awful　that　“that　cute　little　girl”　had　held　my　hand。

She　thought　I　should　make　friends　with　her。　“I　thought

you　liked　soccer；　honey。　Why　don't　you　go　out　there　and　kick　the　ball　around？”

Because　I　didn't　want　to　be　kicked　around；　that's　why。　And　although　I　couldn't　say　it　like　that

at　the　time；　I　still　had　enough　sense　at　age　seven　and

a　half　to　know　that　Juli　Baker　was　dangerous。

Unavoidably　dangerous；　as　it　turns　out。　The　minute　I　walked　into　Mrs。　Yelson's　second…grade

classroom；　I　was　dead　meat。　“Bryce！”　Juli　squeals。

“You're　here。”　Then　she　charges　across　the　room　and　tackles　me。

Mrs。　Yelson　tried　to　explain　this　attack　away　as　a　“wele　hug；”　but　man；　that　was　no　hug。

That　was　a　front…line；　take…'em…down　tackle。　And　even

though　I　shook　her　off；　it　was　too　late。　I　was　branded　for　life。　Everyone　jeered；　“Where's　your

girl　friend；　Bryce？”　“Are　you　married　yet；　Bryce？”　And

then　when　she　chased　me　around　at　recess　and　t