Flying Lessons & Other Stories

Samantha, the protagonist who prefers to go by the name Sam (although Sam’s gender is never explicitly stated, details suggest that they are assigned female at birth; however, due to the lack of gender specifics, this guide will refer to Sam using they/them pronouns), reveals that choosing names stresses them out. This is evident in the opening scene when their class is selecting elf names for the Secret Santa gift exchange. Under pressure from the teacher, Miss Lee, Sam chooses “Sparkles” instead of the one they truly want, “Flame.” A few boys crack jokes about the name, just like they did last year when Sam cut their hair short, and everyone called them “Sam the Man.”

As the class picks names from a hat, the principal arrives with a new student. Unlike the rest of the class, the new girl is not wearing a uniform and has on military boots with her fingernails painted alternately black and white. She announces that she is from California, and the principal says her name, but Sam does not hear it because they are wondering about painting their own nails black. Once the principal leaves, Miss Lee encourages the new girl to pick an elf name. She selects “Blade,” which bothers Miss Lee. As the bell rings, Sam picks Blade’s name from the hat and their eyes lock.

Rumors immediately spread about Blade: that she collects knives, that she has a snake or even several, that she catches rats in her own house to feed the snakes, that she used to call her teachers by first name. When Sam’s best friend, Henry, calls Blade weird, Sam pushes back saying that everyone thinks the two of them are weird. Plus, Sam thinks Blade’s boots are cool. When the bell sounds to end lunch, Sam is excited to only have two classes left before the end of the school day. Then they can go Christmas shopping for last-minute gifts, including a secret Santa gift for Blade, whom Sam cannot seem to get out of their head.

At the mall, their mom, calling them Sammy as a compromise between Samantha and Sam, applies pressure to purchase a makeup kit for Blade. Sam says maybe, thinking that Blade does not need to wear makeup. When Sam’s mom takes a phone call from her boyfriend, she hands the cashier two credit cards. Once she walks away, Sam spots black shoelaces marked with gray skulls. They buy both the makeup kit and the laces.

The next day at school, Sam spots Blade jumping out of her parents’ car and blowing kisses to them. Sam marvels at how Blade does not care what people think. When Blade catches Sam watching from the bus, they mouth “hi” to each other, and Blade waves at Sam. Taking out a Magic 8 Ball keychain, they wonder which gift they should give Blade but fail to get a clear answer.

In language arts, Miss Lee reveals the bad news that they have to change the name of the gift exchange to Secret Sharers. When Blade asks what the bad news is, Sam’s heart pounds. They think it is an allergic reaction.

Sam arrives home from school to find a note to call their mom next to the shoelaces. When they get on the phone, Sam’s mom calls them out for being sneaky and buying the shoelaces. She notes that all Sam had to do was ask for them. They have to end the conversation because Sam’s mom gets another call on her office phone. She says, “Love you, Sam” (74) before hanging up. A few minutes later, Sam realizes that this is the first time their mom has said Sam, and they smile.

Then, Sam texts Henry to come over, and after asking his two dads, he does. Henry smears cupcake frosting on construction paper, so Sam uses it to make a snowman card for Blade; then, they fold it into an origami rabbit. Finally, Sam decides to give Blade the skull laces, which they wrap in a Calvin and Hobbes cartoon.

The rest of the week rolls by with the only excitement being that three girls in the class ask Sam to deliver their gifts because Sam is so secretive. Sam notices that two of them bought color changing lip gloss for each other. While Sam is delivering one of the gifts, Blade catches them in action, and Sam protests that they are only a delivery elf. As they talk, Sam’s heart pounds. The bell rings and both kids need to get to their next class. As they walk away from each other, Sam asks if Blade really has snakes. Blade does not directly answer the question, instead marveling at her classmates’ lack of imagination. Before splitting, Blade gives Sam a thumbs up. They realize that Blade is wearing color changing lip gloss, too.

The next morning, Sam wakes in a sweat, wondering if Blade really would like the makeup kit. In a panic, Sam decides to rewrap the cosmetics bag as the gift.

In language arts, Sam asks Miss Lee to slip the gift to Blade. The girl bounces the origami rabbit card across her desk before opening it. Then she rips the Calvin and Hobbes wrapping paper without a thought. Worst of all for Sam, she holds the makeup kit as if it is the last thing she wants. Blade tries to recover and pretend she likes the gift, but everyone, including Sam, has seen.

When Sam reaches into their backpack for a notebook, they see a gift bag. Inside is a sparkly pink purse with a note. Upset, Sam heads to the nurse’s office. Once there, they cry nonstop as the nurse paces, not knowing what to do.

For the first time ever, their mom comes to school. Even though Sam has been working on crying less, as soon as they see their mom, the tears flow more. Sam proclaims that no one tries to understand them. The two hug, and the woman notes that it has been a tough few years, but that Sam is amazing. She silences a phone call to stay present with Sam, and Sam feels supported and loved. Spotting the skull shoelaces in their mom’s purse, Sam asks for them. Their mom had planned to buy Sam boots, but instead Sam wants to try to make the day better.

At lunch, Sam makes a new Calvin and Hobbes cartoon out of a Cheetos smear Henry made and then wraps the skull laces in it. Sam decides to hand the gift directly to Blade. They get the perfect opportunity after gym at the water fountain. Blade says she knew Sam was her Secret Santa because they are such a good artist, and she loves the laces, calling them “sick” in a good way.

Then, Blade takes one and circles it into a bracelet around her wrist, and then puts the other around Sam’s wrist. Sam feels warm inside. As they split up to go to each of their classes, Blade asks what Sam’s real name is. Instead of saying Samantha, they say “Flame.”

Locked into their conversation they barely hear the hall monitor warning them both to go to class. When the monitor calls them ladies, Sam responds, but it is unclear whether they are talking to the monitor or Blade: “It’s actually Sam […] My name is Sam” (84). Blade says she will keep the secret, and Sam says “sick” loud and clear.