Jimmy now James

I first met Jimmy when he worked in a local coffee shop. Over time I learned that he had dropped out of high school before receiving his degree. "It was brutal," he said when he spoke about his experiences as a gay student in high school.

No one paid any attention to his tattoos or earrings. He fit in and he made a perfect latte. Once we ended up at the same Christmas party and the same Gay Pride party.

Jimmy often spoke about taking the required tests to gain his high school diploma, but he never seemed to get around to taking the review courses. Often I asked him about his love life and for a long time there was no one—although he had many friends both straight and gay.

After a few years Jimmy left and took a job working at a Starbucks in the neighboring town. It appeared to be a perfect fit—more people his age. He did have to wear long sleeves to cover the tattoos—which didn't bother him even on hot days.

I liked the coffee at Starbucks and we went over quite often. I noted how Jimmy, who was now called James, expanded the number of friends in his new place of employment—he even had a boy friend and moved out of his parent's home.

Last summer when I went into Starbucks James spotted me and said, "I took my GED and passed my GED. I now have my high school diploma."

I wish I had simply responded with great. Instead I said, "It's about time." I quickly followed that with "fantastic. Congratulations." Because of my teaching background James often talked to me about completing high school.

Several months ago James left that Starbucks and moved to Somerville where he shared a apartment with two friends. He had a boyfriend and a new job.

Today when we went into the Starbucks there was a picture of James at the cash register—with a call for donations to help offset the medical expenses.

"What happened."
"He was attending a concert," said the young woman who took our order," and he had a seizure. By the time they got him to the hospital he was running an exceedingly high temperature. He's in critical condition."

So we took the paper with the address of where and how to send money—a small piece of paper probably less than a half inch wide.

How does this happen? Hopefully Jimmy, now James, will recover, will continue to wear his baseball cap, his earrings, get more tattoos, laugh with friends, share meals with his boyfriend,be in love, walk in gay pride parades, go to concerts, visit the Starbucks in the neighboring town.

Jimmy we're praying for you.