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We arrived at school a little after 2:00 and soon we were in the principal’s office reception area where someone new was sitting at the secretary desk. She looked at us and said. “Good afternoon. What can I do for you?”

“We have an appointment with Principal Addams.” Mom said.

“Mrs. Evans, right?”

“Yes, and you are?”

“I’m Megan Wells, I just got transferred here this morning.”

“What happened to Miss Jenkins?” I asked her.

“I’m not sure yet, but seems she messed up pretty badly and got fired this morning.”

“Oh. I wonder what happened.”

“I think you will find out pretty soon. You know how the gossip grapevine works in a high school.” She said and I nodded. “Let me tell him you arrived.” She added.

She then used her intercom to talk to Mr. Addams and she lead us into his office. Once inside he greeted us.

“Good afternoon Mrs. Evans, what can I do for you?” He asked. “Oh, and who is the young lady with you today, a new student?”

“Not exactly, she is the reason we came to see you today.” Mom told him.

“Go on.” He said with a curious look.

“I got these papers to change my daughter’s name and status in her school records.” Mom said giving him the papers.

He looked at the papers and then looked at me and asked. “You are telling me that this young lady is your daughter Samantha that used to be your son Sam?”

“Yes, Mr. Addams. Is there any problems with that?”

“Not at all Mrs. Evans, actually Miss Jenkins was fired this morning because of a student that was wrongfully identified as a boy at birth came this morning to talk to me before heading to class. She arrived and Miss Jenkins went ballistic on her and got fired. I won’t allow bigotry in this school, be it from the staff or the students.”

“Anyone I know?” I asked him.

“I can’t tell you that, but I’m sure you will find out soon.”

“Will I have the same problem with Miss Wells that the girl had with Miss Jenkins this morning?”

“No you won’t. I talked to her lengthily today and she is a very nice young woman.”

“Why are you so accepting?” Mom asked him.

He looked at us for a moment, then looked up like he was remembering something and said. “What I’m about to tell you, I don’t want to become public knowledge, okay?”

“Okay, we won’t say a word to anyone unless you say so.” Mom said and I agreed.

“I had a younger brother that was killed while on high school. He was pretty much like you, but he didn’t let anyone know about his feelings. He was always depressed and I had no idea how to help him. One day I got home after a football practice and found him dead in our room. He took a full bottle of sleeping pills and left a letter for us asking for our forgiveness but he couldn’t live a lie anymore. In that letter was all his feelings and that he couldn’t take it anymore. At that time he started to bulk up and grew up a lot, I think that’s what took him over the edge.” He told us sadly.

“Oh God! I’m so sorry.” Mom told him and I was in tears.

“Ever since then I read a lot about transgender issues. I wanted to understand him and what I found out really worried me. I found out that many transgendered people were bullied all through their school years, and many killed themselves. The chance of a transgendered person to kill himself or herself is much greater than the general population. When I got this job I promised myself to never allow that to happen to my students, but I didn’t count on Miss Jenkins cover up to the bullies when someone that looked a little different was bullied like you or the other girl.” He said and mom looked at me with a worried expression.

“Did you ever think about killing yourself Sam?” Mom asked me.

I didn’t say anything, just looked at the floor ashamed and mom hugged me.

“Oh sweetie, don’t ever think about it again. You are everything I have left and I love you. Promise me you always tell me when something bothers you.”

“I promise mom. You are the reason I never did anything, you know. I couldn’t bring myself to bring you such a pain. I love you too much to hurt you mom.” I said and we hold each other crying for a few minutes.

“Okay, ladies. I gave the papers to Miss Wells and tomorrow we are expecting Samantha to come to class.” He told us.

“Huh? When did you give her the papers?” I asked him.

“I gave her the papers while you were having your little moment. I thought you two would like a few moments for yourselves.”

“Thank you, Mr. Addams.” Mom told him.

“Call me Adam, Mrs. Evans.”

“Only if you call me Carla.” She said with a smile.

’Is he flirting with mom?’ I thought to myself.

“That’s a deal. I’ll keep an eye on Sam for you Carla.”

“Thank you Adam. Mrs. Addams is a very lucky lady.”

“I’m not married Carla. I haven’t found the right woman for me yet.”

’I think they both are flirting. I have to get out of here.’

“Mom, I think I’m going to wait for the girls outside. I’ll see you at home soon, okay?”

“Are you sure you don’t need a lift, sweetie?”

“Yes mom, I’ll walk home with Jess and Steph.”

“Okay sweetie, see you at home.” She said and kissed me on my cheek.

“Bye mom, thank you Mr. Addams.”

“Goodbye Sam and see you tomorrow.” He said.

  

  
I left the room and saw Miss Wells seated at her desk. “Goodbye, Miss Wells. It was nice to meet you.”

“It was nice to meet you too, Sam. If you don’t mind me say so, I think you are doing the right thing. You are way too pretty to be a boy. I am still having trouble believing.” She told me.

“Thank you Miss Wells. That means a lot to me.”

“I hope you don’t have much trouble, but if you do, come to me and I’ll handle it, okay?”

“Thank you. I will.”

“See you soon, Sam.” She said and finger waved at me.

“Bye.” I said waving back the same way and went my way to the entrance of the school before the final bell rang.

  

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To be continued....