I needed my teenager to hear every word.
But kindness never travels alone for long.
The other comments came right behind it.
This is how small towns keep kids stuck.
Nobody should be applauding struggle.
Why invite a driver when students need role models for advancement?
Working hard is honorable. Settling is not.
That last one got under my skin.
Settling.
As if life only counts when it gets shinier.
As if holding the line for your family is the same as giving up on them.
Emma stood at the kitchen counter eating cereal straight from the box and reading over my shoulder.
“Don’t,” I said.
“Don’t what?”
“Don’t feed the wolves.”
“I wasn’t going to.”
She paused.
“I was going to memorize names.”
I looked at her.
She shrugged.
“Kidding.”
Then, after a beat:
“Mostly.”
I took the phone away and set it face down.
The kitchen felt too small.
The bills on the counter looked sharper than usual.
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