As the oldest of three children, I never had any hand-me-downs to wear like other poor kids. Instead, Mom got my wardrobe (行头) from neighborhood mothers. Imagine the fun other kids had when they saw me wearing their used clothing.
Perhaps my biggest challenge came from Charlie. As far as I was concerned, Charlie's main fun was to make fun of me. During those years, I slowly learned to hate. I hated Charlie, but I also hated myself for not being able to change my situation.
But situations do change. That chance came after high school when I joined the Navy. The Navy made me a social equal for the first time in my life, and the GI Bill gave me a college education. Hard work and a few lucky career (职业) choices finally lifted me into the middle class. I found myself living the American Dream.
One beautiful summer afternoon, my friend and I celebrated Friday in Jackson's Steak House. For the first time in almost twenty years, I saw Charlie. Not only did I see him, but he spoke to me. I could tell he didn't recognize me, but I surely recognized my childhood tormentor (摧残者). His words were short, but I'll never forget them. He said, "Sir, what kind of dressing would you like with your salad?"
The tables had turned. Charlie was calling me "Sir." While hundreds of improper ideas raced through my mind, I could only give a two-word reply: "Blue cheese." As much as I wanted to taste the sweet taste of revenge (复仇), I refused to do it. I wouldn't put another person through what I had gone through as a child. It was time to put childish things behind me and make use of the new opportunity that life had given me. I left him a good tip and I didn't say one word about recognizing him.
