Class: A Memoir of Motherhood, Hunger, and Higher Education

Emilia, the author Stephanie Land’s daughter, arrives for her first day of kindergarten. With wide eyes, Emilia watches her peers running around with excitement. Emilia was so excited that she did not go to bed until very late and wore her first day of school outfit to bed. She is wearing a bright leotard with a maroon zip up hoodie that says University of Montana.

Emilia does not want a hug of reassurance from her mother. She is very disappointed because a few days prior, she said goodbye to her dad, Jamie. Stephanie tells the reader that when she became pregnant seven years ago, Jamie became more abusive and wanted her to get an abortion. Jamie’s time with his daughter is limited because of his history of domestic violence. Jamie has been a disappointing dad to Emilia. He promised that she could visit him for a month over the summer, but he was clearly not prepared to care for a seven-year-old. Despite knowing that Jamie is physically and emotionally abusive and lives in a house with several other people where Emilia is forced to share a bed with someone, Stephanie allowed her daughter to stay with her father.