I am Robert Joseph Anderson, but most call me Rob. The past football season was my last. The Coach had me at 135 pounds playing tackle, which translated ‘no future in football.’ I practiced all season, often scrimmaging against our varsity defensive tackle who was an inch shorter and weighed 211 pounds. I played for the junior varsity team; I only played two plays on offense, two on defense, and a bit more on special teams. That was not for one game but for the whole season.

I was picked on at school now and then by various bullies. I knew it was not as much as others, partially because I was fast, in good condition, and would hit back. My biggest nemesis was Dane Munster, it should have been Dane Monster Incorporated. He was some forty pounds heavier than me and had no less than two goons with him at all times.

Our school like everywhere else has an anti-bullying policy, but that ended with a piece of paper. Vice-Principal Miller was the head of the discipline. Who, for unknown reasons, would not discipline Dane and company unless they’d bother particular girls of good standing. Boys were supposed to be able to speak up or protect themselves. Speaking up and following the rules was no help.

My Dad was a well-respected doctor and my mother was an instructor at a nearby community college. Neither would use their good standing in the community to garner favors at our school. I have three older sisters: Shannon, Sierra, and Sonja; who were very bright academically and well-behaved at school. Only Sonja was still in high school. She spent much of her time at the community college taking college courses for credit since they were paid for by our high school.

There was a day that little went my way. It was the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Football for us was over two weeks ago. Dane and three of his friends jumped me going home from school on Monday.

Dane was upset with me because he wanted to date Anne and he wanted me to leave her alone. She wanted no part of him and he knew it. He blamed it on me because I was one of her friends and we often talked together.

I knew Dane would be upset with me again on Tuesday and I decided I was ready for him. I had put my coat into my locker and taken out my books and stuff for my morning classes. I guess I made the mistake of saying, “Hi” to Anne who has the locker next to me.

Dane and his friends shoved me into the lockers sending my books and computer to the floor. Where they were kicked them some more. He must have expected me to pick them up before I threatened him and he would threaten me again. I was already angry and upset when I came to school, knowing he’d be after me. I knew I could get in trouble for planning to strike back, but I had had it.

I ran at Dane put a shoulder into his ribs and slammed him against the lockers on the other side of the hall. But the thud was different and I knew something more had happened. Therese Jeters had walked into our path and was hurt.

Everyone, I mean everyone, likes Therese and I’m no exception. I quickly gave up the notion of fighting and knelt apologizing to her and tried to help. Dane kicked me, someone hit me on the head. But when they heard Vice-Principal Miller was coming they got lost.

I had a cut on my hand that left a smudge on Therese’s face as VP Miller pulled me away. “Okay Bobbie Jo, I see you got someone hurt this time.” He let someone else get the nurse to take care of Therese. I was taken to the office, read the riot act, and given two weeks of detention with the possibility of suspension. Fortunately, that was up to Principal Evans to decide about anyone being suspended.

I felt bad that Therese had gotten hurt, and knowing I was part of the cause made it worse. But I grew angrier and upset when VP Miller wouldn’t hear anything I said about Dane first attacking me, nor would he ask others. I did poorly on a quiz I had during the second period of classes. I had lost my history homework when I fell against my locker. My friend Ray had gotten my books and computer but decided not to waste his time on the scattered papers. That too would cost me a poor grade for that day.

Even lunchtime was not good. No one would sit with me because I hurt Therese.

Finally, the school day ended and I was up to the detention room to start my punishment. I received a note to take home that my parents were to come with me to school early in the morning. That meant I most certainly would receive a more severe punishment. I could accept that if it meant Dane’s to be severely disciplined as well.

When the roll was called for detention, I became upset and grunted because Dane wasn’t on the detention list. The teacher Ms. Hughes told me, “You be quiet Rob Anderson. You have no room to say something after what you did!”

I was silently steaming inside when I saw Dane through the doorway to the hall. He and his friend Ted both made faces. Ted called me by the Vice-Principal's pet name for me. “Bobbi-Jo! Bobbi-Jo! Bobbi Jo, can you come out to play? …They left when Ms. Hughes went to see who it was. Moments later they were back, “Hey Bobbi-Jo we have a dolly for the baby to play with.”

Ms. Hughes told me to cool down, but I never liked being called a ‘baby’. I grabbed the desk and rose a little from my seat. The teacher said, “Rob, sit down; you don’t want to get into more trouble.”

While she was talking Dane motioned with his hands for me to come and fight him. I was okay until he called, “Chicken, chicken!” while Ted Jenkins imitated one.

That got me standing again but not yet moving toward the door. That was when Ms. Hughes said, “Sit down and do as I say!”

I yelled, “You need to tell Dane and his friends to do the same.”

“I sent a note to the office. They’re not our problem, you’re the one who caused all your trouble today.” Dane and Ted were clucking like chickens, and I finally had it and made it for the door. Ms. Hughes with an extra serious tone of voice, “Do not go out that door, young man. Sit like a good boy and fold your hands!”

I ran out the door and looked down the hall but Dane and the others had disappeared. I was in the hall and thought I could hear them, maybe in the boy’s room. Vice Principal Miller appeared at one stairway and as I turned to go the other direction teachers, Jones and Hansen were heard coming up the other stairway. I bolted for the double doors to the gymnasium. There was an exit and stairs at the other end of the gym.

Cheerleaders were practicing and there were pom-poms as well as basketballs in my way. I about tripped over one basketball, so I picked it up and threw it, and kicked another toward the bleachers. The bleachers were stacked up and the basketball should have only bounced off. But one throw was a bit wild and hit Anne before it hit the bottom of the bleachers. The bleachers had not been tied up as they should have been.

Anne was in the way as they started to fall forward. It was a small section and I knew if I caught it early I could handle it. Which is what I did, but my hand had torn on a jagged edge. Mary and Sharon were there to help Anne. Sharon yelled at me, “You set it down Rob, and don’t move.”

I quickly went to Anne. Sandra hit my good hand away, “You had already hurt Therese, wasn’t that enough?” I was surprised as I touched Anne’s cheek that she was passed out.

Someone noticed my surprise and said, “That will happen when you knock someone down and they hit their head on a hard floor.”

VP Miller quickly arrived, grabbed my arm, and pulled me away, “Nice going Bobbie Jo, now you’re mine and you’re in big trouble.” The school nurse was summoned, but soon there were the sounds of sirens. I could tell it was both the police and the ambulance.

Miller yapped, “That better not be for us! This is a school problem and I have it under control.”

Cyndi spoke up, “I called them, as Anne needs the ambulance. And the police need to take care of the problems you helped to create.”

Principal Evans had arrived, “That is okay Cyndi. You did what you thought was best.” The medics were soon there checking on Anne. They decided to take her to the hospital for observation and further checking.

Two police officers were there asking questions, first of others, then Principal Evans, Mr. Miller, and finally of me. Officer Marcy Hagen said, “It looks like you have problems with anger and girls young man. So which sparked your temper, girls, or your anger?”

I said, “You got it wrong; I’m the one who has problems with bullies.”

Marcy asks, “You’re small, but I didn’t hear of either of these girls bullying you around. Which one is supposedly the bully?”

I said, “It was Dane Munster. It’s been brewing for a long time; this time it started yesterday and I was ready for him this morning. They pushed me; I went to slam him into a locker and Therese Jeters got hurt when she walked behind him. Just now Dane and company were teasing me from outside the detention room when I went after them.”

Mr. Miller interjected, “Dane and his friends weren’t seen anywhere.”

Marcy asks, “So how did that lead you to hurt a cheerleader in the gym here? Did you throw the ball trying to hit this Dane person?”

I knew it wasn’t coming out right again. “No he disappeared and Vice-Principal Miller was trying to catch me for being outside of detention.”

Sargent Marcy said, “So instead of going back into the detention room you came in here to throw a basketball at a cheerleader.”

I said, “I know that is what it looks like, but I was trying to get to the outside exit.”

Officer Frank, came back in, “I checked in with the teacher in the detention room. She said, yes, Robert was there and left after he had problems with someone outside the room. She didn’t see whoever it was, and most of the time didn’t even hear anyone.”

VP Miller was asked about Dane and why he wasn’t in trouble from this morning. “Well, it didn’t make sense that Dane did anything wrong. It’s more likely little Bobby here had decided to surprise Dane by ramming him into the lockers and didn’t care who else was hurt.”

Finally, Principal Evans spoke up again. “I know Sargent Marcy and Officer Rogers that you had been called into this problem. Before you react or decide what you should do. Would you wait? I’ve already sent a note, as well as called Dr. and Mrs. Anderson to be here the first thing in the morning before 8:00 a.m. I’m wondering if you could wait to see what we do.”

They agreed with the Principal but asked me, “What was worth the trouble you got into today? Once you were out of the room and you didn’t see the guys you wanted. Robert, it was two female students that got seriously hurt. The other guy is only mentioned by you.”

“What bothers me, is I like both the girls as friends.”

Officer Marcy Haggen talks to Rob like a sage giving advice, “I’d suggest you take responsibility for the girls being hurt and show some respect to these young women.” Something in what she said resonated as my anger dissipated for now.

Marcy says, “From my asking around, I hear part of the hurt from female students is you usually were better than most guys. It hurt them more because they felt you turned on them.”

“Yeah, I have three sisters, and both these girls I consider friends,” I said. “I would never purposely hurt them.”

Marcy told me, that she was driving him home so I didn’t get into any more trouble today. I responded, “Then you’ll have to stay until my folks get home. Because I’m going to be in plenty of trouble then.”

No sooner had I gone into the house and my youngest sister was there to speak to me. Sonja said, “What’s with the police giving you a ride home? Did you do something more after you hurt Therese this morning?”

“Yeah, I went out of my way and hurt Anne Evans!” I announced. “Mom and Dad need to go with me to the school tomorrow. I’ll probably be suspended by the school and maybe even face assault charges from the police.”

My Mom, Saris, came through the back door coming home from work. Saris’s frustration could be heard but she was holding her temper at bay, “What were you thinking Rob?”

“Truth is Mom, I wasn’t thinking. I was so mad at Dane Munster. He was so rotten yesterday and he started it again today. If Therese hadn’t stepped in back of Dane I’d have slammed and hurt him for a change. I didn’t intend to hurt Therese, I didn't know she was there; I couldn’t stop soon enough.”

“At least, I stayed around and tried to help her. I didn’t run as Dane did.”

Mom says, “And you have gotten off to a good start in school this year. That might get ruined if you get suspended. Why in the world, did you mess it up more by leaving detention? I heard you took your frustration out on sweet Anne Evans. Why!”

Sonja said “Mom? You and Dad have to come up with something good if Robbie’s not to be suspended!”

Mom asked, “How is Anne Evans related to Principal Evans?”

Sonja said, “I’m not sure they are; I know she’s not Anne’s mom. Principal Evans’ youngest graduated two, no, three years ago. I was a freshmyn when Patricia was a senior.”

My cell phone rang and I automatically answered it. Mom quickly told me to hang it up and stay off the phone. However, Anne Evans was on the other end. “Robbie this is Anne don’t hang up.”

“Mom, it’s Anne Evans; she wants to talk to me.” He paused for his Mom’s permission. “Sorry Anne, I didn’t mean to hurt anyone. How are you?”

Anne says, “I’m okay but I have a terrible headache. I’m staying overnight here at the hospital. They’ll probably tell me I can’t cheer any come Friday.”

“I couldn’t believe it when you hurt Therese. Getting Dane wasn’t worth that… When I saw you, I knew you were out of detention too early. I watched you kick the one basketball and scatter the pom poms. I didn’t see the last basketball coming toward me. I did hear it hit those dumb bleachers and hoped I wasn’t close to them. I’m glad you made sure; they didn’t come crashing down on me. I hear two teammates may have helped.”

“You are in big trouble, but I can’t believe you intended any of this. Even the girls that came to see me agreed with me. You’re one boy who we usually count on to be nice.”

Sonja speaks up in the background hoping to be heard. “Anne, he didn’t mean to hurt anyone. Do you have any ideas to keep him from getting suspended?”

“Your sister’s asking me for help?”

I replied, “I’m sorry! She shouldn’t be asking you. I’ve gotten myself into this mess. I need to either think of something myself or take the punishment.”

Anne laughs at the other end, “If you help yourself anymore. A girl will end up dead and you’ll get the death penalty.”

I raised my hands to hide that I was fighting back tears. I heard Anne and my Mom asking if Anne was still on the phone. “Don’t forget your manners, Robert Anderson, in talking to her. You should at least say you're sorry before ending your conversation properly.”

I'm reaching for the phone to talk, when I hear, “I’ll think about it. If I think of something, someone will get back to your sister.” Anne hung up.

I said to my Mom, “She said something about someone getting back at me. I guess I burnt my bridges behind me this time.

We ordered a pizza after Dad got home, but no one had an appetite. Four of us ate five of eight pieces.

Dad was doubly hurt being disappointed and angry with me as he was to perform surgery in the morning. Most of all he was angry and worried about me. “Robbie, did I put too much pressure on you? Should I have spoken up for you before this?”

I was apologizing to my parents, sulking, and taking the blame for what happened. Dad’s trying to take the blame only made me feel guiltier.

Officer Marcy Haggen stopped by after seven o’clock to make sure my parents knew the severity of what had happened. She said, “I will be there tomorrow morning at the school. The Chief wants to make sure this is taken care of. If the Evans girl or Therese Jeters aren’t satisfied; they’ll have the option of seeking civil charges.

It was after eight when someone called, but my sister didn’t recognize the voice. The person said, “Maybe if Rob dressed as a sailor and became the basketball girls’ team mascot.”

Sonja asked, “Rob what would you think about becoming a mascot for the Girls’ Basketball team.”

I readily agreed, “Yea.” But that was before I heard the request to be a woman sailor in her dress blues.

Mom said, “That would be fitting.” Dad, a former medic sailor, said, “If you do that you’ll have to make yourself a respectable mascot. You can’t be joking about it and be in a navy uniform.”

Sonja said, “Your skirt would have to be reasonably short so you could cheer, jump, and do all the cheering motions to excite and rally our fans. But the skirt must be long enough to be respectable so you won’t be making fun of them.”

Mom hurries to say, “This is a great idea and it might keep you from being suspended.”

Chapter 2 is coming…