Regina looked at her daughter over the rims of her wire-rim glasses. “I don’t see nobody else trying to keep the lights on.”

“Jesus, what’s gotten into you this morning?” Billy flopped on the couch near Regina’s desk.

“This job is driving me crazy.” Regina hefted a thick envelope for Billy to see. “These white folks work me like a dog and reap all the benefits.”

“Mommy, if you hate your job so much, why don’t you quit?”

“Sure, and depend on you to take care of us?” Regina said sarcastically. “Don’t think so, sweetie.”

“I work,” Billy said defensively.

Regina stopped her clicking on the laptop and looked at her daughter seriously. “Billy, that part-time job you’ve got at Marshalls ain’t work.”

“So you’re saying because I don’t work for somebody’s fancy firm, my job doesn’t measure up?”

“I’m not saying that at all, Willamina. To be gainfully employed in this day and age is a blessing, with the economy being the way it is. Most folks have to take work wherever they can find it. What I am saying is, as smart as you are and as hard as I’ve pushed, you shouldn’t have to settle.”

“Come on, Mommy. I’m really not in the mood for speeches. Do we have to go there again?”

“Billy, the truth is a painful elixir. Ever since your father was killed, I’ve busted my ass to make sure you’d have the opportunity to be something better. You were always good with books and there isn’t a man that can touch you on the basketball court. You had the best of both worlds, and I’ve had to watch you try your best to piss it away running the streets with trash.”

“Mommy, I’m gonna pull it together,” Billy told her.

“That’s the same thing you’ve been telling me for the last few years, darling. ‘I’m just taking a semester off, Mom. I’ll go back.’ Remember that one?”

“I don’t really wanna hear this,” Billy said, standing to leave.

“Well, you’re gonna hear it!” Regina shouted, slamming the heavy folder on the desk. The look she was giving Billy froze her in her tracks. “Billy, there were so many things that I wish I could’ve done with my life, but I missed my chance. It isn’t too late for you.”

Billy folded her arms. “Mommy, why are you pressing me?”