I’m more nervous about speaking at Career Day than I usually am about appearing in court. For starters, Kimberly and Nia are in the audience, so I’m mindful that I should still be in recruitment mode. And, of course, I’m talking to a bunch of teenagers, none of whom are white and all of whom have different life experiences than mine as a result. I’d like to add value to their education, not detract from it. Most of all, I don’t want to let Solange down. She’s put a lot of thought into her work here, and I’d hate to bomb the assignment.

The good news is, Solange refused to invite Peter—“I’m not subjecting these sweethearts to that prick,” she explained—and I’m taking some small comfort in his absence, particularly because he’s been extra annoying of late. Earlier in the week, when Henderson asked about the party, I told him the group canceled its plans, so Peter probably thinks he’s in the clear and will be insufferable at dinner later. Chin up, Dean. You’re almost done. But first, you need to speak to these kids.

So I tell the class about college and law school and my path to becoming a litigator. My entire spiel doesn’t take long, and the picture I paint of my life isn’t all that interesting or appealing; it comes across as uninspired. Damn, when did I become this sterile? Not surprisingly, several students are spacing out; a few don’t even try to mask the boredom in their expressions.

Solange strides to the front of the room—to save me, probably. “Thank you, Mr. Chapman. I think this would be a great time to open the floor for questions. Remember what we talked about, everyone: nothing too personal.”

“Where’d you grow up?” a kid in the back asks.

“My mom and I moved around a lot,” I say. “Spent the longest time in Delaware, though.”

“Delaware?” another student asks as if I just announced that I lived on Mars.

I glance at Solange, who has returned to the back corner of the room and is smiling behind her hand. “Yeah, it’s an actual, honest-to-God state. The president and the First Lady live there when they’re not at the White House.”

“The first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution,” Layla says. “Right, Ms. Pereira?”

Solange winks at her, then nods proudly. “Right, Layla.”

Man, the teacher’s pet in me can easily spot another teacher’s pet. Layla is Solange’s.

“Ever had anything funny happen to you in court?” This from a kid who was nodding off just a few minutes ago.