Sissy | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Sissy | Previous Challenge Entry
By Jack Taylor
08/19/24
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Sissy Sommers was no sissy. Even with her title of ‘Sergeant Peace’. Just ask Grace and Wendell. Grace boasted top ranking on the sniper team for her Marine regiment and Wendell sported medal after medal for his heroics with Seal Team six. They’d been each other's primary support system for three tours of duty and numerous special assignments. And then came the exchange of rings and vows.

The pair rode the roller coaster of marriage for a dozen years before deciding to get off. Pastor Parks stumbled through his four standard counseling sessions with them but they needed more. The cleric was a pacifist and the military couple settled disputes with 45s at the target range.

Wendell found Sissy pulling dandelions from her front lawn. “That’s two-hundred-seventy-three,” she announced, holding up another yellow intruder. “Problems like this need to be attacked before they take root. You wait too long and these invaders spread all over.” She dropped the weed puller and saluted. “Sergeant Sissy Sommers at your service.”

The soldier spotted a nearby iron bench and nodded toward it. “Care to take a break to help a lonely veteran?” The two warriors sank onto the sturdy frame before Wendell continued. “The Padre sent me your way. Combat rules of engagement always seemed clear in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria. After twelve years with the woman I dreamed of, I have no idea how to fight fair anymore. Every day we’re exchanging friendly fire and ducking for cover.” He hoisted his backpack up onto his knee and withdrew a picture of Grace in uniform. “She’s the class of her sniper team but something else is going on behind closed doors. She’s hurting and her tongue never misses.”

Sissy laid a hand on his wrist. “I can tell a Seal a mile away. Haven’t seen one of them abandon a team member. You’re walking wounded and it sounds like she is too. The first rule to fighting fair is to stay calm. The enemy inside is harsher than the one across the room. Do your reconnaissance before you choose your weapon.”

“Weapon?” He set his backpack on the ground and slipped his phone into his khaki shorts. “I thought the whole point of being Sergeant Peace meant that you were helping us holster our weapons.”
Sissy nodded. “You Seals can hold your breath for over five minutes, right?” He nodded. “You know how to count from fifty to zero to keep your blood-pressure down.” He nodded again. “What habits are you using to find calm and peace amid your firestorms?”

Wendell smirked. “I guess I’m ducking for cover and hoping she doesn’t lob a grenade.” Sissy waited. “Okay, maybe I don’t always duck. I’ve been known to pull off an ambush or two of my own.”

“Every healthy relationship has power struggles at times. It’s how you handle conflicts that make the difference. Use peace and love. Never use weapons like criticism, contempt, defensiveness, or stonewalling, Those are grenades. Before you pull the pin, discipline yourself to walk away until that grenade is safely disposed of.”

“Makes sense,” he said. “I guess I have pulled a few pins in my day. Amazing she’s stuck around this long.”

“She’s committed to being your team,” Sissy said. “Once you’re calm, and not gearing up for an ambush, then identify one issue at a time for the two of you to address. Focus on that problem as the enemy – not your partner.”

Wendall sprang up and paced in front of the bench, hands behind his back. “Yes! That’s what we do with the Seals. One problem at a time. Grace and I get so exasperated and overwhelmed when we try to take out the whole force of problems at the same time. Nothing seems to get fixed.”

“Avoiding accusations is the next step,” Sissy said. “Focus on how you are feeling about what is going on.”

He stopped in his tracks. “I’m a man, Sergeant. I don’t do feelings.”

Sissy stood up, her head not even reaching his shoulders. “You sir, are a seal. You sir, have a team member who is down. You better feel.” She fisted him gently on the shoulder. “Be specific when you talk, don’t exaggerate, don’t hit below the belt by focusing on character, don’t bring up old issues. Push on until peace reigns.”

“I think I’ll bring Grace by to see you.”

“Until you do, deal with your own issues. I’ve got dandelions to pull.”

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