Unnamed Speaker 6

Leslie could no longer live with Big Mike, free rent or not. And he eventually moved out. Throughout all of this, the moving, having another kid, the emotional and physical ups and downs, Leslie always did everything she could to take care of her kids. And that meant working. Since Big Mike wasn't adding to the pot, she says it was up to her to bring home a paycheck.

Leslie could no longer live with Big Mike, free rent or not. And he eventually moved out. Throughout all of this, the moving, having another kid, the emotional and physical ups and downs, Leslie always did everything she could to take care of her kids. And that meant working. Since Big Mike wasn't adding to the pot, she says it was up to her to bring home a paycheck.

Mike Mike stepped up at home to support his mom. He was good at taking instructions over the phone when she was at work. In middle school, he helped clean and cook for the family, doing laundry sometimes or making dinner. Mike Mike also perfected cooking Saturday breakfast, which was a spread of pancakes, eggs with cheese, sausage, and deep-fried bacon.

Mike Mike stepped up at home to support his mom. He was good at taking instructions over the phone when she was at work. In middle school, he helped clean and cook for the family, doing laundry sometimes or making dinner. Mike Mike also perfected cooking Saturday breakfast, which was a spread of pancakes, eggs with cheese, sausage, and deep-fried bacon.

For work, Leslie did a little bit of everything. She did passenger transportation at the airport, worked at a nursing home, a fancy hotel, a few fast food jobs, home health care. She even worked at grocery stores like the St. Louis-based chain Schnucks.

For work, Leslie did a little bit of everything. She did passenger transportation at the airport, worked at a nursing home, a fancy hotel, a few fast food jobs, home health care. She even worked at grocery stores like the St. Louis-based chain Schnucks.

Straub's is a fancy gourmet food store. Leslie worked in the deli. She made dips and salads, and she was good. So good, they named a roast beef sandwich after her. The Leslie.

Straub's is a fancy gourmet food store. Leslie worked in the deli. She made dips and salads, and she was good. So good, they named a roast beef sandwich after her. The Leslie.

It was at Straub's where Leslie met longtime friend Belinda.

It was at Straub's where Leslie met longtime friend Belinda.

In the same way that Ms. Sanders was Leslie's school mom, Belinda was Leslie's work mom. She remembers Leslie working so hard while juggling parenthood.

In the same way that Ms. Sanders was Leslie's school mom, Belinda was Leslie's work mom. She remembers Leslie working so hard while juggling parenthood.

Leslie eventually gave up the other jobs, and Straub's became her full-time gig. She was a hard worker, but her kids remained the priority. If the school called because something was wrong, she didn't hesitate to step away from work.

Leslie eventually gave up the other jobs, and Straub's became her full-time gig. She was a hard worker, but her kids remained the priority. If the school called because something was wrong, she didn't hesitate to step away from work.

Like when the nurse at Mike Mike School called Leslie and said he was complaining about a headache. That was the start of multiple health episodes at school. And at age 14, Mike Mike was diagnosed with hypertension or high blood pressure, which, when left untreated, can lead to other serious problems like heart attack or stroke. Leslie was scared.

Like when the nurse at Mike Mike School called Leslie and said he was complaining about a headache. That was the start of multiple health episodes at school. And at age 14, Mike Mike was diagnosed with hypertension or high blood pressure, which, when left untreated, can lead to other serious problems like heart attack or stroke. Leslie was scared.

Leslie helped Mike Mike get his diet and hypertension under control. This meant he had to give up cooking his Saturday morning breakfast spread for his family. As Leslie was managing all of this and work, she met another man. Though she had been able to end things with Big Mike when the domestic abuse got really serious, cycles aren't easy to break.

Leslie helped Mike Mike get his diet and hypertension under control. This meant he had to give up cooking his Saturday morning breakfast spread for his family. As Leslie was managing all of this and work, she met another man. Though she had been able to end things with Big Mike when the domestic abuse got really serious, cycles aren't easy to break.

The man she was in a new relationship with also put his hands on her. When they first got together, he made her feel important. In her book, Leslie said he was attentive, caring, and giving. Most importantly, he also looked out for Mike Mike and Deja. She went on to have two more children with him, Andre and Jazzy. And sometimes things were really good, but often they were not.

The man she was in a new relationship with also put his hands on her. When they first got together, he made her feel important. In her book, Leslie said he was attentive, caring, and giving. Most importantly, he also looked out for Mike Mike and Deja. She went on to have two more children with him, Andre and Jazzy. And sometimes things were really good, but often they were not.