I'm taking the writing challenge from Mama's Losin' It. I'm going to tell about a time I hurt somebody that still bothers me to this day.
In grade school there was a fellow named Ferdinand P. He was always a bit strange, picking his nose and chasing the girls with it. One day he fell off the portable railing and broke both of his fore-arms (whatever bone that was).
Anyhoo, I always had a soft spot for him. I had a class party (the first ever) in grade six. I invited everyone (including him). And everyone had a great time. Then the “selective” parties started. Some of which I wasn’t invited to. That hurt.
I had a second class party the next year, grade seven, and I invited a select group of people. Ferdinand called me to say he was going to bring his lawn darts. I hadn’t invited him but didn’t have the heart to tell him. So he came; with his lawn darts. I was nice to him but was more focused on my crush.
When a few of the “cool” kids came to tell me that he was spilling the drinks all over I went up to him and said, “Ferdinand, you are making a pest of yourself. You weren’t even invited but I let you stay, so please behave yourself.” The look on his face has stayed with me.
I did give him Christmas cards though throughout high school and sometimes he gave me one too. I think he forgave me but I still felt and feel crappy about that moment.