After school

Like clockwork, Gary, the class bully, would race up behind Tony after school, jumping on his back. More irritating than painful, more humiliating than irritating, to say anything was asking for more public shame. To retaliate was unthinkable because Gary was the biggest boy in the school.

One day, knowing what was coming, Tony bent forwards just as Gary launched himself and subsequently flew over, falling painfully to the ground. Tony received a bloody nose, vowing never to repeat that strategy.

Never is a long time. One day after school Tony was standing in front of some sharp metal railings...