Over the next few days, Starsky improved so much that Dr. West consented to giving Starsky a release date. After he completed some final tests, Starsky would be going home the following week. He was set up for a final lung function test, tred mill test and some nerve studies which Dr. West felt certain would come back with excellent results.
Rachel had decided to go home. She had been away from home for many months and missed her house and friends. She wanted to wait until all the test results came back before she left. While she waited for her son to come home, she went on a cooking frenzy. She stocked the freezer with soups, casseroles and roasts. She made sure there were a few of David's favorite things waiting for him to enjoy after she left.
Jason finished his therapy plan with Starsky and was very happy that Starsky had done so well. The two men had become friends and Jason invited Starsky and Gretchen to a little league game.
"Then we can go out for dinner-- do you like pizza?", Jason asked as he sat watching Starsky finish his arm exercises.
Starsky looked up after counting his 10th arm lift with the weight. He wasn't done but he was ready for a break.
"Isn't pizza the main part of a healthy diet? To tell you the truth, since my surgeries, I haven't been able to eat too much spicy stuff, but I could never give up pizza or burritos. In fact-- I'm still waiting for my burrito from The Burrito Barn!" Starsky laughed as he picked up the weight again and curled his arm into his chest.
"Well I would still like you to meet my wife Sandy and we could decide where to eat later if pizza isn't a good idea. But keep in touch and remember--- keep up those exercises!" Jason let out a low whistle of admiration as Starsky finished 10 more curls with the weight.
Starsky wagged his eyebrow and stood up to hug Jason good bye.
The end of the week brought good news for Starsky. The nerve study tests were all positive. The muscles and nerves were all working together with no residual problems. There was no swelling in the muscles or nerves and the strength in Starsky's left hand was solid.
"David, as far as I'm concerned, you're ready to go home. Now I know that you will have to be evaluated by your precinct medical department before you are released for duty. When the time comes for that hearing, I will gladly testify that you are fit and able for police duty physically. I'm going to call your department doctor before I go back to New York and give him my report and suggest that he call me when the hearing convenes. I wish you the best, young man. You've been an inspiring patient."
By now, Dr. West was used to Starsky's bear hugs so he was not surprised when he received his final hug.
As expected the other tests cleared Starsky to go home. Dr. Brooks was surprised however to find different results with the lung function tests.
Starsky sat opposite Dr. Brooks wondering what was wrong. Gretchen and Hutch had joined Starsky for the final results but from the serious look on the doctor's face, none of them was sure what to expect.
"Doc, don't scare me like this. Is something wrong?" Starsky frowned and his hands shook as Gretchen held one hand and Hutch the other.
"I'm just absolutely amazed. I don't know that this has ever happend before" Dr. Brooks rubbed his face and apologized for his attitude.
"I'm sorry, I don't mean to worry you but-- well, your lung function test is better than it was 3 months ago. You see, I didn't expect your lung function to improve and that's why you had to repeat that part. I just didn't believe the results." Dr. Brooks scratched his head in disbelief but smiled as the three friends hugged each other.
"Doc, what exactly does this mean. Are you telling me my lung function is normal? Can I go back to work?" Starsky stood up and paced the room.
"Yes, your lung capacity should satisfy your department medical board. I even checked what levels they expect the cadets in training to register and you are within that range."
Dr. Brooks suddenly found himself scooped out of his chair and lifted off his feet as a curly haired, whooping man picked him up in a bone crushing hug.
Hutch picked Gretchen up in their own whirling hug. He kissed her and set her down. They hugged again then Starsky joined the circle and was sandwiched in a group hug.
Dr. Brooks watched the celebration and even a couple of the nurses had wandered into the room to inspect what the noise was all about. Dr. Brooks explained Starsky's excellent results and the nurses clapped and hugged each other. Pam and Sheila had been with Starsky at the beginning of his ordeal and both were glad to witness this most exciting news.
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"Okay, do you think you're ready? Just take a deep breath." Hutch stood back and crossed his fingers.
On a beautiful spring afternoon, Stasky and Hutch were at the police firing range. In a few weeks, Starsky would take his final weapons test. So far Both Dr. Brooks and Dr. West had testified in front of the review board. Their recommendations were highly regarded and the outcome looked favorable. Once he passed the weapons test, all the results and final decision would be handed down a week later.
In the months following Starsky's release from the hospital, life had gotten very busy. Starsky immediately put in for his review and stepped up his training with Jason's help. Jason got him ready and Hutch kept him company on their daily run.
Starsky even consented to drinking a protein drink every morning. He hated to admit it but the mixture gave him added energy and was easier on his stomach than his old favorites of pizza and root beer.
As a celebration, Rachel had made a wonderful dinner on her last night with her family. She made all of David's favorites, found out from Hutch what he wanted and Gretchen had even brought David a Burrito Barn Burrito, minus the hot peppers. Starsky still had trouble eating but he did his best to taste it all.
Gretchen was a constant in Starsky's life. Neither admitted out loud that they were very much in love but it was obvious to anyone who spent five minutes with them. Starsky wanted to get his career back in gear and get himself back in the swing of things but he really wanted Gretchen with him. He wanted to be able to offer her the whole package. He wanted his career, his confidence and his girl together at the same time.
Hutch had helped him on the firing range and the crime scene simulator. Preliminary testing showed Starsky's reaction times to be as good or better than before he was injured.
So on this spring day, Starsky held his gun steady and balanced his body, ready for target practice. He squeezed the trigger in rapid succession and stopped when the bullets did.
As the target slid up to Starsky, Hutch moved in and patted Starsky on the back.
"It's really good partner. You are steady and straight.--- see, what did I tell ya?" Hutch grabbed the target sheet and admired Starsky's score.
"Well, two more weeks and the people who count will make the final decision. I'm scared as anything. But I'm convinced it'll be okay." The two men left the firing range arm in arm, anticipating the next weeks.
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Sitting on the coffee table was a letter addressed to Detective David Michael Starsky. The return address was the Bay City Police Board.
Starsky sat on the couch with his feet on either side of the letter. Hutch sat on one side, Gretchen on the other, all three staring at the large white envelope.
"It's gotta be good news right? If they'd rejected me it would only be one page-- this looks like a bunch of pages." Starsky slid his hands up and down his jeans, trying to wipe the sweat off his hands.
"C'mon mushbrain, would ya open it already? What are you waiting for, the Bay City Police Band to play the police fight song?" Hutch nudged Starsky in the shoulder and sat forward with his arms on his knees."
"David, if you don't open it this second, I will!", threatened Gretchen.
Starsky reached over and picked up the envelope. His future was within that envelope. Words that would reward him for all that he had been through or would they be words that would change his very soul?
Suddenly, he ripped open the envelope. One word stood out among all of the rest--- CONGRATULATIONS--
He didn't immediately read the rest of the letter, he was too busy jumping up and down on the couch.
What a sweet reward to know that the convictions which carry us through our life are appreciated and believed in.