\u201cCalvin! Don\u2019t call your sister names.\u201d Trying to scold someone while biting the inside of your cheek to keep from laughing isn\u2019t easy. \u201cYou\u2019re fifteen years old. You should know better by now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rosie puffed out her chest. \u201cYeah, Cal. You should know better by now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I know,\u201d Cal said, \u201cis what you really want for Christmas.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah. I said already. A Budding Beauty\u2014<\/em>\u201d Rosie screwed up her little face in deep concentration\u2014<\/em>\u201cVanity<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNope.\u201d He shook his head. \u201cYou want Hutch to be your boyfriend.\u201d<\/p>\n Rosie scowled.<\/p>\n \u201cYou love Hutch,\u201d Cal pressed. \u201cYou want to marry him when you grow up.\u201d<\/p>\n Rosie faced her brother, staring at him like he\u2019d just grown another nose. \u201cI can\u2019t marry Hutch. Dummy<\/em>. He\u2019s already married to Starsky.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRosie!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGuys can\u2019t marry other guys,\u201d Cal said. \u201cJust like girls can\u2019t marry other girls.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy not?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause they can\u2019t. Everyone who\u2019s not an idiot knows that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCalvin,\u201d I cautioned. \u201cThat\u2019s strike number two.\u201d<\/p>\n Rosie turned to me, sad and confused. \u201cMomma? Why can\u2019t Hutch and Starsky be married?\u201d<\/p>\n Cal rolled his eyes and loped off toward the living room, laughing all the way.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just the way it is, honey,\u201d I said, unable to come up with a better explanation for a First Grader. \u201cThe law says that only men and women can marry each other.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut that\u2019s not fair.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know, sweetheart. Some things just aren\u2019t.\u201d I picked up her coat and beckoned her closer. \u201cNow, if you want to see Santa today, you need to put this on so we can get to the mall before he has to go home for dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n From that point on, Rosie\u2019s words concerning Dave and Ken\u2019s relationship\u2014spoken without hesitation and with such certainty\u2014wouldn\u2019t get out of my head.<\/p>\n These two fine young men were the best detectives Harold says he\u2019d ever worked with. We\u2019ve known them for years. They\u2019ve been to our house to celebrate holidays and other special occasions. They\u2019ve always treated me and the kids with infinite kindness.<\/p>\n They\u2019ve even saved our lives.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve been around police officers my whole adult life and know how close partners can be. But was Rosie right? After all, they took most of their vacations together, just the two of them. Girlfriends never lasted long. They were constantly touching each other beyond playful slaps on the back. And there were times when they exchanged the kind of looks that never failed to produce an inexplicable lump in my throat.<\/p>\n But did that make them a couple?<\/p>\n Even if I somehow knew for sure that they were, what difference would it make? It\u2019s not like I could\u2019ve said anything to my husband\u2014their boss back then\u2014about it. But I did start watching them with a different eye.<\/p>\n Then tonight happened.<\/p>\n It\u2019s five years later on the Saturday before Christmas, and all four of us just got home after having dinner at their house. Yes, I said their<\/em> house. They bought the place last year, after Dave was released from the hospital. We\u2019d come terribly close to losing him. He suffered three potentially deadly gunshot wounds during an ambush in the precinct garage, for heaven\u2019s sake! Everyone said it was a miracle he survived, let alone recovered so nicely. With no disrespect to our Lord, I think what actually happened is that Hutch willed him to live. And Dave just wasn\u2019t ready to leave Hutch.<\/p>\n It didn\u2019t surprise me in the least when they moved in together. If they hadn\u2019t, that<\/em> would\u2019ve been a shock. Dave needed so much care, and no one was more capable of providing heaps of TLC than his partner. Well, former partner, now. They\u2019re both working again for the BCPD again but in much safer\u2014albeit much less exciting\u2014positions. Harold hated to lose them, of course, but fully supported their decision.<\/p>\n We\u2019ve made many visits since they bought the modest ranch-style house, but tonight\u2019s felt different, somehow. Special. Almost magical\u2014and not just because of the season.<\/p>\n The stairs to the second floor were too much for Dave in the beginning, so he slept in the dining room, which Hutch furnished with a hospital bed and a massage table. As Dave\u2019s health improved, the bed was replaced by all sorts of machines and equipment for rehab purposes. A treadmill. An exercise bike. Free weights. That sort of thing.<\/p>\n I blinked back a few tears to see that it was now being used for its original purpose, with a beautiful table set for the six of us.<\/p>\n \u201cThe hall closet is a bit, uh, full,\u201d Hutch admitted with a grin that was becoming a permanent feature of that handsome face. \u201cI\u2019ll take everybody\u2019s coats upstairs.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan I help?\u201d Rosie asked, gazing up at him with her head slightly bowed. And tilted to one side. If she flirts this much at the tender age of eleven, she\u2019s going to be\u2014pardon my language\u2014Hell on wheels once she\u2019s a teenager and starts high school.<\/p>\n Hutch blushes easily and, as if on cue, he began turning a festive shade of red. \u201cUh, of course. Thanks!\u201d Arms full of our jackets, he nudged Dave with his elbow. \u201cHey, Gordo. Go make our guests comfortable. And stay out of trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n Dave huffed. \u201cI live with you<\/em>. How much more trouble can I get into?\u201d<\/p>\n When Rosie came back downstairs with Hutch a few minutes later, she was finally able to notice something other than her long-time crush.<\/p>\n \u201cI love your Christmas tree!\u201d she gushed, pointing to the big blue spruce in the far corner of the living room. \u201cWho did it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou mean the decorating?\u201d Dave asked. \u201cBoth of us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, please,\u201d Hutch sighed. \u201cI went out and bought it and hauled it home and put it in the stand. After that, it was all you, you tree-trimming hog.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? You put up some of the ornaments.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2018Some?\u2019 Since when is two \u2018some?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re such a\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Hutch put his hand over Dave\u2019s mouth. \u201cDid you get everyone\u2019s drink orders yet? And don\u2019t you dare lick me.\u201d<\/p>\n Dave grunted something unintelligible, then pried Hutch\u2019s hand off his face. \u201cEveryone but Rosie\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d like a Coke, please,\u201d Rosie chimed in. \u201cIf that\u2019s okay with my folks, I mean.\u201d<\/p>\n It was. This was a special night, after all. And she did say please.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about me, Starsk? Aren\u2019t you going to ask me what I\u2019d like?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAs if I need to. One prune-juice-with-wheat-grass cocktail coming up.\u201d<\/p>\n Still bickering affectionately, our hosts excused themselves and headed for the kitchen.<\/p>\n \u201cRosie?\u201d Harold addressed his fidgety child with more bark than bite. \u201cGet over here and sit down.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust a minute, Daddy.\u201d She moved closer to the tree. \u201cI want to look at the ornaments first.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, okay,\u201d I said. \u201cBut be careful. And no touching! I don\u2019t want you breaking anything.\u201d<\/p>\n That girl could win awards for her withering glares. \u201cOh, Momma! I\u2019m not a baby anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n My son may be old enough in the eyes of the law to drink alcohol, but he\u2019s still young enough to enjoy teasing his sister. \u201cCould\u2019ve fooled me, squirt.\u201d<\/p>\n Without taking her gaze from the tree, she dismissed Cal\u2019s jibe with a fluttery wave of her hand. \u201cOh! C\u2019mere, Momma! Come see this one!\u201d<\/p>\n The source of her fascination was a large red glass heart with sparkly blue and white lettering: KH & DS, 1980.<\/p>\n \u201cIsn\u2019t it pretty? And so sweet!\u201d<\/p>\n I wrapped my arm around her and squeezed gently. \u201cIt sure is, honey.\u201d<\/p>\n We were still admiring the heart ornament when Hutch and Dave came back, each carrying a tray of glasses.<\/p>\n \u201cHey! You found my favorite,\u201d said Dave as he placed beverages for Rosie and me on the coffee table.<\/p>\n Hutch handed Harold and Cal their beers and pressed another into Dave\u2019s hand before taking his own. \u201cI gave it to him as an early Christmas-slash-Hanukah present,\u201d he said proudly.<\/p>\n \u201cSo smart, this guy of mine.\u201d Dave beamed at Hutch. \u201cRed for Christmas, blue and white for Hanukah.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know everything about Christmas,\u201d Rosie said, earning an eyeroll from Cal, \u201cbut I don\u2019t know very much about Hanukah. Could you tell me about it, Hutch?\u201d<\/p>\n Hutch cleared his throat. \u201cUh, well, that\u2019s Starsky\u2019s area of expertise. Right, Starsk?\u201d<\/p>\n So, the Dobey Family learned a lot about Judaism and the Festival of Lights\u2014and in a most entertaining way. And the Starsky-Hutchinsons made the effort to learn a lot about the kids: how they\u2019re doing in school, what sports they\u2019re playing, what their hobbies are, what books they\u2019re reading, what movies and TV shows they like\u2026Their genuine interest in my children is something I\u2019ve long admired about them.<\/p>\n After enjoying a wonderful meal prepared by Hutch, Rosie (who else?) helped him clear the table while the rest of us went back to the living room with refilled cups of coffee. Mere minutes later, the two kitchen elves appeared bearing more edible gifts: plates filled with colorful Christmas cookies.<\/p>\n \u201cYou baking now, too, Hutch?\u201d Harold asked.<\/p>\n \u201cA bit, but none of this.\u201d He gently slapped Starsky\u2019s hand as he tried to grab a rum ball off the plate Hutch was trying to set down on the coffee table. \u201cIt\u2019s from our favorite bakery. I just hope my greedy little pig here leaves some for the rest of you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey!\u201d Dave is really quite adorable when he pouts. \u201cNice way to treat an invalid.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cInvalid?\u201d Hutch sputtered. \u201cThe only part of you that still qualifies for invalid status is\u2014\u201d He tapped his temple\u2014 \u201cright here, mushbrain.\u201d<\/p>\n Dave had come a long way since the shooting. But although it wasn\u2019t late, and I\u2019m sure we weren\u2019t boring him that much, the poor man was soon struggling to keep his eyes open. Eventually, he stopped fighting it and fell asleep, his head resting on Hutch\u2019s shoulder, with an arm thrown across Hutch\u2019s middle.<\/p>\n \u201cShouldn\u2019t we be whispering or something?\u201d Rosie asked.<\/p>\n Hutch smiled sweetly and drew Dave even closer to him. \u201cIt\u2019s okay, honey. You could set off firecrackers at the end of this sofa and he wouldn\u2019t budge.\u201d<\/p>\n Even so, we kept our voices down for a while longer, until I felt we should make our exit.<\/p>\n \u201cStarsk,\u201d Hutch said, squeezing Dave gently. \u201cBabe, wake up. Our company\u2019s leaving.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2019Morning already?\u201d<\/p>\n Hutch chuckled softly. \u201cNope. Almost bedtime.\u201d<\/p>\n Dave shook his head, as if to clear cobwebs, and stared at Hutch with dismay. \u201cJeez! I wasn\u2019t sleeping, was I?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust a bit.\u201d Hutch ruffled the dark curls. \u201cBut it\u2019s good that you\u2019re awake now. The Dobeys need to get going.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s getting late,\u201d I said. \u201cAnd we have to be up early for church tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh.\u201d Dave rubbed his hand over his face, sat up straight, and turned to us. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to be rude.\u201d<\/p>\n For what seemed like forever, no one said a word. I was so grateful when Harold spoke up.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re fine, Starsky. We all get pretty tired this time of year. Right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI guess.\u201d<\/p>\n I found my voice at last. \u201cOh, sweetheart! You\u2019re never rude.\u201d<\/p>\n Hutch helped Dave to his feet and left him in my care before going upstairs, with Rosie in tow, to fetch our coats.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s crazy,\u201d Dave said, \u201cthat I get so tired so early. It\u2019s been more than a year\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt takes time to heal,\u201d I told him. \u201cDon\u2019t be so hard on yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n He shrugged. \u201cThat\u2019s what Hutch always tells me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, he\u2019s right.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAbout some things,\u201d he sniggered.<\/p>\n \u201cAbout most things, you mean,\u201d Hutch said, arriving with our coats and my doting daughter.<\/p>\n \u201cYou keep thinking that, pal.\u201d<\/p>\n When we said our goodbyes, I hugged Hutch first, then Dave. I was delighted to feel some lean muscle on those dear bones again.<\/p>\n \u201cLet the man go already, Edith,\u201d Harold said. \u201cIt\u2019s not like you won\u2019t be seeing him again soon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s fine, Cap\u2019n. I\u2019d never complain about getting a good long hug\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI should hope not,\u201d Hutch mumbled.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2014from a beautiful woman,\u201d Dave finished, then pecked me on the cheek. \u201cWe\u2019re really looking forward to spending Christmas Eve at your place. You sure we can\u2019t bring anything?\u201d<\/p>\n Hutch put his hands on his hips. \u201c\u2018We,\u2019 huh? What would you<\/em> bring? Your laundry?\u201d<\/p>\n I grinned and shook my head at them. \u201cYou two wouldn\u2019t let me bring anything tonight, so I\u2019m just returning the favor. Anyway, thanks again for a lovely evening. But I\u2019d better get this one\u2014\u201d I nodded at Rosie, who was stifling a yawn\u2014\u201chome or she might topple over.\u201d<\/p>\n As we drove away, Dave and Ken stood in the front doorway, arms around each other\u2019s waists and waving like a couple of kids.<\/p>\n Rosie, Cal, and I waved back just a enthusiastically until we couldn\u2019t see them anymore.<\/p>\n We hadn\u2019t been on the road for very long before Rosie nodded off. Cal didn\u2019t look terribly alert, himself.<\/p>\n The radio was tuned to a station that plays mostly Christmas music. Harold and Cal like to rib Rosie and me for enjoying it, but I\u2019m certain they don\u2019t hate as much as they claim to. Harold turned up the volume a notch.<\/p>\n \u201cSo,\u201d he said quietly. \u201cI think they\u2019re, uh, well\u2026 Do you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2018They?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s fun to give my husband a hard time every now and then.<\/p>\n He took his eyes off the road just long enough to deliver one of his trademark stern looks. \u201cStarsky and Hutch. Who else?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, dear. They are. Do you have a problem with that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo. Of course not.\u201d He cleared his throat. \u201cHow long have you known?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve suspected for a while, but I wasn\u2019t sure until tonight. Rosie, however, had it figured out when she six, if not sooner.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRosie? When she was six?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHmm.\u201d He was grinning. \u201cWell, how about that? I guess she\u2019s her father\u2019s daughter after all.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhatever you say, dear.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m happy for them, Edith. Starsky and Hutchi\u2019son. They\u2019re good men.\u201d<\/p>\n I reached over and patted his arm. \u201cSo are you, Harold.\u201d<\/p>\n And I don\u2019t need to be a good detective to know that.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve always considered myself to be an observant person. My husband is a captain with the Bay City Police Department and, bless his heart, he often tells me I\u2019d make a good detective. But not as good, apparently, as someone else in my family\u2026 It was early December 1975, and I was getting ready to … Continue reading “December 23rd- Detective Dobey by m. butterfly”<\/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":[4,13,14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-574","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fic","category-sfw","category-slash"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2020\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/574","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2020\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2020\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2020\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2020\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=574"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2020\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/574\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":579,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2020\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/574\/revisions\/579"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2020\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=574"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2020\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=574"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2020\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=574"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"\"](\"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2020\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/red-heart4NEW.jpg\")
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