He suddenly started crying. "I’m just so mad,” he said. “I hate this."

“You know”, she said finally, “we will miss you. I want you here, but this behavior can’t continue.”

More silence.

“Where are your parents right now?” she asked.

“My mom’s in Florida and my dad is on a run to the junkyard,” he replied. “It’s just me and my [sixth-grade] brother here now.”

She said nothing and just watched him.

He suddenly started crying. “I’m just so mad,” he said. “I hate this. I just want to go back to school like it used to be.”

Thanks to Collaborative Classrooms.