It Ain't Me, I Ain't No Millionaire's Son...

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Being hungry really sucks! And I've been there. Not having any money to buy food really sucks! I've been there, too. Not having a father to talk to when you're in high school really sucks, and I've been there and done that, too. That's why, when I was a plumbing instructor at Attleboro High School, I kept a chair next to my desk, facing me, so that if any of my students wanted to talk during or after school hours, they knew I was available. I wasn't just a plumbing instructor.

He was a loner, for the most part, and ridiculed constantly by the so-called "cool kids". In my plumbing shop, I made it clear that every kid would be safe from bullying, that everyone had the right to feel comfortable, and that every student would have an opportunity to learn the plumbing trade.

If I'm being honest, he wasn't a great plumber or student. He mostly kept to himself, but he worked hard and constantly asked me questions. I always gave him good grades because he paid attention, tried, and didn't screw around or cause any trouble.

He had crazy hair, a frizzy mess, and it was clear he wasn't getting it cut at a barber shop. He wore a beat-up old leather jacket and rarely took it off, even in warm weather. I asked him about it once, and he told me it was a hand-me-down that he really liked. I had to respect that.

One Friday afternoon, ten minutes after the final bell, he wandered into the plumbing shop and asked if he could sit down in the chair. I said. "Sure, have a seat. What's up?"

He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly before he said, "Both my parents are disabled. My dad's in a wheelchair, and their disability checks won't be arriving until Monday. We have no money and there's no food in the apartment…"

I felt his pain and realized that it took a lot for him to confide in me. I told him to sit tight, I might be able to help…

I called my wife, who worked for the Attleboro Schools, and her office was in the high school. In addition to all the things she did, and there were many, she also found time to help students in need. I knew she could help, even on a Friday afternoon after the final bell, when teachers and staff were already starting to leave the building.

When I got Susan on the phone, I told her the story and gave her the kid's name. She said she knew him. He qualified for free and reduced lunch and had his breakfast at the school, too. She knew that the food he ate at the school probably helped get him through the week, and that weekends for kids like him could be difficult. There were no free and reduced lunches then.

Susan told me that she might be able to get her hands on a $50 coupon to Stop & Shop, and she'd call me right back. I told him, "Sit tight. My wife's on the job and she's gonna help you…"

A few minutes later, my phone rang. Susan said she was coming down to the plumbing shop, coupon in hand…

She arrived looking as beautiful as ever, with a big smile on her face. When she handed him the $50 coupon, the kid's face lit up. He and his family would be eating over the weekend.

She told him to go to Stop & Shop and pick up items like milk, bread, peanut butter, jelly, and anything else his family could use to get through the weekend until their disability checks arrived on Monday. 

Susan lived for moments like that, times when she could help students and families in need. And she never hesitated to do it.

When he left the plumbing shop, there was a little bounce in his step, one that wasn't present when he walked in. 

After that, every time he came to class with crazy hair, wearing that beat-up old leather jacket, I fully understood where he was coming from and what he was dealing with. 

That was seven years ago. I really hope his situation has improved and he and his family are eating well…

It ain't me, it ain't me
I ain't no millionaire's son, no, no
It ain't me, it ain't me
I ain't no fortunate one, no