"I'm sorry, I asked you a question. What is our first rule?"
"Respect."
"Is laughing at Amelia showing respect?"
"She ain't getting outta here," Mike drawled. The eldest in the class, his mother forced him to attend the classes in exchange for board. I didn't hold out hope for him. As much as I wanted them all to succeed, Mike had gone down a dark path long before I'd come along.
"Says who?" I asked, crossing my arms. "You? Tell me, Mike. What's your dream?"
"Don't got one. But I know she ain't getting outta here. A baby momma, her boyfriend knocking her about, dancing to earn-"
"You shut up!" Amelia screeched, surging back to her feet.
"We all know!" Mike shot back. "Thinking your shit don't stink. Dancing for money like a common-"
"That is enough!" I shouted, slapping a hand on the closest desk. The room went silent. I rarely raised my voice. I glared at Mike.
"Amelia, please sit down."
"But-"
"Sit!" I snapped, locked in a stare down with Mike.
Amelia slowly dropped. She turned slightly toward Mike, keeping her side covered. Mike stared at me; his mouth twisted in a small sneer.
"You want to know why Amelia is going to succeed in life?" I asked softly. He didn't react. "Because she is someone willing to do whatever it takes to win. Her kid has a roof over her head. She's got food in her belly. She's got clothes on her back. Why? Because Amelia is determined. Amelia shows love. Amelia cares. And Amelia doesn't fucking give up."
I walked towards him, placing hands on his desk, leaning in, getting in his face. "You know why she's here? She wants a future. A good future. A future that involves college and jobs and money and security. You know what I see when I look at Amelia? Drive. Determination. Guts. And a fuckload of potential."
I leaned in marginally, lowering my voice. "What do you see when you look at yourself, Mike? Can you say the same? Do you see potential? At the moment I see a guy willing to let his momma do all the work. I see a guy throwing away his talent, his brains, for what? A quick buck on a street corner?"
"How did-?"
"I always know." I shook my head. "You talk about your daddy being a dick. Leaving you. Making your momma fight for every dollar. I see you doing nothing but being angry at the world, expecting it will hand you an easy road."
"You got one. Privileged bit-"
"Don't you dare finish that sentence." I snapped. "Yes, I have privilege. Yes, I'm white, rich and educated. Yes, all of that has opened doors for me. But I am here, every week, ready to use that to help you. I will fight for you, Mike. I'm your biggest supporter. But you don't give a shit. You come in here, barely acknowledging the work, barely caring. When are you going to realize you need to grow up?"
"I didn't ask for no baby-"
"But you have him. And you love that kid?"
He grunted, looking away.
"You want Jamie to be proud of you?"
"Yes." He bit out.
"You proud of you?"
He gritted his teeth. For a long moment I didn't think he was going to answer. Finally, he shook his head.
"Then do something about it. What do you want to be, Mike?"
"I don't know."
I stepped back, pointing to our board on the far side of the classroom. "Read it."
