Work Text:
Conversations August to September 2024
7th August 2024
Ollie: Grandpa? Did you always know you wanted to be a police detective?
H: Well, no. I wavered between that and being a doctor for a while.
Ollie: Oh...Is that why you're so unfazed when any of us have accidents?
H: I guess.
Ollie: I don't know what I want to be yet.
H: That's okay. Sometimes people work it out when they fall into something and it fits.
Ollie: What about you, Grandpa Starsky?
S: Well, I-
H: -Oh there's no point asking him.
Ollie: Why?
H: He hasn't grown up yet!
S: (Outraged face)
10th August 2024
Starsky was up bright and early for the garage sale that he and his family had planned. With a coffee in one hand and a fold up table in the other, he headed outside. Once the table was set up, he went back for a chair and the box of coins and small bills needed to give change to their anticipated customers. Not long after, the first person arrived.
Mid-morning, just as it was getting busier, Hutch arrived ready to help. They had a brief chat and then it was back to talking to people and encouraging them to part with their cash. Soon, his wife and grandchildren appeared with fresh baked brownies and homemade lemonade and for the next few minutes the sales were mostly food related.
Suddenly, Hutch appeared with a wad of bills and waved them under Starsky's nose.
"Wow! What did you sell?"
"Your car."
"What?" Starsky automatically looked at his jeep.
"Not that one. The Tomato. I think I got a pretty good deal."
Starsky's eyes widened in shock and he turned to look through to his Torino, nestled safely under his car port. He'd never had the heart to part with it. Although it needed constant tinkering to keep running, he spent many happy weekends doing just that and usually took it out for a drive a dozen times a year.
"You didn't."
"Well, you're trying to raise as much as you can for charity, aren't you? If some crazy person wants to part with all this money then..." Hutch's voice trailed off as he saw the absolute horror on Starsky's face and that his friend looked quite pale.
"Starsky. I'm kidding! Don't faint on me!"
"You!"
Starsky shook his head, punched his friend on the arm and then grinned.
"You got me good! So where did all that money come from?"
"The Hutchinson clan got together and donated to your good cause."
"Well, thank you all very much. That's brilliant!"
Just then a man came up and nodded his head towards the house.
"Is that old Torino for sale?"
"No!" was the definite response from both men, who then grinned at each other and started laughing.
13th August 2024
H: Morning, pal. How are you?
S: Fine. You?
H: I'm great. So where are we going for our walk this morning?
S: (shrugs)
H: How about the beach and then coffee at the Lobster Pot cafe? We haven't been there for a few weeks.
S: Sure.
They get into Hutch's car and start driving. Hutch keeps glancing at Starsky and wondering why he seems grumpy.
H: Okay. What gives?
S: Huh?
H: What's going on?
S: What do you mean?
H: Well, you're grumpy about something. What is it?
S: Nutthin'.
H: It's something.
S: No, it's nutthin'. Sorry. One of those stupid moods left over from a dream, ya know. Woke up feeling grumpy and it's hard to shift but that's it. I'm fine now.
H: What was the dream about?
S: Work.
H: And?
S: It's stupid.
H: Tell me anyway.
S: Well, we were back in the squad room and we had this big pile of reports to get through.
H: Sounds about right so far.
S: And I was typing away, whistling as I did, and you offered to file my reports. In the dream, I could see you had a box of donuts hidden in the drawer and you never even offered me one!
H: Firstly, that never happened. Secondly, you never whistled while doing reports. You hated them. And lastly, I never hid donuts in the filing cabinet.
S: I know it's a stupid dream but...wait a minute. You said you never hid donuts in there. That implies you hid something.
H: No, it doesn't.
S: Yes, it does! And you look guilty! What was it?
H: Okay. Once, and I mean once, I hid a candy bar in there.
S: Why?
H: You were on a diet.
S: I was never on a diet in my life!
H: Don't you remember your 40th birthday? You had your physical, found you'd put on two pounds since the previous year and went into a complete tail spin.
S: Oh...that diet.
H: See. I hid a candy bar but it was for your own good.
S: You're a pal. How long did that diet last anyway?
H: About five hours!
21st August 2024
Starsky pulled up outside Hutch's home and smiled at the sight. Twelve enormous sunflowers stood in a row against the front of the house. He walked up the path, knocked lightly and then went on in. Hutch was expecting him for coffee and there was no standing on ceremony after all these years. Not that there ever had been.
"Hey, pal. Your sunflowers look amazing!" Starsky said as he entered the kitchen.
"Thank you! I'm very pleased with them," Hutch said, barely raising his head from the catalog he was pouring over.
Starsky poured himself a coffee and helped himself to a cookie from the tin hidden at the back of the cupboard. When Hutch didn't look up, he took three, popping one in his mouth straightaway.
First cookie munched, he asked, "Planning next year's garden?"
"Yep. I think I'm going to plant lots of tulips for the Spring."
Starsky nodded. "What colour? Red and white, I hope!"
Hutch lifted his head to roll his eyes.
"Mixed colours, early bloomers."
"If you say so. How many?"
"Erm...two hundred should do it."
"Two hundred! No way!"
"Why not?"
"Because I know who's going to get roped in to plant 'em, Blintz!"
"We'll just call it payment for that third cookie, Gordo!"
22nd August 2024
It had been a while since the last painted pebble had appeared at his house conveying a message. When Starsky found the one on his doorstep depicting a night sky above fir trees, he knew exactly what it meant. He consulted his diary. Then he consulted his wife and made a phone call. Business concluded, he wrote in his diary and then picked up the phone again.
"Hey pal, I got your message. Look out your astronomical binoculars and get packed. Cabin's booked for this weekend. I'll pick you up at eight tomorrow."
"Thanks, Starsk."
Starsky didn't need to see Hutch's face to know he was smiling with delighted anticipation.
23rd August 2024
Hutch was subdued on the drive to the cabin and Starsky let him be. He knew what ailed his friend and that he needed some quiet before he could be cajoled into good humour. As they turned off the highway onto smaller roads, Hutch shifted in his seat. His attention turned from internal thoughts that sometimes held him prisoner to ones of nature, vacation and friendship. Starsky noted the shift.
"Hits you when you least expect it, don't it?"
Hutch didn't correct his friend's grammar, he just nodded.
"Good idea to have a change of scene then. A bit of fishing, a walk in the woods, s'mores over a campfire will see you right."
Hutch chuckled.
"I think the last one will see you right!"
Starsky flashed him a toothy grin.
"Well, you can't let me eat them all alone, Blintz. That would be irresponsible. I might get sick."
"You could always reseal the packet, Gordo."
Starsky looked at his friend as if he'd lost his mind.
"Or not," Hutch said, with a shake of the head. Then added, "Thanks, pal."
Starsky didn't bother asking, "For what?" or saying, "You're welcome." Words like that were unnecessary.
Instead, he just nodded.
In a few minutes, they arrived at the cabin. As they got out of the car, Starsky asked, "Fishing or a walk first?"
Hutch stretched out his stiff back.
"A walk sounds good."
"I'll put my boots on then and grab my 'emergencies' backpack."
"I only meant a short walk. We don't have to do a long hike right now," Hutch said.
Starsky was already checking his supplies.
"Water bottle, tranquilliser gun, back up gun, fire starting kit, first aid kit, compass, hydration kit," he muttered.
Hutch looked incredulous.
"Starsky! Is all that really necessary?"
Starsky raised an eyebrow as he said, "This is us we're talking about going on a walk in the woods..."
Hutch rolled his eyes and then started laughing.
"You got any emergency flares in there?"
"Ooooh, flares, good idea!" Starsky said and rummaged in a box in the trunk. He heard a sound and turned around to find Hutch doubled over, gasping for breath because he was laughing so much.
Innocently, Starsky asked, "What? What's so funny?"
Also 23rd August 2024
The visit to the cabin continued...
"See, we didn't even need the first aid kit, let alone the flares," Hutch said. "I told you we wouldn't get into trouble just going for a walk!"
Starsky's eyes widened with alarm.
"Why did ya have to say that? Now something bad is bound to happen!"
Hutch shook his head.
"You and your superstitions!" he retorted and promptly tripped over a tree root.
"Ouch!"
Starsky couldn't hide his grin in time.
"Hey, that doesn't mean anything!" Hutch said.
"Are you sure? Maybe the universe is sending you a warning."
Hutch rolled his eyes. "What warning would that be? Don't go camping with a harbinger of doom?"
"Fun-nyy!"
They were nearly back at the cabin.
"Let's just get unpacked and started on cooking dinner," Hutch suggested, as they reached the car and Starsky unlocked the trunk.
Starsky was instantly diverted by the talk of food.
"Good idea."
The two of them unpacked and then Hutch started chopping vegetables while Starsky got a pan ready. Once the sauce was simmering, Starsky put the pasta on to boil.
Hutch went to put cutlery on the table and Starsky noticed he was limping.
"Hey Blintz, did you hurt yourself when you tripped?"
"No...well, just stubbed my toe a little."
"Why don't you take those boots off and put your foot up?"
Hutch sighed, but did as Starsky suggested. He winced a little as he removed his boot. His toe was throbbing now. Starsky turned the heat down on the stove and went to retrieve his backpack from the bedroom.
When Hutch saw him with it, he said, "What are you planning to do? Tranquilize me?!"
Starsky rolled his eyes. He opened the first aid kit.
"Fortunately, in these modern times we got alternatives to ice. Lucky for you."
He pulled out a small packet and cracked it against the table edge until the barrier inside broke and the chemicals mixed, turning it instantly cold.
"There you are."
"Thanks."
"And you doubted that we'd need anything from my emergencies pack. Bet you feel pretty silly now, don't ya?"
"I should never doubt the master, is that it?"
"Exactly."
"Thanks for the ice pack, Gordo. But now can you just shut up?!"
Starsky grinned triumphantly but didn't say another word. He didn't need to.
24th August 2024
Trip to the cabin part three...
"What was that?"
"A rabbit breaking a twig."
"Must be a big rabbit."
"It's wearing boots! Look, settle down, Gordo. Stop twitching at every noise. You're scaring the fish away," Hutch said with exasperation.
"Sorry...it's just I dreamt this huge bear appeared while we were fishing and..."
Hutch interrupted, "What kind of bear?"
"A grizzly."
"Oh," Hutch said, "that's okay then. The last known sighting of a grizzly around here was in 1924."
Starsky looked at him quizzically.
"So if I'd dreamt about a black bear you'd be worried?!"
"No! I'm just trying to reassure you that you've got nothing to worry about."
"Oh...okay."
They sat in silence for a while. Hutch gazing out at the water for a while while Starsky read the funnies. Suddenly, Starsky lifted his head.
"Hey, when was the last known sighting of a black bear?"
Hutch ignored the question.
"Blintz?"
"What?"
"You heard me. When?"
Hutch sighed, before saying, "Three months ago."
Starsky stowed his paper and reached for the oars.
"What are you doing?" Hutch demanded.
"Taking us back to the safety of the cabin."
"A bear isn't going to get us in the middle of the lake!"
"They can swim!"
"But we can row faster!"
"Are you sure? Because I don't want to put that to the test!”
3rd September 2024
S: Morning pal.
H: Morning.
S: Got a question for you.
H: Okay.
S: Why did the fish go to Hollywood?
H: I don't know.
S: Because he wanted to be a Star-fish. Why don't celebrities in LA need air conditioning?
H: I don't know.
S: Because they have so many fans!
H: I take it the grandkids have been visiting this weekend?
S: How could you tell?
7th September 2024
H: Morning pal. How are you?
S: Great, thanks. You?
H: I'm fine. Ollie is coming for a sleepover and he wants to play Catan. Care to join us?
S: Of course! Shall I see if Max is free?
H: Yes, please.
S: What time do you want us?
H: Do you want to have dinner first? Or is that a stupid question?
S: That's a stupid question. See you about six?
H: Yep.
S: Want me to bring the snacks?
H: If you like...but Starsky, we only need snacks for four people, not ten.
S: I don't know what you mean. See ya later!
H: See you later! ( How much room do I make for snacks this time?)
10th September 2024
H: Morning pal.
S: Morning. Did you hear the sad news about James Earl Jones passing away?
H: Yes, that's sad. What a great career he had!
S: Think I'll watch a movie tonight as a tribute.
H: Which one? I might join you.
S: Star Wars.
H: There's too many of those! We'd be here all night!
S: How about Field of Dreams?
H: Oh yeah, good choice. He's great in that. And I like Kevin Bacon.
S: Costner! And I know you know it's Costner so you're just saying Bacon to wind me up!
H: guilty as charged!
12th September 2024
It had been a while since they'd been out for milkshakes and Ollie felt they were well overdue for a treat. He checked with his mother and then he rang his best friend, Max.
"Hey! I was thinking it's a long time since we've been out for milkshakes. Are you free this morning? Do you think Gramps would take us?"
"Of course he will! Especially if I make him think it's his idea! Let me check it's okay with Mom." A few seconds later, Max said, "She's says it's fine for me to go out. I'll call him now."
About eight minutes later, Ollie's phone rang.
"Hello Grandpa. How are you?"
"I'm fine, thanks," Hutch replied. "Are you free to go out this morning?"
Ollie grinned.
"Hang on. I'll check with Mom." Ollie waited just a few seconds, before saying, "Yep, I'm free. What time?"
"Ten thirty."
"Great! Where are we going?"
"Starsky wants to take us out for milkshakes."
"That's great. See ya soon."
As he climbed into Starsky's car, Ollie grinned conspiratorially at Max. Max covered his mouth to stifle a chuckle. Fortunately, their grandfathers were too busy bantering to notice.
17th September 2024
Starsky walked through the house and straight on out to the garden. He knew that's where he would find Hutch on such a bright, beautiful Fall day. He found his friend standing, secateurs in hand, admiring his bright pink headed sedums. Starsky was amazed he knew they were sedums. Hutch had only told him fifty times, but at last he'd remembered.
"Morning pal. The sedums are looking great!"
Hutch beamed with pleasure.
"They really are!"
"What needs doing?" Starsky asked.
Hutch looked surprised. "What?"
"Well, I'm guessing there's things you want to get done today. I figured I can help."
Hutch thought through his list of jobs.
"Well, are you happy doing the boring jobs like collecting all the bamboo canes and putting them away."
"I can do that. What are you going to do?"
"Some pruning and I need to cut those delphiniums down."
He waved in the direction of some tall, dried out stalks. Starsky nodded wisely. He didn't fool Hutch.
"The flowers you call the daphnes."
"Oh the daphnes! Why didn't you say so."
Hutch rolled his eyes.
"Hey, I remembered sedums. That's my goal of learning the name of one plant a year achieved!"
Hutch chuckled as he herded his partner towards the vegetable beds and the bamboo canes.
"Pack that lot away in the shed, Gordo, and then we'll have coffee...and thanks for the help."
"You're welcome, Blintz. It's a beautiful day to be outside."
"It is."
And as they set to it, they both thought it was a good day to be working side by side...as always.
Garden part 2.
"Hutch, time for a coffee break."
"Already?" Hutch asked, even as he stretched out his back.
"Yes, already. We've been at this for over an hour!"
"Have we?" Hutch looked at his watch. "Oh."
Starsky rolled his eyes and herded his friend towards the kitchen door, relieving him of his secateurs as he did so.
"Yes. I know you disappear into your own little world when you're gardening. I didn't realise it didn't run to a normal time frame," Starsky half grumbled, half chuckled.
Starsky washed his hands while Hutch took off his gloves and then poured the coffee. As he passed Starsky a mug, he noticed the scratches on his friend's arms.
"Oh, I should have lent you a long sleeve shirt! Those brambles can be tricky devils."
"I'll know for next time."
"I can lend you a shirt when we go back out if you want."
Starsky thought about it and shook his head.
"Nah, I'll do some weeding and stay away from your wild area."
Hutch looked serious as he sipped on his coffee.
"What?" Starsky asked.
"Well, you're getting better at gardening but I'm not sure you're up to the dizzy heights of weeding."
Starsky snorted. "I'll check with you before I dig anything up!"
"You'd better!"
19th September 2024
H: Morning pal. What time shall I pick you up?
S: Avast there, matey. When yonder sun has climbed above the rooftop and cast its shadow long.
H: Oh no! It can't be 'talk like a pirate day' already! Wasn't that about six months ago?
S: Half a year ago was 'talk like Shakespeare day', you pesky pirate.
H: Listen up, Captain Cuckoo, I am only buying you lunch if you stop talking like a pirate while we're out.
S: You're no fun, landlubber, but very well. I agree to your conditions of surrender.
H: So back to my original question: what time shall I pick you up?
S: Midday?
H: Perfect. Where do you want to go?
S: Anywhere that does seafood befitting a man of the seas.
H: Can I just remind you you come from Brooklyn?!
S: (Goofy Face)
21st September 2024
Hutch picked up his phone, saw it said 'Starsky' and answered it: "Hello!"
"Hutch, you gotta come over! Now!"
Hutch's heart beat faster as he asked, "What's happened?"
"Settle down, Blintz. Nothing to worry about. It's just Rusty. You gotta come see what he's doing. It's so funny."
Heart returning to normal rhythm, Hutch replied, "OK, I'll be on my way. Shall I bring the dogs so we can take them all for a good long walk today? Over at the Fire Hills?"
"Yeah, good idea. See ya soon."
Hutch grabbed his jacket and called for Dizzy and Oscar to follow him. With controlled excitement, the two dogs trotted along behind their master and jumped into the back of the car.
When he arrived at Starsky's, Hutch said, "Stay."
The dogs obediently sat down although their tails still wagged in anticipation of seeing both of their friends: Rusty and Starsky.
Hutch walked into Starsky's house and called out to let his friend know that he was there.
"Living room!" Starsky called back.
Hutch found his friend and Rusty both sitting in the living room. Rusty bounded over as soon as he saw Hutch and barked joyfully.
"Good boy."
"Hutch! Watch this!...Rusty, here boy!"
Rusty obediently returned to his master's side as Starsky hit play on the video that he'd paused on the TV. Immediately, Rusty became fixated on the horse race unfolding on the screen. He looked as if he was following one particular horse and started jumping up and down as it neared the finish line. He almost looked like he was dancing. Hutch couldn't help grinning at the sight.
"Well, ain't that the funniest thing you ever saw!" Starsky declared.
Hutch nodded, still smiling.
"He gets almost as excited as you do watching the races!"
"Ha ha!"
"Come on, Gordo, let's go walk the dogs and work off some of Rusty's excess energy!" Hutch suggested.
Rusty was now running around his legs in a very excitable manner.
Starsky turned the TV off and grabbed his jacket.
"You said the W word. It always makes him bouncy!"
Hutch laughed. "Everything makes Rusty bouncy!"
"True."
Rusty bounced his way out to the car, getting even more excited when he saw his friends inside. There was much tail wagging and licking until Hutch told them all to settle down, which they did instantly...even Rusty.
Starsky climbed in the passenger seat and put on his seat belt.
"After our walk, can we stop at Coco's Cafe? I've got a craving for one of her special burgers with all the trimmings and she does those cool dog treats."
"I'll want something more substantial than a dog treat!" Hutch joked.
Starsky punched his arm.
"Settle down, Gordo, settle down!"
"Don't use your 'dog' voice on me! Anyway, you know full well she does a range of salads that'll keep you happy."
"Fine. We can stop for lunch afterwards."
"Great!"
Starsky looked out of the window as Hutch tried not to chuckle out loud at the thought of him being the only human in the car. People often said that owners choose dogs that looked like themselves. Hutch was sure that was true but sometimes he believed they also choose dogs that matched their personalities and Rusty and Starsky were a prime example. Loyal to a fault, energetic and obsessed with food!
24th September 2024
H: Hey partner, are you ready for our walk?
S: Sure, but can we make it a short one today?
H: Are you okay? Have you been overdoing it with your grandkids again?
S: No. We-ell. I guess maybe a little.
H: What did you get up to at the weekend?
S: Well, I took 'em out to Pacific Park at Santa Monica yesterday.
H: Ah, one of your favourite haunts! Do they still have the dodgems?
S: Yep and they've still got the whackamole and the balloon burst and the slides. All that fun stuff.
H: Who got tired first? You or the kids?
S: The kids! Total lightweights! I could have gone on all the rides for a second time but they'd had enough.
H: But today you're paying for being on the go all day yesterday?
S: Yeah, I guess my age is catching up with me a bit.
H: Your age is still chasing your heels and you're winning! Come on, let's do a short walk and then sit at the pier cafe and watch the world go by.
S: Sounds perfect, pal.
25th September 2024
S: Morning pal!
H: Morning...You look very smug. What's up?
S: Oh nothing much...but you remember I was having a clear out of my attic a couple of months ago.
H: Yes.
S: And I found that box of old comics.
H: Yes. I don't know why you kept them in the first place.
S: (Looking even more smug.) Well, not everyone thinks they're a waste of time, ya know.
H: Max is enjoying them, is he?
S: Yep, Max is enjoying all of them except one.
H: Huh?
S: I took 'em all down to a store for valuing and the guy advised me that one of them was worth something.
H: Really? How come?
S: It was an early copy of Astonishing Tales and had sought after art work by George Perez. He's well known.
H: Really? That's interesting. You going to sell it?
S: Already done.
H: And?
S: I paid twenty-five cents for it in 1973.
H: And?
S: A private collector was interested.
H: And?
S: I just got three thousand dollars for it.
H: Wow!
S: Not bad for something you said was a waste of my time!