Rewrite of The Bully (By: Roger Dean Kiser)

This is a rewrite of an original by Roger Dean Kiser, it is rewritten from the point of view of Tony.

We did this originally for school but I think that my rewrite of the story turned out pretty good so I decided to share it with all of you!

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It was Thursday afternoon, just between breakfast and lunch, about the time of brunch. My wife, Barbara, and I headed to the Huddle House restaurant in Brunswick, Georgia like we do every Thursday after she finishes her half day shift at the nursery she works at. As I was enjoying my usual order, a country sausage platter with a side of hash browns and scrambled eggs, I was struck by a familiar face, after a couple of seconds I realized it was Roger Kiser from Landon High School in Jacksonville, Florida, he actually grew much stronger! I used to bully him back in the time when I was able to. I couldn’t have possibly “walked up to him” not just because I can’t really do that but also because I would not expect him to even listen to me. If I was in his place and I recognized myself I would already be out of this place! I don’t think he noticed me, he seemed to be still thinking about whether to order breakfast or lunch, I have already been through that once and twice! I guess I was just too embarrassed so I decided to send my wife over.

Barbara walked up to him and touched his shoulder. He looked up and turned to the side.

"Is your name Roger by any chance?" she asked him.

He replied with confusion, "Yes, Roger Kiser”

She said pointing at me "My name is Barbara and my husband is Tony," as I smiled and waved.

He didn’t seem like he could recognize me, my wife obviously noticed that so she asked, "Does the name Tony Claxton ring a bell? Tony from Landon High School in Jacksonville, Florida?"

"I'm really sorry. The name doesn't ring a bell." He said.

It seemed really weird, I mean I easily recognized him but he didn’t seem to even remember my name.

My wife then apologized for disturbing him and came back to our table. “Are you sure that is him?” she asked.

“Yes, I am sure. I can recognize him anywhere and anytime,” I replied

“If that’s what you think, then I believe you,” she answered after taking a sip of water.

I noticed Roger turning around every once in a while, he was maybe starting to recognize me but I didn’t really care anymore. I was chatting with my wife when I saw him staring at us and looking like he was starting to remember something. I also started to get kind of embarrassed because of what I had done to him in the past. Now I realized that I have very badly bullied him. Thankfully his order was being served so he turned to face the counter where he was seated. It was he perfect timing plus I had ordered the check to pay so I was getting ready to leave anyways. The check came and as I was paying my wife went and started unfolding my wheelchair. I struggled to get on the seat as usual but finally got on it after a couple of tries.

My wife pushed me all the way out to our large van which had a wheelchair loader located in the side door of the vehicle and closed the glass door, as usual it banged very loudly and I saw Roger look back. He noticed me on the wheelchair, and he looked confused. The very stupid loader got stuck like it does sometimes but I can’t really blame it, it is indeed rusty and old! I didn’t expect this but as Roger watched my wife struggle to bring down the wheel chair loader, he paid for his meal quickly, walked over and asked if he can help. My wife told him how kind that would be. He really helped I emphasize, he rolled the chair over to the passenger door and locked the brakes on my wheelchair. “OK. Arms around the neck Dude," he said as he reached down and grabbed me around the waist and very carefully raised me up into the passenger seat of the van. I asked him one question, "You remember. Don't you?"

And his answer was very simple, “Yes.”

“I bet you are now thinking what goes around comes around, is that what you felt back in the orphan home?” I said with a soft voice.

His reply made me feel really bad, “I would never think that Tony. Almost, but you are very lucky, at least you have someone that loves and cares about you,” he said as he reached for his pocket

He handed me a card with his home telephone number and told me to give him a call some time. Now I regret every single time I ever bullied him, I could see him looking at our van as we left the district, I am sure I will end up calling him, he probably is my only friend left from high school.

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Moral: try to be nice to everyone, and I know this saying is quite cliche since its been said so many times but "treat people the same way you want to be treated"

I do understand that forgiving is so much easier that forgetting, but give people a chance. But beware of those who you give a chance and blow it away. Don't be fooled, be smart about who you trust. Even though you want to be kind and forgiving our work is full of people who aren't very trustworthy and break promises.

After many heart-breaks, and betrayals, people constantly ask, "Why is it so hard to trust people?". Your reply should always be, "Why is it so hard to keep a promise?".