My Best Bully Story

When I was in 5th grade, there was this kid named Rafael. He was the terror of the playground. He intimidated everyone and had the size to back up his harrassment. One of his favorite targets was the smallest boy in our class, Cameron. One winter day when we were playing dodgeball, Rafael was being particularly mean to Cameron, stealing his hat, pushing him on the ground and verbally harassing him. He had Cameron crying. For whatever reason, I decided that I had seen enough. I was tired of Rafael and his attitude. I hollared over to him, "Hey, Rafael, lay off of him." He replied with an astonished look on his face, "What did you say?" "I said lay off him."

This was major. I had just challenged the order of the universe. I knew I was in trouble, but it's one of those times when you just don't care. I just hated the way Rafael treated people, especially the weaker ones. He was a jerk. Rafael was on his way over to see me now, with a menacing look on his face. When he got near me, he started to say something, but before he finished, I grabbed him and threw him to the ground. It was a surprise attack and the 100 or so kids on the playground stood there in shock. And a circle formed immediately in anticipation of a fight. And indeed there was one. And, as it turned out, it was a pretty even match and, as I recall, there was a lot more wrestling than there were punches thrown. It was one of the few times in my life that I did something truly brave but I did pay dearly for it, suffering the wrath of Rafael and his punk friends for the rest of the year. But, when I look back on the whole thing, I still think it was worth it because I remember Cameron coming up to me later in the day with this grateful expression on his face saying "thanks, man.....that was so cool." I wish I had more of that bravery on an everyday basis. I know too many times in my life I have looked the other way. But not that day.........