Make Lemonade

LaVaughn takes Jolly to her “Steam Class” (86) at school, and Jolly is nervous because she hasn’t been to school since she dropped out three years ago, to have Jeremy. They take Jeremy and Jilly with them, and when they arrive at the high school, Jolly tries to hide her nerves behind “stuck-up snobbery” (86). They drop the kids off in the school’s daycare, and Jolly is impressed by how “simple” it is to leave her children in a clean, safe place for a while (87).

LaVaughn explains that Steam Class was originally Self-Esteem Class. Then the teacher told her students to “BE YOURSELF” and “work up a good head of steam,/and nobody’ll knock you around” (88), and her advice was so popular that the school officially changed the class’s name. When Jolly and LaVaughn arrive, the teacher announces that the word of the day is “capable,” and everyone has to say what they’re capable of. Jolly goes “stiff” (89) with unease as the students speak. LaVaughn says she is “‘capable of giving Jilly a good bath’” (90), and the teacher tells Jolly she doesn’t have to speak because she’s a guest.