Next of Kin
He hated this part of his job more than anything, notifying the next of kin that one of their loved ones had met an early demise. He eased the Torino next to the curb in front of a well worn home. He sat there a moment gathering his courage and organizing his thoughts.
​Finally, he exited the car and wiped his sweaty palms on his jeans. He opened the creaky metal gate and walked slowly up the sidewalk. His partner shuffled a few paces behind with his hands crammed deep into the pockets of his tan cords; he wanted to give his partner some space. He hated this part of the job too, especially when you had a personal attachment to the deceased.
​Finally, he exited the car and wiped his sweaty palms on his jeans. He opened the creaky metal gate and walked slowly up the sidewalk. His partner shuffled a few paces behind with his hands crammed deep into the pockets of his tan cords; he wanted to give his partner some space. He hated this part of the job too, especially when you had a personal attachment to the deceased.
He knocked gently on the door and waited. Slowly the door opened and he was greeted with a large, neon bright smile from the aged, slightly bent woman who quickly wrapped him a bear hug, "David!" she exclaimed. "It is so good to see you again my dear, it has been far too long for this old soul." She then looped her arm in his and pulled him into the house while Hutch sat down in an overstuffed chair." Let me get you two a cup of coffee," the elderly lady offered.
He gently pulled her back down to the sofa with her hands clasped firmly in his. "No thanks, Geneva. I need to tell you something, we are here on official business." He could barely stand to look her in the eyes. She pulled one wrinkled hand loose and lifted his chin so that she could see the grief in his eyes. "I know why you're here, dear. I just thought it would make it a little easier if we had something to drink while we chatted." She then saw the shock that came over his face. "How did you know?" He squeaked out. She looked at him with teary eyes and placed her hands over her heart, "A mother always knows. Now let me get us some coffee and we can talk."
After she returned with the coffee, she took her seat next to Starsky again. He explained how in the early morning her son had been gunned down by some worthless punks as he counted his receipts and worked on his deposit from his lucrative night from the bar. She watched as he choked out the last of the horrid details and put both her hands on his face and then pulled him to her breast and gently patted his back. "You are a good friend, dear. For all the things that you have done for my son, I am grateful. And I don't want you to be sad, for my little Huggy is in a better place and at peace, and he wouldn't want you to fret so." And she continued to hold him as both their tears combined for the loss of a dear son and a friend.
