I liked being in a classroom. I felt solid in ways I did not in the hallways and beyond. Except his classroom where, some days, he’d focus on me, grilling me about community matters unrelated to school while the rest of the class watched. The cool boys loved it, and teased me about it in ways that didn’t feel funny. Once, as I crossed the front of the room to retrieve something, he slapped my ass. “If you do that again, I will hit you back.” I’m grateful I found my voice, though looking back, wish I’d used it more.
Susanna Baird raises her voice from Salem, Massachusetts. Find her online at susannabaird.com and on Twitter @susannabaird.