“Aww, come on Hutch!” Starsky begged, staring across the desk to his partner with those big blue eyes, “come on home and watch Rudolf with me. You are gonna love it, I promise!”
Hutch rolled he eyes and threw down the pencil he had been chewing in frustration. The last thing he wanted to do tonight was watch a Christmas special, especially about a red-nosed reindeer! He could think of things much better to do, like folding underwear.
Starsky bounced from his chair, grabbing the ever present piggy bank as he perched on the corner of Hutch’s desk. “It’ll be fun and you know it,” he said. “It can be the start of a new Christmas tradition for us!”
“Starsky, we don’t have any Christmas traditions.” Hutch said, pulling the chewed up pencil from under Starsky’s backside, wondering if he should continue to chew it. Deciding the pencil would be best used like it should be, he tried, once again, to finish the report on his desk.
“Exactly why we should start tonight!” Starsky said loudly while batting Hutch on the arm. “That’s the great thing about Christmas, it’s the best time to enjoy old traditions and start new one! Please Hutch, please,” that last plea said quietly, for his ears only.
Looking up from his report, Hutch looked at Starsky, seeing how important this was to his partner. And, that was all he needed to make his decision, “OK Starsk, I’ll come over and watch the show with you. But, once it is over, I am heading back home, I have… laundry to do,” he said sheepishly.
“Great, this is great, Hutch!” Starsky said jumping off the desk, excitement in every step he made. “OK, hurry and finish that report, we need to get outta here, go get dinner, and be back at my place by eight. Oh, and I need to stop by the store and get some popcorn, we gotta have popcorn, and then…” Starsky stopped in mid-sentence looking at his blond partner. “Hutch, whatta ya doin’? Hurry, finish the report, we gotta go!”
“Starsky,” Hutch said quietly, “we drove separately today, remember?”
For a brief moment, Starsky stood in the middle of the squad room, a bewildered look on his face, still clutching the Piggy Bank. “Oh yeah,” he said, realization dawning, “that’s right, we did.” And then, the energy bundle known as Starsky was off again. “That’s even better! We can divide and conquer! You finish the report, stop for pizza and beer, I’ll run by the store for popcorn, and we can meet at my place with time to spare.”
And Starsky turned, heading out of the squad room, duties assigned, and a mission to accomplish.
“Starsk,” came the exasperated call of his partner.
“What, Hutch?” Starsky answered back with the same exasperation.
“The bank,” Hutch said pointing to the Piggy Bank still being carried by Starsky. “You gonna leave that here or is Piggy going to be joining us in this new tradition?”
Starsky looked at the bank he was still carrying in his arms. Giggling a little, he walked back to the desk area he and Hutch shared and placed the bank in its spot between the two desks. As he left, Starsky walked behind Hutch and placed his hand on Hutch’s shoulder. No words needed to be spoken, Hutch smiled as he accepted Starsky’s unspoken thanks, realizing how much this did indeed mean to his friend.
A couple of hours later, Hutch was banging on Starsky’s door with his foot, hands full of pizza and beer.
Within a second, Starsky swung the door open, a grin splitting his face, and a red Christmas hat perched atop his curly, brunette head. “Ho, Ho, Hutch, come on in! The show’s gonna be starting soon.” And Starsky was off, the pointy end of the red cap swinging around and slapping Hutch in the face. And, was that bells? The hat had bells on it that jingled as Starsky bounced.
Hutch groaned inwardly. “Yep,” he thought, “it is definitely going to be a long night.”
“Here, Hutch, put the pizzas on the table,” Starsky said pushing aside various assortment of Christmas decorations.
“Starsky, what are you doing with all this stuff?” Hutch asked warily. Somehow, he had the feeling that he had been suckered into a Christmas decorating mission, with the elf in charge running around in full gear, the hat jingling away.
“Oh that,” Starsky said, his head buried in the bottom of a closet, the sound of boxes and other items being moved around, “just a few decorations. I have one more box, m’looking for it. It’s got the tree stuff in it.”
“Tree, what tree? I don’t see a tree?” Hutch said looking around the room. More and more, he knew he was being suckered into decorating detail.
“Out there, on the front deck, in a bucket of water,” said the muffled voice, a hand coming out long enough to point in the general direction of the deck.
Hutch walked by Starsky, strongly resisting the temptation to push him into the closet and leave for the night. Folding laundry was really sounding good about now, it really was. Looking out, Hutch saw there really was a tree. “Yep,” Hutch thought, “I’ve been suckered by a bouncing curly headed elf with a jingly red hat on.”
“Ah ah!” came the voice from the closet, “found it! Now we can decorate the tree before Rudolf comes on. See Hutch… another tradition started!” Starsky said, dragging the box from the closet, the red hat almost falling off his head.
“Yeah,” Hutch muttered, “another tradition.”
“Aww, don’t be such a Scrooge. I know you think Christmas is too comerlized and fake. But, ya gotta try and loosen up — just a little bit and enjoy the season!” Starsky said, throwing that million watt smile of his toward Hutch.
“Starsky, the word is commercialized. And, yes it’s hard for me to get into all this gimmicky stuff,” Hutch said throwing his hands up, wondering how he could make Starsky understand.
“But Hutch, it’s not gimmicky — it’s tradition, it’s family, it’s being together, don’t you understand?” Starsky asked quietly.
Hutch looked at Starsky, seeing the childlike innocence of his partner coming through. Even with all the terrible things they had seen on the job and in life, Hutch still marveled at how Starsky could drum it all down to just a few words — tradition, family, being together.
“Okay, Starsk,” Hutch said, smiling, “let’s get ready for Christmas.”
An hour or so later, the tree was up, lights were on and twinkling, and the decorations had been hung and placed out. Standing back, both the brunette and blond elf (who had somehow acquired a hat of his own), looked at the tree admiring the work. Hutch even admitted to himself that the tree looked good, giving him a warm, peaceful feeling.
Suddenly, Starsky was in bouncing mode again. “Hutch, go turn the TV on; Rudolf is coming on in just a few minutes. Be right back. I gotta get the popcorn fixed.”
Heading to the den, Hutch bent to cut the TV on. “Hey Starsk, I really don’t want any popcorn. I’m still full from the pizza and beer,” he said, adjusting the TV.
“We ain’t gonna eat it, dummy, we are gonna string it for the tree. We can do it while watching the show,” Starsky yelled from the kitchen. “Don’t tell me you never strung popcorn for your tree?” he asked in amazement.
Hutch thought back on all the prim and proper Christmas years at his home in Minnesota. Popcorn on a tree? His mother and father would have been completely embarrassed. “No Starsky, we didn’t do popcorn in Minnesota,” Hutch said.
“Well, you are gonna find out how fun it is tonight, trust me,” Starsky said rushing back to the den, a bucket of popcorn in one hand, thread in the other.
Hutch sat there, watching Starsky smile and sing as the show came on. How one man could get so caught up in a show about a red-nosed reindeer, Hutch could not understand. Starsky was singing with Santa, and giggled when the abominable snowman first came on.
“Hey, Hutch, did ya know that Bumbles bounce? They do, just wait and see!” Starsky said, the hat jingling with his laughter.
Starsky’s laughter brought Hutch out his memory. “What’s so funny?” Hutch asked.
“Herbie’s boss, the chief elf,” Starsky said snickering. “Remind you of someone we know?”
Hutch listened to the chief elf ordering and yelling at the little elves around, trying to get them in line. He thought for a second and then burst out laughing, looking at Starsky, they both said “Dobey!” It took the next commercial break before they could get their laughter and the tears that came with it under control.
“Hey, shh, it’s coming back on,” Starsky said.
“Yeah, Elf Dobey is gonna yell more orders out!” Hutch said through more laughter.
Giggling, Starsky agreed and swatted Hutch’s hands from the popcorn. “Hey,” he said, “that’s for stringin’, not eating!”
“Well, then let’s get stringing,” Hutch said.
For the next bit, the guys strung popcorn and watched the show. Of course, there was as much eating as there was stringing. And, a little fussing when the string broke and popcorn ended up all over the floor, in the couch and in their laps. And, then, a popcorn fight broke out during another commercial break — anarchy was upon them.
They watched in silence, munching and stringing popcorn as Rudolph and Herbie met up and decided to be partners, misfits together, them against the world.
And, then Cornelius showed up — looking for silver and gold. Starsky and Hutch looked at each other and said “Huggy” at the same time. Again, falling into peals and peals of laughter!
They watched the rest of the show in Christmas fun, stringing the popcorn, singing with the show. And, Hutch found himself actually liking this silly little reindeer. Hutch was like that growing up, not quite fitting in with the rest, trying hard to be what his father wanted him to be. And those reindeer games, being laughed at and taunted like that, Hutch remembered those things, too. But, he also remembered deciding to be his own man, to do what he wanted to do. Looking at Starsky, he realized that he had been able to do those things with the help and love of his partner. Maybe it wasn’t so bad to be a misfit after all.
Finally, Rudolph had saved Christmas, Santa was in the air, and all the toys, including the misfits, were heading to new homes.
And, somehow, most of the popcorn had managed to make it on the string. Working together, in friendship quiet, Starsky and Hutch placed the popcorn on the tree.
“And,” Hutch thought to himself, “it actually looks good.”
Suddenly, Hutch noticed that all the Christmas joy Starsky had felt earlier seemed to have left him. Starsky was staring at the tree, touching and caressing the ornaments that hung there.
“I used to feel like those misfits,” Starsky said quietly. “When I came here after my dad died. I tried so hard to fit it, to be one of the boys around here. But, could not do it. Oh, I had friends, but I always still felt like an outsider, no matter how hard I tried.”
Hutch’s heart broke as he saw his best friend relive the pain that was still strong to this day. Hutch walked over and placed his hand on Starsky’s shoulder, letting his friend know he was there for him.
Starsky smiled and reached up to grab Hutch’s hand while still staring at the tree lights. “Ya know, Hutch, you are my Rudolph. You pulled me out of the snow, just like Rudolph did with Herbie. You took me in, let me be your friend, and loved me for who I am when no one else would. You’ve stayed with me through the good and the bad; ya never turned your back on me.”
Turning, Starsky looked up at Hutch, “You’re my friend Hutch, my best friend, and I love ya. I know you think all the Christmas stuff is silly, but it’s a family tradition, and I wanted to share it with you, ’cause you are my family.”
Then, it dawned on Hutch why Christmas meant so much to Starsky. It was an affirmation that there was still goodness, love, and friendship in the world. Starsky, who had lost so much when his dad died and was sent out here, was still able to find joy in Christmas. And, for Hutch, that joy in his best friend was all he needed to finally understand Christmas too. Traditions, decorations, songs, and shows about a red-nosed reindeer — it was the joy of life — of the giving Christmas spirit. All wrapped up in the elf known as Starsky.
“Merry Christmas Starsky,” Hutch said to Starsky. “Merry Christmas, my friend!”
Aww– what a sweet story! I’m so glad how Starsky can bring about the cheer of Christmas and get Hutch into the spirit.
Ha- do you know what I liked the most, though — Starsky forgetting the piggybank with him and then later st Starskys apartment, Hutch wanting to shove Starsky in the closet and leaving him there 😀 — I’m glad he didn’t, though! Thank you for sharing this story with us!
Sam – you are welcome. I really think Hutch does have the Christmas spirit – it’s just seems that Strasky is the only one that can get it out of him. Glad you like the piggy bank reference – that was just something that popped in while writing. I can just see Starsky holding onto that bank, going wide open with his plans.
And, the closet, yeah – Hutch would have never heard the end of it from Starsky! So glad you like the story – I loved writing it. “-)!
Arelene this was brilliant. I really enjoyed reading it and could see it so clearly in my head. Love that Hutch finally GOT Christmas too. Well done my friend.
Hey Judith,
Thanks so much, I’m glad you like it and that you could see it happening. I like it when that happens with my stories – brings the guys closer to us. And, I think Hutch does have the Christmas spirit – he just needs Starsky to pull it of him – which he did – red hat and all!
Thanks again – so glad you enjoyed it!
This was just wonderful, Arlene. I definitely got misty. Part of friendship is having traditions to share, no matter how unorthodox. It’s something friends do that is special just to them and binds them together. And the idea of Starsky feeling like a misfit, Hutch making him feel like he belonged – heart squish! Plus, Rudolph is one of my fav Christmas shows. I don’t think I’ll ever watch it again without thinking of your story.
Oh Karen – I am so glad you liked the story. And, you are so right about friendships and traditions – it’s the invisible tie that does bind them together. And, I love your saying “heart squish” going to remember that for the future. These guys are so full of heart squish – one of the reasons they are so loved. And, Rudolph is my favorite Christmas show – and having our guys as part of the show – makes it that much better.
Thanks again my friend -so glad you liked it.
Hugs
Aw.. (sniff)… that was wonderful. Thank you!
Aww sweetie – here is a tissue for you. Gad you liked it. Thanks for reading and for the review. Hugs :-)!
I enjoyed the part about Hutch wanting to shove Starsky into the closet and leave, too! LOL! A great holiday story! Thanks!
Duluth – so glad you liked it. Thanks for reading and the review. LOL – that was good – can’t you just see Hutch’s long lanky legs stalking by Starsky and him wanting to push. I know that won’t be the last time Hutch feels that way about his rascally partner.
Thanks again – I appreciate it!
Arlene, this is lovely. You had me right there watching the guys celebrate. Loved the part about Shoving Starsky in the closet. I’d gladly chew on the pencil, after Starsky sat on it. This is a perfect Christmas story. Love that they are no longer misfit and no longer alone. They truly are family. Loved the reference to Dobey and Huggy. This is one I will reread often. Thank you for sharing, Merry Christmas my friend.
Kristy – so glad that you like this. It’s so nice when we can celebrate with the guys – no matter what season or time of the year. Confession – when I wrote the part about the pencil – I totally thought of you – thinking that you wouldn’t mind chewing on it (the pencil – lol).
Yes – they are family – just as we all are – even with Dobey and Huggy thrown in there for good measure. So glad you like it enough to read again – a forever Christmas present from me – Merry Christmas to you my friend – Hugs!!
arlene, i loved every single word of this story. whenever i now watch rudolph, i’ll be thinking about starsky and hutch sitting on that couch creating wonderful memories at christmas time. hey did you know that bumbles bounce? well they do just watch.
Hey girl – thanks and so glad you liked it. It’s so good to create memories with friends ya know? And, so glad the Bumbles bounce – else those elves would hvae never gotten that star on top of the tree! Love to you sweetie! Special thanks to you! :-)!
Aw, so much love in this, it’s just beautiful. And I love the way both Hutch and Starsky identify with Rudolf!
Calliatre – thanks for reading and for the comment. I’m so glad you like the story – Rudolf is such a sweet, loving, and caring character – just like our guys. Thanks again! I truly appreciate it!
I just love the idea of Starsky and Hutch starting their own traditions. Thanks so much for sharing this sweet, new look at an old holiday favorite. As others have said, I’ll now see S&H watching it, and stringing popcorn.
Pat – thanks for your comments. I think Starsky & Hutch are now a permanent part of the Rudolph family and vice verse (at least in the S&H world). Traditions are so important for family and friends – even if it is as simple as Rudolph and popcorn. Thanks again for reading – I truly appreciate it!
What a touching story! I love the idea of them watching Rudolph and making their own Christmas traditions.
OK – thanks for reading and commenting. I love the idea too – would be better if we could be sitting on the couch with them – right?
Thanks again – I truly appreciate it!
Acmabry!
I have not watched the Rudolph Christmas Special for YEARS. After I send this to you I am going to my local stores and look for it until I find it! The message of your story when Starsky & Hutch both remember feeling like misfits was very touching. Especially when Hutch realizes why Christmas means so much to Starsky. I loved every heart-melting realization Hutch experiences as Starsky’s love of Christmas and Rudolph’s story helped start a holiday tradition in their friendship.
When you described Starsky’s hat (and Hutch acquiring a hat of his own) I ran across the room and put on my elf hat which has a jingle bell. (I just found it and my other collection of Christmas hats and headbands in a box last night.)
The playfulness in your story made me want to play along.
I cracked up laughing when you compared the Boss Elf to Dobey and Cornelius to Huggy. That was GREAT!
Every year I put out my Rudolph toy and put my Star of David pendant beneath the reindeer near a photo of Starsky & Hutch in my apartment to evoke memories of that Starsky & Hutch ep Little Girl Lost.
Thank you for bring a new joy to me this Christmas. When I was very young I used to enjoy Christmas like Starsky. That is why I am so charmed by him in that episode. As I have aged over the past 40+ years I have become a Grinch about Christmas for much the same reasons as Hutch mentioned in the episode and because of the reasons you postulated in your story about Hutch (bad holiday memories involving family strife.)
But your perspective on that Rudolph Christmas Special using Starsky & Hutch plus Dobey and Huggy took the Scrooge out of me tonight. I’m going to find that movie, make some popcorn and have fun!
Thanks!
Happy Holidays!
Ursula Angstrom
Ursula,
Wow, you have brought a smile to my face and tears (good tears) to my eyes. It’s an amazing feeling to realize that this special story could have such an impact on you. I am honored and humbled by this.
Not sure where you are located – but I saw a Rudolph DVD set at Wal Mart just the other day – and plenty of popcorn in the food section.
I think, in a way, we are all misfits a little bit. A piece of us feeling a little left out, trying to find our place in this world. Rudolph’s story says it’s OK to be a misfit – be yourself – and care for others.
Speaking of Dobey/Elf and Huggy/Cornelius – glad you like that. The comparison for those two just kind of hit me in the face when I was watching the show the first of December.
So, kick Scrooge out, grab the movie, some popcorn, move your picture of the guys over to the couch, lean back and have fun – just like you said.
Again, I am so touched to know my story helped you to find Christmas happiness again. And, it all comes in a circle – because you have touched me greatly and given me a new Christmas spirit.
Ursula – I wish for you the best Christmas ever (or at least one you have had in a while). Merry Christmas and God Bless – hugs to you my dear!
Hi Arlene!
I live in Ohio and I found the Rudolph movie at my local Wal-Mart about 20 minutes after I sent that reply to you the other day. (I already had a box of Cousin Willie’s Kettle-style popcorn in the apartment. Best sweet-salty mix of Kettle corn I’ve found so far!)
Wal-Mart is the first place I go to when I look for anything. I came home and watched the special and thought about you and your story the whole time. It gave a whole new dimension to that Christmas story. I have not enjoyed watching Rudolph that much since I was a child. You made me feel as happy as Starsky does about Christmas. And the nice thing is: I now have a new tradition thanks to you. I will read your story every Christmas and watch Rudolph afterwards to recapture the joy you brought me.
I honestly DID feel like Scrooge after he was visited by all ghosts of Past/Present/Future because you helped me discover a Starsky-like joy I can savor every Christmas.
I made sure my little Rudolph ornament and my Star of David display were facing the TV with the photo of S&H I have those decorations near this year. And I wore my elf hat with the jingle bell while I watched the special. (I’m wearing the hat while I write this reply to you too!)
You are a Day Maker, Arlene! Thank you for bringing joy to my Christmas.
Sincerely,
Ursula Angstrom
P.S. What you said about all of us feeling like misfits at times is so true. We moved around a lot when I was a kid. I never spent an entire year in the same school until I was a sophomore in high school after my parents divorced. So I could relate to what Starsky was feeling in your story about having to move across country and what Hutch felt about being on by other kids. That happened to me too. Writing that into your story made it even more poignant. It was a perfect way to evoke emotions and help readers understand the characters and their friendship whether the reader had ever experienced such events in their childhood or not. What you wrote deepened the friendship Starsky & Hutch share for me.
That was so nice. I’m glad our boys have their own traditions now.
Kat – thanks for reading. It is nice that they do – will be the first of many.
Thanks again – I truly appreciate it!
Aw, this was really sweet. I like the idea of Hutch being Starsky’s Rudolph. And elf Dobey too! Lol. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Hey CrazyK,
So glad you like this. Isn’t it great to know how special these guys are – that they are there for the other – to help them understand the special things of life. And, Elf Dobey – ya gotta love him – he sure loves his guys/elves. Thanks again!
And, loved you calendar – have it printed and on my wall.
That’s really nice and somehow sweet!!!
Lovely Christmas story!!!
;D
Bee,
Thanks – glad you liked the story.
Hope you have a great 2016!
So sweet! Only Starsky could drag Hutch into the Christmas spirit like that. I loved all of this, it’s heartwarming and so *them*! Thank you! 😀
Hey Silvy,
Thanks! Glad you liked this. And, you are so right…it takes a Starsky elf to pull the Grinch out of Hutch. That’s the beauty of their friendship. Thanks again!
Aww, really cute. An excited Starsky is an infectious thing. And Hutch is happy to be infected. Traditions, old and new, are wonderful. Lovely. Thank you.
Hey Wightfaerie,
Thanks for your comment – so glad you like it. Yes, Starsky’s happiness is infectious – for us all along with Hutch. And, this will be first of many traditions for our guys.
Thanks again and have a great 2016!
Very beautiful story. I love that they can be so open and supportive of each other. This warms my heart.
Hey Marianrose,
Thanks for your comment – so very glad you like the story. I think that love and supportiveness is what makes their friendship so very special. And, that warms all our hearts.
Thanks again and have a great 2016!!
adorable equating Starsky and Hutch as Herbie and Rudolph!
Arlene, this was such a wonderful story! I never thought of the parallels between S&H and Rudolph’s story before. You nailed it with the misfits. The boys were always a bit different from the other cops, complete only with each other, and the Dobey/Cornelius comparison was brilliant! This was very touching and I will always think of this now when I watch Rudolph. I hope you had a Merry Christmas!