Leonard McCoy sat in a 50-year-old willow chair on the porch of his daughter's house watching the mist rise off the field in the early morning light.
The house had been a McCoy house for 200 years or so. Most of it had been renovated so many times that the place could hardly be called the 'Old McCoy' house any more.
He bit hard on the stem of the pipe in his teeth, tried to concentrate on the colors and the mist and not on the past. He wasn't succeeding.
He didn't turn when his daughter came out to join him. A cup of steaming coffee in her hand. He didn't stop puffing on the pipe. His personal protest against the comforts of retirement. Tobacco was strictly forbidden in Joanna's house. He didn't care.
"Dad, you sure you don't want to listen to your message? It's been sitting for a week." She handed him the pad. He ignored it, pretending to be lost in the sight of the rising sun.
They watched in silence as the dewy green grass changed from dark shadows to a lush bejeweled carpet. Wordlessly she turned and went back into the house.
It didn't hurt her as much now as it did the first time or the second time. She had come to believe it was just a hard thing to retire. She didn't want to believe it was the fact that they hadn't exactly been a close family.
He watched the door close. He almost stopped her this time.
He looked down at the pad, read the name of the sender and sighed.
He missed her. He wanted to contact her. He couldn't imagine what he would say to her. He didn't want to open the message because then he'd have to call her back.
He sighed again, thick gray smoke wafted forward like dragon's breath.
He pressed his thumb into the ID pad and watched the message play.
He shook his head in exasperation.
She sure looked tired.
He knew she would work herself too hard.
"Hey Len, how do you like retirement so far?" She was sitting at a desk in a comfortable looking apartment. "I'm finally settled in here. I shouldn't have bought a place, but I just couldn't resist it. You should see the view. On a clear day you can see Alcatraz from the balcony. At least that's what the agent said. It hasn't been clear enough for months. This spring it should be nice though.
School is great, but you wouldn't believe how young the students are I think my lab partner in micro cellular biology is 18! All they ever want to do is skip class and plan a social life.
I haven't seen Ny or any of the old guys since Enterprise left for their last mission. I still can't believe there's anyone in the big chair other than Jim Kirk.
I got a message from Faron and Powell a week or so ago. They told me your replacement's a control freak and sickbay's no fun anymore. Everyone misses you and sends their love.
You know I wouldn't want you to think I was trying to make you feel guilty or anything, but I haven't heard from you in a while. Drop me a line if you get a chance. I know grandkids are a handful and all, so I won't worry too much if you don't get a chance to right away, but let me know that you're okay.
Hey, look what I have!" She lifted a small box up to the view screen. It was full of sheets of creamy white paper with decorative gold designs at the top and bottom.
"Yes, you are believing your eyes, this is real paper and even an ink pen! I found an old fashioned stationary kit at the bookstore and knew you'd appreciate it. Of course I'm not sure how I'm going to get a letter to you yet! Do you think the Pony Express still delivers to Georgia?" She laughed gently at her joke.
"I just wanted to let you know that I was thinking about you, Leonard. I hope you're all right. 'Bye for now."
Then the pad went black.