I don’t think of that story much and almost never tell it. The moral of the story about Gene is that I’m brave now and can solve my own problems. The moral of the story about Kenny is that you should tell a trusted adult and they will help solve your problem, which doesn’t fit most people’s definition of bravery. But while the story about Gene is more glamorous, I probably made the right move with Kenny too. If I’d told him off, I don’t think he would have said “You’re alright, kid” before quietly turning his attention to a geometry proof. He would have kicked my ass.
Which, come to think of it, would have made for a pretty good story.
So next time, let me tell you about how I learned to take a punch from this kid who had a steel plate in his head: it made me into the brave upstander that I am today, even more so than the fight in math class that never happened.
HVWP COMMONPLACE 37
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