As I finished telling my mom the story of how I got my very own probation officer, I really thought she would laugh about it. Instead, she just looked at me, shaking her head. “Don’t you see, Mom? It really wasn’t my fault!” I told her. “The cops are just bored bullies that had nothing better to—” “So because of your mouth and your drinking, you’re now a felon?” she cut me off.

