A Weight Lifted

By AW

December 21, 1998

He liked the Christmas parties, once upon a time. Actually, ‘like’ was too strong a word. He had found them tolerable, with a few truly fun occasions. He had rather be home, having a private party with his one and only. But since this was the last party they would attend before retirement, Starsky had felt they should be there. And, truth be told, he felt the same way.

Standing near the punch bowl (why did he always wind up at the punch bowl?) he watched Starsky work the room, flirting with their female colleagues, young and old, and swapping jokes with the guys. Hutch chuckled to himself—Starsky knew how to have a good time, no matter what.

But, with most of their true friends either retired, off visiting kids and grandkids, or gone in the line of duty, there were less and less people attending that he wanted to see. Huggy’s bash at his new place (Hutch had another private laugh—"The Bear’s and the Mrs.’ Bar & Lounge" had opened over a decade ago) was a lot more fun.

And, this year, even the Dobeys didn’t show up at the Metro party. Edith had developed very bad arthritis over the years, and she didn’t venture out much anymore. Which meant Harold didn’t either. Actually, Dobey was in pretty good shape for his age: he had lost about twenty pounds after retiring and was still sharp as a tack. He would even do consulting work for the Department from time to time.

Dobey had been very disappointed in his and Starsky’s decision not to seek promotions to management. But they both knew they were not cut out for desk jobs. After Gunther (though Gunther had died October 17, 1986, Hutch still had murderous thoughts towards that animal), they had managed to stay relatively safe: no other gunshot or serious knife wounds. But, it was time for them to get off the streets. And now, they were just wrapping up some loose ends with paperwork before December 31st, their last day on the force.

Dobey had argued that, as the most decorated detectives in BCPD history, they had a lot to share with the younger officers. And he was probably right. But he and Starsky both felt that they didn’t like the attitudes of most of the younger officers around them.

Detective Alexander Rogers, who Hutch had watched grow progressively drunk throughout the evening, was a prime example. Young, smart, physically adept at the job—there was only one thing missing: a heart.

Because of their college degrees, Rogers’ generation of detectives didn’t spend as much time walking a beat as he and Starsky had. True, they didn’t stay in uniform nearly as long as most of their colleagues, but he and Starsk had earned the right to take the detective’s exam. While they were still in uniform, he and Starsky had managed to solve two cases that the detectives assigned had not. And, they weren’t even partners.

But the most important things they learned while in uniform were: one, cultivating snitches and two, understanding that most of the people in the areas they patrolled were GOOD people.

While watching Rogers lean over and practically drool on one of the young female officers, Hutch just shook his head. Hutch realized that most of these kids came in during the early ‘90s, when the gangs and drug wars were at their peak. But, because all of these young officers bought their homes in the suburbs and refused to spend any time in Bay City other than to work, they separated themselves from the citizens they were supposed to serve and protect. Being separate from the citizens allowed the detectives to lump everyone with the gang bangers and drug dealers. And they treated the folks in the neighborhood accordingly.

When he and Starsk would try to point out to them that their “us against them” attitude was not only wrong, but a hindrance to their police work, the response was usually an impatient eye roll. Of course, the fact that they were the old guys at the station, but still possessed the best record for solving cases, didn’t endear them to their young colleagues, either. “Haters,” is what Kiko called them. Hutch started to chuckle again.

But he was stopped mid-laugh by what was happening in front of him. Rogers had started to get a little too bossy with the young woman he’d been annoying, and Starsky had stepped over to intervene, which didn’t sit well with Rogers.

“I guess you’d rather get it on with that old coot,” Rogers bellowed at the young lady, while Starsky led her away from Rogers.

Rogers’ partner and couple of other detectives led him in the opposite direction. “Come on, man, she isn’t worth it,” Rogers’ partner, Gatelin, said.

But Rogers kept yelling. “Well, you’re barking up the wrong tree, honey. His true love is the other senior citizen over there.”

The room suddenly became silent. Hutch had been walking towards Starsky and the young woman, but stopped briefly at Rogers’ pronouncement. But only briefly. He resumed his destination, he and Starsky silently communicating to each other the entire time.

They had never come out at work. The only people they had actually told were their families. Huggy and Dobey had guessed, but it was never discussed. Huggy just found out when their anniversary was, and would either hold parties or fix special dinners for them. And Dobey pretty much treated them the same way he always had. The kids in their lives: Kiko, Molly, Cal and Rosie, had figured things out early on, and treated them like a couple. But Starsky and Hutch had never said anything at work.

There had always been rumors, even before they had actually become husbands. But, they didn’t want their partnership dissolved, which was what official policy dictated. And, of course, homophobia was alive and well in the department, even though regulations had allowed gay officers since the late 80s.

So, as he approached Starsky, they were deciding what they were going to do. Laugh it off with a lame joke as they had in the past. Or something else.

Once he stood beside Starsky, the decision had been made.

“Just because this young lady has enough taste not to be enraptured by your charms, Rogers, doesn’t mean that she’s interested in Starsky. Not that I would blame her. After all, he and I have been friends for almost 30 years, partners on the force for 25, and together as a couple for 18 wonderful years. So no one knows better than me just how wonderful he is”

There were a few gasps and mutterings, but not as many as Hutch expected. And then Rogers said it, “Faggot.”

This time, Starsky responded. “Yeah, I guess we are faggots. But if you stay on the force twice as long as we have, you will never match our records. Not to brag, but no one ever has, and since you’re the future, no one ever will.”

“And that’s not all you’ll never match,” Hutch continued. “You’ll never match our happiness. Not just with each other, but with the job that we do, the people that we help. I know, probably better than any of you could ever guess, how the job can bring you down. But what picks you up again is knowing that you’re helping people, good, honest people. And having a terrific partner,” Hutch finished, grinning at Starsky.

“Right back atcha’, Blondie,” Starsky said with a wink and a smile.

“I’m going to be sick,” Rogers moaned, to grunts of agreement from his colleagues.

“You already are sick, Rogers. And the sad thing is, you don’t even realize it,” Hutch replied.

Really annoyed, Rogers, his partner, and most of the young detectives they worked with left the party.

But not all of them. With the exception of a few stragglers that were looking askance at them, most of the people that remained had gathered around him and Starsky.

“That was so brave,” the young woman who Starsky had rescued said, to much agreement.

“Nothing to it, just telling the joyous truth, “ Starsky said with that thousand-watt smile that always made Hutch warm inside. “Now, eating his decimated…”

“Desiccated,” Hutch interjected.

“…liver, now THAT takes bravery. Hey, isn’t this supposed to be a party? Turn on some music,” Starsky yelled over to the dj, who obliged by playing a fast number that Hutch didn’t recognize. “Could I have the pleasure of this dance?” Starsky asked the young female officer.

As he led her to the middle of the floor, he stopped, jogged back to Hutch, and gave Hutch a loud smack on the lips. Then he gave Hutch a very slow wink.

As Starsky returned to his dance partner, asking her if he’d ever told her about “Ramon,” Hutch stood in awe. Yes, his one and only was truly wonderful. And the Christmas party turned out pretty good too. But the grin that was now on Hutch’s face was due to his anticipation of their private party they were going to hold later in the evening.

The End