Fighting Time

Remembering the first time someone twice my size wouldn't quit pinching me during high school freshman basketball lay-up practice... told him to stop (like or what, I'm gonna beat him up). Anyway, the third time popped my cork, and with a swift rotation I stuck my fist through his belly button... so he couldn't breath for a bit, but he never bothered me again. I'm 14, tall and skinny. Only muscle and bone, (still can't float) with an attitude.

2nd time I hit someone was the fat boys friend, he musta missed the 1st and 2nd warning. I and a friend were in the ticket line for a high school basketball game. Didn't know I could be so 'pissed off' about being harrassed. My mind went black again, and I slugged him in the jaw, he landed on his ass and slid 8 or more feet up against the wall. Shook his head, rubbed his jaw... and nobody 'pissed' me off for a couple of years...

3rd time, a supposed friend...... don't know how it started, (best guess, I'm a lawn mower kid who delivers papers am/pm and a country route, and his dad owns a grocery store, and I had a brand NEW '61 Plymouth Fury (1960) anyway he popped me in the parking lot, in the eye with his ring finger, I did instantly know that I would have a black eye. So I popped him in the nose, now his eyes are watering and he's gonna kick my ass, trouble is.. I popped in the nose again, still swinging but can't touch me.. cursing and whatever, he's after me again.... 3rd pop in the nose, I ask him if he's had enough... he did decide it was time to go to class. He looks ok after his eyes quit watering, I still have a black eye.

Mind you, this is 1959, in a small Nebraska town. I was one of 9 boys in my class of 15. I was the only one who really had to work for any income. Everybody else got allowances for chores accomplished, and owned the farm or whatever later...

I know this is getting long, but the last time I was punched was in basic training in San Antonio, 1961. USAF

I'm in a barracks with 56 guys, double bunked, mine on top... and some dude from New York City (me a farmtown kid of 18) starts picking on the shortest kid I've seen in the Military. I was spit-shining my boots and tired of his BS, yelled out... leave him alone, pick on someone your own size. Not only did he have a big mouth, he was 6'2" and 190 something... found me and my big mouth, picked me up slugged me in the eye... (another black eye) but, it got quiet after that and we all slept good.

Next morning back in roll call formation, the Drill Instructor goes down the ranks, comes to me and ask's me... 'what happened to your eye' ... instinct was instant, "I ran into a door knob". No further questions.

Later that day, this giant comes up to me and says... You were only one to stand up to me, and I come from the Bronk's. AND added, if there is any place you want to go on this base, or in the city, I will BACK U UP. And He did. Called, No Fear!!

He became an Air Policeman, I went to electronic tech school, and taught the teachers.