What if it had been a knife?
As in most schools PE at my seat of learning was strictly gender segregated with us gazing across at the girls playing hockey from the rugby pitch. Keeping my glasses on for a better view I discovered was not the best idea in the scrum. The exception to this rule was during the summer term in the 4th/5th year when the sexes combined with the majority playing rounders and a few each week playing tennis. My week for tennis and I my partner in mixed doubles is a very competitive girl (LB) from my class who is also a member of the tennis club. I am not a very competant player and couldn't care if I win or lose although cos I fancied her (she's female and breathing) I was trying my best. Everything I did LB complained about and in the end I snapped and hurled a tennis ball in her direction. Throwing accuracy or power has never been great but that ball hit her in the ribs. She screamed. Teacher came over and the "duty teacher" (Deputy head or headmaster) was summoned to take me away. I was not allowed to explain about the provocation that had led to the incident and was given the "what if it had been a knife in your hand" talk. It was only later that I realised that I had thrown a ball with my left hand out of frustration in her general direction which by some misfortune managed to hit LB when if I had wanted to do some damage I was holding the racket in my right (dominant) hand. I had a week of detentions which weren't too great a hardship as I was still able to catch the same bus home and I had to write a letter of apology to LB.
(jvz, Mon 23 Nov 2009, 17:30, Reply)