At twelve, she started middle school. The foundation had helped hundreds of children by then. Her book was in libraries across the country. She was invited to more schools, more community centers. Sometimes she said yes. Sometimes she said no so she could just be a kid.
One day, a girl from her class pulled her aside after lunch.
“My stepfather says things to me,” the girl whispered. “Inappropriate things. I don’t know what to do.”
“You need to tell a counselor today,” Elo said.
“What if they don’t believe me?”
“They will,” Elo said. “And I’ll go with you if you want.”
The girl nodded, eyes shining with tears.
“Okay,” she said.
They went to the counselor together. By the end of the day, the stepfather was out of the house. The girl hugged Elo in the hallway.
“Thank you,” she said. “You saved me.”
“You saved yourself,” Elo replied. “You spoke up.”