My husband, Lee, may seem all buttoned up on the surface. He is very disciplined.
However, an elementary schoolmate of his showed up at a class reunion and began to mercilessly tease Lee about his name. Please – do not get ahead of yourself and think it is his last name. It is most assuredly not. Lee is proud of being a Suspicious. The classmate stirred up unwelcome memories – “Bless his heart”, as we say in Texas.
Lee’s middle name is from his mother’s maiden name – Ward. At times teasing can be a trial for youngsters. Lee Ward Suspicious was shortened to Leeward. He detested it then; and does to this very day.
Heaven knows the name – and the accompanying lampooning – were unpleasant, to say the least.
Then came High School graduation, and a full naval scholarship was offered. Lee gritted his teeth and declined. He would under no circumstances go to the Naval Academy. Lee Ward Suspicious, navy man? Certainly not.
Instead, he went to West Point and was highly recognized. He climbed the ranks and became a Major in nearly record time.
That, as they say, is the rest of the story. It would behoove you to not tread on that particular “serpent”. Please refer to him as Major or Lee. Forego the middle name. Do not string his entire rank and name together as if it were humorous. If you ignore this, it may not go well with you.
-HS