Starsky and Hutch: Short Stories

Starsky Goes Home For Christmas

"Merry Christmas," I heard Hutch call as he walked to his gate at the airport. I turned around, walked backwards as I called, "Merry Christmas and safe travels." We waved at each other before we walked to our separate gates.

I have always loved Christmas and going home was the best thing in the world. I don't get to go home for the holidays as much as I would like too. I was very surprised but extremely grateful for Dobey letting me off a week for Christmas. The moment I found out; I booked my plane ticket to New York to surprise my family for Christmas. Well, more my mother than anyone but I'm so happy to go back. It has been the hardest secret that I have kept from Mom. Before I sat down to wait on my plane, I checked in. As I sat there, I felt like a little kid that couldn't sit still. I can see the look on my mother's face now, surprised, grateful and tears as she gives me a hug. Oh, how I can't wait for a mother hug. Living cross country, there are many things that you learn to not take for granted. A mother's hug is one of them.

While I was waiting for them to call to board my plane I got thinking about Hutch. I'm so happy that he gets to go home as well even though I know that he didn't really want to go. I remember that long talk we had about him going or not. He had a hard time deciding, and I hated seeing him so upset about it. I know he doesn't have the best relationship with his family as I do but I'm glad he finally decided to go. Although I think he did it to just make me happy but no matter, he is going home and that is what counts. I know that I drive him crazy with all my Christmas spirit, but I can't help being me and I'm thankful that he accepts it. I always tell him about my holiday memories and traditions that my family has. I just wish that he had some stories as well and it breaks my heart to know that not everyone has a family that is as close as mine. At least I try my best to make Christmas amazing for him. I want to cheer him up but sometimes I can just tell that he wishes that I would just shut up. I made a promise to myself not long after finding out that he didn't like Christmas at all, that I would never let him spend Christmas by himself ever again. I have kept that promise no matter how hard he tries to be alone. I just hope that he gets on that plane today instead of walking off.

I was brought out of my thoughts when I heard, "We will be boarding flight 725 going to Dallas, Tx in five minutes. Please have your tickets ready as you can go ahead and get in line. We hope you have a safe trip and enjoy the flight."

As I stood up, I got my ticket out of my pocket. I'm so thankful that I only have one layover before I get home. I don't think that I could do much more than that right now. I just want to see my family. I handed the lady my ticket as I told her Merry Christmas and then walked onto the plane. I put my bag up before I sat down by the window. I always got the widow seat because I loved watching how everything changed from the ground to the air. There was something amazing about the whole process. I watched as the building got smaller, people looked more like sticks and houses looked so much smaller in the air. I looked at all the clouds and how they all have different shapes the closer you got to them. It always amazed me the different kinds of view you get from up here verses on the ground.

Down on the ground, you can see all the bad things that happen with some good but not a whole lot. I'm talking about all the killings, all the junkies, the kids that end up in gangs and so much more. That is just what I see on a daily basis. I'm not even talking about the unkindness, rudeness and so much more that you see or get from the people around you. On earth, it can be very busy as well as noisy. But up here in the sky, it is so peaceful and quiet. No one is rushing around to get things. No one is arguing or even hurting anyone. Just quiet. Sometimes I wish I could just go up in a plane to get away from it all. I see so much bad with the job that I do that I think people don't even realize that I'm a human as well. I get hurt, let down, burned and just tired. Just like everyone else. There are times that I think that no one sees that. I haven't had an easy life and I think that is why I want to bring so much joy to anyone I meet. I also believe that is a reason why I have to look really hard to see that good in people as well as all around me. But one day, all the good will come out instead of the bad. A day I can't wait to see.