EIGHT

YOUNGER YEARS

June 24, 2008

Now that you’ve brought-up the subject of “me getting picked on” it’s funny how I still remember you never appreciated when I followed you around. But I didn’t anyway because that’s just what little brothers do. Even though I shadowed you all the time, you were still there for me Big Brother, to protect me in my time of need. And back then I needed your protection through “all four seasons of the year.”

As a young child I was “the timid one” out of the two of us. I’ve had plenty of time to “analyze our childhood” and I believe it was my shy demeanor that caused me to be held-back in Kindergarten. In my defense, it just seems like I was always picked-on by someone in our family, then in school, for no apparent reason. This was why I became increasingly attached to our mother after my “lake accident.” Although I’ve used the term “overbearing” in the letters I wrote you, I wouldn’t change the way things went down.

I still remember that first day of Kindergarten when they had to actually “pry me off of our mother’s leg” after she told me she’d be returning home, and was leaving me at school for a few hours. It didn’t matter to me that she’d promised to be back because she’d told me before leaving our house in the morning that we were going to school to “just look around.” So untrue.

It was hard for me to find refuge behind “torn grape leaves that use to protect my heart.” This was when you started referring to me as being “A Mama’s Boy!” The funny thing, Liz still calls me this from time to time because she knows how close we are to this very day. When I hear this it doesn’t bother me on bet.

Our mother always came to my rescue whenever anyone started picking on me. She would suddenly show-up all wide eyed and clinched fisted. And when she did this, I’d imagine “puffs of smoke coming out of her ears and nose.” It also reminded me of the way Mrs. Mossesian use to look at Mr. Mossesain when he’d forgotten to take-off his “dirty work boots” after working in their garden. These were the two women in our young lives that instantly let you know they meant business just by giving you their “patented looks.”

This was the time in our lives our mother referred to us as being “Her Little Angels.” We’d hear her say things like “Are you guys picking on my little angels again?! You better stop it right now or else!” If you think about it, we were innocent back, and our eyes were just opening to the world around us. It was pretty entertaining grown-up in a family like ours.

Everyone found it so humorous anytime our mother would come to my rescue. I’d complain whenever someone pulled my hair, ears, or called me names, and our mother would appear “in a heartbeat.” After hearing me cry she’d quickly come my defense and say to “stop pinching my baby rolls.” Of course, our father would then counter by saying, “No, he’s just a little Chucky Tamale!” All of that “teasing” always turned my face “three shades of red.” I’d then have to hear our father say, “See, I told you so!”

During these “trying times” the only things that calmed me down were our mother’s “secure hugs and supportive kisses.” But then again our mother had this same kind of love for all of her children. After sharing her affection she then always had “the right words to say.” After hearing her words I suddenly found the courage to standup for myself, march right over to everyone who was being mean to me, and say something dumb things like, “My mommy said to stop picking on me or else she’s going to let you guys have it! So ha, ha!”

I remember the time when encountering my first bully in Kindergarten. Even though you use to kid with me something terrible back in the day, you were still always there for me in my time of need. Let me share with you one of these times, only in this explanation, names have been changed to protect “personal identities.” I may also “exaggerate just a smidge,” but it’s only for your personal entertainment. A sense of humor is something no one can ever take away from us.

When you saw me after school on Friday, the first week of school, you quickly noticed this upset look on my face. Even before hearing me speak “a single word” I got the feeling you’d already figured-out something happened to me. Perhaps my “defeated body language” along with my sad look that gave me away? You then walked straight up to me, and asked in this concerned Big Brotherly voice, “Okay, what happened?!” Yes, back then you knew me very well.

After I told you this boy we’d nicknamed “Jolly Green” because he was ten times bigger than everyone in our class, and even bigger than our teacher was giving me a hard time, I could see by the look on “your face” your temperature quickly began to rise. I explanation how everyone found very intimidating because of his big size! Even our teacher was “in fear of retaliation” for confronting him about taking everyone’s brown bag lunches and lunch money in the cafeteria.

So when you heard Jolly Green had taken my brown bag lunch with my favorite “Banana and Peanut-butter Sandwich” that our mother had just packed me that same morning your face suddenly turned this “bright red color” and you reminded me of a “Skinny Tamale” because of your “thin built and always being full of masa.” Ha, I was the “Chunky Red Tamale,” and you were the “Skinny Bright Red Tamale.” What a pair?!

Your eyes got even bigger than Mrs. Mossesian’s when she was letting Mr. Mossesian have it. After seeing your reaction even my friends “suddenly disappeared.” They told me later seeing your eyes and face change the way it did suddenly reminded them of Jolly Green’s right before he’d turn them “upside down by their ankles, and begin to frantically shake the lunch money out of their pockets!” You then asked determined, “Okay, where can I find this Giant? Is he still around?!”

My good friend “Marbles” was the only person still around. He said, “No he’s left already. But I think you can still catch him outside of the school gate where his brother always picks him up!” We wondered if our class’s lunch money was now going to be picked-up on Friday, or if Jolly Green was stashing “his collection” somewhere on School Property.

You saw the bewilderment on Marbles and on my face and told us, “Don’t worry about you guys; we’ll take care of this first thing after school on Monday!” After hearing your words we then found this “calm reassurance.” It was kind of funny how this problem occurred right on Friday the 13th because it was all a “big nightmare.” So I guess that following school day could labeled “Dark Monday” because after school, you stood-up for me and all of my classmates. Together, we confronted “my first bully

Marbles may have “leaked-out insider information” to our classmates about us confronting Jolly after school, but he swears it was only to “our closes friends.” I didn’t tell you back then Bro because I really didn’t want you getting upset with anyone. The “whole truth” was we were all tire of being undernourished and “victimized” by Jolly Green, and they all had the right to know they’d soon be getting “revenge.” Marbles boasted, “Don’t worry! Mike’s Big Brother is going to handle it.”

Many Apples, Oranges, and Peanut Butter/Banana Sandwiches were wagered against School Lunch Tickets and Pocket Change. This “wagering frenzy” continued during our “Short Recess,” and even more during our “Longer Lunch Break.” By the end of School our teacher and Jolly were probably the only ones who didn’t know what was about to “go down.” The suspense was growing into this sort of “monster all its own.”

I still remember how Harry, the school Janitor, happened to come by our classroom to replace our chalkboard erasers when “Short Albert” was busy writing odds on the chalkboard. After looking at each other for a few seconds Harry smiled and wanted to also get into this action because Jolly Green had even taken his “Brown Bag Lunch” in that first day of school. Let me tell you Harry wasn’t pleased getting his favorite “Sardine and Onion Sandwich” taken away from him.

At the end of school we’d planned to meet-up by the “Monkey Bars,” right in front of our Kindergarten Classroom inside the fence. When time finally arrived we both really surprised Jolly Green while leaving, and he noticed us waiting for him. I’ll never forget that “big, dumbfounded look” that took over his face, and how he just stood there, motionless, with his mouth and eyes wide open. He suddenly reminded me of those “Big Mouth Bass” we use to see on those “Fishing Shows” with our father on some Sunday afternoons.

As Jolly stood there “motionless” without anything to say I could see his two giant brown eyes in shock as they peaked through his straight long black bangs that were slightly combed to one side of his head. As the three of us began “sizing him up,” he’d gotten so nervous I remember him taking a couple of puffs from his “Asthma Inhaler” to keep his calm. And that Inhaler was BIG!

Even before anything was said, we suddenly found ourselves entirely surrounded by my entire Kindergarten Class! Why even Harry was in the crowd, and was not giving us the “thumbs up.” Guess they’d all been “blending-in with the hallway shadows” because we hadn’t noticed them up to that point. They were waiting in the forefront to see what was about to “go-down!” Everyone was silently waiting, that is until someone “verbally rang the bell of the first round to begin.” Ha! Does that sound “familiar” to you Big Brother? Like the time someone “verbally sounded the bell” causing Aunt Mercy to start chasing around the middle of our grandparent’s living room!?

Before Jolly could say a word you totally surprised him asking, “Just what’s your problem?!” When he didn’t answer you right away I could tell you then “instantly smelled his fear in the air.” You then continued with, “Why do you wear High-water Pants all of the time?!” Again, there was no reply, or any noise from anyone else for that matter. I them heard “You better stop taking everyone’s lunches money and lunches you big sissy!”

This pale look suddenly over-took his entire big face. Personally, I would have never guessed that you would have received this kind of “reaction!” One of total shock and embarrassment. It’s kind of sad when we all witnessed his giant cheeks slowly turned rosy red. Believe me when I tell you that I had your back, even though my feet suddenly felt as if they were trapped in “quick sand,” but I was there in case you needed me.

It took some nerve when you got right up to Jolly, looked him “straight in his chess” before looking two or three stories up into his eyes. You told him, “If you have a problem with my Little Brother… then that means you have a problem with me!” When hearing this everyone “froze” like I had in quick sand just a few seconds ago. Eager to see what was going to happen next, they were literally hungry to collect on the bets they’d made earlier in the day.

Do you remember what happened next, Big Brother? Nothing happened! This “Hyped Pay Per View Confrontation” surprisingly ended in a “Stalemate!” Wwwhat?!?! No one would have ever guessed this “unexpected outcome,” an outcome that caused an “Economic Recession” for the rest of our school year. But I really didn’t care because you were “my true hero” who always stood-up for me whenever I needed you the most.

Janitor Harry was disappointed witnessing this stalemate. But I think he was most disappointed because he now had to take back that “Sardine and Onion Sandwich Bet!” Ah! He could almost taste Marble’s P/J/Banana Sandwich he’d wagered against. We are just lucky that our mother didn’t pack the same some sort of lunch as Harry’s did.

I still remember how we then both walked from that confrontation with “Myron,” and for some reason I began shaking like some “Little Chihuahua Pup who had suddenly heard a car backfire.” When you noticed me shaking as the disappointed mob was slowly dispersing, you gave me this “right-arm supportive big brother hug,” while standing left of me. Then you placed your right hand on my right shoulder as we walked away together, but my feet felt as they were still in “Cement Shoes.” You pulled me towards you, and whispered, “Don’t worry Little Brother; everything’s going to be alright.”

I believed you until realizing that I’d have to go back to my class without you on Monday Morning. I was now in fear of some sort of retaliation from Jolly Green. You’d put Myron in his place, Big Brother, and this is probably something no one had ever done before. So upon entering my classroom “I cautiously got myself seated while scanning the entire room.” Then “it happened.” If hadn’t witnessed this for myself, I would have never believed Myron was capable of “any change for the better.”

When Myron finally arrived a few seconds before the bell rang, I could clearly hear him as he greeting some of our fellow classmates. as he encountered right after walking inside. And by the time the last bell sounded at the end of our school day no one was referring to Myron as “Jolly Green” any longer. I was hoping that “our confrontation” would somehow have a positive ending, but after seeing Myron’s attitude change “from night to day,” I was at a loss of words.” Let me break-it down for you a little further so you can have a clear idea of what everyone in our classroom witnessed that Surprising Monday Morning.

The first thing I notice when Myron entered our classroom was this big, wide, smile he was wearing on his face as if he’d just won the California State Lottery! Why he wore this smile so sincerely when our teacher saw it, she was now “somewhat less intimidated,” and he was quickly recognized, and not mistaken for a parent dropping-off their child at school. Still, our teacher did “gasped” as she looked-up from her desk to see what was causing this “Sudden Eclipse” over her Daily Attendance Book.

As our teacher then took a “double-look” at Myron new look while trying not to stare, he placed this “Giant Apple” on her desk while slowly widening his already “Big Smile.” The whole class shockingly watched, and clearly heard his deep voice from across the room say, “This is apple is for you. I hope you enjoy it.”

After being thanked, Myron slowly turned around, and began taking “giant steps” towards my school desk after spotted me hunched down in the rear center seat at the back of our classroom. I was trying so hard to hide behind my library book titled “Green Eggs and Ham,” but I could quickly feel the ground and my school desk shake as these earthquake tremors were now get stronger and stronger. You know. Like the original Godzilla Movie when he stomped through town while everyone was screaming?! Ahhhhh!!!!

As I slowly peeked over my book I quickly found that Myron had already made half the distance towards me after only taking about “3-4 giant steps!” So out of “sheer fright” I covered my face once again and started praying “Multiple Hail Mary!” Also prayed, “Please dear Lord, don’t let Myron hurt me. I didn’t do anything wrong to him. It was all my Big Brother’s idea!”

Then the next time I peeked, I noticed the white, button-down shirt Myron was wearing, and how it was neatly tucked-in his freshly ironed Khakis. On the third peek Myron had already gotten “within three giant steps” as I started detected “the scent of fresh starch in the air.” I still couldn’t help but think how “Myron’s Pant Size” quickly reminded me the same sort of “casual pants” our father wore to Sunday Church.

After Myron had taken his last giant step towards me this “full eclipse” suddenly covered me and my “Green Eggs and Ham.” As I was finishing my “Little Prayer” I slowly started lowering my book “to face my destiny head-on.” This is when I noticed “Our Mountain of a Classmate” had his straight black hair neatly combed entirely out of his face, and it was perfectly parted to one side.

While trying to “mustering up the courage” to put my book completing down, and look Myron right in the eyes while you weren’t there to protect me Big Brother, I could now see that they weren’t dark brown, but in fact a nice shade of a “Medium Hazel.” And they were smiling down at me from high above. He just stood there smiling for a few seconds without saying anything, so I gave him the “once over from head to toe.” I noticed he was wearing these big, wide, sneakers that looked like the ones we’d seen in the Men’s Department at Sears.

While I was thinking of asking Myron to lend me one of his sneakers to use as a “Fishing Boat” to go Fishing he suddenly brought me back to reality when finally speaking to me. In his deep voice he slowly said “Good morning friend, how are you doing today?” After hearing this, I probably looked like a “Wided Eyed Bass Fish that had been suddenly hooked!” All the while I didn’t realize our teacher had been closely watching us ever since Myron had left that “Giant Apple” on her desk.

Sensing trouble was about to happen, our teacher quickly ran to the back of the room where Myron was blocking the classroom light, and I was sitting in this huge shadow. Somehow our teacher managed to slip her skinny frame around Myron before standing in front of my desk. While out of breath, she asked us, “Is everything alright between the two of you?!” Still nervous I was fumbling around for words to say. I knew she was trying to figure-out what “Jolly Green,” oh, I mean Myron, was about to do next.

She was probably wondering like I was if Myron was actually being “sincerely,” or if he was just using this “Sly Approach” in order to catch me off-guard at First Recess and shake me down for my “Fifty Cent Lunch Money” our mother had just given me that same morning. So our teacher waited curiously to hear what else Myron had to say. She was surprised to hear him say, “Everything is just fine Miss Behavior, I mean Miss Goodhaven!” Then Myron continued with, “I must apologize to you both for my previous misconduct. And if my classmates are willing to give me a second chance, I sincerely intend on making amends for all the trouble I’ve caused.”

After hearing this Miss Goodhaven suddenly fell into this “Midlife Shock” with her mouth and eyes wide open. While I was trying to get a better look at our teacher to make sure she was still breathing, I quickly catch myself from almost tilting-over my school desk/chair combo too much. When the two legs of my desk suddenly came slamming back down to the floor it startled Miss Goodhaven from her trance. Everyone in our class was wondering what was about to happen next.

Then after looking at the us both one more time as she then gave me “one more concerned look my way” Miss Goodhaven asked, “Are you sure everything is okay?” As I then slowly looked-up towards “Myron’s now smiling like a Great White Shark, I then replied, “Yes…we’re cool.”

After this dramatic change in my newly found friend it’s nice to know he never resorted back to his “Old Ways.” Instead whenever anyone called Myron to protect them he was always there in a heartbeat. Soon my fellow classmates felt like “conquerors” because they didn’t have to worry about being bullied by anyone. In a very short Myron had now gained the trust of everyone around, and soon, he became the most popular guy in our classroom.

I’m just happy to say that this positive change in my friend Myron then continued-on way into his young adult years. I heard later because of his politeness, hard work, and determination he got accepted to play Professional Football for the “Giants!” Ha! Just kiddy. Jolly Green, Jolly Green Giants, get it? Anyway….

You know it’s true when I admit that I was always the “quieter one” of the two of us Big Brother, but while being “reserved” I actually learned to take care of myself when I didn’t have you around to depend on. You on the other hand, were “the complete opposite.” Yes, you always had a loud/outgoing personality. And I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with that. I’m saying even though we were different and had unique ways, we are still considered God’s Children.

When God put you on this earth to be “My Big Brother” I wonder if He purposely made me “introverted” knowing you be there to protect me early-on? So please try to believe me when I tell you how I always looked-up to you as a person. I still believe that one day, “Everything’s going to be alright.” I hope you found this chapter entertaining.

“A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in times of need.”

PROVERBS 17:17

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