MY FOSTER CARE TEACHER BELIEVED I COULD BECOME A DOCTOR—YEARS LATER, SHE HANDED ME SOMETHING THAT BROKE ME COMPLETELY

than anything else in the room. After the ceremony ended and classmates rushed off for photos and celebrations, she waited patiently near the edge of the hall. When I reached her, she smiled softly and said, “I’m so proud of you.” Then she reached into her bag and handed me a perfectly folded white coat.

The moment I touched it, I realized it wasn’t continue reading …