Chapter 77 - The Rhythm of Life

April 2231 - San Francisco

Mimi smiled broadly as she looked inside the gift bag, "Tom you shouldn't have!" she said as she lifted out the orchid from the bag. It had beautiful yellow flowers and a lemony scent, she read the label, Cymbidium Golden Elf. "This is really kind of you." Her eyes were sparkling as she examined the gift. It was 1210 hours and the end of her final week of teaching. She had just ushered the last student out of her classroom and had begun to pack up her notes, padd, and farewell gifts when Tom, the school janitor, had arrived at her door.

"I'm sorry I couldn't make it to the party last night," he said in an apologetic tone.

Mimi smiled again, the party had been a pretty wild affair, at one point some of Mimi's colleagues had been dancing on the tables, it had been the right decision to go to the party on her own, Sordd, T'Shahel, and Avarak staying at the Embassy.

She put her arm around Tom's shoulder and gave him a little hug, "I know it's hard for you to get out in the evenings so there is no need for you to apologise," she said kindly. "Thank you so much for this orchid, it's really beautiful!" She gave him a little kiss on the cheek.

"They don't need very much water, so I thought it would be well suited for living on Vulcan," he said with a big grin on his face. He was quite pleased with himself, normally his wife took care of buying gifts for people, but he had come up with this idea on his own.

"I'm sure it will do just fine," Mimi said while tightening her hug, "I promise to take good care of it. I'm really going to miss seeing you," she said with a slight hitch in her voice. She had managed to keep a grip through the majority of farewells to various people, Tom was different though she would sorely miss him. Tom was of a similar age to her dad, and a lot of the things he did reminded her of him. When she had first started teaching in the school he had taken her under his wings and their friendship had blossomed from there. He had also been there through her most difficult times with Michael. Although Tom had a lot going on in his life, lets just say he didn't have his sorrows to seek, he always had a smile on his face and a word of encouragement for anyone that came his way. He was also incredibly obliging, and had helped Mimi out of a few tight spots.

"I'm going to miss seeing you as well," he replied sincerely, "but let's not get all emotional about it, stiff upper lip and all that!"

Mimi smiled kindly, he was right she didn't want to blub all over the place either. "How about you come and visit me on Vulcan?" she asked in all sincerity.

"It's not out the question," he replied. "You never know Mimi, I might just take you up on that offer!"

"Good then," Mimi said, "that's a deal!"

Mimi put on her pink jacket then Tom helped her to organise all her bags, so they would be easier to carry. He then escorted her to the school exit where they stepped out into the bright spring sunshine. Mimi didn't like farewells and she knew if she started to say goodbye to people the tears would start to flow.

"Take care Tom," she said, instead of saying goodbye.

"You too, MImi," he replied. "Send me a postcard!" he shouted as she walked towards the shuttle stop.

"Will do!" she shouted back. As she was walking away from him she could feel the tears pricking in her eyes. The reality was she was giving up a lot in order to relocate to Vulcan, friends, family, colleagues, of course she would see them again, but not on a day-to-day basis and that was going to be difficult. She would make sure that some of them would come and visit her on Vulcan, no matter how much red tape needed to be cut through.

Tom watched as Mimi went on her way. He wiped a little tear from his eye. He was not the only one who was going to miss her sunny disposition and smile. She would be sorely missed by the rest of the teaching staff, and also by the pupils, particularly the more vulnerable ones. When he saw that she had safely caught her shuttle he let out a sigh then walked back into the building to finish his work for the day.

*'*

Mimi stepped from the shuttle onto the sidewalk and began to make her way to a local coffee house. Coffee planet, a gorgeous family-run daytime coffee shop tucked away in a New Town, was one of Mimi's favourite haunts. The space was light, bright, and airy with charming details throughout. They had an extensive breakfast menu that included poached eggs, muffins and bagels, homemade soup for lunch, and a vast array of cakes. And, most importantly, they also served up huge, frothy cappuccinos with a very warm welcome. Mimi would always pop in on her way to work to grab a coffee to go. Other times she would come on her own and just sit and enjoy the buzz that was about the place. Sometimes she would come with Avarak and T'Shahel on a Saturday morning. That was always a laugh as Avarak was teaching Gerry Vulcan and his pronunciation was even worse than hers.

The smell of fresh ground coffee hit her as she walked through the door. "Hi, Gerry!" Mimi said to the barista, as she pulled four travel mugs out of her bag.

"Hi there Mimi," he replied with a big grin on his face, "where are Avarak and T'Shahel today?" he asked.

"I'm meeting them soon with Sordd," she replied. "At the park."

"That's samuyau!" he said, cool, a word that Avarak had taught him. "Do you want your usual?" he asked.

"Yes, please," she replied with a smile, "vanilla milk though, instead of cinnamon this week. I also need one Green tea."

"Vanilla?" he asked with a surprised look, "Is the small chap branching out?"

Mimi laughed, "Yes, he's experimenting!"

"Rom!" he said cheerfully.

"I also need six cinnamon buns if you have any left?" Mimi asked while looking at the cake display.

Gerry's eyebrows met the top of his forehead, "Six!"

Mimi laughed again, "Avarak is quite fond of the cinnamon buns. He wants to take some to Vulcan so his grandmother and grandfather can try them as well."

Gerry laughed, he had noticed that Aavarak had a fondness for them. "When do you go?" he asked.

"Wednesday," she replied while fumbling in her coral bag looking for her credit chip.

"No way!" he replied with a shocked expression. "That's come round quick!"

"I know," Mimi said. She looked up from what she was doing, "I can hardly believe it myself." She had managed to locate her cream coloured purse and opened it to retrieve the credit chip.

"Will you be in again before you leave?" he asked.

"No, I don't think so," she replied. Mimi bit her lip. She was also going to miss coming here.

"That's a shame," Gerry replied, genuinely disheartened. "Can you say goodbye to Avarak and T'Shahel for me?" he asked.

Mimi smiled, "I will do," she paused thinking about the schedule for the next few days, "We could maybe organise one last visit before we go," she said hopefully.

Another broad smile appeared on Gerry's face, "That would be amazing if it works out. I would love to say goodbye to them both! It's rom-halan isn't it?

"Yes, well done!" Mimi said, "I'll see what I can do." She smiled at him again.

Gerry handed her the drinks, in a reusable holder. Mimi handed over her chip card for payment. Gerry shook his head, "It's on the house Mimi!"

"No!" she protested.

"A farewell gift!" he said. "We are going to miss you all coming in!"

"Thank you," she replied in all sincerity. "I'm gonna miss you all as well. Maybe you could relocate?" she teased although not totally. It would be amazing if he opened a coffee house on Vulcan.

"Well there is an idea!" he laughed. He waved happily as Mimi walked out the door. He watched as she walked up the sidewalk. He would miss Mimi, she was always great fun, and he would also miss seeing Avarak and T'Shahel! Maybe he should look at opening a branch on Vulcan ...

*'*

For Sordd the day had been relatively uneventful and he had time to work on research papers and reports. At 1200 hours he quickly tidied his office, not that it ever got in a mess, and made his way to pick up Avarak and T'Shahel for their field trip.

The small group stepped out onto the main steps of the Embassy, it was a bright day and warmer than usual, which Sordd was grateful for. Outside of the Embassy Sordd found few places in San Francisco to be preferable. His preference was for peace, solitude, and wide open spaces. San Francisco, being the cosmopolitan place that it was, did not tick many of those boxes, no offence to San Francisco, Sordd avoided S'Karah on Vulan if he could help it.

After navigating public transport, with usual Vulcan efficiency, they eventually arrived at their stop, and it was only a small walk to the designated rendezvous with Mimi.

*'*

Mimi began to make her way to the park, trying not to bump into the mass of people on the pavement. It was not long before she was at the rendezvous point. She took up a seat, on a green wooden park bench, and put the tray of beverages at her feet. She then quietly watched the world go by while sitting in the spring sunshine. Mimi loved springtime, associated with rebirth, renewal and awakening. The birds were singing merrily as they busied themselves building their nests. The cherry trees were heavy with pink blossoms and daffodils were giving their sunny display, other flowers were pushing through the earth. New life was bursting all around. A smile appeared on Mimi's face as she remembered a horticulture project she led with one of her classes. They had been allocated a piece of ground in the park which they had transformed into a sensory garden, as part of that they had planted literally thousands of spring bulbs, snowdrops, crocuses, daffodils, the list was almost endless.

One of Mimi's favourite pastimes was people watching, and there were no shortage of candidates on a Friday afternoon. The park was close to Starfleet Headquarters and it was not too far from a number of Embassies. So as well as the locals, who themselves were a blend of different cultures, there were also species from other planets thrown into the mix. Andorians, Vulcans, Betazoids (pretty indistinguishable from humans apart from their irises being completely black), and Denobulans all passed by. Some of them she knew, they stopped to give a friendly hello before they went on with their business.

An Andorian walked by holding the hand of a human woman. Although she did not know them Mimi smiled at the couple anyway and secretly wondered how much persuasion Andorians needed to perform the simple act of holding hands. It had taken Sordd some persuasion to agree to holding hands with her in public, apparently a very intimate act on Vulcan.

Mimi saw Sordd, Avarak, and T'Shahel before they saw her, despite the fact she was wearing a pink jacket, and she gave them a large smile and wave as they approached.

When they reached her, Sordd raised a ta'al and said, "Dif-tor heh smusma M'aih Mimi, live long and prosper Mother Mimi," in a neutral tone. He was wearing casual Vulcan attire in muted shades of brown.

"Sochya eh dif, peace and long life," she replied with, on the whole, very good pronunciation. The small family squashed upon to the park bench and Mimi pecked Sordd on the cheek, two more Vulcan concessions, his ears still flushed at the public display of affection.

"Green tea," she said to Sordd as she offered him a cup.

"Shaya tonat, thank you," he said neutrally.

"Lady Grey tea," she handed a cup to T'Shahel, who was wearing a navy blue excursion uniform.

"Shaya tonat," she replied while nodding her head slightly.

"Hot vanilla milk," she handed a cup to Avarak, who was wearing a grey excursion uniform.

"Shaya tonat," he said, toning down his excitement at trying out this new flavour. It always amazed him the variety that there was on Earth in comparison to Vulcan.

They took them in their hands and were all thankful for the warmth of the drinks.

"Where would you like to walk?" Mimi asked them all.

"Can we please go to the Zoo?" Avarak asked with a pleading tone in his voice.

"T'Shahel, would you like to go to the Zoo?" Mimi asked.

"I would not be disinclined to visit the Zoo," T'Shahel replied neutrally while sipping on her Lady Grey tea.

"What do you think Sordd?" Mimi asked.

"The Zoo would be agreeable," he replied neutrally. He was content to go anywhere as long as Mimi was with him.

"Ok, after we have finished our drinks we will have a visit to the Zoo!" Mimi replied excitedly.

*'*

Although Mimi and Sordd were not walking as closely to each other as a 'normal' couple, they were still a lot closer than Vulcan protocols would dictate, and they were holding hands. It was obvious that they were a couple. Although San Francisco was a cosmopolitan city on the Galactic scale, it was still very unusual to see couples of different species together and with children to boot. As a result there were a few very discrete glances from strangers, who then usually smiled at them, and moved on.

They joined the throng of people making their way through the gates of the park. Runners, dog walkers, grandparents with their grandchildren, couples, singles, business men and women out for a quick break. Pigeons, squirrels, and small birds, they all joined in with the flow. There was the usual noise, giggling, talking, laughing, babies crying, and dogs barking excitedly as they chased after balls. Sordd and Mimi contentedly meandered along various paths in the general direction of the Zoo, with T'Shahel and Avarak a little bit in front. Mimi was completely relaxed in her surroundings and content to be with Sordd. The words of a song flooded back to her, "To feel the rhythm of life, To feel the powerful beat, To feel the tingle in your fingers, To feel the tingle in your feet." And with those words came a sense of excitement for her up and coming journey to Vulcan.

*'*

Notes

Rhythm Of Life (1969 Motion Picture Soundtrack) lyrics © Campbell Connelly And Co. Ltd., Lida Enterprises, Notable Music Co Inc, Notable Music Company Inc, Lida Enterprises Inc

We will be going to Vulcan soon :-)