The Revelation

I called Eric, and Eric’s mom, from the business site.  Neither one answered. I told Andrew I’d continue calling until I heard from someone and get in touch with him as soon as I knew something.  Mom’s pledge to “pick him up and drop him off myself” concerned me.  Perhaps something had happened to the two of them.  Perhaps she dropped him off and he simply walked away.  I needed to know he was safe.

I called them as soon as I returned home, then just before dinner, and made another call at 8:00.  My message at eight was clear to both.

“When I spoke to Mrs. Smith this morning she told me she was picking up Eric and bringing him to the work site.  If that happened, Eric never showed. I want to be sure everyone is alright.  I’ll be calling every half hour until I hear from someone.  If I don’t hear anything by 9:30, I’m going to call the hospital.”

Ten minutes later I received a call.

“Mr. Tebo, this is Eric.”

“Are you OK?”

“Yes, but  I don’t think I’m going to do the program.”

“What? (I was angry now.)  You “don’t think” you’re going to follow through?  Either you are or you aren’t.  It’s a yes or a no.  I included you and omitted others.”

And then he said.

“My real name is Erica.  I’ve been a boy for the last two years.  I’m going to change schools in the fall and go back to being Erica.”

This was a new one for me.  I’d been in education for 40 years, working with teens another ten, dealt with all sorts of issues, but this was a new one for me.  I thought for a moment and said.

“Are you concerned how your team will accept you.?”

“Yes.”

“You don’t need to be.  I know everyone and you’ll be in good company.  You’ll be working at Hospice.  They’re in the business of being compassionate and understanding.  You’ll be welcomed and safe.  It’ll be a good way to transition back to being Erica.”

We talked a bit more.  I told her I’d be at the site first thing in the morning to introduce her to the team.  I called Andrew and explained everything to him.  He was great.

I arrived at the Hospice facility fifteen minutes before the team was due.  I spoke with my Hospice business partner about the previous evening’s revelation, and by the time we finished Erica arrived.  I don’t assist my teams.  I answer questions and leave the problem solving to them.  They worked through the opening day glitch with flying colors.

Two weeks later, on presentation day, Andrew’s team was awarded first place in the competition.  Erica, and her team members each earned an additional $10,000 in scholarships.  I’ve heard from all of the members of the team since that final day four years ago, except Erica.  All of the others have put their scholarships to good use and, just recently, finished their second, or third, year of college.

I don’t believe I’ll ever know the final impact the experience had on Erica.  I don’t know if her high school change that fall went well. I don’t know if she used her college scholarships.   I don’t know if she is still Erica or if she transitioned back to Eric. I do know, she’s one student I won’t forget.  Sometimes the outliers make the greatest impression.