This story is written for my friend Tonya!
Just Another New Year
By
Tooki
2018 revised 2021
Edited by Tonya
“Come on Hutch, it’s cold,” Starsky pulled his jacket around his body tighter. They were having an unusually cold winter. It was New Year’s Eve and both detectives were glad they were off the next few days. They had earned it, the week between Christmas and New Year’s had been a busy one.
“I’m coming,” Hutch called to his partner as he tucked something inside his jacket.
They headed to Starsky’s car, both were looking forward to getting home and out of the chilly air. Hutch carefully slid into the passenger seat while Starsky hopped in and slammed the door. Something moved under Hutch’s coat.
Starsky gave his partner a sideways glance. “What have you got going on under your coat?” Hutch sighed and unzipped his coat, a forlorn looking kitten poked its head out and looked around, it stared at Starsky with sad eyes. “What the heck Hutch?”
“She just looked so sad and cold.” Hutch tried to explain. “She was huddled by the door on our way out.”
“And you just decided to pick it up. What are you going to do with a kitten?”
“What are we going to do with a kitten?” Hutch said.
Starsky stared at the shiving animal, then sighed, “She does look cold and hungry.”
They were nearly to Hutch’s apartment when Starsky pulled into a grocery store parking lot. He got out and went into the store before Hutch could question him. Ten minutes later the detective emerged carrying two sacks which he put in the trunk.
“That couldn’t have waited until you dropped me off?” Hutch asked, the kitten had gotten squirmy and wanted out of his coat.
“I got us a couple of frozen pizzas and some kitten food.” Starsky gave his partner a lopsided grin.
Hutch grinned back at Starsky, “You old softie.”
Once at the apartment Hutch found that Starsky had bought more than just kitten food. There were two bowls, a small litter box, a bag of litter and even a kittennip mouse which Hutch held up by it’s gray tail.
Starsky shrugged, “She needed something to play with.”
The moment that Hutch put the kitten down she dashed under the couch, no amount of coaxing could get the frightened kitten to come out. Starsky was on his hands and knees trying to get her to come out when Hutch handed him a bowl of food, “Here try this,” Hutch said.
Starsky poked the bowl part way under the couch, the kitten inched forward he pulled the bowl until the kitten was out from under the couch. She looked up at him for only a second before she began gobbling the food down. Starsky moved back slowly and stood up as he grinned at the animal eating. “I think you might need to open another can.” He said, watching the kitten lick the bottom of the bowl, the food was gone.
After woofing down a second can of food the bedraggled kitten wandered around the apartment taking in its new surroundings. Hutch grabbed an old blanket from the closet laying it near the heating vent. He tried to pet the kitten but it shied away from him.
Starsky readied the litter box and placed it near the makeshift bed. “Hey Hutch, why don’t you cook those pizzas, I’ll keep an eye on the little baby girl.”
Hutch grinned at Starsky and then looked at the kitten who was sniffing at the blanket. “I think that is the perfect name for her,” Hutch said. “What do you think Baby Girl?” The kitten looked up at Hutch, let out a soft meow then stepped in the middle of the blanket and proceeded to make herself comfortable.
“I guess we should have gotten her a bed.” Starsky commented.
The pizza was ready, Starsky grabbed a couple of slices and sat down on the couch, Hutch holding his plate in one hand and two bottles of beer in the other sat down in an overstuffed chair and set the bottles on the coffee table. Starsky picked one up and held it up to his partner before taking a large gulp, “Nothing like beer and pizza even if it is frozen pizza.” The kitten stirred and looked at Starsky as he took a bite of pizza, her nose twitched, she got up and sauntered toward the detective sniffing the air, she put her front feet on Starsky’s knee and then jumped in his lap.
“Looks like you got a friend,” Hutch said amused as the kitten grabbed a piece of sausage from Starsky’s slice.
“Hey!” Starsky exclaimed but then pulled another piece of meat off and handed it to the kitten as soon as she finished the piece she had stolen. “I guess this is what Baby Girl is used to eating.”
Hutch went to the kitchen and opened another can of kitten food. He dumped it in the bowl then rattled it on the floor, Baby Girl looked in his direction then up at Starsky as she reluctantly got down and headed toward the bowl gobbling up that can. When finished she went back to Starsky and climbed into his lap again but this time curled up and began purring softly.
“I hope she doesn’t get sick, she has eaten a lot.” Starsky rubbed a finger on the top of the small furry head soundly sleeping on his leg.
“No more food until tomorrow.” Hutch got up going to the fridge for two more beers.
“Didn’t you put the second pizza in the oven? I’m still starving!”
“I was talking about Baby Girl.”
“Oh,” Starsky was relieved. “What are we going to do with her?”
“She can stay here,” Hutch offered. “I was the one that picked her up.”
“The little thing is kind of growing on me. I never had a pet growing up.” Starsky stroked the kitten's back, he could feel it’s back bone. “Poor thing is nearly starved.”
“I thought you had a hot date tonight.” Hutch said as he put the second pizza in the oven.
“Cindy got a last minute offer to fill in on a flight to London.” Starsky answered. “What about you?”
“After the week we had, I just wanted a quiet evening at home.” Hutch said. “Jenny was throwing a big party, she was pretty mad I didn’t want to go.”
“Guess we will ring it in with Baby Girl. After all, it's just another New Year’s. There will be more.” Starsky settled back on the couch enjoying the warmth of the furry little creature in his lap. He was nearly asleep when Hutch put the second pizza on the coffee table along with another beer. Starsky opened his eyes and looked at the beer. “Are you trying to get me drunk?”
“Does it matter? I figured you would be spending the night.” Hutch said, sitting down grabbing a couple of slices and taking a long drink of beer. “This is kind of nice.” He propped his socked feet up on the edge of the table and sunk down in the chair.
Starsky sat up to grab the beer, Baby Girl brought her head up and looked around. She jumped to the floor and began sniffing the floor. Starsky laughed, “I haven’t dropped anything yet.”
The kitten kept sniffing until she found the litter box, she hopped in and relieved herself. She made her way back to the couch and looked up at Starsky.
“What am I chopped liver?” Hutch said. “I am the one that picked you up.”
“Come on,” Starsky patted the couch next to him. The kitten jumped up next to him and rubbed her head on his knee as she purred.
Hutch shook his head, as he watched his partner and the kitten. “I think she likes you.”
“I like her.” Starsky picked up the kitten and stretched out on the couch. He set the kitten next to him but Baby Girl crawled up on his chest and curled into a ball. Starsky smiled as he stroked her head. His eyes slid closed as he said, “Happy New Year Hutch.”
“Happy New Year buddy.” Hutch responded, he looked at his watch, they had just started a new year. He closed his eyes and joined his partner and their new little friend in a peaceful sleep.
The end