Chapter Text
May 31st 2023
It is the last day of school for the students of Old Victor High School in Downtown Los Angeles and everything is great until….
“What do you mean you might be leaving?” coming from Principal Grey. He wasn’t expecting his best teacher, Tim Bradford, to be telling him this news.
“I wasn’t really thinking about leaving but an opportunity came up and I’m thinking of taking it” Tim explained. Tim had been teaching at this school for the last 9 years and has loved every minute of it.
“A school in Arcata had called me two weeks ago saying that they would like me to interview for a teaching position up there since they have a teacher retiring.” Tim explains further, “I was going to say no, but then I got to thinking that it might be a good change for me and my daughter, it has been difficult for her since Isabelle and I divorced, so I went for the interview”.
Grey has a face of regret while Tim continues talking.
“Anyways, I should know by the end of the day today” Tim finishes
After Tim is done talking, Grey gets up and walks towards Tim “Well…. If you do end up leaving, it was a pleasure having you here and we will never forget you.” The two men shake hands and Tim leaves to start the day.
Grey goes back to his desk and sits down, trying to take in the fact that he might need to put up an opening for a teaching position. He won’t do that just yet, he will wait until Tim hears the official word from Arcata.
Principal Grey isn’t thrilled he might be losing his best teacher but, He is happy for him and his future no matter what happens.
Elsewhere…
As Tim is walking back to his classroom, he begins to think about how this could be his last day at the school and the memories just come flooding back to him.
First Day of Teaching…
The Coffee incident with Mr. Smitty……
Where He Met Isabel…..
He is sad about leaving but he knows this will be a good opportunity.
()()()()()()()()()()
While Tim is eating his lunch in his classroom, his phone rings, an Arcata number pops up and he answers.
“Hello, This is Principal Evers at East River High School, is this Tim Bradford”
“Yes, This is Tim Bradford”
“Wonderful, I am just calling you about the open position that you interviewed for”
Tim becomes nervous because he doesn’t know what to expected
“I am happy to say that we are offering you the teaching position”
“Oh god. Thank You”
“I know it is a lot to consider but we need to know as soon as possible so we can get a plan together”
“Well thank you for offer, and I am happy to tell you that I will be accepting the position”
“Fantastic, We will get squared away when you get here, have a good day”.
“You too”. Tim hangs up the phone and lets out a breath he didn't know he was holding.
Tim was excited for the new opportunity and adventure but he also knew what he would be leaving behind when he left.
Aftering thinking to himself for a little bit, he decided to Grey that he got the position. He marches to Grey’s office and sits right in front of Grey. He knew with one look on Tim’s face that he got the job. Grey just shakes Tim’s hand and thanks him for bringing a good energy to the school and he will be missed.
As the school day comes to an end, Tim is a little sad, mainly because he is leaving his students but he knows they will be fine without him. After his students leave for the summer, Tim packs up this bag and closes his classroom for the last time.
()()()()()()()()()()
June 20th 2023
Tim knew he had to tell Isabel with the news but hasn’t been able to tell her yet.
He knew today would be the day that he tells her. He knew that Isabel would be dropping off Mabel around 2 and then they were all going to lunch, he would tell her then.
2 o’clock came around and right on queue, Mabel and Isabel walk through the door. After they arrived, Tim suggested a Pizza Place and Isabel went with that.
After they arrive and sat down, Tim decides to tell Isabel about the job.
“Hey, I need to tell you something and I don’t know how you will react” Tim explains nervously
Isabel puts her pizza down and asks Tim “What is it.. Are you moving or something”.
She said that with a giggle but stopped when she saw Tim’s face.
“Wait, you are actually moving” Isabel asks
Tim responds with a head nod “Yes, I got a job offer up north and I accepted it, we leave in less than a month.
“What do you mean we, You and Mabel”. Isabel stated
Tim responds with another head nod.
Isabel didn't know how to respond, she didn't know if she was happy, sad or both.
After a few seconds, Isabel finally speaks.
“Well, It must be a good opportunity if you took it so quickly”
“It is, I know this is sudden but it will be good for Mabel”
“I know it will, I’ll just miss her”
“I know you will, So, your ok with this transition”
“I’ll be fine Tim, I know you are doing this for her and I can’t blame you, she needs to see a world outside of Los Angeles.
“I know, thanks for not being so angry about this”
“ I can never be angry at you”
They share a hug and continue to eat their Pizza.
()()()()()()()()())()()()()
July 10th 2023
Tim and his daughter Mabel begin their drive to Arcata and the energy in the car is carefree. Mabel hasn't stopped talking about moving for weeks now because she is excited about living somewhere new.
The whole car ride was filled with happiness and joy, especially when they see the Welcome to Arcata Sign when they drove in/
“Are You excited to see your new home, Honey?”
“Yes, Daddy, Yes”.
As they pull into the driveway, Mabel's face lights up with excitement. Mabel had never lived in a house before, only an apartment. Mabel beats Tim to the door of the house because she is just so excited.
As they enter the house, Mabel doesn’t know what to do first. So, Tim decided to show Mabel her room just to see her reaction. She is happy to see that this room is bigger than her old one.
Tim lets Mabel stay in her room before he takes her to dinner, he saw a little diner off the highway that looked interesting.
After about 20 minutes, Tim tells Mabel to get in the car so they head to diner.
()()()()()()()()()()()
After a short 5 minute drive later, they arrive at the diner.
Mabel started laughing and Tim didn’t know why until he looked at the sign “The Big Boat”.
As they enter the restaurant, they are greeted by the hostess who takes them to their table and hands them their menus.
After sitting down at their table, Tim looks at his menu to see what looks good while Mabel just colors the pictures on hers.
“Mabel, have you decided what you want yet”.
“No, I haven’t yet”
“That’s ok, just see what looks interesting”
After a few minutes, the waitress comes up to their table. As Tim looked up at the waitress, he couldn’t believe his eyes. He recognized the waitress.
“Hello, My name is Lucy and I will be your waitress tonight, what can I get you too….”
Lucy stops in her tracks as he looks at Tim, he looks familiar to her but can’t remember from where.
“Lucy Chen, is that you….”
“Yes, How do you know my name”
“It’s Tim Bradford”
It took Lucy a few seconds but then she did remember who he was.
“Oh My Gosh, It is”. Lucy sits down to hug him and he hugs her back. She sits downs so they can catch up.
“How have you been Bradford, it's been a few years.”
“I’ve been good, how about you”.
“It’s been crazy to say the least”. She continues to say “What have you been up to”
“Well, I got my teaching degree and I have been teaching high school History the last few years.
Lucy looks surprised when Tim says that.
“I thought you weren't going to college after high school.”
“I decided that I should go to college because I didn't want to end up like my dad, what about you.”
“After High School, I decided to get my degree in Sociology from UCLA and after that I got a job in San Francisco working for a small middle school. I did that job for a few years before I took a job at the middle school. I work here for extra money.”
“That is nice to here, so you didn’t follow in you parents footsteps are all”
“Heck No, I never wanted to work with”. They both laugh at that comment.
After a few more minutes of talking and taking their order, Lucy decides to get up because more people have entered the diner.
“Well, it was nice to see Tim.”
“Nice to see you too, Luce, See you later.”
They take one last look at each other as she walks away and greets the other customers.
Never in a million years did Tim think he ever run into Lucy Chen again, they haven't talked since high school. He has been meaning to talk to her but never found the time, but since they live in the same town again, he has an excuse to talk to her again.