Self-image vs. reality

By Jake

The only part of the conversation behind me I heard was: "The first time I had a knife pulled on me was in Boston ..." It was said in the world-wise nonchalant tone of one cool customer sharing with an adoring neophyte, unconcerned with who else might know of wicked ways. All in one it established his wide travels, his too-frequent-to-count dalliances with dangerous locales and his bravado in the face of death. I risked a glance. He was your typical-looking clean-cut suburban blond 20-year-old. I wished I had a knife.