October Novel Prep Challenge

I can tell you what happens when I have an episode or when my uncle a Veitnam vet had an episode. With me, I panic. I start looking for escape roots, my breath quickens, the words coming out of my mouth make very little sense and in the end if someone doesnt stop me I run.

I saw my uncle have an event once in my life. It was raining, and had been for three days. It was dark outside and everything was muddy. We were sinking up to our ankles in mud. My mother's youngest sister had come to my mother's middle sisters house, the one married to the uncle in question. She was being chased by her abusive husband. She said he was armed. Uncle Darrel forgot where he was. Forgot who he was dealing with and why. If Daddy hadn't arrived when he did, the ex uncle in question would have died that night. Where i have a flight response. Uncle Darrel had a fight response. There was no question in his mind that he had an armed vietcong in his hands, fighting for his life. It wasnt until My father used his best preacher voice which often comes off as a commanding officer voice and called to my uncle. "Sargent, let him go. He's had enough." That my uncle responded. That was a scary night for everyone involved.

Your man running the meetings would act more like my uncle I am sure. Your girl, well she would act more like me. Oh, I would have fought if cornered but I wasn't about to be cornered. For years though I combated having to run by sitting in the middle of my bed with my arms wrapped around me knees humming softly to myself while I rocked back and forth. I only ran if people persisted in the conflict the triggered the problem.