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