A Taste of the Sun

(Hutch)

 

I lock the door to my apartment and amble down the stairs. I could wait for Starsky inside, but I don't want to waste a moment of sunshine. So I put on my white wind-breaker to hide my gun from curious eyes, sit on the curb, and wait for my partner.

The rains are gone, and the sun is like a long lost friend, whose absence leaves an ache in your heart. It's amazing how a few rays of sunshine can lift your spirits. I mean, think about it. The sun is just a huge ball of gasses, trillions of miles away from the earth. There's no mystery to how it does what it does, but when I tilt my head and let the rays warm my face, the whole world just seems a little brighter. Dreams are within reach again and troubles aren't nearly as big as they were just a few hours ago. By the way, I'm Ken Hutchinson, but most people call me Hutch.

I hear the Torino long before I see it, but not because of the squealing tires, for once. Starsky has the windows down and the radio going full blast. He pulls to the curb and favors me with one of those smiles that rival the sun. He's singing along with the radio at the top of his lungs, and doesn't miss a word. I jump in the car and sing along with him. Seeing us, you'd never guess we were going to work. Our job is to protect the innocent, and put the guilty behind bars. Our beat is the mean streets of Bay City, and every scumbag and dirt ball knows our names. Starsky and Hutch are on the job, and you can almost hear the rats scurrying for the shadows.

But today, the streets don't seem all that mean. It's kind of hard to be grim with all that glorious light covering the city. Starsky calls the dispatcher and logs us in. We don't want to be trapped inside a building made of concrete and steel, even for a moment. People young and old crowd the sidewalks, headed for school, or work, or a pleasant day of shopping. Their eyes glow with optimism, they stand a little taller and their heads are held high. Suspicious glances fade in the bright light of day, replaced by smiles and nods. Strangers are no longer enemies, waiting to pounce. The melting pot that is Bay City is just one big, happy family under that shining star.

I smile at Mr. and Mrs. Burgess as we pass by. I think it's amazing that they've been married fifty years and they still hold hands. Mr. Burgess started carrying a cane only last year, when the dampness and chill of the rain settle in his bones. Today, it hangs carelessly on his arm, more like a fashion accessory than a necessity.

We pass Darla's Eatery on the corner of Third and Main, and wave at Daisy. She's sitting on the bench outside the restaurant, smoking a cigarette and drinking her morning coffee. She smiles and waves back. I can't remember how many years she's worked at the Eatery now. She's as much a fixture as the leather booths, the wrought-iron chairs, and the hokey red-checkered table cloths. I've seen her calm a rowdy customer down with just one glare from those big brown eyes, but you'd never know it to look at her now. Her face is turned to the sun, and its warmth erases the ravages of time. She's like an angel, watching over her children. If I told her that, she would simply laugh and ask me how much I had to drink last night.

We turn onto Main Street, and see Tawny standing on the corner. She's stood there almost as long as Daisy's worked at the diner. I feel a moment of sadness, for the dreams lost forever underneath that mane of blonde-streaked hair. What misfortunes led her to that corner, selling a small piece of her soul each day for a place to sleep and food to eat? But even the sadness dims in the light of day. Tawny sees the Torino and blows me a kiss, throwing her hip out in a seductive pose. I laugh out loud and wink at Starsky.

"I should pull her in for that."

Starsky shakes his head. "Nah, it's too pretty to spend the morning inside, doing paper work."

He stops the car and Tawny saunters over. She bends down and smiles wickedly.

I point a finger at her, but she's not afraid. "Propositioning an officer of the law is a crime, Tawny. You'd better watch it."

"Now would I be dumb enough to do that, Hutch? I was just working on my tan. Even us working girls like a taste of the sun now and then."

Starsky grins and shakes his head. "Well, you'd better watch it. That fair skin isn't used to seeing this much sun, and you don't want to get wrinkles, do you?"

Tawny gives him a bawdy wink. "Well, sugar, if that happens, I'll just go for a dip in my own, personal fountain of youth."

Starsky chortles then winks back. "Yeah right, after you get a few bucks from that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow."

"How did you guess? If you're a good boy, Starsky, I just might share."

"I won't hold my breath." He puts the car in gear. "Take it easy, Tawny."

As she walks back to her corner, she blows another kiss. "Hey, I'll take it any way I can get it, boys."

We both laugh then keep driving. Yeah, it's amazing how that big yellow ball in the sky can make your heart sing and your soul dance with joy. The sun is shining now and all's right with the world.

 

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