\u201cIt\u2019s easy to think of all the things you want to do or say when you think you\u2019re going to die,\u201d Hutch mumbled.<\/p>\n
God, it was hot under that car those days in the canyon\u2026 maybe not as hot as today, but it felt like a runaway sauna.<\/em> Hutch sighed. Maybe it just seemed that way. No shade\u2026 no water\u2026 no partner.<\/p>\n His stomach rumbled and he patted down his jacket and shirt pockets in case he could find some Tums. No luck. He felt off-kilter, unsettled\u2026 like he usually did when he and Starsky really<\/em> fought.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t make me choose\u2026<\/em> It echoed once more along with a clear recollection of the look on Starsky\u2019s face when he said it.<\/p>\n So what did you do about it? <\/em>The damned voice in his head said again.<\/p>\n \u201cI admitted it was a dumb stunt on my part to go to a meet alone and not tell anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n No, not anyone\u2026you didn\u2019t tell your partner!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI admitted that\u2026 I told him I was sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n What else were you going to tell him? <\/em><\/p>\n \u201c<\/em>I made a promise\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Promised what? <\/em>The voice in his head pushed for an answer.<\/p>\n \u201cPromised\u2026 I\u2019d tell him if by some miracle I was found alive.\u201d<\/p>\n Well you were found alive, and you didn\u2019t <\/strong>tell him.<\/em><\/p>\n The full weight of the guilt from that admission closed around him.<\/p>\n What are you waiting for, Hutchinson? The next time you\u2019re in a jam, or Starsky is? What if there isn\u2019t time next time?<\/em><\/p>\n Hutch slid his car in close to the curb and, feeling bone-weary, he moved toward the stairs. Halfway up, he could hear his phone ringing through the closed door. He ran the last few steps to snatch up the receiver.<\/p>\n \u201cHello\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s \u2026what\u2019s the matter? You\u2019re out of breath,\u201d Starsky asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI ran to catch the phone, moron!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, yeah. Okay, I just wanted to tell you my car won\u2019t be ready tomorrow like I thought, so you\u2019ll have to drive.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf you ask me, you should use the time to look for a new car.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI told you this morning\u2026don\u2019t make me choose.\u201d Starsky\u2019s voice sounded hurt.<\/p>\n Hutch drew in a breath. “Why don\u2019t I come over now? I\u2019ll bring some beers. Then we\u2019ll be that much ahead of things in the morning.”<\/p>\n \u201cYeah\u2026\u201d Starsky\u2019s voice perked up. \u201cYeah, that\u2019s a great idea!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay\u2026 see you in a few,\u201d Hutch said, then carefully replaced the receiver.<\/p>\n With more energy than what was apparent as he entered his apartment, he walked to his fridge and snagged the almost full six-pack there and set it on the table. He detoured to the clean laundry basket next to his bed for a pair of boxers. \u201cAnything else I can borrow,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll tell you what I promised\u2026 I just don\u2019t know if you\u2019ll like the choices.\u201d<\/p>\n The cool air hit him as he heard the elevator doors close. His shirt was still damp in places from the meltdown of Starsky\u2019s car and his own temper earlier in the day. As he fumbled in his pocket for … Continue reading ![\"\"](\"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2019\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/choose.jpg\")
Click on the image to view it larger.<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"