Outside of academia, progress is difficult to quantify in any meaningful way. In certain fields there’s a very linear focus a person can have when going step-by-step through problems or towards their goals. Even then, if they have difficulty putting to words their findings, there is supplementary materials to fall back on. Things such as physical evidence, data, eye-witness testimony and so many more just to reaffirm the reality of whatever is being pursued. In Strategy by Avery Erskine, we witness the uncertainty of an individual’s own personal progress. Jeanette, our main character, lived through a problem that she has all the data for. Every aspect of her situation, from the way she was raised to the way her Father treats her when he’s at his most stressed, are all there for her to dissect and ponder. Which she does for a time. Going to Therapy and College allow her to recontextualize the situation from an outsider’s perspective. Yet, when thrust back into the reality of her life, she has trouble confronting him. Seemingly unable of doing anything other than going along with what he says, even if she so badly wants to act out against it. Just gritting her teeth baring it; until she can’t. He crosses a line. A topic that she thought was so obvious not to broach and for a few terrifying moments Jeanette has to confront him. She does. It doesn’t go horribly, if anything this is a best case scenario for her. Her Father understands now, at least to some degree, what her life has been like for so long. Which is all the more confusing to her, as it seems like for this step-forward that she took towards healing, there should be some kind of immediate emotional catharsis. Something that provides tangible evidence that she is on the right path. Instead, she’s left to deal with the aftermath of a conversation she didn’t want to have. - James Hough, SUNY Oswego