Charlie’s parents seem to like Eddie and Brian too. It’s probably because they were the spelling champions of the school for two years in a row. Their fathers liked to golf together on Sunday mornings while their mothers would volunteered in the community church. Everyone in Woonsocket liked them. Everyone, except Charlie. Every year, the two families would invite all the residents in Woonsocket for a big pool party. Everyone would come. Everyone including Charlie’s parents. But Charlie stayed home. He knew better than to hang around with Eddie and Brian. He knew they were troublemakers.

Two years ago, Charlie’s parents forced him to come to the party with them. “C’mon sport, live a little!” His dad said to him. “Don’t be such a party pooper, son.” Charlie’s dad continued. Charlie went with his parents to the party. He was just sitting at the corner of the pool, paddling his feet in the water when Eddie and Brian both pushed him into the pool and left. They didn’t know that Charlie couldn’t swim. He flapped his arms up and down until a little girl screamed, “Mommy, mommy, that boy is drowning!” Soon enough, three stocky men jumped in the pool and rescued Charlie. He had grown dizzy and coughed out so much water that his parents had to take him home. He looked over to the side of the house and saw Eddie and Brian laughing their hearts out. He gave them a deep look of warning as his mother walked him to the car. They continued to laugh at him.

Eddie and Brian were both well behaved around everyone, especially around girls. But Charlie knew better. He had seen them get away with things for so long. He believed in his heart that someday, he will get them straightened out. “They will pay for what they’ve done. Someday, they will. And I will be right here watching the whole thing,” Charlie would say this over and over to himself.

Charlie continued to watch what Eddie and Brian were up to. They talked to the jewelry clerk of the store. They cracked some jokes and she giggled. They continued to talk to her. Finally, she turned around and helped a paying customer. Brian winked at her while Eddie snickered.

At that moment Charlie couldn’t believe his eyes. He knew that Eddie and Brian were scums but he didn’t know that they would stoop this low! He looked keenly at the two boys who had just succeeded in stealing a gold bracelet off the counter. Amazed at what he had just witnessed, he walked closer and the two boys spotted him very quickly. “Stay out of this one loser,” Eddie warned Charlie. “Go home Charlie, you weren’t here. You didn’t see us and we didn’t see you.” Brian walked closer to Eddie.

“You will get caught, you stinking thieves!” Charlie replied. “Not if you don’t tell,” Brian said as he shoved Charlie towards the hat rack. Charlie tried to keep his balance but failed. He fell on the floor with all the hats and scarves right on top of him. The two boys laughed and ran off. Charlie stood up and to his surprise, the store security, a big and bald man, stooped right over him.

“Uhm…Sorry. Uhmmm but I’m here to report a stolen property. I mean, I just witnessed some boys stealing a bracelet from the jewelry counter.” Charlie responded as he tidied himself up.

“Charlie, is that you?” Oscar, the security guard recognized him. “Still clumsy after all these years, huh.” He laughed out loud.

“Uhm yes, I mean no! Those two boys pushed me! Brian Woods and Eddie Whitaker – they pushed me!” Charlie tried to explain.

“Who? Oh Charlie, you have quite an imagination. Why don’t you run along son before you get yourself in a much deeper trouble.” Oscar gave Charlie a stern look of warning. “I mean it. I’m in charge here and before I have to escort you out, you better leave.” Oscar continued.

“Charlie?” Charlie’s mom hollered from the other end. Charlie looked at Oscar with dismay and ran off. Oscar watched him run. Intimidating kids was his specialty.