma'am, it was a real group effort. He has been quite the Scrooge lately. I am hoping you will bring back a little of his Christmas spirit. Are you up for getting something to eat, or do you need to rest?"
She caught his wink, so agreed to getting some food. They had gotten her luggage and Hutch waited with her while Starsky got the car. Once they were situated, Hutch suggested they go to The Pits.
Starsky shook his head, "Hutch, Ma just got here. I am sure she is tired. Maybe we should just go to my place."
She put her hand on his arm, "It's fine Davey. There was not much to eat on the plane and I am hungry."
"Okay Ma, The Pits it is. Just be prepared. It isn't like any place you are used to."
It did not take them long to reach their destination. Hutch got out and helped Mama Starsky out. Starsky came around the car and gave her his arm.
"Welcome to The Pits Ma. It is different, but the food is good and the owner is a good friend."
They went in, Starsky thinking it was going to be uncharacteristically empty for the lack of cars in the parking lot. As they stepped in, they were met by a crowd yelling Merry Christmas.
Starsky stopped, and looked at Hutch.
Hutch shrugged, "All these people helped make this happen. A Christmas present to Santa's oldest and biggest elf!"
Everybody laughed as they sat back down. Starsky, very proudly, introduced his precious Ma to his equally precious friends. Mama Starsky was especially happy to meet Minnie and Edith. She had spent what seemed like hours on the phone with both women getting this set up. After the introductions, Huggy started to bring out a proper Christmas feast.
"I am aware that Christmas is still four days away. I just did not want to waste having all these fine folks in my establishment, so Christmas dinner is served!"
Starsky had his arm around his mother, and was looking around at all his friends. He looked at Hutch, who raised his glass to him.
"Merry Almost Christmas Gordo. I can't believe I am saying this, but I will glad to get my overly enthusiastic partner back."