Bully No More

Reference: Episode of Fraiser- Seat of Power

This episode reminded me of me of one time meeting my childhood bully as an adult. I was at the courthouse with a client waiting to enter the courtroom when I heard a long distance voice bellowing angrily. From the recesses of my mind came the hellish memory of being tormented by this kid after getting off the bus daily.

I watched as he walked away from a security guard and walked past me. I called his name and he stopped. Turning to me,  he asked ‘Do I know you?’ I stood and shook his hand. I told him we attended the same school. I told him my name somewhat hoping he’d remember our mutual past. He stood thinking for a short moment. ‘Hey! I remember you!’ he smiled. ‘You were that cool kind in school. You played drums and was a great artist. I remember you, you were cool, we were friends right?’

I stood there with a childhood desire to confront him about our past. But I didn’t. I realized his past had been horrid and he had no way of understanding his anger as an adolescent in the middle of his family trauma. I put out my hand once more and told him I was happy to see him again after all these years. He hugged me instead and also said he was happy to have met again. Adolescence had a moment and recovered from its past. I spent the rest of the day with a smile and a great memory.