Homecoming - Christie Golden [62]
“What are you looking for?”
“Nothing,” he said, “just the remnants of a dream.” He turned to her and grinned, doing his utmost to fully and truly embrace Black Jaguar’s last words. He knew that it was time to return to the world he had temporarily left behind.
“Hey,” he said. “I’m hungry. Let’s go find some pineapple.”
Chakotay figured he probably shouldn’t do this.
In fact, he was certain that he shouldn’t. But the words, if one could call them that, of Black Jaguar echoed in his mind. He needed to live, not brood and ponder and hide and think. So after saying farewell to his tranquil mother and his lively, vibrant sister, Chakotay returned to San Francisco. There was always a friend or two he could look up, and maybe Kathryn might want to get together for dinner as they once did. While having coffee with his old friend Sveta, he asked if he could use the computer. She arched an eyebrow and he had to laugh. Sveta knew, of course, whom he wanted to talk to.
“Sure that’s such a good idea? Sounded like she didn’t want to hear from you, from what I saw at the banquet.”
[185] “No, I’m not sure it’s a good idea,” replied Chakotay. “But it’s what I want to do. She needs to know that just because we’re not involved or interacting on a daily basis doesn’t mean I don’t want to continue being her friend. I liked and respected her before we became ... before. I still do.”
“You are the only man I know of who can really say that and mean it,” said Sveta admiringly. “I hope she accepts the olive branch. Your friendship is something to be cherished, Chakotay.”
He extended a hand and she clasped it; then she left him alone and went to brew another pot of coffee. He sat down at her desk and took a deep breath, then gave the computer the proper instructions.
Irene Hansen’s cheerful, wrinkled face appeared on the screen. Before he could introduce himself, she chuckled.
“We haven’t had the pleasure of meeting, Commander Chakotay, but I knew I’d know that tattoo when I saw it. How are you, young man?”
Any anxiety he had been feeling abated in front of that comfortable smile. “Very well, Ms. Hansen. And how are you?”
“Glorious!” she enthused. “The weather’s lovely and I’m making strawberry shortcake. Maybe you can stop over and have a bite. Got some real cream to whip too.”
“That’s very kind of you. Perhaps I’ll take you up on that; it sounds delicious. May I speak to Seven?”
“Just a minute.” Irene disappeared from the viewscreen. “Annika, honey, that nice Chakotay wants to talk to you.”
Chakotay couldn’t help himself. He started laughing. [186] He was still laughing when Seven’s beautiful face appeared on the screen. Her eyes were bright and her lips were parted in a smile.
“I apologize for my aunt,” she said, and even as she spoke he saw the cool mask slip down over the face of the laughing girl.
Anxious to recapture the moment, Chakotay said, “Don’t. She is, as they used to say, quite a card. I like her.”
Seven smiled, fleetingly, shyly. “I do as well. How are you faring?”
“I’m all right. I wanted to see how you were adjusting.”
She seemed to ponder the question. “I am well. Aunt Irene has been. ...” She hesitated, groping for the word.
“Fun?”
She smiled. “Yes. She has been fun. I have been acquiring new skills, such, as preparing foodstuffs and repairing defective items.”
“You mean, learning how to cook and fix things around the house.”
“I believe I said precisely that.”
He looked at her and saw a twinkle in her eye and realized with surprise that she was teasing him. He was delighted. It seemed as though this genial aunt was a profoundly humanizing influence. Perhaps she’d been right, after all. Perhaps she needed to learn from others, strike out on her own, to develop her human personality. Who was Seven of Nine when she was on Earth? They both needed to know that, and the only way to discover it was for her to do exactly what she was doing.
[187] “You