And if I don't try, I'll always wonder. Janet looked between her son and Harrington, her face showing the terrible weight of the decision. Finally, she spoke. I'm not pulling him out of regular school.
I'm just not. But, she took a breath. I'll support him homeschooling 2 days a week if he can keep his grades up and if he makes time for at least some normal activities. Deal. Deal. Marcus said immediately. Mrs. Williams, there's one more thing. Harrington hesitated, clearly uncomfortable.
Money. Marcus needs access to better practice facilities, better instruments. He needs to attend summer intensives, which have tuition and living costs. He needs proper concert attire for performances.
These things add up quickly. I can work more hours, Janet began. No. Harrington held up a hand. That's not what I'm suggesting.
What I'm suggesting is that we apply for scholarships and grants. There are resources available for talented students from underserved communities. And he paused. The Harrington Foundation is prepared to offer Marcus a scholarship covering all necessary expenses related to his musical education. Marcus's eyes widened. Janet's did, too. Why would you do that? Janet asked suspiciously.
What's the catch? No catch. Just Harrington struggled for words. Maybe a realization that I've been part of a system that makes this career path unnecessarily difficult for students who don't have money.
I can't change the entire system, but I can help one student navigate it if you'll let me. Janet stared at him for a long moment. You really believe he can make it? This isn't just some experiment or some way to look good for those documentaries.
Mrs. Williams, I've taught piano for twenty-five years. I've worked with hundreds of students. Most of them were talented. Some were exceptional.
But Marcus has something rare. He has talent, yes, but he also has perspective. He understands what music means because it's meant something to him beyond just achievement or career. That understanding combined with his work ethic.
Yes, I believe he can make it. I wouldn't be investing this time and money if I didn't. Janet wiped her eyes then. I guess we're doing this.
The next six months transformed Marcus's life in ways he couldn't have imagined. Homeschooling 2 days a week gave him more practice time, but it also isolated him further from his peers at regular school. The friends he'd had started drifting away. They had less and less in common, and Marcus simply didn't have time for hanging out.