Over the next few days, Starsky hovered between awake and sleep. Dr. West told them that he was trying to keep Starsky quiet for the first few days so that his arm would have a chance to settle after the trauma of surgery. Even with the heavy sedation, he moaned and called out for Gretchen in his sleep.
On the third day after surgery, Starsky was more awake and was able to eat jello and take liquids by mouth. The awkward air compressed cylinder that had been around Starsky's arm was gone. He never really got to see the contraption. He was not awake when it was removed but everybody got to see what had been underneath the balloon type sleeve.
Starsky's arm was very swollen. The area that the sleeve had covered was swollen and puffy, almost shiny in appearance. It was impossible for Starsky to move it, even if he had been able to. He was quite concerned with this when he first woke up. He got very agitated, thinking that the surgery had not been a successs but rather, had uncovered a different problem.
"Starsk, remember Jason and Dr. West told you that at first your arm would look fake and you wouldn't be able to move the arm or flex your fingers. Just try and relax, everything is okay." Hutch sat beside Starsky, trying to convince him that things were going according to schedule.
"But why does it look so funny? It's like it belongs to somebody else!" Starsky was not completely convinced and kept staring in disbelief at his arm.
"Baby-- don't worry now. Dr. West was just here while you were still sleeping and said everything looks great." Gretchen leaned over and kissed Starsky on the forehead and caressed the side of his face.
"Okay, but wake me up the next time he's here will ya?" Starsky yawned and tried to scrunch into a more comfortable position in bed.
"A bomb blast wouldn't have gotten your attention while Dr. West was here. You were completely out of it my friend. Besides, everybody says that once those nerves start to heal and the swelling goes down, you'll wish you didn't have any feeling." Hutch looked with concern at his friend. He didn't want to scare Starsky, but he had to be reminded of what to expect.
"Terrific-- I can't wait. I remember what Jason said about the pain, but I'm just not with it enough for it all to sink in. Now if you'll excuse me-- I need my beauty sleep." Starsky let out a wide yawn follwed by a sleepy murmur.
Just then the phone rang and since Starsky made no move to pick it up, Hutch reached for the reciever.
" --Hi! Oh- he's okay Rachel". --- it's your mom-- Hutch whispered to a sleepy Starsky.
Starsky had already slipped back into a dream by this time so Hutch continued the conversation.
----"Rachel, yes he's eating some. --- No I don't think you should bring any stew just yet--- wait a minute--".
At Rachel's request, Hutch put the phone to Starsky's ear. Rachel had spoken to Starsky this way before. He had not completely pulled out of his coma after being severely wounded earlier in the year. Rachel had still been in New York, so she called at least twice a day. It hadn't mattered to Rachel if Starsky could talk or not. She had felt certain that her words would reach her son.
Starsky stirred as he registered his mother's voice but could not pull himself out of the sleepy fog he was in.
After about a minute, Hutch put the phone back to his ear and continued his conversation with the older woman.
----"Yeah, he knew it was you, just too sleepy--- I'll come get you later today---okay, call when you're ready for me" ----
Gretchen tapped Hutch on the shoulder and held her hand out for the phone.
----"Rachel, I'll get you. --Yeah, call here and I'll come for you. I have to work tonight anyway so I'll pick you up then you can go home with Hutch.--- I know, David is a good guy--- but both of them are----" Gretchen smiled into the phone and reached out for Hutch.
--"Okay, don't let anything burn--- I love you too! bye!" Gretchen set the phone back on the table as she let out a suppressed giggle.
"That woman wants to mother everybody! She wants all her kids to be comfortable and well fed!"
"Rachel is a good woman. She has almost as much energy as Starsky!"
"I'm hungry, lets go eat while David sleeps. Maybe I'll bring him back some ice cream." Gretchen suggested.
"The two of you and food! You know he's gonna have to have a burrito one of these days from The Burrito Barn. The two of you can enjoy it together." Hutch teased.
Both Gretchen and Starsky had a great appreciaton for food. Starsky still liked his junkier foods, but since his earlier surgeries, was not able to enjoy them like he used to.
"Oh good idea. Maybe in a few days, he'll be able to keep more down. What a great treat for him!"
Gretchen reached down to kiss Starsky on the lips. He stirred and mumbled something so she bent lower to put her ear to his lips, hoping he would continue. He mumbled something only for Gretchen to hear.
She kissed him on the mouth, but what she really wanted to do was strangle him! Gretchen turned around toward Hutch and he took in the blush that was starting to cover her cheeks.
She immediately started to hiccup and her face took on a deep blush.
"Even asleep he's pretty creative huh?" Hutch teased her.
"He's not asleep---" said a husky, male voice from the bed.
"Hutch, don't ask. Something about a-- burrito and me and I'm---" The hiccups interrupted whatever it was that Gretchen was trying to say.
Gretchen headed out the door looking for a water fountain to try and drown her hiccups. Hutch glanced over at the dark haired man as the eyes popped open and a cheesy grin spread over his face.
"Starsky, you're gonna be in trouble with those evil thoughts of yours!"
Hutch laughed as he shook his head at his friend. But that was about all the teasing Starsky could manage for a day. His eyes closed again and he was asleep before Hutch was out the door.
