Work Text:
Birthday Present Revealed 2021
Hutch walked up the path to the Starsky residence. The Sweet Acacia was covered with leaves now and there was clear evidence of yellow flowers about to erupt. He loved this time of year with all the signs of new life erupting everywhere he looked. Hutch knocked on the door and steeled himself for the ball of energy that was about to appear. As predicted, the door was flung open by a very excited Starsky.
Hutch smiled affectionately as he said, “Happy Birthday!”
“Hey, buddy. Thanks! You’re right on time for my birthday breakfast. Come on in.”
Starsky led Hutch along to the kitchen where his wife was making a steadily growing pile of pancakes for the three of them to share.
“Hi Ken, glad you could make it for breakfast. Dave’s been up since dawn, opening presents. You know how excited he gets! He’s worse than any of the children ever were.”
Starsky made noises of protest but then shrugged and started chomping his way through a mound of pancakes.
As Hutch helped himself to some from the pile, he said, “Laura’s sorry she couldn’t make breakfast but she will definitely be at dinner tonight.” He turned his attention to his friend. “So buddy, what’s the plan for today?”
“Well, weather’s supposed to be great all day. I really want to go for a walk at the beach and I thought we could grab a snack at that place on the pier. We haven’t been there for ages.”
“Sounds good, buddy. Anyone else joining us?”
“Nah, just you and me for the walk. Ali needs time to decorate my cake so she’s staying here. We can hang out for a few hours then I gotta get home for cake with the grandkids when they get back from school. Then it’s dinner tonight with you, Laura, me and Ali. Perfect day.”
“Sounds great. Would you like your present now or at dinner?”
“You’ve got it on you? Or is it in the car?”
“I’ve got it on me,” Hutch confirmed.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a thick envelope, which he passed to Starsky. Looking excited, his friend opened the envelope carefully and slipped out several pieces of paper and card. The first two things he spotted were two plane tickets. He scanned them and then raised his eyebrows.
“Harrisburg? What’s at Harrisburg?”
“Keep reading.”
Starsky unfolded the next sheet and read the contents out loud to Ali: “Two nights’ accommodation at the Cumberland Valley Hotel for Friday June 4th through Sunday June 6th. Nice. Never been to Cumberland Valley. What’s there?”
“Keep reading.”
Starsky opened up a leaflet and found a printed receipt for two tickets to the Carlisle Ford Nationals. “Wow! I’ve always wanted to go to that car show.”
“I know,” Hutch said, “You’ve mentioned it often enough and I have it on good authority that there’s even going to be a striped tomato there.”
“No!”
“Yep. So. Good present?”
Starsky was up and wrapping his arms around Hutch before he could even finish the question.
“Are ya kidding me? Best present ever!”
Hutch grinned from ear to ear. “Phew!”
Starsky sat back down and looked at Ali. “You’d better write this little trip on the calendar. Not that I’m likely to forget the date! We’d better arrange for someone else to have the grandkids after school on the Friday.”
“No, I can still have them. Looking at cars for hours isn’t really my thing. If you don’t mind, honey, I think you should take Hutch with you,” Ali said. “Have a guy’s weekend.”
“You sure?”
“Positive.”
Starsky looked at Hutch enquiringly. “Well?”
Hutch wrinkled his nose, pretending he wasn’t interested. “Listening to you wax lyrical about cars? Hmm.” Then Hutch shrugged and started to smile. “I guess I could come with you. Why not?”
Starsky just grinned from ear to ear. “Thanks, buddy. It’ll be great fun! I can’t wait!”
“Happy Birthday, Starsk!”