Unnamed Speaker 6

Before his birthday barbecue, Louis cut Mike's hair in the kitchen.

Before his birthday barbecue, Louis cut Mike's hair in the kitchen.

That day, they talked about Mike's future. Mike asked Louis how long he would have to go to school to become a computer programmer. And when the haircut was done, Lewis assured Mike that even though he had married his mom, Mike was still the man of the house. Lewis also said that he'd always be there for Mike, no matter what. The two of them had a connection, and Lewis said Mike made him laugh.

That day, they talked about Mike's future. Mike asked Louis how long he would have to go to school to become a computer programmer. And when the haircut was done, Lewis assured Mike that even though he had married his mom, Mike was still the man of the house. Lewis also said that he'd always be there for Mike, no matter what. The two of them had a connection, and Lewis said Mike made him laugh.

Lewis brought a calm to the household. He was never abusive and helped carry the financial load, two things Leslie hadn't ever experienced in a serious relationship. He fit seamlessly into their family, and Leslie loved that Lewis connected so well with her kids. After Mike turned 18, he was nearing the end of his senior year in high school.

Lewis brought a calm to the household. He was never abusive and helped carry the financial load, two things Leslie hadn't ever experienced in a serious relationship. He fit seamlessly into their family, and Leslie loved that Lewis connected so well with her kids. After Mike turned 18, he was nearing the end of his senior year in high school.

Leslie had always emphasized the importance of education and graduating, even though she didn't get the chance to do that herself.

Leslie had always emphasized the importance of education and graduating, even though she didn't get the chance to do that herself.

A lot of Mike's academic struggles stem from having a learning disability and ADHD. He received extra help and resources through an Individual Education Plan, or IEP. But Leslie says Mike was also gifted in his own way. He was a techie and often tinkered with electronics and computers.

A lot of Mike's academic struggles stem from having a learning disability and ADHD. He received extra help and resources through an Individual Education Plan, or IEP. But Leslie says Mike was also gifted in his own way. He was a techie and often tinkered with electronics and computers.

He could fix a computer by taking out all the parts.

He could fix a computer by taking out all the parts.

And Mike Mike loved making videos.

And Mike Mike loved making videos.

At school, Mike was part of an alternative program that allowed him to catch up on the credits he needed to graduate. While in this program, Mike was staying with his dad and didn't go to school for two weeks, leading to Leslie being charged with truancy. When she found out, she took matters into her own hands and made sure that she got Mike back on track.

At school, Mike was part of an alternative program that allowed him to catch up on the credits he needed to graduate. While in this program, Mike was staying with his dad and didn't go to school for two weeks, leading to Leslie being charged with truancy. When she found out, she took matters into her own hands and made sure that she got Mike back on track.

Leslie doubled down on her expectations. She remembers talking to the principal, Ms. White.

Leslie doubled down on her expectations. She remembers talking to the principal, Ms. White.

Mike Mike graduated from Normandy High School in the spring of 2014. Leslie was beyond proud. Things were finally starting to feel right, to feel good. Leslie was married, working a job that she enjoyed doing, that she was good at. Her kids were thriving. Mike's health issues were under control. And he had just graduated from high school.

Mike Mike graduated from Normandy High School in the spring of 2014. Leslie was beyond proud. Things were finally starting to feel right, to feel good. Leslie was married, working a job that she enjoyed doing, that she was good at. Her kids were thriving. Mike's health issues were under control. And he had just graduated from high school.