Psychopaths Regret Nothing
Were you bullied in school once, weekly or daily? My 8th grade bully sat 2nd row, last desk. Taller than David Whitson and wider than Santos Rivera, Edwina Prescott was right behind me.
The design of our old-style floor bolted desks gave Edwina the perfect target, my butt. I don't know why it started but Edwina Prescott and her protractor point were relentless. There was no way to combat her unseen poking without calling attention to myself. If you've never been subject to Catholic Elementary School disciplinary threats, you have no idea what I risked when I turned and whispered, "Stop it!" Her quiet response was a protractor poke.
Annoyed, distracted and sore, I couldn't endure another week of torture. When Sister John turned from erasing the blackboard, I raised my hand and slowly approached her. Quietly, calmly I explained my plight and asked if I could change my seat? "No, do you think you're in a restaurant?" Puzzled, I returned to my seat remembering the only time I'd been to a restaurant. I'd climbed the dank stairs to Chop Suey* on Fulton St. at Franklin Ave. and never ordered Egg Fu Yung again.
Six rows of eyes watch me sulk back down the aisle and slide into my desk. When I offered nothing else to see, as if on cue all eyes turned away. I considered a swift back hand to Edwina's big smirky grin. That satisfaction would leave me subject to suspension and my straight A "conduct" record besmirched. I couldn’t defend myself against Edwina’s protractor point poking. It continued until…I imagine it ceased to entertain her. My bully's ability to inflict harm extended as far as I allowed and Sister John ignored. I don’t know if she intimidated anyone else, protractor or no. After graduation big back Edwina shrank shadow thin to occasionally haunt my hall of would a, could a, should a.
I marvel at (and possibly envy?) those who give no thought to “authority” or consequences. My big faced, broad backed, buxom 8th grade nemesis was a child out of control. Was she emotionally disturbed, chemically unbalanced or just living her best life?
Edwina Prescott didn’t call me a racial slur, knock me to the ground or punch me in the stomach. She never spray-painted graffiti like KKK, kill all blacks, H^il Hitler or niqqer**. From elementary school to the day he died Austin Metcalf did ALL THESE THINGS AND MORE, yet his physically intimidating character and chronic anti-social behavior was NOT allowed as evidence at Karmelo Anthony’s trial for defending himself against a notorious bully. Would a, could a, should a.
*Yes that was the real name!
**You know what these are.
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Amazing how we remember the names of our bullies. Love your photo. See you at Pangea on 9/19.