Growing boy-1

Eric saw Adam reach for the ball. Eric knew that if he ran immediately, he could make it; Adam didn’t have a very good arm. “Run, you idiot,” screamed Jose. Eric hesitated, if he ran now then he would be challenging Adam and Eric didn’t want to embarrass his friend. Finally, Adam found the handle on the ball and Eric’s opportunity to advance passed, and he just stayed on second. There was time for another batter, but he grounded out and the game ended in a tie.

“OK, time to go in,” called the PE instructor, Ms. Cane. The kids gathered up their equipment and headed for the stairs that led from the ball field back to the school building.

“We could have won the game,” Eric heard from right behind his back. He turned and saw Jose glaring at him.

“I couldn’t have scored,” said Eric, although he knew that he could have easily gone to third.

“Pussy,” said Jose with venom in his voice, “you didn’t even try.”

Eric just turned his back on Jose. Eric was easily the biggest boy in his class and didn’t have to stand up to the other kids very often. He was easy going and certainly no bully. Eric felt something slam into his back, and he staggered forward. He turned and saw that Jose had shoved him in the back. “Stop it,” Eric snapped.