I was just wrapping up my ethics lecture for the day when I noticed my good friend Dr. Stephen Bennett peeking in through the closed door\u2019s window. I nodded slightly to him in acknowledgement, and he waved, waiting outside until I was finished.<\/p>\n
As the students were gathering up their belongings, and a few had already left, he walked in through the now open door. I went over to greet him, and he asked if I had any plans for lunch. I told him that I would like to go, but that I would need a few minutes, because as usual, a small line of students had begun to form, waiting to speak with me after class about various issues. He understood, of course, and said, \u2018Oh, no hurry\u2019 and moved over next to the door to wait.<\/p>\n
As I was walking back to the lectern, where the first person in line was waiting, I turned over my shoulder and asked how his weekend had been, to which he positively beamed, and said, \u2018Oh, it was great. Really busy, but great. We were laying carpet all day on Saturday, and my dad put us all to shame. 73 years young, but he got on his knee pads and he was down there on all fours the whole day.\u2019<\/p>\n
Dr. Bennett practically worshipped his dad. I mean, it is great that they have a good relationship and everything, but sometimes it got a little old. Nevertheless, I smiled politely, knowing that I would have to humor him. \u2018Yeah, I know what you mean. My dad is 71, and you should hear about the kind of stuff that he does. He goes outside to work when it is 40 degrees below zero, but do you think my mom can get him to wear a stocking cap? Nope. He just wears the same old cowboy hat that he always uses. Sometimes I don\u2019t know how he does it. They are some tough ol’ birds, aren\u2019t they?\u2019<\/p>\n
He looked at me quizzically, cocking his head to the side, and then said, \u2018Well, I don\u2019t really see how that makes him tough. To me, that just doesn\u2019t seem very smart. He could get frostbite, or maybe even hypothermia from doing that.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018Oh, come on! He\u2019s been doing it for years. The cold doesn\u2019t even phase him.\u2019<\/p>\n
He just kind of shook his head and gave a slight shrug, but didn\u2019t respond. I could tell from the smirk on his face, though, that he was still judging my dad. It kind of ticked me off that he would never give my dad any credit. He was always bragging about how great his dad was, but whenever I said anything about mine, he would just shoot it down. Even if I said that both our dads were really tough, he would still find some way of putting mine down. This was so typical.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, I tried extending the olive branch once more. \u2018Alright, well get this then. I am not even kidding about this, I am totally dead serious, I swear. This one time, a few years ago, my dad moved a refrigerator all by himself. I am super dead serious.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018What? That is crazy,\u2019 he scoffed. \u2018I don\u2019t even think that is humanly possible.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018No, it is. I mean, he didn\u2019t pick the whole thing up, or anything, he just tilted it and then walked it over by balancing it on the corners. But once he got it over to the pickup he lifted up the bottom and slid it into the back all by himself.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018Oh, well that\u2019s completely different then. I mean, if he didn\u2019t even pick it up, then that isn\u2019t really that big of a deal.\u2019<\/p>\n
What a punk! I couldn\u2019t help it, this was really irritating. \u2018You didn\u2019t even think that it was possible to move a refrigerator by yourself just a second ago, and now you\u2019re saying that it isn\u2019t even hard? Come on, man.\u2019<\/p>\n
I think he could tell I was irked, so he gave in a little bit. \u2018Alright, fine, but why didn\u2019t he just get someone to help him?\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018Because he doesn\u2019t need help. He is just that awesome.\u2019<\/p>\n
He looked away, and I think he kind of rolled his eyes a little bit, but I couldn\u2019t tell for sure. \u2018Okay, well, he is lucky that he didn\u2019t give himself a hernia or a bulging disc or something.\u2019<\/p>\n
I had to smile at the way his shoulders were drooping a little in disappointment. He would never admit it, but I knew I had him on this one. I just grinned triumphantly. I wasn\u2019t even going to dignify that with a response.<\/p>\n
Finally he said, \u2018Well I didn\u2019t realize that we were allowed to go back a few years. Did I ever tell you that my dad used to be a fireman before he retired?\u2019<\/p>\n
Practically every time I talked to Bennett he told me that his dad used to be a fireman. Now I had to fight to keep from rolling my eyes. Enough with the fireman thing, already. I get it! I said, \u2018Yeah, I think you might have mentioned it a couple of times. I know, firemen are pretty tough.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018Yeah, they have to be in really great shape.\u2019<\/p>\n
I couldn\u2019t help it, I had to scoff a little bit on that one. \u2018Well . . . I mean, really good aerobic<\/em> shape.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018What is that supposed to mean?\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Nothing.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018No, seriously, what do you mean by that?\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Nothing. I\u2019m just saying that I don\u2019t think that is quite the same thing as moving a refrigerator all by yourself, that\u2019s all. That is pure power. My dad is more like a powerlifter than a marathon runner.\u2019 I did feel a little bit bad for saying this, but it was a distinction I had wanted to make for some time now, and hadn\u2019t had the the heart. But truth is truth. I decided to throw him a little bone to soften the blow, though, and added, \u2018But you know, marathon runners are sort of tough too, in their own way.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Firemen have to carry people out of burning buildings. You don\u2019t think that takes strength?\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Well, they might occasionally have to carry out a cat, or maybe a baby or a little kid, but if it is an adult they would get other firemen to help. I\u2019m sure they wouldn\u2019t want to get a bulging disc or anything.\u2019 I know, I know, I just couldn\u2019t resist!<\/p>\n He was kind of mad now. \u2018So you\u2019re saying that you don\u2019t think conditioning matters at all?\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018I didn\u2019t say that, it is just different.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Well what about in boxing? Usually the boxer with the best conditioning is the one who wins.\u2019<\/p>\n I couldn\u2019t figure out exactly what he was trying to imply by that, but I thought I should set the record straight. \u2018Well, I don\u2019t know, maybe. But if boxers were allowed to tackle somebody then it wouldn\u2019t really matter very much, would it? My dad wouldn\u2019t box with someone, he would just rush him, put him on his back, and then it would be over in one or two punches.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Oh really?\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Really.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018So what you are really saying is that your dad cannot box.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018No, he can, he just chooses to take them down and pound them instead, because boxing is really lame.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018So your dad is a wrestler? What, is he Hulk Hogan or something?\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Hulk Hogan? Where\u2019d you get that from? He isn\u2019t even tough. My dad could kick Hulk Hogan\u2019s butt.\u2019<\/p>\n It was like I had committed blasphemy. His mouth flew open in astonishment and he could not even fully process it for a few seconds. Finally, after he had regained some composure, he said, \u2018Hulk Hogan still lifts weights you know. He is still in very good shape.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Yeah, well I bet he does not move refrigerators around all by himself to stay in shape, though, does he.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Well, I\u2019m sure he could if he wanted to. He is huge.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018No he couldn\u2019t! My dad throws bales of hay around like they are nothing.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Lifting hay bales does not make you as strong as lifting weights.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Says who?\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Modern exercise science, that\u2019s who.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018I would like to see where it says that.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Fine, I\u2019ll look it up and show you sometime.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Good, why don\u2019t you do it now?\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018I will.\u2019<\/p>\n While he was trying to look it up on his smartphone one of my students tapped me on the shoulder and said, \u2018Um, Professor, I kind of need to go, but I just wanted to talk you about my essay. I -\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Yeah, just give me a minute.\u2019 I waved her off and turned back to him. \u2018So did you find it?\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018No, I haven\u2019t found the answer for that specific question, because I haven\u2019t had enough time, but it is common sense.\u2019<\/p>\n I just laughed, and so he gave me a really dirty look. \u2018There is no way that your dad is tougher than Hulk Hogan. That\u2019s just ridiculous! Hulk Hogan beat up the Sheikh, and the Macho Man, and even Andre the Giant.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Oh, come on, man.\u2019 I just shook my head and had to turn away in disgust. Sometimes it was downright embarrassing that I called this man a friend. \u2018The Sheikh? He had sharp-toed shoes. That\u2019s it. Without those, he was totally screwed. And the Macho Man? He wasn\u2019t tough at all, so I don\u2019t know why you are bringing him up.\u2019<\/p>\n He was flabbergasted. \u2018What are you talking about? The Macho Man was awesome!\u2019<\/p>\n This hero worship stuff was starting to get really annoying. I figured I needed to burst his little bubble, for his own good, of course. \u2018Yeah, well if he was so macho, then why was he running around in ballerina tights all the time?\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018What? Those weren\u2019t tights, they were spandex. You can\u2019t hold that against him, they all wore those.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Hence, my point. My dad could beat up any man who walks around in ballerina tights and frilly little cowboy boots, no matter how \u2018roided up he might be.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Well what about Andre the Giant then? Hulk Hogan beat Andre the freaking Giant!\u2019<\/p>\n I shook my head no. \u2018Not when he was in his prime.\u2019<\/p>\n He considered that for a moment, and his face fell. Reluctantly he said, \u2018Yeah, I guess probably nobody could have beat up Andre the Giant in his prime.\u2019<\/p>\n I nodded. \u2018Yeah.\u2019 We both stared at our feet. It was a hard thing to admit, but a person has to be reasonable.<\/p>\n Finally I said, \u2018But he doesn\u2019t really count, though. And I betcha my dad could beat up any of the other wrestlers.\u2019<\/p>\n He seemed relieved, and said, \u2018Well if your dad could beat up Hulk Hogan, then mine could beat up Rambo.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Psssssshhhh, WHATEVER!\u2019 I said. \u2018There is no freaking way! Rambo was a Green Beret. You don\u2019t mess with those guys.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Yeah, well, so what? My dad was a firefighter, and you don\u2019t mess with them either.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Oh, pleeeaaassseee!\u2019 I just had to shake my head all over again. \u2018So your dad was a freaking firefighter, it\u2019s not that big of a deal. Rambo could have been the best firefighter in the history of the world if he would have wanted to be.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018No, I don\u2019t think so. He didn\u2019t have the training.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Well, he could have gotten the training, just like your dad did.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Well my dad did it for 30 years, and now, even after he is retired, there he is, out there helping pour concrete, and laying carpet, and doing all kinds of things people in their 70s aren\u2019t supposed to be able to do.\u2019<\/p>\n I sighed. There was just no reasoning with someone like this. \u2018Yeah, when he isn\u2019t napping.\u2019 I know I shouldn\u2019t have said that (at least not out loud) but I was frustrated. Of course he was immediately offended.<\/p>\n \u2018What is wrong with napping? What, tough guys are not allowed to nap? You don\u2019t think Rambo ever took a nap the whole time he was in Vietnam?\u2019<\/p>\n Apparently it was a pretty sensitive issue for him, and I must have really touched a nerve. I could have laid off, but instead I decided to press my advantage. \u2018Well, I doubt he fell asleep in his soup the way your dad does.\u2019 (Now I was super glad that he had told me that story.) \u2018Call me crazy, but I think Rambo was too busy blowing up tanks with those awesome exploding arrows and flying helicopters and cauterizing his own wounds and finding all sorts of cool ways to kill those dirty Russians to have time for naps.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018I thought you said he was in Vietnam.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018He was, but somehow he always ended up fighting those dirty Russians who were the ones that were really behind it all.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Well I never said that he would take a nap while he was supposed to be fighting bad guys, I just meant that he might have taken one on his days off.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018What are you talking about? It was a freaking war! There were no days off. What, you think everybody clocked out on Friday and went home for the weekend?\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Well you would have to have some breaks, or you would get really burned out.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Oh, you think! So, you\u2019re telling me that somebody could get burned out on war? Well, how insightful. Maybe that explains why he was a freaking nut case when he got home! I guess he was just stressed, and in need of a vacation!\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Alright, alright,\u2019 he put his hands up in surrender, \u2018geez, calm down. Why are you shouting? Don\u2019t get mad about it, I\u2019m just saying-\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018I\u2019m not mad, can we just drop it?\u2019 Oh, I was so mad. Stupidity can be so irritating! But then I looked around the room and everyone was staring at us. So I said to him, \u2018Listen, maybe we should just talk about this outside.\u2019<\/p>\n And the students went \u2018Ooooooooohhhhhhhhh!!!!!\u2019<\/p>\n Oh, that one got me. I had to chuckle a little, in spite of myself. Those little troublemakers, always trying to start something. \u2018Oh, stop it!\u2019 I told them. \u2018You know I didn\u2019t mean it like that.\u2019 I shook my head at them, and grinned at Dr. Bennett, giving him that \u2018Those darn kids!\u2019 look.<\/p>\n But he just looked right at me and said, \u2018Yeah, you better not have.\u2019<\/p>\n Wait, what? What was that supposed to mean? Was he serious? I looked at him quizzically, but his face revealed nothing.<\/p>\n Finally I said, \u2018Well, anyway, I guess I should get back to this,\u2019 I indicated the students waiting in line, \u2018so that we can be going here in a few minutes.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Yeah, I\u2019ve been standing here waiting for you.\u2019<\/p>\n Was he irritated? I couldn\u2019t tell for sure, but I kind of thought he might be. \u2018Listen, I\u2019m sorry, but don\u2019t you remember what Rambo looked like when he snarled at people? If Rambo would have snarled at your dad like that he would have crapped all over his Depends.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018He so would not have! How can you say that when my dad ran into burning buildings to save people?\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Yeah, but that is not really the same thing, though.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Whatever. I bet you couldn\u2019t do it, and I don\u2019t think your dad could either.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Yes he could have, if that would have been his job. Nobody is tougher than a cowboy. You think someone like John Wayne couldn\u2019t have been a good firefighter? Give me a break.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018You think your dad is John Wayne?\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018No, but he likes John Wayne because he was a real cowboy, and a very talented actor.\u2019<\/p>\n He started laughing. \u2018I can\u2019t believe your dad has a man crush on John Wayne!\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018He absolutely does not, that is not what I said.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Is your dad a wannabe? Does he dress up like John Wayne, and look at himself in the mirror and stuff? Or does he just wish that he could be John Wayne\u2019s sidekick?\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018You\u2019re twisting my words around. He dresses like a cowboy because he is one, that is all. And my dad would be nobody\u2019s sidekick. They would be co-equals. They would be the two toughest ranchers in the whole country and they wouldn\u2019t like each other at first because they were both the toughest, but then they would have to work together to defeat the big greedy rancher with all the hired gunfighters who was trying to steal everyone\u2019s land, and they would beat him, and all of his hired guns, and they would become best friends by the end, after they had whipped the bad guys against impossible odds, or, you know, impossible for anybody except the two of them, teamed up. It would be the greatest Western ever made.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018That actually kind of sounds like every Western ever made.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Nuh uh. Some of them are about cattle drives.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Oh, pardon me.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Well, I think it would be a great movie.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Huh.\u2019 He sounded skeptical. \u2018I had no idea your dad was so awesome.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Well, I don\u2019t usually like to brag about it, like some people I know, but . . .\u2019 I shrugged, and then grinned good-naturedly.<\/p>\n He grinned back. \u2018Yeah, I guess I really underestimated him.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Hey, don\u2019t worry about it, apology accepted.\u2019<\/p>\n I turned back to the students, but just as I did so, he nonchalantly added, \u2018Obviously your dad must be really strong if, you know, he can lift up your mom.\u2019<\/p>\n I froze and then turned back around very deliberately, not quite believing what I had just heard. SERIOUSLY? I shook my head, \u2018You did not just say that. You did not just go there.\u2019<\/p>\n But a broken chorus of voices from all around the room, roughly in unison, assured me that yes, he did in fact just go there. Most of them were not my students. Those in line were, but the others had already left, and the ones in the seats were waiting for the next class. I searched their faces in earnest, one by one, looking for answers, still reeling from the shock and pain, and still not quite believing. \u2018He couldn\u2019t have.\u2019<\/p>\n Ta’ Shaun, who was standing in line, asked me, \u2018Are you really going to take that from him, professor?\u2019<\/p>\n I looked from him, to Bennett, and said coldly, \u2018I don\u2019t know, Ta’ Shaun. Maybe I should teach him some manners. What do you think?\u2019<\/p>\n Ta’ Shaun replied gleefully, \u2018I think you should professor, I think this chump needs some manners!\u2019<\/p>\n No more playing. It was time to take this fool down. \u2018You know what I heard, Bennett?\u2019 I yelled. \u2018I heard that yo momma is so fat that she gotta buy sunscreen by the gallon!\u2019<\/p>\n The students were loving this. They let out an \u2018Ooooohhhhhhh!\u2019 and some of the guys were looking back and forth at each other laughing. Ta’ Shaun even gave me five. I was killing it. Suck on that one Bennett.<\/p>\n He looked like someone had punched him in the stomach. He yelled over the noise, \u2018She is just frugal, she likes to buy in bulk, that is all!\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Yeah, just keep telling yourself that\u2019 I scoffed.<\/p>\n I saw his teeth clench and his jaw muscles working back and forth. He looked like he wanted to kill me. Finally, he said, \u2018Well yo momma is so fat that when she goes sunbathing volunteers come try to roll her back into the ocean cause they think it is a beached whale.\u2019<\/p>\n The class howled with delight, and Bennett raised his arms up like he had just won an Olympic medal or something. Somehow or other a chant started up of \u00a0\u2018white whale, white whale, white whale . . .\u2019 I was glad most of them were not my students because these people were kind of a bunch of idiots.<\/p>\n Once that obnoxious chant had died down, I said to him, \u2018Yeah, well I heard they had to ask yo momma to stop strippin’ cause one time she broke the pole.\u2019<\/p>\n By this point the students were utterly delirious with joy. Ta’ Shaun was laughing so hard that the people next to him had to prop him up to keep him from falling over. Lots of the guys were high-fiving each other. Some of the girls tried to pretend like they weren\u2019t laughing, but they were. I always knew these people were smart, they just needed proper mentorship. I had guided them back into the fold. Now they were chanting my name, which very well could have been the highlight of my life. If I would have died at that moment I would have felt like I went out on top.<\/p>\n I did feel a little guilty for saying that one, though. Don\u2019t get me wrong, it was totally worth it, but I\u2019m sure Mrs. Bennett was a nice person, and I wouldn\u2019t want anyone to think that I have something against those who are excessive gravitation challenged. Truthfully, it wasn\u2019t really even directed at her, it was just about getting to him, and I think I did.<\/p>\n He said, \u2018Well yo momma is so fat that when she went skydiving everybody thought it was a solar eclipse.\u2019<\/p>\n Oh, snap! That one actually wasn\u2019t terrible. I knew I had to think fast. Expectations would be high, and I could not disappoint now or my new found popularity would become a thing of the past. A hush finally fell over the crowd. Some of them leaned in expectantly as they waited for me to respond. Bennett looked defiant, like he was saying \u2018bring it on\u2019 with his body language. Well, I did. \u2018Yo momma is so fat that her farts have aftershocks.\u2019<\/p>\n A cheer went up from the crowd again, but before they could really get going Bennett started shaking his head \u2018no\u2019 and put his hands out at his side in mock confusion. Once the noise subsided a bit, he said, \u2018That doesn\u2019t make sense. I don\u2019t even get it.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Oh, whatever. Don\u2019t give me that.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018No, I don\u2019t. Explain to me how that would work.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Oh, just shut up. It\u2019s an exaggeration, of course, but yours was too.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Well, at least mine made sense.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018No it didn\u2019t. If she was fat enough to block out the sun then how did they get her into the airplane in the first place, dummy? You know what, I\u2019m done with this. If you are too stupid to get my jokes, then just forget it.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Oh I got what you were trying<\/em> to say, it just didn\u2019t make any sense.\u2019<\/p>\n He was really pressing me, and he would not let it go. I hated that about him sometimes! \u2018Listen, you can\u2019t analyze this stuff that closely, alright. It is not someone\u2019s doctoral thesis, it\u2019s just a joke. Geez!\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018So you are admitting that it does not hold up under careful scrutiny, then?\u2019 he shouted shrilly.<\/p>\n So I was just like, \u2018I think you really need to shut up.\u2019<\/p>\n And he was like, \u2018Why don\u2019t you make me?\u2019<\/p>\n And I was like, \u2018What if I don\u2019t want to? I don\u2019t have to make you if I don\u2019t want to. You can\u2019t make me make you if don\u2019t want to make you.\u2019<\/p>\n And he was like, \u2018What?\u2019<\/p>\n And I was like, \u2018Man, you really are stupid. You don\u2019t even understand plain English.\u2019<\/p>\n So then he says, \u2018You know what, I think I am going to eat lunch by myself today.\u2019<\/p>\n So I was like, \u2018Fine by me.\u2019 And then after a second I added, \u2018Good thing you aren\u2019t going to lunch with your mom, or there wouldn\u2019t be any food left for you.\u2019 Heh, heh. Pretty good one, huh?<\/p>\n And then he goes,\u2018You are so immature.\u2019<\/p>\n And so I said, \u2018Yeah, well you are such a poopy head.\u2019<\/p>\n And then, probably because he couldn\u2019t think of a good comeback for that, he just sighed, shook his head, and started to leave. But he stopped right before going out the door, and said, \u2018Oh, and by the way, my dad could totally kick your dad\u2019s butt. Just sayin’.\u2019<\/p>\n Well obviously I could not just let that go. I don\u2019t know how any reasonable person could have. So I ran over and yelled out the door, \u2018Hey, you better take that back.\u2019 But he just ignored me and kept walking. So I caught up to him out in the hallway and I grabbed him by the arm and spun him around, and said, \u2018You are not leaving until you take that back!\u2019<\/p>\n But of course he wouldn\u2019t. He tried to pull his scrawny little arm away from me and keep walking, but I wouldn\u2019t let him, and that was when the pushing and shoving started.<\/p>\n We were nose to nose, screaming at each other. Or, I guess to be more precise, it was nose to forehead because he was a little taller than me. I had to look right up his big beak at some massive, out of control nose hair. It looked like a rainforest up in there. I politely mentioned that perhaps he should trim it, and he said something shameful back to me that cannot be repeated. The students had formed a ring around us and they were chanting again, \u2018Fight, fight, fight, fight . . .\u2019 I tried to control myself, but he kept sticking his big ugly finger in my face. So I snapped. With a primal scream I put my nose in his chest and drove him to the ground in a near perfect form tackle. I\u2019m sure my old football coach would have been very proud.<\/p>\n We were a writhing ball of middle-aged ferocity. I got him in a headlock and gave him a really nasty noogie. He was screeching about it, but he managed to get a fistful of my hair. A few well-placed punches to the midsection with my free hand made him let go, but I still had to fend off his attempts at a leglock while trying for the choke out. That was about when the cops came and broke it up. The students booed them lustily. It is a shame, because I was totally winning. Ta’ Shaun said word on the street is that they broke it up because somebody had money on Bennett, and they knew I was just about to get him. He said he bet on me, though. Smart man.<\/p>\n After I made bail, we both had to go talk to the dean. I still don\u2019t know why I even had to go when clearly he started it. He said that he would drop all the charges if I would just admit that his dad could beat up mine. I told him he could stick it. I\u2019ll die first.<\/p>\n by David Johnson<\/p>\n February 20, 2015<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I was just wrapping up my ethics lecture for the day when I noticed my good friend Dr. Stephen Bennett peeking in through the closed door\u2019s window. I nodded slightly to him in acknowledgement, and he waved, waiting outside until … Continue reading