“What did you learn in school today?”

I remember Mom asking me that question every day after school in first grade.

“What did you learn in school today?”

I would sit at the kitchen table and write down everything the teacher had taught us that day.

After first grade ended she didn’t ask as often, so I didn’t tell her. But Mom, now that I’m in tenth grade I’m learning lots.

“What did you learn in school today?”

Today I learned that betrayal takes time to really sink in. I learned that you can feel part of something while being excluded by everyone, and that hurts the most. But Mom, in tenth grade I’m not taught by the teacher.

“What did you learn in school today?”

Today I was taught that my place in line is behind the line, that I have no place in the circle. I was taught that promises are easily broken, and hope is the most fragile thing in the world.

I learned lots today, Mom. But it wasn’t anything I wanted to learn.

“What did you learn in school today?”

“Nothing, Mom. Nothing.”