Posted by Peter on 12/5/2002, 6:37 am
Board Administrator

We were watching our elder son play soccer. A lot of the behaviour from parents on the sidelines these days is simply disgraceful but you just have to try to rise above it, most of the time. When a large woman of about 200 pounds barracking for the opposing team laid hands on one of the mothers in our son's team, all of about 100 terrified pounds, and started to shake her, Elizabeth intervened. Through the tumut her voice cut like a whiplash "Take your hands off her. If you want to try that on anyone, try it on me. See how far you get." The tumut died and the crowd backed off, forming a circle around the unfolding confrontation. The large woman had let go of the small woman when she turned to face Elizabeth, who stopped two yards from her. The large woman stood gaping foolishly at Elizabeth standing confidently before her. At 35 she still weighed 133 pounds and had her 36 24 36 figure. All 5'8" of her looked magnificent in polo necked sweater, jeans and boots, her eyes blazing fire. "Go on" said Elizabeth "fight someone two thirds your size for a change instead of half, although, looking at you, I fear I do myself an injustice!" This brought a round of snickers from the large crowd that had formed, as it always does, to watch the confrontation between the two women, the soccer game forgotten! Most of them were obviously hoping it would develop into an exchange of more than just words! The large woman's husband tugged at her sleeve and she allowed herself to be lead away saying, somewhat pathetically "I'll see you after the game." "I'll be standing right here." said Elizabeth. Needless to say she was - alone. All her life Elizabeth has hated bullies after being a very shy child herself. Our two sons were really chuffed. Not only do they have the only mother [and an Aunty Emma] that can help them practice their karate but now she is the hero of their soccer club as well! A lot of the other fathers have asked me "But what would she have done if...". My reply is always the same "Whatever she had to." which invariably leaves them nonplussed! Emma laughed hysterically when I told her about it on the phone and insisted I put Elizabeth on, who was standing nearby trying, and failing, to suppress a smile. "You old warhorse" Emma said "What happened, got the scent of battle again in your nostrils?" "Not so much of the "old" Sweetie. I can still move quickly enough when I have to, as you should well know after the drubbing I gave you in the wrestling on your last visit." Elizabeth said laughing. "I thought I gave you a drubbing! We'll have to ask Peter, he's the only one who knows the score these days. Oh, why on Earth didn't you just thump her, darling?" "I was going to, then I thought of the legal implications. I wanted her to throw the first punch." said Elizabeth. "Most won't, when it comes down to it." said Emma sadly. "No" agreed Elizbeth "They won't but you can still make them crawl away on their bellies!" Peter