The Long And Winding Road
(Christmas Tree Farm series)
By Tooki
Edited by Tonya
2023
Detective David Starsky lay in bed waiting for Ken Hutchinson to help him get dressed and into his wheelchair. He hated being so helpless and relying on others to do simple tasks like putting on his pants or going to the bathroom.
He had been out of the hospital for three weeks after a two week stay. Hutch had brought him to the Christmas Tree Farm and his home. Ramps had been built, paths and driveways paved to make his life easier. His bed room was now in the den/office which had been moved upstairs. Even his beloved Torino was sitting in the driveway, his pride and joy that he would never drive again. A bullet that ricocheted, landing in his spine, had seen to that. The doctor said that once he healed and the swelling went down he might be able to walk again, but it had been five weeks and he still had no feeling in his legs.
Starsky felt like a burden to Hutch and the Conways, who owned the tree farm; they considered the two men family and insisted on helping.
“Are you awake buddy?” Hutch poked his head into the room.
“Yea, I’m up.” Starsky frowned at his use of words because he wasn’t “up”. Up would mean he was on his feet getting ready to start the day. “I can wait for the nurse.”
A nurse, Penny, had been hired to help him. She did his physical therapy, got him dressed, but also showed him ways that he could manage things on his own.
“Samantha is making breakfast, you don’t want to miss her French toast.” Hutch opened the door wider so the smells from the kitchen could waft into the room.
Starsky knew there was no arguing with his friend. Instead, he just sighed as Hutch rummaged through the dresser, pulling out sweat pants and a T-shirt. “I know you didn’t sign up for this partner.”
Hutch tossed the clothes on the hospital bed, which was easier for Starsky to navigate. Penny was working with him so he could get in and out of bed on his own. He hadn’t quite mastered it yet. Hutch wheeled the chair close to the bed. “You know I don’t mind.”
“But you have a lot of work to do and I’m taking up your time.” Starsky grabbed the shirt, he could at least do that much.
“It will get better,” Hutch promised.
Starsky didn’t reply as Hutch slipped his pants over his useless legs and lifted him into the wheelchair. Hutch started to wheel his friend out of the room. “I can do it!” Starsky snarled as he grabbed the large wheels and jerked the chair. The footrest crashed into the woodwork around the door. “Damnit!”
“Let me help.”
“NO!”
Hutch sighed as he watched his flustered partner try to maneuver the chair, repeatedly hitting the door.
Samantha, an apron around her waist, appeared in the bedroom door, “Are you boys ready for breakfast?” She asked calmly. She heard Starsky yelling in the kitchen and crashing into the doorframe. “Let me help, David.” Samantha turned the wheelchair just enough so Starsky could wheel himself through the door.
Starsky nodded his thanks as he rolled himself toward the kitchen. Samantha looked at Hutch giving him a little smile.
Hutch threw his hands in the air, he was frustrated that Starsky wouldn’t let him help but Samantha was a different story. “Why? Just tell me why?”
“It’s simple. I’m not you.” Samantha smiled at him again as she left the room.
When the couple reached the kitchen Holly was serving Starsky a plate of French toast, dusted with powdered sugar. She handed him a fork, “It’s getting cold.”
Starsky took the fork, “Thanks.”
Samantha patted her daughter on the head, “You eat too, Grandma will be waiting for you.”
Holly plopped down next to Starsky, “Grandma is trying out some new cookie recipes. You should come, we need taste testers.”
Starsky pushed his food around on the plate, “Maybe later.”
“Come on buddy, eat up.” Hutch urged, concerned for how thin his friend was becoming.
“I’m not hungry.”
“You are wasting away. You gotta eat.” Hutch poured a healthy helping of maple syrup over the French toast.
Starsky sighed he knew Hutch would keep badgering him if he didn’t eat. He cut a small bite and put it in his mouth. Starsky had to admit it was good. He took a few more bites chewing slowly hoping Hutch would see he was eating and head out to meet Billy.
“Good?” Hutch asked, getting a nod he slipped several slices of crisp bacon on the edge of the plate.
Starsky put down his fork and looked at his friend. “You get me fattened up, you won’t be able to pick me up.” There was no humor in his tone.
“You let me worry about that.” Hutch said as he tried to put more French toast on the plate.
“Stop!” Starsky cried, but there was a small smile on his lips. “I’ll finish this but no more.”
“Okay,” Hutch said, putting the toast on his own plate.
Samantha joined them with her plate. “Hurry up Holly, I’ll drive you over to the main house.”
“Where are you going?” Hutch asked around a bite of French toast.
“Beth and I are having lunch in the city.” Samantha looked at Starsky, “Do you need anything from your place?” He hadn’t given up his apartment yet even though he would never live there again since it was on the second floor.
Starsky put down his fork and looked at her. Slowly he shook his head no and pushed his wheelchair away from the table.
Hutch glared at Samantha, he had finally gotten Starsky to eat and she had to bring up his apartment.
“Sorry,” she mouthed silently to Hutch.
Hutch tossed his napkin on the table and went after his partner. He caught him just before Starsky wheeled himself into the bedroom. “Come on back and finish breakfast.”
“I’m not hungry.”
Hutch wanted his friend back, not the shell of a man he had turned into. He stepped in front of the chair and put his hands on the arms of the chair and looked Starsky in the face. “Are you just going to fade away? Since when are you a quitter?
“Leave me alone Hutch!”
“I will not! I won’t allow you to give up!”
“Face the facts, it's been five weeks and nothing. Not even a twinge to give me hope.” Starsky backed the wheelchair up to get away from his friend. “Get out of my way!”
Hutch stepped aside, Starsky rolled across the room to the window keeping his back toward Hutch. “Why don’t you go out on the porch and get some fresh air.” He suggested.
“I’m fine. Don’t you have work to do?”
“Do you need…” Hutch began.
“The only damn thing I need is to walk!” Starsky snapped.
By the time Hutch got back to the kitchen Samantha and Holly had left. He began clearing the table, she hadn’t done it. Things between him and Samantha had been strained lately. She only spent work hours at his place since the office was there. She used Holly as an excuse to be back at her house every evening but he knew it had more to do with him. He was sullen and moody, blaming himself for the condition Starsky was in even though it had nothing to do with him.
Hutch put the dishes in the sink and looked out the window, it was going to be a beautiful day. He needed to get to work, Billy was probably already waiting on him. He also needed to make things right with Samantha before he lost her.
“I’m leaving,” he called out, he knew he would get no response. “Penny will be here soon. Do you need anything Starsk?” Silence. “Dammit!” Hutch muttered as he shut the front door.
Starsky let out the breath he was holding the moment he heard the door shut. He was finally alone, no one to bug him to eat, offer to do things for him or look at him with pity, imagined or real. He had at least a half an hour to himself before Penny arrived.
Starsky rolled out of his room and to the kitchen. The sink was full of dirty dishes. He picked up the bottle of syrup from the table and put it away. Then he ran water in the sink, added soap, and washed up the dishes. It wasn’t easy from a sitting position but he was managing.
Starsky was nearly finished when there was a knock on the front door. “Come in,” he yelled as he dried the last dish. He had stacked things he couldn’t reach neatly on the counter.
“Need some help?” A male voice asked.
Starsky looked around surprised, he had been expecting Penny. Peter MacCartney stood there, Mac to his friends, and his partner after Hutch had left the force. Mac was just a younger version of Hutch with his blond hair and blue eyes. “Mac what are you doing here?”
“I should have come to see you long before now.” The last time they had seen each other was in the hospital. “I guess I…uh…” Mac stumbled over his words.
Starsky knew what the man was feeling, “Mac none of this was your fault.”
“I should have had your back,” he stepped forward and grabbed the plates on the counter. Starsky pointed to a cabinet above his head.
“You were shot too, if it hadn’t been for that old lady we both would be dead.”
Mac shrugged, “I wanted to tell you in person.”
“Tell me what?”
“I’m leaving the force.” Mac said softly. “Val and I are going back East, we both have family there.”
“Because of what happened?” Starsky asked.
“Partly, I guess you never realized how dangerous the job really is until something like this happens.”
“This isn’t the first time you have been in danger.”
“Of course not, but the first time I nearly had my partner killed.” Mac said grimly, then a broad smile spread across his face. “Val is pregnant! I'm going to be a dad!”
“Congratulations man!” Starsky stuck out his hand, and the two men shook hands.
“Thanks.”
“So what are you going to do back east?” Starsky wanted to know.
Mac shrugged, “I’m not sure. I might go to work for my dad, he’s getting older and wants to retire. I just want to make sure I come home to my wife and child every night.”
There was a tap on the front door and Penny opened the door, “Sorry, I didn’t know you had company,” she said upon seeing Mac.
“I was just leaving. You take it easy Starsk, keep in touch huh?”
“Yea, you enjoy that baby.”
Penny gave Mac a smile then turned her attention to her patient, “How are you doing this morning?”
Starsky shrugged, “Same as every other day.”
“Let’s get your exercises out of the way.” She suggested. Penny had long dark hair that she pulled up in a ponytail and brown eyes. She was surprisingly strong and had no problem helping him in and out of bed. “Don’t you have a doctor's appointment coming up David?” She pushed him toward his bedroom.
“Tomorrow,” he answered.
She gave him a couple of weights, “Arms first, then I’ll work your legs, gotta keep that muscle tone.”
“Why bother?” He accepted the weights, he did want to work on his upper body strength so he wasn’t so dependent on others.
“You don’t want your leg muscles to atrophy.”
After they were done, Penny bathed him and he put on fresh clothes. Starsky had to admit he did feel better after the workout. He hoped he would have feeling in his legs, he could see her working them but there was nothing.
“David!” A female voice called, it was Dorothy.
“We are in here,” Penny called back.
The older woman appeared in the bedroom doorway, Holly was behind her, “Are you decent?” She joked.
“All dressed and ready to go.” Penny winked at Dorothy.
“Go? Go where?” Starsky asked, he had barely been out of the house since he arrived.
“I need a cookie taster, so you are coming over to the house.”
Starsky started to protest, he looked up at Penny who already had the wheelchair moving, “Are you in on this?”
“Maybe.”
“I’m tired.”
“Too bad, you need to get out.” Penny pushed him through the house.
Holly held open the door, “We’ll have fun. Grandma and I are making you a special lunch!”
Starsky sighed as his protests were falling on deaf ears. “Fine but just for a little while.”
When Billy and Hutch arrived at the main house for lunch the smell of baking cookies greeted their noses. Hutch was slipping off his dirty work boots when he heard a familiar laugh.
He stepped into the kitchen to find Starsky at the kitchen table with Holly, decorating cookies, while Penny and Dorothy were rolling out more. Hutch smiled as he watched his friend smear icing on a cookie.
Starsky held up the cookie he had been working on, “What do you think?”
“Looks good, I think you missed your calling,” Hutch joked as he snatched the cookie from Starsky’s hand and took a big bite.
“Hey, you ruined my masterpiece!”
Hutch grabbed a cookie from the cooking rack and handed it to Starsky. He looked at Dorothy, “These are fantastic. You have outdone yourself again.”
“Hey, can I get one of those?” Billy asked.
Dorothy handed her husband a cookie, “Here you go old man. Not too many, lunch will be ready soon.”
Penny helped Dorothy get lunch on the table, it turned into a long lunch. They were all glad to see Starsky out and seemingly having a good time. It was the first time in a long time Hutch had seen Starsky really laugh or smile.
It was late that night, Hutch was hunched over the desk working on the books. He had promised Samantha he would help with the farm paperwork more. It had been a good day even though she hadn’t been there. Starsky had seemed more like himself. Hutch knew there was still a long road ahead but maybe his friend was headed in the right direction.
Samantha stood in the doorway of the office watching the blond head bent concentrating on an invoice. A stack of checks sat waiting for her signature next to him. “Hey,” she said softly.
Hutch looked up and smiled. “Hey yourself.”
“I’m sorry about this morning.”
Hutch got up and walked to her, taking Samantha in his arms. “You didn’t do anything wrong. We are all walking on eggshells around Starsk.”
“It’s hard to know what to say.”
“I know…I know.” Hutch leaned his forehead on hers. “I'm sorry.”
“What are you sorry for?”
“I have been so focused on Starsk, you and I are falling by the wayside.”
“Oh babe. We are fine.”
“Are we?”
“We are.” She confirmed. “I can stay, Holly is at mama’s.” He nodded, then glanced at the desk. “It will wait until tomorrow. Let me run down and check on Starsky.”
She winked at him, “I’ll be waiting.”
Hutch made his way down the stairs, he peeked in on his friend and was happy to see him sleeping soundly. Regret filled his chest as he watched his partner….former partner. If he hadn’t left, if he had been there instead of Mac, maybe things would have been different, maybe Starsky wouldn't be paralyzed. And then again maybe nothing would be different.
Hutch felt a hand on his back, “Is everything okay?”
“Yea why?”
“You have been down here almost an hour.”
“Have I?” Hutch gave Starsky one last look then turned to Samantha, “I’m sorry.”
“Again for what? Caring for David? I wouldn’t expect anything less.” She took his hand.
Morning came much too soon. Hutch had cleared his day so he could take Starsky to his doctor's appointment. He eased his arm from under Samantha’s head, grabbed his clothes and headed to the bathroom for a shower.
By the time he got downstairs Penny was already there getting her patient ready for the day ahead. She smiled, “Good morning.”
Hutch returned her smile, “Morning, you didn’t have to come over. I’m taking Starsk to his appointment.”
“I thought I would come along, that is if you two don’t mind.”
“Fine by me.” Hutch said. “Starsk? Okay with you?” Starsky only shrugged, his good mood from the day before had evaporated.
“Let’s get this show on the road.” Penny smiled as she pulled the wheelchair over to the bed. Hutch lifted his friend from the bed and settled him into the chair.
Hutch pushed Starsky out the front door and down the ramp, he bypassed his truck stopping at the Torino. He opened the door and allowed Penny to climb in the back.
“What are you doing?” Starsky growled.
“I thought you would like to take a ride in your car. What do you say?” Hutch answered.
Starsky stared at the inside of his car, then reached over and touched the door. It had been weeks since he had been in the Torino. He looked up at Hutch, a small smile played across his lips. “Let’s get this over with.”
Hutch put the wheelchair in the trunk, then climbed behind the wheel, he glanced over at Starsky who was rubbing his hand over the dashboard. “You’ll be driving again before you know it.” The only answer he got was a grunt.
The ride was mostly silent, Penny would ask an occasional question, she had never been to Bay City before. She was anxious to meet the doctor and see what more she could be doing.
Hutch pulled into the parking lot. “I thought after your appointment we could go to the station.”
“No!” Starsky said firmly.
“You could see Dobey and Mac.”
“Mac doesn’t work there anymore.”
“When did that happen?” Hutch wanted to know.
Starsky looked at Hutch, “He was at the house yesterday. He wanted to tell me in person he was leaving. Val is pregnant and Mac didn’t want to put his life on the line anymore.”
Hutch was shocked. “I didn’t see him.”
“I’m sure he avoided you, you haven’t been all that nice to him since I was shot.” And Mac had wanted to avoid a run in with the former detective. He had sat on the road until he saw Hutch leave the house.
“I wish I would have seen him, I would have liked to apologize.”
“A little late for that,” Starsky snapped, he had never once blamed Mac for what happened. Mac had also been shot, just not as severely.
“Dobey would be happy to see you.”
“What about NO don’t you understand?”
Hutch sighed as he got out of the car to retrieve the wheelchair from the trunk. He opened the car door and lifted Starsky into the chair. He made a mental note to ask the doctor about his friend's weight loss.
Hutch and Penny sat in the waiting room while Starsky was with the doctor. She flipped through a year old magazine while Hutch brooded over Mac leaving the force. He knew he had been hard on the younger detective and hoped he hadn’t contributed to the man leaving police the force behind.
Dr. Grant sent Starsky for some tests, while he was gone the doctor opened his office door and motioned Hutch to come in. Concern was on his face as he took a seat in front of the doctor’s desk.
“Detective Hutchinson,” Dr. Grant began.
Hutch interrupted, “I’m not a detective any more. You can call me Ken or Hutch, whatever you prefer.”
The doctor nodded and began again, “Ken, after my evaluation of David, I honestly don’t see a reason why he can’t walk. He has healed nicely, the swelling is gone. So that is why I sent him for more testing.”
“He’s faking?” Maybe this was Starsky’s way of getting back at him for the time he faked amnesia.
The doctor shook his head, “I think he honestly believes he can’t walk. From our conversation, this is just my gut feeling. David doesn’t want to choose between you and being a police officer. This way he doesn’t have to choose.”
Hutch looked at the doctor confused. “I don’t understand.”
“The brain can be a mysterious thing. I don’t think I can help him with this.”
“So he needs a shrink?”
“A psychiatrist could get to the bottom of this if it’s all in his head. But let’s cross that bridge after reviewing the tests.” Dr. Grant answered.
Hutch knew there was no way Starsky would see a psychiatrist. Or even entertain his paralysis was mental and not physical. “Thank you Dr. Grant.”
“I’ll let you know what the tests show, probably later this afternoon.”
Hutch nodded and left the office to find Beth sitting next to Penny. “What are you doing here?” He was surprised to see her there.
“Samantha told me David had an appointment today. I figured it was a chance to see him.”
Hutch sat down next to her, “I’m sorry he doesn’t want to see you. He doesn’t want to see anyone.”
“I know but I keep hoping when I come out to the farm he will talk to me more than a couple of grunts.”
Hutch smiled, he knew those grunts well. “He had a good day yesterday, he was helping your mom and Holly with cookies.” Hutch was hoping he was starting to come out of his depression but he was back to his sullen self.
A nurse pushed Starsky into the waiting room, “You have quite the fan club,” She commented as she patted him on the shoulder.
Starsky glanced at Beth knowing that either Samantha or Hutch had told her where he would be. She walked over giving him a quick kiss, then suggested, “How about lunch before you go back? We could go to The Pits. I haven’t seen Huggy in ages.”
“I’m not hungry.” Starsky answered, staring straight ahead. He wished Beth would just move on. It would be so much easier for him. He loved her desperately but was not going to burden her with a cripple.
Beth looked at Hutch; she looked as though she was about to cry. “Well I am!” Hutch said. “We’ll meet you at Huggy’s.”
“Don’t you people listen?” Starsky stormed. He swung his chair around and rolled down the hall toward the door.
Hutch pulled up in front of Huggy’s, Beth right behind. The blond got out of the car, holding his seat up so Penny could exit without bothering Starsky. Hutch held an arm out to each of the women and was about to escort them into the bar when Starsky rolled down the window.
“Hey, what about me?” He called.
“You said you weren’t hungry.”
“So you are going to just leave me in the hot car to suffocate? Some friend you are!”
Hutch grinned then winked at the women, he knew how to push Starsky’s buttons and if the doctor was right he was done coddling his friend. “Okay, okay.” Hutch got the chair out of the trunk.
Huggy was delighted to see his two favorite detectives. “How’s it hanging?” Huggy guided them to a table and removed one of the chairs. “I’ll get the ladies' menus, you two want your usual?”
“I do but Starsk isn’t hungry.”
“Hey!” Starsky sputtered, “I’m here I might as well eat.” He leaned toward Huggy, “They kidnapped me.”
Huggy grinned, “You look like you need to be kidnapped, you are nothing but skin and bones. I’ll have the cook make it a double burger and extra fries. Beers all around?
They all nodded, Beth handed Huggy the menu, “Burger for me too.”
“Make that four.” Penny said.
“And who is this lovely?” Huggy asked.
“Just a friend. I’ve never been to Bay City. I asked the guys if I could tag along.”
“So you work at the farm.”
“Yep.” Penny answered, not bothering with details. “My name is Penny. Nice to meet you.”
“The pleasure is all mine.” Huggy said as he disappeared to get the brews.
Starsky smiled at her, grateful that she hadn’t told their friend she was his nurse. Penny winked at him.
Several officers noticed Starsky and Hutch and came over to talk but left when the food arrived.
After the meal Starsky and Beth said their goodbyes, “I’ll come to the farm this weekend, my big case wraps on Friday. We can do something.”
Starsky frowned, “Like what? Are you going to push me up and down the driveway?”
Beth didn’t miss a beat, “That could be fun. Or we could go on a picnic by the pond.”
Starsky actually smiled at the memory. Beth had relentlessly teased him when they had first met. “The one with the leeches?”
“That would be the one.” She smiled back. Beth glanced at her watch. “I need to get back to the office. See you Saturday.” She leaned over and kissed him then was gone before he could respond.
That evening Hutch pounced on the phone the moment it rang. “Hello?”
“Ken, this is Dr. Grant, I have looked over David’s tests. I don’t see any reason why he shouldn’t be walking.”
“So now what?” Hutch asked.
“He needs to see a psychiatrist. I can recommend a good one.”
“I don’t think he will go for it.” Hutch sighed. “But I will talk to him.”
“Let me know.” Dr. Grant said. “Do you want me to tell him the results?”
“I’ll do it.” Hutch sighed. After hanging up he started to go downstairs then decided to wait until morning or until he decided what to do. But he already knew what he was going to do to save his best friend.
It was a restless night for the blonde, he tossed and turned all night. Hutch was glad Samantha wasn’t there, she would want to know what was wrong and he didn’t want to discuss it with her…yet.
Hutch was up before dawn making coffee when he heard Starsky call his name. He poured two cups of coffee before he padded into the bedroom. “You are awake early.”
“Did the doctor call?” Starsky was anxious to hear the results. Hutch nodded as he set a cup of coffee on the bedside table then pulled up a chair and sat down. “It’s bad isn't it? I’m going to be stuck in this damn wheelchair the rest of my life. You can’t keep taking care of me Hutch, you have your own life.”
“Slow down buddy.” He reached over and touched Starsky’s hand.
“If I go any slower I’ll be rolling backwards, just tell me!”
“Your tests…” How was he going to tell his friend it was all in his head?
“Will you just tell me,” Starsky said gently, he could tell Hutch was having a hard time.
Hutch took a deep breath, “Dr. Grant said all the tests are fine. There is no physical reason you can’t walk.”
Starsky just stared at Hutch, finally he said, “So you're telling me I’m nuts? Crazy?”
“Nobody is saying you are crazy. It was traumatic and on top of me leaving, it was just too much. Dr. Grant has the name of a good psychiatrist.”
“So I am nuts!”
“You aren’t nuts. You just need someone to help you come to terms with it all.”
“So me talking to some shrink is going to make me walk again?” Starsky sounded doubtful and angry.
“I’m sure it’s not that simple. But you are healed physically.”
“So I’m crazy!”
Hutch sighed, he knew he was not getting through to his stubborn partner. “Would you just meet with the psychiatrist?” Starsky didn’t answer, he just stared at the ceiling. “Starsk?”
“Just leave me alone,” Starsky snapped. “Get out!”
Hutch got up, “If you need anything…”
“OUT!”
Starsky lay processing what Hutch had just told him. The doctor had to be wrong. Why would he not want to walk, that was all he thought about, dreamed about.
He heard Samantha come in the front door, she would go up to the office to begin the paperwork for the farm, there was an amazing amount of it. There was no way he wanted to be stuck behind a desk in the squad room doing paperwork. If he left the force what would he do? He would be no use at the farm unless he sat in the kitchen tasting cookies for Dorothy.
Starsky squeezed his eyes shut and held his breath concentrating on moving his legs but nothing happened.
“Are you okay?” Penny walked into the room.
Starsky’s eyes popped open and he let out the breath he was holding. “No…yes, I guess you haven’t talked to Hutch.”
“Nope he was gone when I got here.”
Starsky frowned, even his best friend had given up on him. Usually when he was in a mood Hutch would keep bugging him.
Hutch had left early to see Billy, he was doing everything but giving up on his best friend. The two men had a long talk. Hutch’s next move was to talk to Samantha, he hoped she would be as understanding as Billy had been.
Earlier that evening Holly had managed to lure Starsky out of his room. They were sitting at the dining room table playing Monopoly. Samantha had gone to a nearby farm and was due back anytime. Hutch got a bottle of wine and two glasses ready on the sprawling back porch.
“Mom! I’m winning,” Holly exclaimed when she saw her mother enter the kitchen.
Samantha ruffled her daughter’s hair, “Don’t cheat to let her win.” She told Starsky.
Starsky scoffed, “Who’s letting her win? I’m horrible at Monopoly. Hutch is out back.”
Samantha found Hutch leaning against the railing staring out at the view. She walked up behind him and put her arms around his waist.
He put his hands over hers, “We need to talk.”
“That doesn’t sound good, are you leaving me?” She teased. Hutch was silent. “Ken?”
Turning in her arms he looked into her eyes. “How about a glass of wine.”
“Just tell me what is going on.” Concern filled her voice.
Hutch quickly told her what the doctor said. “I’m going to call Dobey and see if I can get my job back.”
She dropped her arms and stepped away from him. “What are you saying?”
“I’m going to take Starsky back to Bay City, it’s what is best for him.”
“But what is best for you? This is your home now. Daddy depends on you and…and so do I.”
“I’ll come on weekends.”
“Weekends? The farm is a full time job and so is being a detective not to mention taking care of David. He won’t miraculously hop up and start walking.” Samantha sat down heavily in a chair.
“It won’t be forever, once Starsk is up on his feet I’ll be back.” Hutch promised he sat down across from her and poured wine in the glasses.
Samantha was shaking her head. “We will be heading into our busy season soon. Tagging trees is a big job. Daddy is not a young man, he can't do it all, in fact he shouldn’t be doing it at all!”
“We can hire some help.”
“We? I have been understanding but this is too much. You can't have a foot in both worlds, you have to pick one.”
“Samantha, I’m sorry.” Hutch tried to take her hand but she jerked away.
She got up abruptly, Samantha went into the house, “Holly we are leaving.” She said to her daughter.
“But mom I just got Park Place.” Holly protested, Samantha’s lips were set in a thin line, the girl knew there was no arguing with her mother.
“We can finish tomorrow huh?” Starsky said. After they left, Starsky rolled to the porch door and looked out to see Hutch sitting slumped in his chair. “What happened?
“Just a little argument.”
“Didn’t seem so little to me, Samantha looked really mad.”
“Don’t worry about it, we will work it out.” Hutch got up as lightning streaked across the sky. “Looks like we are going to have a storm.” Hoping to change the subject.
Undaunted, Starsky refused to move from the doorway. “What is going on?”
The wind picked up and rain began to fall, there was another loud crack of thunder, “Let me in, I’m getting wet.”
Starsky finally moved aside, “Are you fighting about me?” When Hutch didn’t answer, Starsky began rolling himself toward his bedroom, “I’m going back home. I’m not going to ruin your life.”
“We are both going back.”
Starsky stopped and whipped the chair around, “Come again?”
“I’m calling Dobey to see if he will rehire me.”
Starsky was stunned, “What? No! This is your life now.”
“I’m not going to argue with you.” Hutch growled.
“But…”
“We are going back to Bay City as soon as I can arrange everything.”
It sounded like a bomb went off, Hutch sat up in bed blinking in the darkness. The storm had not subsided, there was a flash of lightning that lit up the room then another boom. Hutch got out of bed and went to the french doors that opened up onto a balcony. He peered out, there was an orange glow in the distance. “Shit,” he mumbled under his breath.
Slipping on work pants and a shirt, Hutch made his way down stairs to where his boots sat. He jammed his feet in, bent to tie them, then opened the front door. Samantha stood there poised to knock. Holly stood next to her mother in a yellow rain slicker. “There was a lightning strike, we need to check it out.”
“Let me look in on Starsk.”
“I can do it!” Holly said.
Hutch looked at Samantha who nodded her permission. “Holly, if things start looking bad or you don’t hear from one of us, you get to the main house.” Samantha hugged her daughter.
“I will…we will.” Holly promised.
After they were gone, she tiptoed to Starsky’s bedroom door and looked in. He raised his head, “Hutch?”
“It’s me, Holly.”
Starsky sat up, “What’s going on?”
“Mom and Ken had to go check on a lightning strike,” Her voice sounded calm but she knew how dangerous it could be. That was how the last wildfire started that nearly destroyed the farm.
Billy, flashlight in hand, was coming down the path and met Samantha and Hutch next to Hutch’s truck. “We gotta get out there.”
“Get in!” Hutch commanded. They sped off toward the growing orange glow. The rain had stopped and the thunder was in the distance now.
Billy leaned forward staring through the windshield, he didn’t take his eyes from the fire, he knew it was growing and eating his precious trees.
Samantha put her hand on her father’s shoulder, “It’s going to be okay daddy. We are catching it early.” The last fire had started when none of them had been home and the fire had gotten out of hand, burning acres of pines. Billy had fallen into a depression, it had been the two detectives coming to the farm that had brought her father out of his funk.
She realized how much she owed Ken and David and her anger faded from the fight. She moved her hand to Hutch’s arm and squeezed. He glanced over at her, Samantha smiled at him.
Hutch patted her hand, “It will be okay.”
“Your mother called the fire department, they are on the way but it will be a while before they get here.” Billy said pointing toward two trees that were fully engulfed, several others were beginning to burn as was the grass. The heavy rain had helped but now that it had stopped the fire was going to spread quickly. “We need to get a handle on the fire.”
Hutch slammed on the brakes and the three of them grabbed shovels from the bed of the pickup. “Tell me what to do.” Hutch had no idea what to do to stop the fire. He was out of his element.
“Start clearing the grass in front of the fire so it has nothing to spread to.” Samantha yelled as she began to dig.
Billy also grabbed an ax. He started cutting down trees that were near the ones burning.
“Let me do that,” Hutch offered.
“You keep clearing.” Billy ordered. The old man was nearly frantic. He couldn’t let the trees burn again. Billy swung the ax like a man half his age and dropped one tree after another.
Even with the rain and their best efforts the fire was beginning to spread quickly. “Daddy we need to go or we are going to get trapped.” Samantha tossed her shovel in the back of the truck.
“No, I'm not leaving my trees.” Billy said stubbornly.
Samantha looked pleadingly at Hutch. He handed her his shovel and went to Billy, taking the old man’s arm. “Come on, the fire department will be here soon.”
Billy jerked free, “You don’t understand!” Billy hollered.
“I understand the trees aren’t worth dying for!” Hutch yelled back.
“They are here!” Samantha called pointing toward flashing lights coming toward them.
“Let’s go!” Hutch started to grab Billy’s arm again when there was a loud crack. A fully engulfed pine was falling their way. Hutch tried to push Billy out of the way but the flaming tree partially fell on the old man and skimmed Hutch catching his shirt on fire.
Samantha ran toward them, Hutch waved her back as he slapped at the fire burning his shirt. Billy was on the ground, his clothes burning. Hutch grabbed his arms and pulled him from under the burning tree. The heat was intense and he could feel the flesh on his arms and hands begin to burn. Samantha, armed with a blanket from the truck, threw it over the two men to smother the flames.
Suddenly there was shouting and a shower of water rained down over the trio. Several firefighters appeared and helped Hutch get Billy away from danger. There were orders being barked by the fire chief as more firefighters and neighbors came to help.
Two firemen armed with first aid kits did their best to treat the two men until the ambulance arrived.
Holly paced the porch, the rain had stopped but the glow in the distance was growing larger. She hoped if push came to shove she would be able to get David into his wheelchair. She hadn’t really thought about it before.
Pounding on the front door startled Holly, she ran to the door and pulled it open, her other grandfather Chuck was standing there soot covered. When neighbors heard the fire trucks a lot of them descended on the Conway farm to help wherever they could.
“Grandpa Chuck! Where’s mom?”
“She is okay but Billy and Ken were hurt.”
Starsky was listening from his room, the moment he heard the two men had been hurt, he swung his legs over the bed without thinking. Starsky stood and took several steps before he crumpled to the floor. His weakened legs were unable to hold his weight. He struggled to the wheelchair and pulled himself up standing behind the chair. Bracing himself on the handles Starsky pushed the chair in front of him as he took careful steps out of the room. He made his way to the front door.
“How bad?” Starsky asked, leaning heavily on the back of the chair.
Holly whirled around, her mouth fell open, “You are walking!” She rushed to his side. Chuck also came to his aid, they helped the detective into the wheelchair.
Starsky was almost afraid to ask again, “How…. bad?”
Chuck glanced at Holly, he didn’t want to scare her, “Ken has burns on his arms and hands. As for Billy…he was burned pretty badly. An ambulance should be here any time to take them to the hospital.”
“Take me there, I need to see them!” Starsky said and looked like he was about to get out of the chair.
“My truck is out front. I’ll drive you.” Chuck offered. He was a tall powerful man, and even though he had twenty years on Starsky, he picked him up like he was a rag doll. Holly followed along, she opened the truck door and jumped in, Chuck put Starsky in next to her. “I’m taking you to the main house pumpkin.”
“No, I want to go too,” Holly wailed, even though she had been told her mother was alright, she needed to see for herself.
“Samantha would skin me alive if I took you out there. Your grandmother needs you right now, she is beside herself.”
“Okay,” Holly said reluctantly.
“I’ll check on your mom.” Starsky promised.
After dropping Holly off with Dorothy, Chuck proceeded out to the now smoldering fire. The ambulance sped by them just as they pulled up. Starsky slammed his fist on the dash thinking he had missed Hutch. But then he saw Hutch through the smoke, standing with his arm around Samantha.
Starsky opened the door and slid from the seat, he stood clinging to the door willing his legs to carry him to his best friend. He took a few unsteady steps toward where Hutch was standing.
“Hutch!” Starsky yelled.
Hutch turned and walked toward Starsky as he took steps toward them. His legs gave out just as Hutch arrived to catch his partner in his arms. “What are you doin’ out here?” Hutch asked.
“I thought you guys could use a hand.”
Hutch grinned as he hugged Starsky. “Starsk you’re walking!”
“Well sorta, it’s a work in progress.” Starsky said, giving Hutch a half a smile. “Are you okay?” Starsky looked at Hutch’s gauze wrapped hands and arms.
“Just some minor burns.”
“What about Billy?”
“I don’t know, but it looked bad, a burning tree came down on him.”
Samantha put her hand on Hutch’s shoulder, “We need to get you to the hospital.” She said calmly, almost too calm, given what had just happened.
Hutch grabbed Samatha's shoulders and looked into her eyes, “Are you alright?”
At first she nodded and then shook her head no as tears started streaming down her face. “W-what if daddy…”
“He will be okay.” Hutch put his arm around her then pulled his keys from his pocket, “I’ll take you and Dorothy to the hospital.”
Starsky stayed at the main house with Holly while the rest went to the hospital. It was just beginning to get light when there was a knock on the door, it was Penny coming to check on her patient. Hutch had called from the hospital and asked if she would check on them.
Starsky was stretched out on the couch where he and Holly had been dosing. Penny put her hands on her hips, “So, I hear you are walking.”
He opened one eye and looked at her. “The reports are greatly exaggerated.”
“Are they now, that’s not what I heard from Ken.” Penny shook her head, “You went out to the fire? What were you thinking?”
“I was thinking there were people out there I love and I needed to be there.” Starsky lay still for a few moments, what if he couldn’t walk now. Taking a deep breath he moved his legs and sat up on the couch. He grinned, using the arm of the couch he pushed himself to a standing position. “Ta da!”
“Walk to me!” Penny commanded.
Starsky took a tentative step toward her, he was a little wobbly but continued until he was standing in front of her. “Well?”
“We have some work to do but you are walking.” Penny impulsively threw her arms around him then stepped back embarrassed.
Starsky grabbed her, hugging her. “I’m walking! I guess the doc was right, it was all in my head.”
“So what’s in your head now?” Penny asked.
“What’s really important.”
“And what’s that?”
Starsky just shrugged. “So now what?”
“We get those leg muscles strong again.”
It was mid morning when the front door of the Conway’s farm house opened and a weary Samantha entered followed by her sister Beth, who had rushed to the hospital from Los Angeles the moment she heard what had happened. Penny and Holly had gone out to feed the horses, Starsky was sitting in a chair staring at the television set that wasn’t on.
Beth walked up behind him, bent over and kissed the top of his curly head. Starsky jumped; he was deep in thought and hadn’t heard them come in. He leaned his head back and looked up into the face of the woman he loved, maybe now they could get back to having a relationship. He smiled pleased to see her, then he looked around. Samantha was there but Hutch wasn’t. “Where’s Hutch?”
Samantha walked around the chair and stood in front of him, “The doctors wanted him to stay for 24 hours.”
“But he said his burns weren’t bad.” Starsky said pushing himself forward in the chair, he used the arms to help him stand. Beth’s mouth fell open. Starsky took a few slow steps around the chair and pulled her into his arms.
“Y-you’re walking?” Beth stammered as she threw her arms around his neck.
“I have some work to do but I’m up.” Starsky hugged her tightly. Then he looked at Samantha, “Hutch?”
“He is okay, the burns aren’t too bad but bad enough the doctors are worried about infection, so he’s getting IV antibiotics.”
“What about Billy?” Was his next question.
“Daddy is burned pretty badly on his left side. It’s going to be a slow recovery.” Samantha explained. “Mama refuses to leave him. I came home to get her a few things and get a shower.”
“I need to go to the hospital!” Starsky hobbled toward the front door, he needed to see Hutch.
“Ken said you would insist on coming to the hospital.” Samantha smiled, she loved how close the two friends were and sometimes hated it. “He will be home tomorrow.”
“I don’t care, I have to see him, Billy too.”
“You can’t see daddy, he is in intensive care.” Samantha explained. “I’ll bring Ken home first thing in the morning. You can talk to him, I have the phone number for his room.” She tried to hand Starsky a scrap of paper with the number.
“I have to see him.” He said stubbornly. “I’m always there.”
“I understand that,” Samantha stood in front of him and pressed the paper in his hand. “I need you to stay here with Holly….please. I know she has to be worried, and you are one of her favorite people.”
“Just because she can beat me at Monopoly.” Starsky gave her half a smile. He sighed, “Okay, but I’m calling him.”
“Mom!” Holly came rushing into the room tracking mud on the floor. She stopped short when she noticed the mess she was making.
Samantha held her arms out to her daughter. Holly hugged her mother tightly. She wrinkled her nose, Samantha was still covered with soot and smelled of burning trees. “I know, I’m going home to shower, you want to come with me?” Holly nodded.
Starsky made his way to the telephone and dialed the number Samantha had given him. The phone only rang once, “Hi Starsk.”
Starsky smiled into the phone, relieved to hear his friend's voice. “Samantha said the doctors want you to stay overnight.”
“It’s just a precaution. I’m fine.” Hutch said, although he was in pain from the burns on his hands and forearms. “I’ll be home tomorrow. How are you?”
“Me? I’m fine I wasn’t out battling a wildfire.”
“You are walking, it wasn’t a dream?”
Starsky laughed, “I’m walking. I guess all it took was the thought of you being burned alive to get me moving.”
“Glad I could help.” Hutch said dryly.
Hutch stood in the bedroom doorway watching his friend sleep. The night before Starsky and Holly had gone back to
Hutch’s house along with Penny. The young woman had offered without being asked to stay with them.
It had taken a long while before Starsky fell asleep, even after talking to Hutch, he was still worried about him and of course Billy, who was going to be moved to a burn ward in a Los Angeles hospital.
Hutch walked silently to Starsky’s bedside, he stood staring down at the curly head. As if sensing he was being watched, he opened his eyes and looked up into his friend's face.
“Hey sleepy head.” Hutch sat down next to the bed.
“You’re here! What time is it?”
“Almost ten. I told you I would be home in the morning.”
“Breakfast is ready!” Holly came skidding into the room. She and Penny had been working in the kitchen.
Starsky sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed. He gently put his feet on the floor and slowly stood. Hutch got up to help him. “I can do it.” Starsky said he was amazed every time he put his feet on the floor and stood. He had dreamed so many times he could walk, it wasn’t until he took a few steps each time he knew it wasn’t a dream.
Hutch followed Starsky far enough away so his friend didn’t feel like he was hovering but close enough in case he lost his balance.
As they ate breakfast Hutch smiled when Starsky asked for more pancakes and then covered them with butter and syrup. It was good to see him eating again.
Two weeks later Samantha and Beth gathered in Billy’s hospital room at his request. He knew he still had a long recovery and wouldn’t be ready for the approaching Christmas season.
Hutch and Starsky waited in the hall, while the sisters went in. Dorothy was standing next to the bed holding her husband's hand, her eyes were sad as she gave her daughters a brief smile.
“Where are Ken and David?” Billy asked.
“In the hall,” Samantha replied.
“Well get them in here, especially Ken!” Billy commanded. “They need to hear this too. We will fill in your brothers and sisters later.” The rest of the children didn’t live close and were visiting when they could.
When the two men were in the room Billy began, as he did Dorothy tighten her grip on his hand and tears sprung to her eyes. Billy looked up at her and patted her wrinkled hand. “We won’t be opening the tree stand this year. In fact I’m closing down the farm.
“Nonsense!” Samantha exploded. “Honestly daddy, do you think you are the only one that can run the farm? I have been doing the books for years, along with helping with the trees. Ken has learned a lot and knows what he is doing. We can and will run the farm until you are back on your feet!”
“And you got me!” Beth spoke up.
“Me too!” Starsky chimed in.
Everyone looked at the couple surprised. Beth had been spending a lot of time at the farm since she had finished up her big case in LA. She and Starsky had been talking a lot and had come to a decision they hadn’t shared until now.
“Billy,” Starsky moved closer to the man’s bedside, “Is that land you offered me still mine?”
“Of course son, but I don’t want you taking it just because of what has happened.”
“I’m not,” Starsky said sincerely. “I have had a long time to think and I know what is really important to me. I want the acres next to Hutch and Samantha, and I want to build a house.”
“Are you sure buddy?” Hutch knew how much he loved police work.
“I'm very sure.”
Beth smiled at Starsky and took his hand, “I’m coming home.”
“Beth,” It was the first time Dorothy had spoken, “You don’t need to do that dear.”
“But mama I want to…I need to. This is where I belong.”
Samantha hugged her sister and said in a low voice, “Do I hear wedding bells?”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” Beth said but she was beaming. She and Starsky were taking it slow. He was finally strong again and walking normally with Penny’s help.
Billy looked at the four standing around his bed. “Are you sure you want to take the farm on? They all nodded at the same time.” He looked at his wife who nodded, “Well I guess Christmas is back on!”
“We won’t disappoint you Billy.” Hutch said as he shook the old man’s hand.
“I know you won’t.”
Back out in the hall Samantha started making plans, “We’ll have to replace the trees that were destroyed. David I can give you the name of a guy who can get started on your house. Beth, you and David can have my place. Holly and I can move in with Ken if…”
Hutch laughed at her, “Take a breath, we’ll get it all figured out, just not right this minute.”
“Why don’t we go get some dinner,” Starsky suggested.
“Sounds like a plan,” Beth looped her arm through his. “How about Huggy’s?”
Samantha nudged her sister, “We are really doing this!”
“Yes we are!” Beth, Starsky and Hutch said at the same time.
They laughed as they headed down the hall toward a new adventure and the rest of their lives.
The end