THE MENTOR

I never imagined it would be like this: A student lacking a father figure. He is the most rambunctious student of all of mine. Throwing papers, out of his seat constantly, missing classwork, homework, and invites himself to stay in at lunch one day last week. He wasn't even in trouble. Just stayed back after all the students had left. Asked if he could watch TV. (I said no) But we talked for a bit, and then he left--halfway through the lunch hour--he said goodbye, and that was the beginning, I believe.

Friday he stayed in again, on his own accord, and finished his late work. But first, he went to buy his lunch. He came back with three cookies; one for me, two for him. "That is a terrible lunch," I told him. And I said "Let me buy you a lunch on Monday, a Subway sandwich." There is a Subway virtually next-door to the school.

Today, Monday, he was the first student in my classroom, and he looked at me and I knew, and he said "Mr. V," and I said, "Yes, I remember." Today, Jacob and I shared lunch. And it was wonderful.