Well I was having a ho-hum weekend, mostly watching football and playing Madden 2003 at my friend's house. Then today I went to play my usual Sunday basketball and my boring weekend changed.
I'd gotten in a scuffle with my nut friend Jim 2 weeks ago when we were playing basketball. We were arguing a call and then, he patted me on the head, something which I've repeatedly told him NOT to do, because I am very likely to flip out if someone does. So, When I'm already hot in an argument over a call, the last thing you should do is pat me on the head. He did, and I fipped out, and tried to kick and punch him. I should mention that Jim is 6'5" tall and about 260 pounds. So you see, if someone pats me on the head, I flip out, and any logical reasoning flies out the window. I'd never try to fight someone that big in a normal state of mind. Anyway, we simmered down, and then we kept playing. To me, arguments/brawls that happen on the court stay on the court. I don't know how many times m and my brothers have had arguments and even a few fights happen on the court. We'd go home and it was over.
The next night I was watching the Dolphins game on Monday Night Football. Jim is a Dolphins fan and was still at work. The Phins gave up a touchdown on the first play of their season, so I signed on to talk a little trash to Jim. He said we weren't speaking until I apologized for being an idiot. I said Jim we should both apologize since you patted me on the head knowing what was gonna happen. He said that was bullshit, and we left it at that point.
So that was two weeks ago. Last week Jim didn't play. We work together in the IC department at AOL, and we didn't speak at all for those two weeks. Then today I pulled up to the court and saw his car there. I thought to myself, Ted, you must keep your temper no matter what happens on the court today. Unfortunately I never made it on the court.
As I walked up, I saw that Jim and my friends Ralph and Shayne were shooting around, waiting for more people to show up. I walked up, said hi to everyone, and started setting up my frozen water bottles, bending down to put them out in the sun to melt. As I was setting them up, Jim had come up and said something like, Ted I gave you a chance to apologize and you didn't. Then you take Candace to the AOL picnic.....and next thing I knew, he was swinging at me. I didn't realize what was happening until he'd already gotten like 4 punches n on my head. Then Ralph and Shayne pulled him off of me. I was mad of course, and also bewildered, my head throbbing. We had more words, and I realized my nose was bleeding. Then we were yelling at each other, with Ralph and Shayne yelling at Jim to leave, and then Jim came after me again. I ran out to the parking lot and he didn't follow.
So Hugh and two other friends pulled into the parking lot about 10 minutes later. They wanted to go talk shit to Jim and kick his ass. I told them no, that they didn't want to get involved in something like this with a nut like Jim. So we went to the park by my house to play. We actually got some good games in.
Then I came home and there was a message on my machine from Jim saying I have no respect for anything and that it wasn't over yet. This guy is a nut and very unstable right now. He just claimed bankruptcy and his parents won't speak to him anymore. He's also pretty much of a coke addict. I am a little scared of what a nut like this might do. I'd just as soon never talk to him again and avoid him, but when you get a message like that, I think he has more "revenge" or anger in his fucked up mind. Do I go to the cops? Do I tell the people at work? Who knows what he might do. I am waiting for Ralph to call me about it. He knows us both and keeps a very cool head. I can't think of what to do right now. Damn how did I get into this?
