Starsky walked up the stairs to Hutch's apartment, newspaper folded up under one arm. He felt like his legs were made of concrete. Even after a full night's sleep, he was still tired. He wondered how Hutch was doing. It had been a tough week and they had both been glad when they'd managed to wrap the case up late last night, just in time for the weekend.
He opened the door quietly, without knocking in case Hutch was still asleep. He heard a soft laugh and a woman's voice coming from the direction of the greenhouse and paused, listening. A moment later, he smiled and headed towards Hutch's haven.
"Morning Mrs W," he said, as he reached the doorway. "Morning pal."
"Oh good morning Dave. How are you, dear?"
"All the better for seeing you, Mrs W," Starsky said gallantly.
The elderly lady blushed.
"Coffee's on the go, if you want one," Hutch informed his partner.
Starsky nodded, dropped the newspaper onto the table then headed towards the scent of coffee. As he passed the kitchen table, he spied a familiar looking cake tin. He eased the lid open and sniffed with delight. Chocolate. His favourite.
Quickly, he replaced the lid and poured himself a coffee and then returned to the greenhouse.
Hutch and Mrs Wilson were talking plants. Starsky listened with half an ear while he perused the baseball scores.
"Dave?"
He tuned back in. "Yes."
"I was having a clear out and found my husband's old baseball cards. I'm not sure what to do with them. Would you like to take a look at them?"
"Yes, I'd love to. I might know someone who would buy any rare ones he had. Would you like me to make enquiries for you?"
Mrs Wilson looked torn.
"Oh. Er. Oh, I don't know. I guess. It feels a bit strange selling something Herbert loved so much."
Hutch took Mrs Wilson's hand in his.
"I'm sure Herbert would be happy with whatever you decide to do with the cards...Keeping them or selling them is up to you. He wouldn't want them to cause you distress either way."
Mrs Wilson sniffed slightly and delved into her pocket for a handkerchief.
"Thank you both… I'd better be going. Things to do in the garden and I'm sure you two need some R and R. You are both looking a little peaky if you don't mind me saying so. Tough week?"
They both nodded. Mrs Wilson stood up. She kissed each of them on the cheek as she said goodbye and then headed off. Starsky looked after her.
He turned to Hutch and observed, "I feel like I've suddenly been given a new grandmother."
Hutch smiled: "I was just thinking the same thing."
The two of them settled down to read the morning paper and then played some chess. Lunch was sandwiches, followed by a large slice of chocolate cake - at Starsky's insistence.
As the afternoon wore on, Starsky decided it was time to head home.
"I'll take some of the cake with me," he informed Hutch.
He went to the kitchen and divided the cake up, putting some into a small plastic tub.
Hutch came through to the kitchen just as Starsky was headed to the door.
"Hey, how come I get one slice and you get the rest?!"
"You're always telling me cake is bad for us, Blintz. I'm saving ya from feeling guilty about eating it."
"I will be round at your place tomorrow to eat my share, Gordo," Hutch declared, "so don't eat it all tonight!"
Starsky grinned. "I'll try not to but I can't guarantee it won't happen!"