vignette

This vignette has multiple transitions, but the transition sentence that leads to the reflection was, "Now why do I regret that?" This strategy of using a rhetorical question is very helpful. It makes you go back and think about what you read and how you feel, personally, before going and reading how he felt. It pulls you into the story and lets you begin your own reflection.
The writer keeps expanding the conversation beyond the original moment is by turning it from his experience to your own experience. He says, " What I regret most in my life are failures of kindness." This is showing that he wishes he had stood up for her more than just 'mildly' and so he would have more of an impact on her life so she'd never forget that someone cared. He also asks the reader a question about who they remember most in their life, and furthers that question with an answer, "Those who were kindest to you, I bet." This shows that even the little acts of kindness are wonderful and would be able to change anyone's mind and feelings, more than you could imagine. You could be the one to save a life, just with small acts of kindness. You could be the one who says one nice thing to someone that helps them change their perspective on something and change it for the better.

Vignette 1

We’d gone in to New York that morning for this fencing meet with McBurney School. Only, we didn’t have the meet. I left all the foils and equipment and stuff on the goddam subway. I had a lot of responsibilities. I had a lot I needed to do, by myself. I needed to make sure we were getting off at the right stop and because I was so focused on that I had forgotten to grab to the equipment. Everyone was upset about the whole situation. People were yelling at me and telling me how awful of a manager I was. They all looked as sad as the Panthers in the movie, Friday Night Lights, when they lost the game. I know I mess everything up but this time it wasn’t entirely my fault. 

    Although, Max Rogers didn’t make anything better. Max was one of the bigger kids. You could tell he worked out more than the rest of us. He was about two of me in width and extremely tall. He was just one of those guys you just listened to because you didn’t want to make him upset. He was the most upset. After we got to the meet and realized we didn’t have our equipment Max through a huge fit. He was punching walls and throwing things, breaking anything and anyone in his way. When he was finally finished throwing everything and hitting walls he approached me. His face was as red as a ripe tomato and boy did he look angry. I was terrified with what was going to happen to me. I swore he was going to pick me up and throw me into a wall or even just snap me in half. He didn’t though. He just stood there and screamed in my face, spitting with every other word. He called me a failure and told me I should have never been born because that way no one would ever have to look at my dumb face or deal with the stupidity that was my brain. His words stung every ounce of me. If it weren’t for what happened next I probably would’ve broke down in tears. 

    I was on the verge of tears, closing my eyes so he wouldn’t see. Then I heard someone yell, “Yo, Max, knock it off!” It was his twin brother, Jean Rogers. Jean was just as big as Max, if not a little smaller. Jean was shorter though, so he didn’t look as intimidating. Both of them had the longer brown hair and the brown eyes to match. They looked just about the same, just Jean was the smaller version of Max. I looked up to see what was going on and Max had turned around so I could wipe the tears away, that had fallen. Jean was standing up for me. I would have never expected that. I was pretty sure Jean didn’t like me from the beginning of the season. We never talked other than when he told me something important I needed to know for the team. He was fighting his brother to get him to lay off of me and let me be. Jean told him that if Max was in my position that Max would’ve left everything at the school instead of actually getting them to the subway. When Jean said that to Max, he stopped in his place, looked at me, apologized, then left. 

    No one has ever done anything like that for me before. No one has actually cared for me or thought to stand up for me before. Today was one of the worst days for me until that. My respect for Jean just flew out of the roof. I thanked him for helping me. He said you´re welcome and walked away. I didn't expect him and I to the best of friends after that but I am still thankful that he stood up for me.