Have you ever fought an “old man”?

I remember, many years ago, (90’s- I might have been 16-17) going to a kid’s house after school to fight him (he invited me). When his enthusiasm was gone, he ran across the street to a neighbor’s house. Out came a grown man- who was smaller than me in stature, but had an apparent advantage. Maybe it was his calloused hands, maybe it was the thousand yard stare in his glossy eyes. Whatever it was, he did me the kindness of asking me if I wanted some- and, after a few quick scenarios played out in my inexperienced mind, I promptly replied “No sir.” Of course I got clowned by my friends (who also did not want any). Knowing what I know now, I made a very good decision that day. I’m not saying that all old men are bad asses. (Especially these days. Ugh. Depressing. I think that having been punched in the face is something that every man should have experienced in his youth.) I’m saying that an old bad arse is more dangerous than a young one. I look back on that day, and I now understand what he was thinking- “please, boy, give me a good damn reason.”