{"id":354,"date":"2017-12-17T05:12:39","date_gmt":"2017-12-17T05:12:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2017\/calendar\/?p=354"},"modified":"2017-12-17T05:12:39","modified_gmt":"2017-12-17T05:12:39","slug":"december-17th-a-merry-little-christmas-by-mvernet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2017\/calendar\/?p=354","title":{"rendered":"December 17th- A Merry Little Christmas by Mvernet"},"content":{"rendered":"

Scroll past the image at the end of the story to see the author’s note.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Have yourself a merry little Christmas
\nIt may be your last
\nNext year we may all be living in the past<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Christmas time in Bay City was a study in contradictions. Jolly bell-ringing Santas in red, short sleeve shirts basked on the sunlit corners of the bustling city. They could be seen taking a break in the shade with a cold can of soda instead of stomping off snowy boots and warming up to a steamy hot chocolate. Snowmen made of Styrofoam graced the front store windows of pricey boutiques instead of decorating the Currier and Ives perfect yards of merry families. Palm trees swayed in the seasonal heat while Christmas firs and spruces for sale, sprayed with fake snow from a can, huddled in the corners of steamy parking lots.<\/p>\n

Hutch shivered from the air conditioning and snuggled into his flannel overshirt as he lounged in his favorite booth at Huggy\u2019s. He raised his empty glass of vodka and tonic, twist of lime, high in the air. Hutch blinked twice as the twinkling Christmas lights that decorated the bar reflected in his glass.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt looks like a glass of Christmas rainbows, Starsk. You\u2019d like that. If you were here\u2026 but you\u2019re not.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Huggy put down his bar towel, waved off his waitress and took charge. \u201cI\u2019ll take care of Blondie tonight, Brooke baby. Looks like he\u2019s goin\u2019 for the record.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure thing, Huggy. What\u2019s wrong with him anyway? Woman troubles?\u201d The pretty, young waitress was new and found it odd that Huggy Bear had such a soft spot for the pitiful blond cop who always drank alone in a booth for two.<\/p>\n

\u201cBoy has partner troubles. As in he lost his partner and he\u2019s in big trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I\u2019m so sorry.\u201d She lifted a hand to her mouth, truly embarrassed. \u201cYou mean his cop partner died?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWorse. He moved to New York.\u201d<\/p>\n

Huggy plastered on a smile and slid into the empty side of the booth across from Hutch. \u201cHey, my brother. \u2018Tis the season. Shouldn’t you be out shopping? Only seven days till old San-tee Claus makes his appearance.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hutch looked at his friend with inebriated disgust. \u201cHuggy, you know I hate the com\u2026 commer\u2026 commercialism of Christmas. I give the Dobeys a gift certificate to Edith\u2019s favorite restaurant and take the kids to a movie. You, I pay our, I mean my<\/em> tab and share some expensive champagne. I don\u2019t dooooo shopping.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about somethin\u2019 for our man Starsky?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hutch leaned forward, his trembling hand clutching his empty glass hard enough to make the spent lime section quiver. \u201cStarsky doesn\u2019t need me in his new life. And I don\u2019t blame him. What happened to him\u2026 and then not being able to be my partner on the streets any more — that finished what Gunther\u2019s bullets started. Why should he want to remember his life with me? It brought him nothing but pain and anguish.\u201d<\/p>\n

Huggy placed a hand on his friend\u2019s to steady it. \u201cCome on, Hutch. That ain\u2019t true and you know it. When Curly got the word his momma fell and broke her arm, it just made sense to him to start over fresh in New York. You know he was guilty as hell about you putting your life on hold and playin\u2019 nursemaid to him. He wanted to give you your life back.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hutch took the glass and threw it against the wall. \u201cI have <\/em>no life without him! I miss him, Hug. I miss him.\u201d Hutch rested his head on the tabletop drawing his arms in to hide his emotions. Silently, light tremors shook his shoulders.<\/p>\n

Huggy looked around at the stunned customers and his wide-eyed waitress. He waved his hand. \u201cEverything\u2019s fine, folks. Just a little holiday blues. Brooke, clean that up, please. Watch yourself with the glass, babygirl.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brooke scurried away keeping herself out of the firing range of the drunk cop.<\/p>\n

Huggy turned back and ruffled the blond head. \u201cI know, Hutch. I know you miss him. I miss him too. I\u2019ll be right back with some coffee and a sandwich. I need to sober you up. I ain\u2019t sendin\u2019 you home like this, babe, I got a rep to keep up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hutch sat up and stretched out his long legs. He ran his hand over his face, masterfully clearing away any traces of tears and gave Huggy a watery smile. \u201cOkay, thanks, pal.\u201d<\/p>\n

Huggy busied himself with the Mr. Coffee behind the bar. He glanced up as a warm blast of December air came in through the door followed by Detective C.J. Simmons who was red in the face, his hands at his side balled into fists. Huggy muttered an, \u201cUh, oh.\u201d He knew Simmons as a likable jerk with a big mouth and a bigger heart. Without the calming influence of his shorter partner, Detective Herb Babcock, he was trouble waiting to happen.<\/p>\n

Huggy watched as his insight payed off. Simmons spotted Hutch almost immediately. He grabbed Hutch by his shirt, dragged him out of the safety of his booth and smashed him against the wall. Hutch didn\u2019t fight back.<\/p>\n

Simmons was spitting his words into Hutch\u2019s face. \u201cI take a few days off to visit my dad in Tucson and Babs gets shot? You were supposed to watch his back. Not the other way around. Just help him do some interviews. Maybe follow up a few leads. I told you to keep my partner safe, didn\u2019t I? DIDN\u201dT I? Did you think I was just blowin\u2019 smoke up your ass?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hutch took a deep breath and tried to sound sober. \u201cListen, C.J., I get it. I do. Your partner gets\u2026 gets\u2026 injured and you want to see heads roll. Herb saved my life. I\u2026 I know it. I never meant for him to be in that position. It should have been me that was shot. The doc said it was just a head g-graze. No skull fracture. I stayed with him the whole time, I swear. I…I made sure he stayed awake and got everything he ne-needed. This morning when he was released I told him he could stay with me at my place, but his sister insisted…\u201d<\/p>\n

Huggy came up behind Simmons and cautiously placed a hand on his shoulder. \u201cLook, bro. I\u2019m sorry Babcock got hurt. But you know in your heart of hearts our blond brother would never endanger your partner. You just got back in town? You must be tired. How about I get you a Huggy special and some coffee on the house? You just gotta lay off Hutch, \u2019cause I don\u2019t think I got any cops left to call.\u201d<\/p>\n

Simmons mouth twitched and he deflated. He let Hutch go with a shove towards the booth. \u201cTell me what happened, Hutch. I\u2019ve been driving all day and I still have to drive out to Lawndale to see Babs at his sister\u2019s place.\u201d He turned to Huggy and added contritely, \u201dI\u2019ll have a bite before I go. Thanks, Huggy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Simmons sat opposite Hutch and folded his arms. \u201cTell me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thankfully, Brooke arrived with two coffees, a metal creamer, and a hesitant smile.<\/p>\n

Hutch smiled up at her, added some sugar to his coffee and stirred it. He gave Simmons a quick look and sighed. \u201cWe were on our way back to the station when we got the call. A two-eleven goin\u2019 down at Greenwood Liquor on Sixth. We were right there so we took it. I told Herb to call for backup and stay put. That I would handle it. I went in the front. The perp was about seventeen, strung out, and holding one of those new Glocks. It looked like a plastic toy in his hands. He was shaking.\u201d<\/p>\n

Simmons frowned. \u201cDid you ID yourself? Did you have your weapon out?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hutch shook his head and stared into space as if seeing the frightened boy again. \u201cNo, no\u2026 I\u2026 he was just a kid. I thought I could maybe talk him down. He was aiming right at my heart. If he fired, I\u2019d be dead. Three shots to the chest\u2026\u201d Hutch\u2019s voice wandered off with his mind reliving the horrific sight of his own partner being gunned down.<\/p>\n

Simmons raised his eyebrows, not liking what he was seeing on Hutch\u2019s face. All anger drained out of him and he felt suddenly cold. He grasped at his steaming coffee cup and shared a concerned glance with Huggy. \u201cYou wanted that boy to shoot you, didn\u2019t you, Hutch? Babs came in and tackled the guy, My partner got hit instead of you. If Babs hadn\u2019t come in when he did, I\u2019d be gettin\u2019 out my black suit for your funeral. Isn\u2019t that right, Hutch?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hutch hung his head and nodded. The only sign he was still breathing was the small movement as his thumb rubbed slowly against the warmth of his mug.<\/p>\n

Huggy came up quietly with a Huggy Special and a turkey with sprouts on rye. He stood and listened, chills running up and down his spine. Huggy put the plates of food in front of the two cops, knowing eating was the last thing on their minds.<\/p>\n

Simmons shook his head. \u201cHutch, look at me!\u201d he demanded. Hutch lifted his eyes and both friends were taken back by the emptiness there. \u201cHutch, you have to get help. We\u2019ll keep this little mishap between the two of us for now. I gotta talk to Babs about how we should handle it. But you have to promise me, Hutch. Don\u2019t take my partner out with you again. I can\u2019t lose him, ya know? I know for a fact that no one will mourn me when I go\u2026 except maybe for Babs. But Herb Babcock, he makes a difference in this damn world. I\u2019ll do anything to protect him including asking for your badge.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hutch said quietly, \u201cI understand. And I promise, C.J.\u201d<\/p>\n

Simmons stood and made his way out of the booth. He eyed his sandwich.<\/p>\n

Huggy smiled. \u201cI\u2019ll wrap that up for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Simmons smiled back. \u201cThanks.\u201d He turned to Hutch and placed a hand on his shoulder. \u201cHutch, I\u2019m sorry I came on so strong. I care about you too, buddy. Things get too much, you call me day or night. Okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hutch smiled. \u201cSure, C.J. I know. Thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n

After Simmons left. Huggy slid back into the booth. \u201cI\u2019m gonna call Starsky,\u201d Huggy said bluntly.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo! Huggy I can handle this. Starsky calls me every Tuesday at eight and that\u2019s the way I want it. I won\u2019t allow you to get him upset!\u201d<\/p>\n

Huggy grew angry at Hutch\u2019s attitude. \u201dWhat do you think Starsky will do if he calls one Tuesday night to find you\u2019ve committed suicide by strung–<\/strong>out doper?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing. He\u2019ll do nothing. Because he\u2019ll never know!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t keep him in the dark about this. You need him like macaroni needs cheese and he needs you just as bad. Why didn\u2019t you just go with him to New York?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe. Never. Asked. Me!\u201d Hutch cried as he stumbled out of the booth and stormed out the door.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Have yourself a merry little Christmas
\nPop that champagne cork
\nNext year we may all be living in New York<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Starsky was surrounded by Starskys and it felt good. There were also quite a few Goldblums and a small tribe of Cohens. Among the younger married cousins, it was a true New York melting pot of various ethnic last names. But to Starsky\u2019s mind, one name belonging to a tall blond Viking was glaringly missing. Hutchinson.<\/p>\n

Starsky popped the cork on the champagne. He was playing bartender and butler for his mother as she nursed her broken arm. The clan was celebrating the first night of Hanukkah and the engagement of a young Goldblum and a Chang adding yet another name to the Starsky family United Nations. Starsky\u2019s cheek was sore from all the squeezing it was getting from his elderly aunts.<\/p>\n

He glanced at the phone. It was Friday and his weekly call to his partner was days away. He had promised himself to give Hutch plenty of space to start a new life. Hutch was probably studying for his lieutenant’s exam coming up in January. It was a cinch he\u2019d make it without the worry of taking care of his burnt out, disabled partner.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, God, I miss him,\u201d he sighed quietly. The noise and laughter of the party only made his chest ache from more than slowly healing bullet wounds.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou missing your Golden Goyim, boychik?\u201d Ruth Starsky became the quintessential Jewish Mother after a few cocktails.<\/p>\n

Starsky chuckled as his mother hugged him as best she could with her arm in a sling. \u201cYou know I love that blond beauty like a son. So why is it he isn\u2019t here again?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMa, I told you a million times. Hutch had to get on with his life. He was stuck to me like Elmers. I couldn\u2019t sneeze at home without him callin\u2019 me up from the station to say \u2018gesundheit.\u2019 It wasn\u2019t right, him givin\u2019 up everything for me. And he wasn\u2019t ever gonna leave me<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ruth pushed Starsky gently down into a kitchen chair and sat across from him. \u201cWhen you were first shot, Davey, Ken called me. That boy told me my son had almost died. He told me what I needed to know, told me he\u2019d make all arrangements, would pay for everything if Nicky and I wanted to come to California. His voice was strong and caring, just what I needed after my shock. Nick was with me that night and he spoke to Ken for a while then he gave the phone back to me to say goodbye. You know what he said to me, Davey?\u201d<\/p>\n

Starsky shook his head and swallowed the lump caught in his throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe said, \u2018I\u2019m so sorry, Ruth, that it wasn\u2019t me. I\u2019m so sorry I couldn\u2019t save him from all this pain. I wish they had shot me and saved all of us this suffering.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Ma. No.\u201d Starsky reached out across the table and took his mother\u2019s hand in his.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. I swear on your father\u2019s grave. Then I said, \u2018Shame on you, Ken, for wishing such a thing. My son loves you and I love you, and I would never want you to take his place on earth or in heaven. What is done is done and we need to be strong for our Davey.\u2019 I heard that big tough cop start to cry and I soothed him like a child till he stopped. That boy loves you with all his heart and he should be here while you both work out what to do next. What good are partners who are a continent apart?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMa. Hutch doesn\u2019t need to be shackled to someone who can barely walk to the corner without a puff of medicine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd who are you, big shot, to make a decision like that for him? What exactly did he say when you asked him to come live with us?\u201d<\/p>\n

Starsky traced the designs on the enamel–<\/strong>topped table like he did when he was a boy and knew the wrath of Ruth was coming soon. \u201cI never asked him to come with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d The petite woman had quite a loud voice when enraged by what she thought was stupidity. Several of the aunts leaned in to find out what was going on.<\/p>\n

\u201cMa. I thought it was best. A clean break, ya know?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDavid Michael Starsky. You broke his heart!\u201d<\/p>\n

The aunts began to cluck like a flock of fancy-feathered hens, their whispers as loud as the silver bells on the city street corners.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did Davey do?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI think he broke someone\u2019s heart.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYes. That nice partner of David\u2019s? The big blond one.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThat sweet boy who helped Ruth get this brownstone after Nicky got sent to jail?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the one. Ken, like the doll.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cHe was a doll. Told me all about where he grew up when he was here that one weekend, ummm. Duluth, Iowa, I think, well, someplace out west anyway.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t know our Davey was gay.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYou didn\u2019t get a chance to meet Ken. He\u2019d turn anyone.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cHe bought Ruth this brownstone?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cOh! Yes. It happened when my Horace called Rose and then Rose told Davey that Ruth\u2019s new landlord was giving her hassles and that a gang had taken over her old neighborhood. We wanted Ruth to move out here to Brooklyn to be near us and my Horace found this brownstone. We\u2019re just round the corner on Avenue M, you know. David\u2019s partner Ken Hutchinson made it happen two weeks later. Horace said he must have paid cash to close the deal so fast and everything is in David\u2019s name, not his own.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI love gay men. So supportive.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cMy grandson, Petey, is gay and proud. Maybe Davey could set him up with a nice boy. Does Ken have a brother?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Ruth suddenly banged her good hand on the table. \u201cWhat a bunch of old biddies. Everybody out of the kitchen. I need to talk to my son!\u201d<\/p>\n

The aunts were not offended, knowing all boys needed a good talkin\u2019 to now and then to keep them on the right path. The flock moved on to the buffet set out in the dining room.<\/p>\n

Starsky closed his eyes momentarily and wished not for the first time that he could hear the soothing tones of his partner\u2019s beautiful voice. When Hutch strummed his guitar softly singing Christmas carols for only him, he imagined he could hear the angels join in. Instead of angels, he tried to tune out the rapid fire, in your face, loudness of his she-devil of a mother on a rant.<\/p>\n

Ruth banged on the table again, making the snowmen salt and pepper shakers quake with fear. \u201cDavid! How could you? You never even asked him? That young man thinks you make the sun shine and the stars twinkle. He loves you and you love him. When are you going to admit that to yourself and claim your prize?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMa! You don\u2019t understand. Hutch ain\u2019t no prize to be won. He\u2019s my best buddy, my partner. He\u2019s more a brother to me than Nicky ever was. That\u2019s why I gotta do what\u2019s right by him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t understand? I understand plenty. When you were shot and Nicky and I arrived in California, Ken took charge. He had a talk with Nicky, God bless him. Tried to straighten your brother out for your sake. Nicky behaved for quite a while after that talk, even though Nicky ended up in trouble again and got sent to jail. I think whatever they talked about might have saved his life. You were so sick with a fever after you were shot, I\u2019m not even sure you knew I was there with you. Your Ken looked after me like I was a queen. That boy never left your side except for cop business or takin\u2019 care of me and Nicky. He told me he loved you more than life. He told me you were<\/em> his life. I saw the truth in his eyes, David. That boy loves you and wants you desperately.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMa!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t \u2018Ma\u2019 me! I know a thing or two about love. It can hit ya like a sun shower or a hurricane, but either way, you can\u2019t escape gettin\u2019 wet. You and Ken definitely have a hurricane kind of love, devastating, leavin\u2019 wreckage in its wake. But the thing about hurricanes is after all that blowin\u2019, the sun eventually comes out and the world is changed, the air is fresh and purified. Time to take Ken in from the storm, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

Starsky ran a hand over his face. He knew his Ma was right. He was kidding himself thinking he could get over his deep feelings for Hutch. Feelings he never thought he would act upon. Hutch was a part of his very soul and he had made a big mistake. Wherever he needed to go, he needed his partner by his side.<\/p>\n

Starsky smiled and took his mother\u2019s hand and gently squeezed her small arthritic fingers. \u201cWhen\u2019d ya get so smart, Ma?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou just noticed this now?\u201d She pinched her handsome son\u2019s cheek.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

No good times like the olden days
\nHappy golden days of yore
\nFaithful friends who were dear to us
\nWill be near to us no more<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Hutch walked for two miles in the warm December evening after he stormed out of Huggy\u2019s. His muzzy mind took in the sounds and sights of Christmas in Bay City. His senses were assaulted by the bustling crowd and the multi-colored lights. He watched an elf with pointy ears and green tights light up a cigarette as he leaned against the red brick wall of a department store. The seven vodka and tonics he had made him clumsier than usual. He didn\u2019t respond to the people he jostled as they cursed at him when their holiday packages fell to the grimy sidewalk. After a while, he sobered up enough to figure out where he was and where he wanted to go. Hutch waved wildly as he hailed a cab.<\/p>\n

Hutch sat at his old desk at Metro, where he had sat across from Starsky for so many years. The squad room was empty and dimly lit by the emergency lights in the deserted hall. A new team of rookie detectives now claimed the face-to-face partner desks, while Hutch was delegated to the lone one near the window. The rest of the squad looked at it as a place of honor and respect. Hutch could only see a place where he didn\u2019t quite belong any more. How could anyone be at the top of his game when he only had half a heart?<\/p>\n

He placed his gun, shield, and letter of resignation on the newbie\u2019s blotter. He held back a sigh as he examined the framed photos displayed proudly on the edge of the desk. The guy was married, with two kids and a dog. He looked about sixteen and made Hutch feel like a has-been cop, worn down to the bone by the streets. The kind of cop Starsky and Hutch had sworn never to become. Hutch smiled at the empty chair across from him, memories like a slide show playing in his mind. Starsky\u2019s expressive face starred in every one.<\/p>\n

Hey! Hutch! Wanna go see <\/em>The Rocky Horror Picture Show? We could dress up and squirt people with water pistols. You\u2019d like that. It\u2019s obnoxious.<\/em><\/p>\n

Hey! Hutch! Lend me ten bucks will ya? My pet rock needs a partner. I\u2019ll name him after you. You have similar qualities.<\/em><\/p>\n

Hey! Hutch! When we get too old for the streets, let\u2019s start a business together. You got the smarts; I\u2019ve got the talent. We could make somethin\u2019 beautiful happen.<\/em><\/p>\n

Hey! Hutch! Lookie! I got some ping-pong paddles and a ball. Wanna play me? I\u2019ll make it worth your while.<\/em><\/p>\n

Hutch leaned back in his chair battling with the tears threatening to fall. He closed his eyes and spoke softly, his words echoing around the quiet room. \u201cAhhh, Starsk. I can\u2019t do this anymore. Why does love hurt so damn much?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hutch picked up his Magnum. It felt like an old friend in his shaking hand. \u201cHappy Holidays.\u201d Hutch didn\u2019t expect the weapon to return the sentiment.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

But at least we all will be together
\nIf the Lord allows
\nFrom now on, we’ll have to muddle through somehow
\nSo have yourself a merry little Christmas now<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Starsky picked up the extension in his mother\u2019s room to try to get some privacy. As soon as his Uncle Horace had said, \u201cDavid, it\u2019s for you. A cop from Bay City,\u201d Starsky\u2019s heart raced up to his throat. He could tell something was wrong. He picked up the old black rotary and jumped on the bed.<\/p>\n

He said breathlessly into the receiver, “Starsky, here.”<\/p>\n

“Starsky! Great to hear your voice, buddy. This is Herb Babcock. Happy Holidays!”<\/em><\/p>\n

“Same to you, Herb! Sorry about the noise. My ahhh, family is having a little get together for Hanukkah. It\u2019s kinda nice to hear a Californian accent. Imagine a whole house full of Starskys.”<\/p>\n

“<\/em><\/strong>Hey! You want to give me nightmares?“<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

“How\u2019s C.J.?”<\/p>\n

“He\u2019s great, Starsky. He\u2019s here actually. I\u2019m at my sister\u2019s house. He\u2019s a bit of an overprotective brother-hen at the moment. I had a little\u2026 scuffle on the job. Two-eleven in progress. Kid with a new gun. I almost ended up with a permanent part in my hair.<\/em>”<\/p>\n

“Jeez, Herb! You got shot? How bad? You said you\u2019re at your sister\u2019s?”<\/p>\n

“It was just a scratch, Starsky. Honest. I\u2019m good, thanks.<\/em>”<\/p>\n

“Is something wrong, Herb? Why\u2019d ya call me if ya got old Simmons there? Do ya need somethin\u2019? Can I do anything for you guys?”<\/p>\n

“Well, here\u2019s the thing, Starsky. C.J. wasn\u2019t with me when I got shot. Hutch was.<\/em>”<\/p>\n

“What? Oh, no. God, Herb! Was he hurt?”<\/p>\n

“No! No, no, Starsky. He wasn\u2019t hurt. But\u2026<\/em>”<\/p>\n

“But?”<\/p>\n

“He was reckless, buddy. Too reckless for me to just let it go. Since you left, he\u2019s been like a zombie. Just going through the motions till it\u2019s time to hit the bar. I\u2019m sorry to tell you this, but I think he wanted that kid to shoot him. If I hadn\u2019t jumped the kid, he would have been dead. I think he needs to get off the streets for a while. And I think that suggestion would be better coming from you.<\/em>”<\/p>\n

“God, Herb. Thanks for telling me. Are you gonna report him?”<\/p>\n

“I wanted to give you a chance to talk to him first. I\u2019ll do whatever you say, Starsky. Just let me know.<\/em>”<\/p>\n

“Sure, Herb. I\u2019m glad you\u2019re okay. Give that big lug of a partner of yours a Christmas hug for me, huh?”<\/p>\n

“Good idea. Maybe that will calm him down. I\u2019m about ready to cuff him to the Christmas tree and head out to Huggy\u2019s for a cold one. C.J. said Hutch was at Huggy\u2019s place earlier drowning his sorrows. Maybe you can catch him there.<\/em>”<\/p>\n

“Thanks, Herb. Take care.”<\/p>\n

“Bye, Starsky. Happy Hanukkah.”<\/em><\/p>\n

Starsky flicked the cradle button till he heard a dial tone, then carefully dialed Huggy\u2019s number. His lengthy conversation with his worried pal, Huggy, just reaffirmed what Babcock had suggested. Hutch was in deep trouble. Starsky couldn\u2019t wait till the morning to catch Hutch at home. Hutch needed him now. Starsky dialed the airport.<\/p>\n

Uncle Horace dropped Starsky off at the Kennedy airport departure area and wished him Godspeed. He shook his head at the impetuousness of youth. But Ruth had okayed her son\u2019s sudden departure so Horace was more than willing to give a ride to his hero nephew.<\/p>\n

Starsky waved his uncle off and headed inside. He was on standby for a flight to Bay City, the holiday rush making it impossible to get a reserved seat. He prayed he wouldn\u2019t be too late and that Hutch would be safe till he got to him. Got to him and had a long overdue discussion. It was going to be a long, long night.<\/p>\n

It was after midnight and Starsky was stretching his legs. His injuries didn\u2019t bother him that much anymore, but hours at an airport lounge waiting to be allowed on a flight had taken its toll on his body. He was drawn to a small bagel place by the aroma of coffee and cinnamon raisin bagels. As he left the store juggling his duffel bag and culinary delights, his droopy eyes closed for just a second as he savored that first sip of fresh, roasted coffee. He almost scalded a tall man who bumped into him while making a beeline for the taxi stand.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhoa, there. cowboy. Or you\u2019re gonna be buyin\u2019 me another breakfast.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStarsky?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHutch?\u201d<\/p>\n

The partners stared at each other speechless for a moment. Then Hutch shook his head and gave Starsky a hug, as Starsky chuckled and tried not to drop his bagel or spill his coffee on his Blond Blintz. He felt the soft hint of a kiss against his ear.<\/p>\n

Starsky hugged back as best he could. \u201cHutch what are you doin\u2019 here? I was just about to board a plane for Bay City and come lookin\u2019 for you!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. You dumb Blondie. I\u2019ve been worried sick. Nobody knew for sure where you were. Don\u2019t tell me you just got off a plane comin\u2019 to see me!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, yeah, Starsk. Is\u2026 is that okay? I just\u2026 I couldn\u2019t\u2026 I\u2026 Wait. You were coming to see me? Why?\u201d<\/p>\n

Starsky took a good look at his best friend. He had lost weight and was paler than pale with dark circles under his eyes. His eyes had that dull grey color they got when Hutch was sick or depressed. Starsky felt his heart clench in his chest. What was wrong with his Hutch?<\/p>\n

\u201cHutch. Let\u2019s go sit in the passenger lounge for your flight. It\u2019s deserted just now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, Starsk.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hutch walked in front of Starsky, head down and shoulders slumped. The overnight bag slung on his shoulder made it seem like he was carrying the weight of the world. Babcock\u2019s warning that Hutch was like a zombie popped into Starsky\u2019s head. Hutch settled into a plastic seat fastened securely to a metal bar. Starsky picked a seat next to Hutch with a table attached and lay down his burdens.<\/p>\n

\u201cYa want coffee and a bagel? I\u2019ll buy.\u201d Hutch shook his head; a nervous smile flitted across his lips. Starsky noted it and asked, \u201cDid ya eat on the plane?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot hungry, Starsky.\u201d<\/p>\n

Starsky shook his head and blew into the little hole in the lid of his paper cup making a whistling sound. He sipped his brew while watching Hutch twitch with nerves. Starsky felt again the need to reach his partner. He placed a hand on Hutch\u2019s knee and was surprised when he jumped. \u201cHutch, babe. Why are you here?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hutch shrugged. \u201cI\u2026 I was\u2026 I\u2026 I needed to\u2026 get away for a while. You know how much I \u2018love\u2019 the holidays. I\u2019m sorry I didn\u2019t call. I\u2019ll stay at a hotel\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHeeey, Hutch. Take it easy. I\u2019m over the moon that you\u2019re here!\u201d Starsky chuckled, \u201cWe almost missed each other; must be a Christmas airport miracle or somethin\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Hutch took a deep breath and a puzzled frown settled on his face. \u201cOr somethin\u2019. You were heading to Bay City, Starsk? To see me? Why?\u201d<\/p>\n

Starsky blew lightly on his coffee again, then offered it to Hutch. Hutch took the cup and sipped automatically. He smiled realizing what he had done.<\/p>\n

\u201cHutch, Babcock called me last night and I called Huggy lookin\u2019 for you. I gotta tell ya, Blondie. Your friends are worried about you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hutch sighed and leaned forward in the immovable seat. He hung his head for a moment. Then hit Starsky with a glance of stormy blue eyes. \u201cMy friends? What about my best friend? Why this sudden\u2026 interest, Starsk? What do you care if your old has-been of a partner is letting his inner demons run wild on the street? What do you care if I\u2019m hurting so bad I\u2026 Shit, I never should have come. Just go home to your family, Starsk. The holidays are for family, anyway. There is no merry Christmas for a cynical, beaten down, ex-cop who makes Scrooge look like a happy Christmas elf.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hutch stood and began walking backwards, pushing at the air with his hands.<\/p>\n

Starsky was on his feet in a New York second. He grabbed at Hutch\u2019s arms to stop his momentum. \u201cWhoa, there, partner! What is all this crap? Where do you get this \u2018I don\u2019t care about you,\u2019 malarkey?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hutch stilled, his mouth forming a snarl. \u201cLook where we are. Your home. Your city. Three thousand miles away from your past life. Three thousand miles away from me.\u201d Hutch grasped Starsky\u2019s arms desperately. His voice wavered with emotion. \u201cWhy, Starsk? Why didn\u2019t you ask me to come with you? Don\u2019t you know I would have followed you anywhere? How\u2026 how could you have left me behind?\u201d<\/p>\n

Starsky\u2019s heart broke as he looked at the shattered man before him. Guilt and fear warred for top position in his mind. He had made a tragic mistake and Hutch had paid dearly for it. He kicked his own ass mentally. He did this to his friend and he would make it right.<\/p>\n

\u201cListen to me, babe. I was wrong. I was so wrong. I thought you\u2019d be betta off without me draggin\u2019 you down. I wanted you to go on and become a lieutenant, maybe captain someday. Find somebody special, settle down. I never meant to\u2026 Hey! Wait a sec. Did you say ex-cop before?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hutch pulled away from Starsky\u2019s grasp. He let a small smirk travel across his lips and nodded. \u201cLast night, I left my badge and my resignation on my old desk.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAww, Hutch, I\u2019m so sorry you went through all this alone. Is it because Babcock was shot?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hutch glanced up but couldn\u2019t hold Starsky\u2019s intense gaze. \u201cIt was a lot of things, Starsk. I wrote my reasons out on my resignation. It was like I was summing up my reason for existence with four lines in a little black box on a form. When I signed it, my existence seemed meaningless.\u201d<\/p>\n

Starsky felt a chill as if a window had been opened on a frosty winter\u2019s day. He tried to deny the desperation in Hutch\u2019s tone, but couldn\u2019t. He knew his partner too well. Starsky cautiously came closer and began slowly rubbing Hutch\u2019s shoulders. Hutch seemed to deflate under his touch.<\/p>\n

\u201cHutch, you didn\u2019t mention handin\u2019 in your gun\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s because I wasn\u2019t done with it. I took it on a nice walk down by my old canal house. Remember the whitewashed wooden bridge near my place?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, babe. I remember. We used to go there and talk about the future while we fed the ducks Huggy\u2019s stale rolls.\u201d Starsky moved closer and took Hutch\u2019s hands in his.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I sat on the edge of the bridge with my gun in my hand and thought about reasons to keep living. I ticked off a few in my head. Family? I don\u2019t really have that. Career? What good was I if I kept getting my partners shot? Love? That\u2019s what saved me after all. I tried but I couldn\u2019t deny that I had love. There was one person in the whole world that I loved more than life itself. That was you, Starsk. I dropped my Magnum into the canal and headed for the airport. I love you, Starsk. And I had to let you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

Starsky pulled Hutch close and gently pressed the blond head against his shoulder. He ran his fingers through the silk and Hutch sighed, finally at peace. \u201cI love you, too, you big blond dummy. I never meant to hurt you, Hutch. You\u2019ll be okay now? You\u2019ll come home with me and we\u2019ll work things out?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hutch nodded.<\/p>\n

Starsky pushed them apart just enough to look into Hutch\u2019s eyes. \u201cDon\u2019t ever scare me like that again, Hutch. Don\u2019t ever let it get that bad again without telling me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Again Hutch nodded. \u201cDon\u2019t ever leave me again, Starsk.\u201d<\/p>\n

The answer to that plea was a kiss. Starsky and Hutch, friends and partners, stood in the middle of a busy airport a few days before Christmas, oblivious to the hustle and bustle. They kissed as families reunited with noisy greetings and boisterous laughter. They kissed as social activists handed out leaflets of hope for mankind. They kissed as a lone saxophone player bobbed his instrument in thanks for harried traveler\u2019s spare change hurriedly tossed into his fedora. A plaintive melody filled the air with Christmas magic.<\/p>\n

So have yourself a merry little Christmas, now.<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Author’s Note:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

A Merry Little Christmas<\/em>– A Christmas Carol for Betas Everywhere<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I was searching for a Christmas song that I thought would fit Starsky and Hutch. I love old musicals and I thought of this little gem, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas<\/em>. A bittersweet number that would fit Hutch\u2019s humbug attitude and Starsky\u2019s reasonably merry one. So of course, I had to research the song. Reading the lyrics, I was puzzled because the words were different from the WW11 version that I knew and loved.<\/p>\n

The original lyrics were written by Hugh Martin for the Judy Garland film Meet Me In St. Louis<\/em>. The basic story line was that Judy was one of the children of an early 1900\u2019s St. Louis banker who had been asked to move to New York. It meant a big promotion, but also meant uprooting his happy family just when the World\u2019s Fair was coming to St. Louis. The song taken out of context was such a downer (although it fit the movie perfectly) that Judy Garland asked Martin to re-write it because it was too depressing. Judy\u2019s version is still bittersweet, and was adopted by the soldiers fighting in WW11. There wasn\u2019t a dry eye in the entire USO each time it was performed.<\/p>\n

In 1957, Frank Sinatra asked Martin to \u201cJolly it up a little,\u201d so Frank could put it on his album A Jolly Little Christmas<\/em> — an offer Martin couldn\u2019t refuse. This version is the one played on the radio most of the time.<\/p>\n

But poor Martin couldn\u2019t just retire and gather his royalties in peace. In 2001, he was asked by a gospel singer to change the lyrics to include the mention of the Lord instead of \u201cif the fates allow.\u201d<\/p>\n

The irony not lost on him, Martin approved the change saying that was the way he originally penned it anyway. Thankfully, no one ever asked him to change the hauntingly beautiful music he composed.<\/p>\n

Reading the totally depressing version of this song and the image of Judy Garland as the mother of all betas put a holiday smile on my face. We\u2019ve all been there with our own writing. Thank the fates and the Lord for our beautiful betas!<\/p>\n

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas-\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/span>Original lyrics by Hugh Martin as written for the movie, Meet Me In St. Louis<\/em><\/p>\n

Have yourself a merry little Christmas
\nIt may be your last
\nNext year we may all be living in the past<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Have yourself a merry little Christmas
\nPop that champagne cork
\nNext year we may all be living in New York<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

No good times like the olden days
\nHappy golden days of yore
\nFaithful friends who were dear to us
\nWill be near to us no more<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>But at least we all will be together
\nIf the Lord allows
\nFrom now on, we’ll have to muddle through somehow
\nSo have yourself a merry little Christmas now<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Scroll past the image at the end of the story to see the author’s note.\u00a0 Have yourself a merry little Christmas It may be your last Next year we may all be living in the past Christmas time in Bay … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,16,14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-354","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fic","category-safe-for-work","category-slash"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2017\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/354","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2017\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2017\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2017\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2017\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=354"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2017\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/354\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":388,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2017\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/354\/revisions\/388"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2017\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=354"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2017\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=354"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2017\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=354"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}