The brown serious nuns did not protect me from the middle school bullies. In fact, I think they made matters worse. In any case, middle school was - for me and many of us - a truly unhappy time. However, much like living through cancer, middle school strengthened me, shaped my personality and caused me to lose my hair. It's true about the hair but that's another story.As a result of being fired in the middle school kiln, I entered high school with a different attitude. I would no longer be bullied. I didn't even realize I had this new "take no guff" attitude until a girl in the high school restroom tried to rob me and a new friend.
"Are you kidding? You obviously don't know who you're messing with," I said in a clear, calm voice as I began to back the would-be bathroom felon toward the door. "I'll give you one chance to get out of here or I wouldn't want to be you." She turn and fled in terror. My new friend looked at me like I was an alien and perhaps I was but I knew in that moment that I was a new person.
I only attended that particular high school for one year but I owe them a lot. As a result of my new attitude I shed my previously shy approach and began meeting people with a new confidence. I performed in school plays and competed in Original Comedy through the Drama Club. My best performance remains the one in the bathroom.
I share this story because I've been invited back to that high school for Career Day. I think I'll visit that particular bathroom. If I should meet a genie there who offers me a choice between reliving middle school or being diagnosed with cancer again, which fire should I choose?
