Unnamed Speaker 6

And it was from her house that Leslie and her siblings waited early in the morning for the first of two buses to take them to Ladue School District. So early, it was dark out. Ladue was part of the DSEG program, short for desegregation. Though the district was predominantly white, Leslie didn't feel out of place.

And it was from her house that Leslie and her siblings waited early in the morning for the first of two buses to take them to Ladue School District. So early, it was dark out. Ladue was part of the DSEG program, short for desegregation. Though the district was predominantly white, Leslie didn't feel out of place.

There were a lot of other Black students, and she had teachers she felt close to and connected with, including one very special teacher in high school.

There were a lot of other Black students, and she had teachers she felt close to and connected with, including one very special teacher in high school.

Leslie says Ms. Sanders really cared for her while also keeping Leslie on her toes.

Leslie says Ms. Sanders really cared for her while also keeping Leslie on her toes.

When Leslie was 14 and just a freshman, she met a boy, Mike Brown, who we will be calling Big Mike. Kiki, Leslie's favorite cousin, is actually the one who introduced the two of them.

When Leslie was 14 and just a freshman, she met a boy, Mike Brown, who we will be calling Big Mike. Kiki, Leslie's favorite cousin, is actually the one who introduced the two of them.

It wasn't just any party. It was Kiki's Sweet 16 birthday jam, and the basement was packed. Big Mike was an upperclassman. In Leslie's 2016 book, Tell the Truth and Shame the Devil, she describes him as tall, with a deep voice, wearing dickies and a t-shirt. They danced at the party, and she gave him her number.

It wasn't just any party. It was Kiki's Sweet 16 birthday jam, and the basement was packed. Big Mike was an upperclassman. In Leslie's 2016 book, Tell the Truth and Shame the Devil, she describes him as tall, with a deep voice, wearing dickies and a t-shirt. They danced at the party, and she gave him her number.

Later that night, when she was home, she laid in bed excited, thinking about Big Mike maybe becoming a real boyfriend. In the weeks and months that followed, the two of them talked on the phone for hours. Sometimes Leslie would wake up tangled in the phone cord. He met her mother, she met his parents, and they became girlfriend and boyfriend.

Later that night, when she was home, she laid in bed excited, thinking about Big Mike maybe becoming a real boyfriend. In the weeks and months that followed, the two of them talked on the phone for hours. Sometimes Leslie would wake up tangled in the phone cord. He met her mother, she met his parents, and they became girlfriend and boyfriend.

Even though Leslie's mom knew they were together, Leslie says she never got the sex talk, so she didn't really know how to protect herself. When Leslie was in 10th grade and missed her period, she turned to her good friend April, who brought a pregnancy test to school for her.

Even though Leslie's mom knew they were together, Leslie says she never got the sex talk, so she didn't really know how to protect herself. When Leslie was in 10th grade and missed her period, she turned to her good friend April, who brought a pregnancy test to school for her.

Her mom picked up the phone and April broke the news.

Her mom picked up the phone and April broke the news.

As Leslie and Kiki remember it, no one in the family really took the news of Leslie's pregnancy seriously at first.

As Leslie and Kiki remember it, no one in the family really took the news of Leslie's pregnancy seriously at first.

She knew what she wanted, but being pregnant was hard. Leslie felt sick during her entire pregnancy, but continued to go to school. Her belly grew bigger and bigger, so no formal announcement was needed. She says the school let her go to the nurse for first period and gave her a key for the elevator.

She knew what she wanted, but being pregnant was hard. Leslie felt sick during her entire pregnancy, but continued to go to school. Her belly grew bigger and bigger, so no formal announcement was needed. She says the school let her go to the nurse for first period and gave her a key for the elevator.