Finding Orson (Short Story)

Finding Orson is a short story by James Van Pelt. it appears in Strangers and Beggars (2002), and Curious Fictions (Mar 25, 2020).

Word Count: 6,301

Author's Note
From Curious Fictions:

''Patty is a gifted teacher, literally. She sees the emotional aura around her students. All would be well until Orson, a quiet, sullen boy's aura turns startlingly, distressingly black.''

Epigraph
''O she doth teach the torches to burn bright. -'' Romeo and Juliet

Faculty

 * Patty Epson - a new teacher whose talent reads emotions in auras
 * Elaine - a veteran teacher whose talent reads books to her
 * Mr. Drabbe - a vice-principal who is evaluating Patty this week; his talent alphabetizes objects
 * Mrs. Reed - the freshman counselor and building's union rep

Students

 * Orson - a student with no talent who wants to rewrite Romeo and Juliet
 * Bobby Beddows - a boy whose talent creates odors
 * Inga - a girl whose talent causes intestinal cramps
 * Natalie - a girl whose talent causes plants to hum
 * Thomas - a boy whose talent can stack sheets of paper on their edge

Summary
Patty Epson, a first-year teacher, commiserates with friend and coworker, Elaine, a long-time veteran. Patty is worried about first quarter grades, report card comments, and a student named Orson. Orson's talent hasn't developed yet. Kids can be cruel about it.

Elaine reminds Patty she's got a formal evaluation today and suggests she focus on that.

Mr. Drabbe, a vice-principal, is already set up in Patty's classroom to conduct the evaluation when she arrives. At the start of class, Patty collects the Romeo and Juliet project proposals. She notes Orson has not turned in a proposal. After asking the class to write in their journals about Act II, she walks around the room, reading over their shoulders and sensing their auras. Orson's aura is black and he's writing "Consider the Romeo solution." Orson doesn't like tragedy and is upset he didn't turn in a proposal.

The next day, Orson tells Patty his proposal is to rewrite the ending Romeo and Juliet, so it's not so sad.

When it's Orson's turn to get in front of class and present his proposal, Patty is nervous but hopeful. He begins with a question: "Does the play's ending bother any of you?" After a long silence, a few students respond and within minutes Orson has them engaged in constructive conversation. Eventually, the class notices that the notes Orson has written upon the board are glowing, and everyone realizes he has found his talent.