“Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight; I wish I may, I wish I might have the wish I wish tonight.”
Starsky leaned back, utterly relaxed, and smiled at the pinpoint of light in the darkening sky. “Remember, Ma? Remember the night you taught me that? We’d driven all the way out on Long Island to see Aunt Sadie and Uncle Herb, ‘cause Nicky’d just had his first birthday and they hadn’t met him yet.” He snickered to himself. “Hellava long drive on Pop’s day off but I was only a five-year-old kid so who ever listened to me?”
The night sounds coming from the small peaceful garden began to pick up as evening descended.
“Remember, Ma? We were sitting on their stoop after supper, swatting mosquitoes and listening to Aunt Sadie coo and babble at Nick. You noticed the star and taught me the poem. You laughed though, said it was probably Venus, ‘cause it was so bright, but that, since Venus is also known as the evening, or morning star, it was okay to wish on it.”
His smile softened. “I did, ya know. That night and every night after that when I saw the first star of evening, wherever I was.”
Through the open window behind him, his partner murmured drowsily, “Starsk?”
“‘m out here, Hutch,” he replied, gently. “Be in in a minute.”
“Mmmmmmm.”
Starsky smiled more deeply. “This isn’t Venus tonight though, Ma. It’s almost directly overhead so it’s probably Vega. Hutch’s been teaching me the constellations whenever we’re out of the city. It’s the only time we can see enough of the stars to make sense of ‘em. It’s my wish star for tonight.”
He settled back against the sun-warmed wall of the cabin they’d rented for the special occasion and stared up, unblinkingly, at the brightening source of photons. “Gonna be a different kind of wish though.” Breathing deeply, he lowered his already soft voice. “I wish… to thank whoever or whatever’s out there, listening. Thank you for my life and all the times you’ve brought me through the rough stuff.”
Turning his head, he looked lovingly at his other half, moving restlessly in the big almost-empty bed. “Thank you even more for his life, and everything you helped him survive.”
Leaning back again, he slowly rotated the ring on the third finger of his left hand. “Most of all, thank you for our life, and the fact that now we can live it openly, together.”
“Starsk?”
“Out here, babe.”
“I know. I can hear you muttering.”
“Just talkin’ to Ma, and the first star.”
“Ah, Venus is up, huh?” Hutch said, knowingly.
“It’s not Venus, smarty pants,” Starsky replied, tenderly. “I think it’s Vega.”
“Probably,” Hutch said, distractedly. “But come back to bed, please, love? We’re on our honeymoon and I’m lonely.”
“No, you’re insatiable,” Starsky said, chuckling sexily.
“That, too,” was Hutch’s considered response.
Getting up, Starsky spared one last look at his wish star. “Thank you.”
First star of evening
Hears everyone’s deepest wish
A few are granted
END
Romantic, sweet and a little sad. One of your best.
Oh, thank you, Matsir, I’m glad you think so. I felt as if I was eavesdropping on Starsky’s reminiscences and then his thankfulness. I appreciate your taking the time to read, and then write.
Adore this Pat! Has everything, sweet love, memories, a ton of emotion. Perfect. As is the Haiku! Thank you so much Pat for sharing.
You’re always welcome, ks; so glad you enjoyed it. I’ll cherish your “Perfect.” Thanks for your feedback. Merry Christmas!
I LOVE this pic!! Flamingo and Elves – KUDOS!!
So beautiful. I can definitely “feel” this one. I think I’ll go out and wish on a star.
Thanks, Spence! I’m really happy that you ‘felt’ this one. Wishing on a star never hurts, so by all means, do it tonight, if it’s clear where you are. Have a Merry!
There’s something special about them gazing at the stars. That image always makes me think of how they fit into the bigger picture and what is essential to their greatness. Uh-oh, now I’m all philosophical – better go watch JibJab again.
Philosophical is good, marianrose! (In between JibJabs ) It makes me smile because my little story got you thinking about them and the ‘bigger picture.’ Here we all are, forty years after, still loving them, still writing about them, still sharing their specialness. What could be better?! Thanks very much for taking your busy time to read, and then write to let me know you enjoyed! I appreciate it so much.
Gorgeous image, Elves! Thank you!!!!!!!!!
Aww. Romantic, sweet, cute, sad-but in a good way. Can just hear Starsky saying this. Maybe I should try it. We have amazing starry nights on the island. Thank you for this lovely gift, sweetie.
You’re more than welcome, WF, I’m so glad you liked it. You caught all the sentiments I was throwing around. I was thinking of my own mom, who taught me the stars, and cried a little while I wrote it. It pleases me that you could ‘hear’ Starsky’s “voice”. Thanks for reading, and then, for writing your lovely comment. Enjoy your Starry, Starry Nights there!
Sweet and lovely and peaceful. Just what I needed.
I’m so glad I could give you a little sweetness, loveliness and peace, Denise. Thank you so very much for letting me know you enjoyed it.
I love fics that mention the stars. After all he is Star-sky. This was heartwarming and I like the way you used so few words to describe his past, present and future. I also loved that his wish was not a wish but thanks. Beautiful sentiment especially at this time of year. And your haiku speaks right to my heart.
I’m an amateur astronomer, mvernet, so I write stars into my stories whenever I can, as long as it doesn’t intrude. I’m so happy that you found this one enjoyable and heartwarming. I’ll treasure that sentiment. The Haiku speaks, to my heart, too. Thanks so much for taking the time to read, and then to let me know you liked.
You do have a way with words, Pat! Nicely done. Our boys together and Starsky grateful for every minute. I do like him talking to his Ma.
Thanks, Kat, for those kind words. I’m definitely a sentimentalist and believe Starsky would surely be grateful, and thankful, for every moment with his Hutch. I appreciate your reading, and then writing your lovely comment. THX!
That was beautiful Pat. Very heartwarming and sweet. Loved that the guys are happily married. I’ve been enjoying your haiku’s too.
Thank you, littlestar, really glad you found it heartwarming and sweet. I woke up early one morning with the story fully formed in my head; I simply typed it into the laptop. I’m glad my Haikus are striking the right chords, too. I’m addicted to the form now. Thanks for reading and then for letting me know you enjoyed!
A www so sweet I could “see” the story you told us. I love that they’re together on their honeymoon, and Starsky reminisces about his mom and prays. Merry Christmas!
Thank you, Elaine. I’m so glad you could ‘see’ it; that makes me very happy. I really appreciate your taking the time to write and let me know. Merry Christmas to you and yours, as well!
A little sadness tempered by some sweetness.
A good little mix. Thank you for writing this.
You’re welcome, Hutchlover. Not sure I could have made myself NOT write it after my muses dictated it. Thanks very much for reading and then for leaving your lovely comment.
Stars bright in a dark sky, untouched by human light pollution–lovely. Thanks for sharing this special moment with us, Pat xoxo
You’re welcome, Baby. It felt like a ‘special moment’ when I wrote it; think I was channeling my mom. She’s the one who introduced me to my love of the stars. Thanks so much for reading, and then for your lovely comment. Merry, MERRY!
Perfect entry with lovely imagery that had me googling Christmas Star.
A quiet moment
Shooting stars instead of guns
Reward for heroes
Here I am, Laura, reading through last year’s Advent Calendar, and I discover a comment I never knew was here! I’m so sorry to have missed it for this long. I always check back but I guess almost-mid-February had marked my last check. Thank you for reading my sentimental entry and then leaving your sweet comment and wonderful Haiku! I sincerely hope you get a notification, even at this late date, that I’ve replied.
Good friends are like stars
Even if not seen each night
you know they’re still there