You're Not Alone
Hutch listened as the doctor spoke to his wife. He heard words that he knew were part of the English language: cancer, treatment, therapy. Now, they were words that had real meaning and he could feel the impact on him. He tried to listen and take in what was being said and drew his wife closer.
The doctor seemed cautiously hopeful and Hutch tried to hold onto those words but in his stomach a tight ball of hopelessness began to form.
They left the hospital in silence, only talking once they were in the car.
Unlike Hutch, his wife appeared calm and quietly expectant of a good outcome. She had been prepared for the worst and, although not great news, she believed the doctor when he said they had caught it in time. They talked quietly through the treatment options and what might lie ahead.
A few hours later, Hutch went for a walk. He ambled aimlessly - or so he thought - until he ended up where his feet knew he needed to be. His partner's home. He walked up the path and knocked on the door. Then he waited, not sure why he didn't want to walk straight in. Perhaps it was a feeling of not saying the words that might change the future, perhaps it was a wish to not to bring such dismal news to a happy household. After a moment, the door opened.
"Hey, Blintz, why didn't you just come...Hutch, what's wrong?"
Hutch suddenly felt his strength drain away from him but strong arms wrapped around him and held him fast.
"Whatever it is, we'll get through it together. You're not alone."
Hutch felt strength pouring back into him and the tight ball in his stomach loosened a little. Starsky led him through to the den, poured him a large glass of whiskey and then waited, ready to listen.
Hutch spoke and Starsky listened. Every day, from then on, Hutch spoke and Starsky listened. Or Hutch was silent and Starsky was just there. All the way through the ups and downs of treatment. All the way through until hope reappeared and Hutch's wife came home with the words: the cancer's gone.