#rrl01w8

Gen One, Day Fifty-Two

“You going to Doug’s retirement party?” 

“Oh, you bet,” Robyn nodded, grinning over at Tim as they enjoyed some quiet time between classes in the teacher’s lounge. Doug, one of the senior most teachers at the elementary school had announced his retirement a few weeks ago and the school had been all abuzz with the news. Not only had he been one of the most beloved teachers at the school, he’d also been the second grade Department Head on the school board’s committee and tiger team list. He’d instituted a lot of great change within the school and he was going to be sorely missed. 

Although, his departure also meant there was an opening for someone to take over that position as second grade Department Head. Robyn had considered it, but wasn’t certain if she was right for the position. 

Not until Tim told her, “Maybe he can give you some pointers on getting elected for his old role with the board.” 

Robyn chuckled, shaking her head. “I...don’t know...” 

“Yes, you do,” Tim coaxed. “You’re perfect for the job.” 

She sighed, still after all these years flabbergasted with how Tim had turned around so completely on her from the loud, demeaning and angry co-worker to one of her closest friends. “You think so?” 

“I do.” 

Gen One, Day Fifty-Seven

“It’s almost time!” Robyn exclaimed, getting up from her seat and practically turning on Johnny to grab his shoulders in excitement. Her heart was pounding, energy coursing through her veins with anticipation and nerves. Johnny, on the other hand, seemed the picture of stoicism and there was a loving smirk curling up the side of his mouth. “Okay, you can do this,” she told him. 

“Bug,” Johnny said calmly, reaching up to grab her hands and hold them in his own. He must have practiced controlled breathing or zen mind tricks before all of this, she was convinced. “I love you, but your nervousness is going to make me nervous.” 

“Right,” she answered, pulling back and standing there. She looked towards the small crowd that had gathered at the blues club, the empty microphone in front of them as they waited patiently for Johnny to take the stage. This would be his first time doing stand up comedy in years and it was at an open mic night for comedians in a small club downtown. It was a start, she supposed, to dip his toes back in the water. “Go get ‘em, tiger,” she said, giving him an atta boy right on his shoulder. 

He laughed, kissing her cheek, before going to take the mic.

Gen One, Day Fifty-Two

Turned out, Tim wasn’t the only one who supported Robyn in wanting to go for that Department Head position. Gregory and the other teachers she’d come to respect as co-workers seemed on board for it as well. She’d worried that some of them had been here longer than her, but they reminded her that it wasn’t an easy job. Often times a thankless one and very few wanted to even give it a try because of it. The extra pay wasn’t worth it to them. 

It would take some time, a little bit of studying, an application and a vote to get her into that role, but Robyn decided she was going to go for it. She had a lot of ideas for the way they could improve their second grade curriculum and that in and of itself was enough for the role. But her commitment to the committee and the board was going to be where the real bang for her buck came in. She’d be representing the second grade teachers across their entire district. If she got elected, it was a big responsibility to hold. She’d really have to put her mind to it.

Skill Up: Research & Debate Level 4

Gen One, Day Fifty-Three

“So? You ask her, Livvie?” Brittni asked as she came back from the bathroom. Olivia nodded, but before she could explain, Brittni turned to Eris. “Well? You coming? You haven’t tasted champagne until you’ve tasted what Olivia’s Mom buys for her clients.” 

“Um...” Eris stuck a french fry in her mouth, giving a shrug. “It sounds like a lot of fun, but I have to ask my Mom first.” 

“Ew, why?” The reaction from Brittni was visceral and Olivia scoffed next to her, giving Eris an I told you so look. It wasn’t the first time Eris felt like she wasn’t cool enough to hang out with these two, but the reassuring smile from Olivia helped to squelch some of that feeling. 

Picking up one of Eris’s fries, Olivia threw it across the table at Brittni. “Oh stop,” she demanded, showing how their friendships always kept each other in check. “Not everyone’s parents just lets them do whatever the hell they want. Eris wants to check in with her Mom, we support that.” 

Brittni sighed, rolling her eyes before tossing a lopsided smile Eris’s way. “Fine. Yes, we support. But I’ll also support you rebelling and letting loose and coming to drink champagne and eat shrimp cocktail with us.” Olivia laughed and Eris found herself hoping that her Mom would let her go. 

But...maybe she’d leave out the part about the champagne.

Gen One, Day Fifty-One

Eris and Tyson met up with their other friends as well. Each from their own cliques and circles, but they came together tonight to simply show off their dance moves and nice clothes. Eris found herself having more fun than she thought she would. She took silly photos in the photobooth with her friends and ate cream puffs and punch whenever a slow song would come on. 

During one of the slow songs, the kids were all around a table and Tyson looked nervous, glancing in Eris’s direction. She was just about to ask him if he was okay when from across the table, Eris’s friend in a magnificent blue dress asked Tyson if he wanted to dance. She could count on one hand the amount of time she’d seen Tyson blush, but his cheeks were rosy as the table, including Eris, erupted in a chorus of “oooooohs” to try and tease him. 

Tyson glanced over at Eris, who gave him two thumbs up before he seemed to reluctantly get up and go dance with their friend. Eris grinned at him from the table, because he looked so awkward and kept glancing back in her direction. At one point, he made a silly face, which had Eris in giggles. 

It never once occurred to her that maybe Tyson had looked nervous or kept glancing in her direction because he had wanted to ask her to slow dance with him. 

Gen One, Day Fifty

“So, how’ve you been, Dad?” Johnny asked, caught somewhere between wanting to just remain polite and truly wanted to reconnect with his Dad now that he was a man free from Nancy Landgraab. There wasn’t anything between them anymore and while Johnny had been more than willing to jump at that opportunity, Geoffrey had been the one to decide he just needed time to figure himself out. 

Turns out, he had. And it was one of the reasons he’d called them to come out with him. “Doing well. Really well, actually.” Geoffrey hesitated. “There’s, uh, there’s someone I want you to meet, Johnny.” 

Curious, Johnny followed his father over towards the bar, where a young, pretty blonde woman was making drinks for all the festival goers. Geoffrey cleared his throat and she looked up at them, a bright smile spreading across her face. “Honey!” she greeted and Johnny’s brow shot upward in confusion as she leaned over to kiss Geoffrey. 

“Hey, cupcake,” Geoffrey greeted her, and then turned a little sheepishly towards Johnny. “Um, Johnny, this is Candace. My girlfriend.” 

“Johnny? The Johnny?!” Candace gasped, moving from around the bar to embrace Johnny, who was caught up in the moment and stood rigidly before giving her a pat on the back in response. “Geoffy Weffy’s told me so much about you. I was hoping we’d get a chance to meet!” 

Gen One, Day Fifty

It had been a while since last they spoke to Geoffrey. Out of the blue, he’d called to invite them to the Spice Festival. While Johnny seemed less than inclined to go and Robyn was ready to support him in whatever way she could, it had been Eris who’d told them she wanted to. She wasn’t privy to the same details they were regarding her grandfather and it came as a surprise to both of them that Eris had been keeping up with him through text messages and emails. 

They’d decided to give it a chance. Things after the divorce were probably weird for Geoffrey and if he was doing his part to keep up with Eris, who were they to say she couldn’t have a relationship with her grandfather? They’d even support it, if Geoffrey committed to being there for his grandkids. 

Though there was a clear chill in the air, the Spice Festival was vibrant with the colors and smells of cultural celebration. Geoffrey showed up in much less formal clothes than what they were used to seeing him in, but all in all he looked like he was doing well. 

Gen One, Week Eight Recap

Weekly Overview (x)

As time passes and the kids start at new schools, they both struggle with teenage and adolescent social lives, making some friends and enemies along the way. Charlie gets into a fight with a bully, while Eris finds herself pressured by her so called friends, making her question her commitments to them. Both Robyn and Johnny celebrate milestone birthdays in style and Johnny returns to the comedy scene, if only for one night.

Daily Overview 

Day Fifty (x) - Meeting an old friend & weird family dynamics at the Spice Festival.

Day Fifty-One (x) - Middle School dance.

Day Fifty-Two (x) - Random event roll & career decisions.

Day Fifty-Three (x) - Time passes & Eris hangs out with high school friends.

Day Fifty-Four (x) - Celebrating Robyn’s birthday.

Day Fifty-Five (x) - Random event roll applied & Charlie gets in trouble.

Day Fifty-Six (x) - Eris meets her new science partner.

extra days to reset roll day to align with the beginning of the week -- 

Day Fifty-Seven (x) - Standup comedy night.