THE MISSING STUDENT

It is 1:30 in the morning and my 18-year-old French student is officially lost in Santa Barbara.

Last night when Michel arrived I gave him a key to my house and a map of the city. I circled our house on the map, showed him where the downtown area is, etc. I had to work this morning and Michel was very tired, so I knew I wouldn't see him until five o'clock or so. I wanted him to have the freedom to explore the city on his first day in America.

Well, what a first day in America this must be for him. It's cold outside. The map is still on the table. The Japanese student hasn't seen him.

When I came home from work this afternoon the new student wasn't home. I figured he must still be out, enjoying the good weather. When he didn't come home for dinner I was a little concerned, but not too bothered. My students don't have to be home for dinner. So I went to a friend's house for a while and came home at eleven.

Michel was not home. That was the moment that I knew something was wrong. Because NOBODY stays out until 11:00 without a map, phone, or friends on their first day in a new city. Nobody.

I called the EF emergency number and was simply told to wait until morning. If he is still missing we will take the next course of action (call the police?).

My only possible hope is that at the last minute he joined my three other students on their camping trip.