“Well, well, well. How the tables have turned!”
Gerald sat across from Lester as the two were about to embark on what would be the last supper for one of them.
Ever since high school, Lester had always messed with Gerald. From shoving him into lockers, to giving him wedgies during PE class, to stealing his lunch money nearly everyday, to vandalizing his bike and then teasing him for having to ride the bus, to beating him to a pulse whenever he and his goons felt like it.
And then there was the time when he started the rumor that he had herpes which scared off every girl in the school from him for the remainder of his tenure.
And then the other time when Lester threw Gerald’s dog out of the third story science class window. Everyone laughed when Gerald cried out for his beloved pooch.
And of course, there was the time when they kidnapped Gerald, took him to an abandoned field, stripped his clothes, tossed them onto the side of the road, shaved his head, tied him to a tree, and left him there. They reported that Gerald had run away. Luckily, a tracking device in his watch led the police and his parents to his location just three days later. Authorities asked Gerald if he would like to press charges, but at that time he knew that Lester’s uncle was on the police force, so such charges would only go so far.
The scars from those painful years caused Gerald to move across the country after graduation. Just to ensure Lester would never find him, he did not tell a soul about his post-graduation plans.
Not even his parents.
Sure they worried about his future. But they were no strangers to the harassment their son had received for the duration of his high school tenure. They went to the administration several times. Every time it was the same response, “There’s nothing we can do.”
His father had wanted to press charges against the school. Force their hand to action. But, unfortunately, pressing charges required a lawyer. The family was barely getting by on his three-job-income. With a corrupt police force and legal fees out of their reach, they new the odds were against them.
His mother would tell him everyday before she headed to work at the factory to keep his head high and to remember that he was always loved by God. She would kiss his forehead, squeeze his cheeks, and give him a bear hug before sending him out into the world.
For Gerald, graduation presented the chance to start life anew. He could leave behind his wimpy reputation. Perhaps find people that would accept his tall, lanky frame as is without trying to force him into athletics. Maybe he could even try out dating for once.
So he left Detroit and headed for San Diego. The weather alone changed his entire outlook. It was a struggle at first. He had no money to his name, so he quickly began working at the first place that hired. Lucky for him, the fourth McDonald’s that he applied to just so happened to be accepting applications.
He worked from nearly 6 am to 3 pm straight, 7 days a week. He knew that they probably could not legally allow him to work longer than that, so he set out to find a second job to supplement his meager income.
He landed a gig as a warehouse worker during the graveyard shift. Which was actually quite perfect. This meant that only his hours from 3 pm – 8 pm were unaccounted for. Not having a home, he managed to keep himself by showering at a local truck stop and grabbing a quick meal before his next shift.
Eventually he saved up enough for a small apartment, school, and the rest is history. A self-made man who pulled himself out of the shadows of his high school demons and made a way for himself.
Everything began looking up for Gerald. He opted to not pursue the degree but instead attended welding school to become certified in that field. That was where the money started flowing. He fell for a girl from Frisco who made him discover the meaning of love. The two married and now have a pair of twins.
Gerald got a great job for a company that eventually caused him to go out on his own. He inherited some of their clients and his independent business began to take off. One of those clients happened to be a branch of loan sharks, Antonio’s Title Loans, that operated across the country. Gerald learned how to maneuver their world without stepping in the crossfires.
One day, he received this strange letter in the mail. It was from a familiar man who stated that he was not doing so well and that he had reached out to everyone he knew, but no one could help him. He had heard about all of his success and wondered if his old “buddy” could help out an old pal.
It was Lester.
“Buddy?” Gerald thought. “This fool must have forgot how high school actually played out.
But Gerald had grew a light-hearted sense of humor over the years. So he was more than thrilled to entertain this request.
“Well, well, well. How the tables have turned!” Gerald said as he grinned down on Lester.
Lester, who was not so cheerful, lowered his head in shame.
“I see you’re in some type of ‘trouble'” he said using air quotes. “What in the hell do you want from me?”
“Alright. Imma cut right to the chase. I know I treated you like shit in high school. But that is the past now. I am in need of several thousand dollars to pay off my debts or the guy is going to kill me!”
Selfish bastard. Can’t even apologize.
“Well,” Gerald said taking a sip of his wine, “sounds more like your problem than mines?”
“Look man. You’re the only person I can turn to. You know I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t need you!”
Gerald pierced at Lester from across the table. He then sat back in his chair and took a long drink of his wine. After a long pause, he sat up and looked at Lester and gave his response.
“You know. I’ve plotted for years on how I could get revenge on you for all the suffering you caused me. All the black eyes, broken ribs, dislocated jaws. And that’s just the physical side.”
“Look —”
“Shut up and let me finish!”
Lester froze and eased his gaze. He then nodded at Gerald, who had signaled for his bill.
“I went through hell at your hands. What makes you think I wouldn’t want to return the favor?”
Lester huffed and began to fidget. He then responded,”Either you’re going to help me or not!”
Gerald slowly pushed his chair back. A long grin stretched across his face. Passing the tab to his waiter and motioning for no change, he returned his focus to Lester.
As he began to walk away from the table, he said to Lester:
“Tell Tony I said thanks!”