The Green Pea Dilemma

This is an article written by my cousin-in-law, Craig Waddell. If you have ever had a discussion with your spouse similar to the one Craig had with his wife Sarah, I think you will understand his delicate handling of a serious matter (red pepper in his peas).

THE GREEN PEA DILEMMA

FORWARD

This short story illustrates the uncanny ability of a woman to both lure a man into a conflict and to defeat him before he even knows he has been challenged.  Chapter one begins with a middle-aged married couple seated at their kitchen table.  The long time spouses are engaged in conversation as they enjoy a delicious meal which was lovingly prepared by the wife.  As the repast comes to a close, the husband ventures to a subject that has been bothering him throughout the supper.

Chapter 1

“In all our 32 years together, I’ve never known you to eat green peas.  I know you’ve tried a bite now and then, but you’ve never eaten a full serving.  Have you started eating them now?” the husband hesitantly inquires.

“Sometimes,” the wife alluringly replies.

“I noticed that you didn’t put any green peas on your plate tonight.  Are you going to eat them tonight?” the man innocently asks.

His mate shrugs and continues to bait the trap. “Maybe.  Why?”

Unaware of the danger lying ahead, the male ventures, “They’ve always been delicious the way you’ve fixed them in the past, but I noticed that you put red pepper flakes in them tonight.  I was just wondering why?”

Sensing victory, the woman coolly explains “Yeah.  I decided to jazz them up.”

Not being able to resist the bait, the husband steps into full view.  “Okay, but could I make a request?  As we’ve talked about before, I really don’t care for red pepper flakes.  At the meals when you know you’re not going to eat the green peas, do you care to fix them the way you always have, and not add the red pepper flakes?”

Quickly his mate drives home the deciding blow, “If you don’t like the way I fix them, then next time you can fix them yourself!”

THE END