“What more do you want from me?” he asked. Even though it was practically mid-morning, he sounded drained. Resigned.<\/p>\n
She turned away. “We both know I want something you just can’t give.”<\/p>\n
She’d rather endure his anger than carry his pain.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/solstice.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2017\/calendar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/divider02.png\")
<\/p>\n
Vanessa had fallen for Ken Hutchinson the moment they’d met. But he\u2019d been married to another woman at the time–Nancy, a girl he\u2019d dated since high school. They were at a fundraiser for a local charity. She heard Nancy call him \u201cIcarus\u201d and when she asked why, Nancy blushed prettily and mumbled something it being a private joke from when she and Ken had studied Greek mythology together.<\/p>\n
Whether it was because of his lofty ideals or because of his resemblance to an angel, Nancy didn\u2019t elaborate. Either way, Van thought it suited him.<\/p>\n
Several years later, their fathers–partners together at a law firm–arranged another meeting. Nancy and Ken had divorced, and it was clear Mr. Hutchinson had decided to play matchmaker. Her father, too, thought she\u2019d been single a little too long for propriety.<\/p>\n
Van usually balked at such arranged meetings but with Ken, she hadn\u2019t minded. Ken was quiet yet polite to a fault that afternoon. She got the impression he wasn\u2019t thrilled to be there, either.<\/p>\n
Strangely enough, the matchmaking worked. Their families were thrilled when they announced their engagement.<\/p>\n
Ken still had his head in the clouds, but Van felt she\u2019d be able to keep his feet on the ground. Even when he explained he\u2019d dropped out of college and was intent on joining the police force. Something about wanting to “make a difference the world.”<\/p>\n
She\u2019d gone along with his ideas, but still shared a silent understanding with their families that he was destined for bigger things. More tangible rewards. His mind burned brighter than anyone\u2019s she\u2019d ever met. Like her, he\u2019d never be satisfied with an ordinary life.<\/p>\n
Vanessa had the patience to wait, the resilience to endure. The beauty to change any man\u2019s mind. No doubt it was what their fathers were counting on.<\/p>\n
But there was one thing no one had counted on.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Starsky came waltzing up the stairs as she was going down. Waltzing–that\u2019s what he did. As if no one had ever explained to him that he should take life one step at a time. They stopped and faced each other in the narrow hallway.<\/p>\n
He looked down at her suitcase then into her eyes. He understood in an instant. She tried not to look way from his cobalt gaze, so full of passion. So much like Ken\u2019s.<\/p>\n
Starsky spoke first. \u201cHow can you do this to him?\u201d<\/p>\n
His question shook with pain and pleading–none of it for himself. His fingers carved into his palm.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve got it wrong, Starsky. I\u2019m doing this for<\/em> him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe loves you,\u201d he said. They both knew Starsky\u2019s feelings for her were irrelevant.<\/p>\n \u201cIn his own way, yes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you love him.\u201d It was inconceivable to Starsky that anyone could not love his beautiful, gentle, noble partner.<\/p>\n It was a thrust straight to Vanessa\u2019s heart. She swayed infinitesimally toward the wall, the suitcase nearly slipping from her hand.<\/p>\n But then she caught herself. Someone else loved him more.<\/p>\n Starsky must have taken her silence for an answer because when she pushed past him, he let her go. At the bottom of the stairs she heard the snick of the door latch from the landing.<\/p>\n As the cab pulled away, Vanessa pictured the scene in her mind\u2019s eye. Hutch slumped at the kitchen table, the late morning sun through the window glinting off his hair. Starsky would approach him quietly. He\u2019d lay a hand on Hutch\u2019s shoulder and Hutch would lean back into him. For a while, they wouldn\u2019t need to talk. After that, the image dimmed.<\/p>\n With few exceptions, Hutch was prone to ignore his father\u2019s advice. He was destined to fly too near the sun.<\/p>\n FIN<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The sheets smelled of Chanel and despair. The first rays of the sun had dripped through the blinds like melted butter and now lay on the floor in a little pool. It wasn’t like Ken to sleep in so late … Continue reading <\/p>\n