June 22nd 2022

Chapter 173
Our Time to Teach

Dear Mrs. Friar,

I've been wanting to write to you for a couple of weeks. I know that it's not as though you and I don't see each other from time to time… and I could call you, no reason to write down anything, or get a stamp. But I know how much you enjoy getting these, so I thought 'why not?' So, this is me just catching you up on anything I might not have talked about at all or in more detail that I thought I should tell you about.

The entire reason I even thought to write to you was that I got to look at my brothers' diaries. It was the first time they actually let me look inside, and it wasn't even because they were shy or embarrassed about anything, no. Those two weirdos just thought it was funny to keep me out of their 'secret diaries.' But now that the year was almost over, I guess they decided the statute of limitations had expired or something. I still remember when I would do assignments in my own diaries and they would watch me sometimes, and now they're the ones doing it, which is really strange to think about, you know?

I've been thinking a lot about what I want to do after I graduate next spring. Obviously, there's the thing again where Bodhi will have one more year to go, too, after I'm done, but he's said that if there's anything I want to do that would take me out of Austin for a while and I'm ignoring it on his account, I should do it anyway. He says he can do that last year whenever we'd get back or find a way to finish his degree no matter where we are. I don't know if I would actually do that, but it's good to know there's that option. It's not as though I can't do anything without him, but it's my own choice if I prefer to be near the man I love, and that doesn't make me any weaker for it.

I guess I'd like to travel, not sure where to yet. It wouldn't be about sightseeing, or not just that. Bodhi and I have been talking about so many things that we want to do. After he graduates, we've been talking about becoming foster parents. It's so important to him, to both of us, to do what we can for kids like him, especially those who might find themselves suddenly without a home or any kind of support system. So that's two things we've been quietly thinking over, me and him. Fostering will be one thing, but we're hoping to get something else started, an organization, a space somewhere… We figure we have two years or more to really come up with a plan.

Thinking back to school, I wanted to thank you again for calling me in to backup Stella with the quiz team while you've been on leave. I still miss those days sometimes, so whenever you need me out there, please just let me know. This time around, getting to see Rolly out there, it was really something. I know I've been to his matches this year already, but it never gets old. He's so like me, and he's so like himself, all in one. I keep thinking about how he put his name in to even get the spot. Don't tell him I told you about this, but he used to pull that move on Mom and Dad all the time, even before he knew how to write.

I think that's all I've got for now, but if there's anything else, I know where to reach you, don't I?

Until then,

Rochelle McNeil

.

Dear Rochelle,

I don't know if I'll do it yet, but I have this thought of handing you my reply, the next time I see you, instead of mailing it. It could be funny, and I'd hope that it would get a laugh out of you. Of course, if it turns out that you receive this in the mail, then that would make what I just wrote a wasted opportunity, and we wouldn't want those, would we? So, I guess you'll get this when we see one another.

You know, seeing as I got to teach a couple of my siblings for the first time this year, I do see what you mean about your brothers being at school here now. There are days where I almost do a double take – no relation to their being twins – to see them there, and other days where I'm just in awe to see who they're becoming. I might not have managed to be present, in the room, from the first day to the last, but even at a distance I have loved having them there, all of them, Rolly, Tre, Nellie and Gracie… I am really looking forward to being back with them in the fall.

Whatever you decide to do after your final year in school, I think it will be amazing. Even if it was only sightseeing, I think you would get so much more out of it than a lot of people would. As to yours and Bodhi's plans together, all of them, I am even more certain that the two of you will do great things, and any way I can help make any of it happen, I am only a call – or a letter – away. Please keep me posted on any developments there if you can.

All the best,

Mrs. Maya Friar

P.S.: I've said it before, but you are welcome any time in quiz team business, at the school, here at the house… Drop in any time.

X

Much as there was a part of her that realized how, in doing this, she would also get to be present for her graduating seniors' final class day, it wasn't the actual reason why she'd come up with this plan, no. The real reason all came down to Stella Buckley.

The aspiring young teacher had really stepped up when she'd gone and submitted herself to take over her former teacher's class while she went on leave, despite the fact that she herself was still in school. Then again if anyone was going to do it, it would have been her, wouldn't it?

Well, now, the year was coming to an end, and so was her posting. Soon, Stella would be carrying on with her side of things, while Maya would return to her class and her kids. There was already a plan for Maya and Lucas to receive Stella and François for dinner to celebrate/thank the substitute, the invitation given, received, and accepted… which only made it easier for her to be surprised. The secret plan had been laid out for the quiz team the day Born Curious gathered with their advisor/regular art teacher to go through their great tradition for the retiring of a captain about to graduate. Rosemary was emotional at the fact that she was about to leave high school, as they thought she would be, but she was also very eager to lead the charge in this surprise for Stella, especially with her being a former team member.

The fact that this was the last day of class made it a lot easier to excuse Ava, Nika, and Rolly from their respective first period classes for a few minutes, so they could at least be there for the 'springing' of the surprise with the seniors. Maya knew Stella enough to remember that, much as she had evolved and grown in the near eight years since she'd first known her, some things were not going to change, and that translated into her knowing better than to shine too much of a spotlight on her. Oh, she was definitely going to cry, but put too much on her and she was just going to shut down and end up hiding in a bathroom stall like she'd done the day she'd first stepped into that classroom.

It all went off just as they had hoped in the end. Even on the last day of classes, the quiz team had started their day in the art room before the non-senior members had left to head to their classes… except they hadn't actually gone anywhere except up the hall, where they'd waited for their special guests. The bell had rung, and a minute later Maya had rolled up to join the trio, with Mackenzie in her stroller and the other 'supplies' – cupcakes – carried along by the very helpful Cory Matthews. He may have done it solely to see the look on Stella's face… and to earn himself a cupcake. Miss Mackenzie Friar may have slightly softened the surprise by waking from her nap and giving a brief cry as they were coming back up the hallway. Everyone in classrooms near and far on the floor were bound to have heard her, including Stella.

"Okay, go, go, go!" Maya whispered, and in they went.

The whole senior class had known this was coming, though they had clearly not all factored that it was highly likely their teacher would be bringing her baby daughter. This was shown in the way many of them looked like they were on the verge of letting out cheers and whistles when everyone popped up… only to spot the carriage and stall the noises where they'd been about to come out. The effect was more than enough though. Stella saw them all, and she knew why they were there, so up came the tears. Maya went and hugged her, whispering in her ear for her alone, and Stella nodded before they pulled apart, both of them hesitating for a moment, as they'd done the last time Maya had dropped in. Like before, and for the last day now, this was very much Stella's class to lead, and so she did, even if, by last day rules, everyone did whatever they wanted to. Maya would follow these rules as well, settling herself at one of the stations and creating the first of four pieces she'd do that day while sitting in on each class. When she'd be done, she'd gift them all on to Stella, an expression of her gratitude.

As much as she was grateful to be there while the seniors had their last class, allowing her to see them go for the last time before graduation, Maya was just as glad to see the others leave for the summer, saying goodbye until they returned to her, in their new grades and new periods throughout the days. She watched the sophomores go, catching the small smile on Jenny's face as she thought of returning here next time as herself. She watched the freshmen go, right down to her sisters, who'd spent most of the period cooing over their niece. And she watched the juniors go, with Olivia being the friend that she was, very exceptionally pushing Kelsey's wheelchair, just because it enabled her to hold Ava's hand as they went along the hallway together.

Maya looked back when she heard a sigh and she smiled to see Stella, sitting back against the edge of the desk like it was just sinking in… The year was over. She had done it. After moving to check that Mackenzie was still sleeping – she was – Maya went and hugged Stella once more.

"You know, I really think everything worked out for the best," Maya told her. "Barton being unavailable, you stepping in… This was what we all needed."

"Yeah," Stella agreed with a smile so very Shy Bird-like.

"So… dinner tonight?" Maya went on smiling with her, and Stella nodded. "Do you need help with the clean up?"

"No, it's alright, you two go ahead," Stella insisted. "I kind of want to do it on my own, you know… last time," she explained, and Maya understood very well. She let her be, heading out with Mackenzie, giving a brief guided tour of the hallway to her daughter as they went.

TO BE CONTINUED

See you tomorrow! - mooners