She was a cute little thing, a real pistol. I guess I was an early bloomer because I couldn't keep my eyes off her. But to my dismay, I was not the only early bloomer in my 3rd-grade class. Dennis. was an early bloomer as well. Even worse, he was also stuck on the same cute little gun that I was stuck on. And Dennis was the class thug, the nightmare of the County. And his BIG brother, (the outlaw Ed-Boy H.) was the fear of the school … so I thought! 

I knew I should have cast my eyes elsewhere, but easier said than done, I was in heat! And at age nine, I was unable to hide my feelings toward her. And as dumb as old Dennis was, he was smart enough to know to whom I was in heat for. I was sitting in class one day, and the teacher was in front of the class doing her thing, and all of a sudden, that "bad-ass" Dennis rushed over to me, pushed my chair over, pinned me in, and started beating on my head. I was sitting in one of those chairs that you had to slide into and out of. I had little chance to defend myself. As I thought about my situation later, I was a bit surprised that old "bad-ass" Dennis was even smart enough to approach me from that side. But doing so gave him an almost 100% advantage. 

Dennis pushed my chair over, and I got caught under it. I was unable to do anything but try to cover my head. The teacher and the rest of the students had no idea of what to do. However, they were finally able to get that fool off of me.  

To this day, I never sit with my back to others unless I have no choice, and even then, I am always on full alert.

Dennis gave me a good ass kicking, but even then it was not enough for Dennis H. … he wanted more of me and promised to be waiting for me outside at the end of the school day. Yes, I was scared as hell. Not knowing what else to do, I contacted one of my sisters, Erma, and told her of my situation. She agreed to meet me in the classroom and walk me to the bus. I would have contacted my older brother but everyone knew him as a very gentle guy … a gentle giant but gentle never the less… how could he be of any help.  

It was 2:45 PM, the bell rang, and as I approached the main exit door, there was my sister. What a relief! Just as I let out that sigh of relief, I exited the door, and there was old "bad-ass" Dennis H. He was waiting for me at the bottom of a flight of about five or six steps.  

To this day, I don't know where the idea came from, but something inside me said, "Here is your chance."  I jumped from the top step and landed in the right square on old "bad-ass" Dennis. The weight of my body drove him "into the "ground. I had surprised the hell out of him. I began beating on him and continued beating on him. It was my sister who finally pulled me off his ass! Dennis was in a bad way. I had beaten him badly. After I realized that I had beaten his ass brutally, (he thought that I was the tough guy, he did not know that it was all because I jumped his ass from five flights of steps, and my weight had driven him into the ground and almost killed him. But not to waste this opportunity, I told him that I was going to jump his ass every time I saw him from then on.  

But … I had completely forgot about his big brother, the "Outlaw Ed Boy."  

This was a bad situation. I almost got expelled from school (from the 3rd grade) and would have been, but my teacher liked me and spoke on my behalf. After I got home that day and explained the situation, I may have to fight again because of Dennis's big brother, the Outlaw Ed Boy.  

The next day as I exited the main door there they were … bad-ass Dennis, and his outlaw brother! All the students had ranked both the teachers and many of the students as the terrors of the County. And nobody wanted to deal with either of them and especially … the Outlaw Ed Boy!

I was fear-stricken but was able to keep my legs moving. As I got close to Dennis and Ed Boy (they were … standing at the bottom of the steps … either Dennis had not learned a thing about positioning or he did not feel it was important because of the presence of BIG brother Ed Boy), the doors opened behind me. Out walked my gentle giant brother.   

Man, I was happy to see him, but still surprised to see him. I was not sure of what his plans were, but I was sure that he was not going to let that nightmare and that terror kill me without at least getting involved.

What was he here for … He walked over to BIG brother Ed Boy and told him that it would probably be best if they both allowed us, (Me and Dennis), to work things out among ourselves. BIG brother Ed Boy agreed, and they both began walking away. Dennis decided that he wanted no more of me!  

After that time, each time Dennis saw me at a distance, he went in the other direction. Shortly after that, both Dennis and BIG brother Ed Boy stopped coming to school. I hope I was not responsible for two dumb asses dropping out of school! But both had learned the most important lesson of their lives, perhaps. 

My encounter with Dennis H. was without a doubt a nightmare for me. However, it was also one of the most important lessons I have ever learned about life and success, especially about exerting power.  It gave me power that remains to this day. There is great power in being positioned properly, and in every situation, there are opportunities to position yourself for great success.

As I thought about my situation later, I was surprised that old Dennis was smart enough to approach me from that side. Doing so gave him an almost 100% advantage. I was unable to do anything but try to cover my head, and the teacher and the rest of the students had no idea of what to do.  

Bad-ass Dennis was without a doubt the most feared two students in our elementary school. I am not sure whether this was because of his reputation or because of his BIG Brother's reputation, the outlaw Ed Boy… The terror of the County! I have thought of old Dennis often throughout my life, and each time I do, I am grateful for the lesson he taught me. I learn something about positioning. First, from Dennis and the way he pinned me into that chair. Second, from my gut, which led me to my decision to push Dennis from the top of those steps; third, and most important, I began to feel that I had a compulsion always to be honorable and right.  

Although unaware at the time, this valuable lesson would serve me well in the years to come. Even to this day, one would find it hard to get me pinned into a corner. I rarely would sit with my back to the door. I have this need to see whoever comes in. I should also tell you that after that fight, and apparently because I had kicked Dennis's ass so bad, that cute little girl felt sorry for Old Dennis and began smiling at him more than she did at me. I have since learned that this is often the case … There is a word or phase for that type of action but it escapes me at the moment. It's probably that feeling of "But by the grace of God, … ."