The Day the Chair Fell

My wife Linda's dad was a real character. His name was W. E. Johnson. I called him Willie just because I was never told what to call him. He was a no nonsense sort of fellow who believed in self discipline and self control. One of my funniest memories of Willie occurred in our front yard on Truman Street around the 4th of July.

The family had all gathered for a cookout. After eating. we all went our separate ways. Willie, my brother Charlie, my daughter Libby (who was 7 or 8 at the time), and I went to the front yard to enjoy a lazy July evening. Willie and I sat in lawn chairs under a large redbud tree that still stands on that property. Libby decided to ride her favorite Big Wheel up and down Truman St. Charlie joined Willie and me in the shade.

This quiet picture of Americana was doomed from the start. Willie had given Libby explicit instructions not to ride too fast, and not to spin her Big Wheel as she could fall over and hurt herself. Willie had spoken, and that was it. Libby had not heard. She flew down the street and wheeled into our gravel drive on 2 wheels. Willie announced that he would teach Libby to mind once and for all. He attempted to stand to acquire a tree branch to teach Libby. Lawn chairs are not reliable props.

Willie began to fall as the miscreant chair gave way. I had gone toward the driveway to halt Libby's daredevil act. I should also mention that our yard slanted toward the street. There was a real danger that Willie could roll a considerable distance if not halted. I yelled for Charlie to intervene. His response was to run around the side of the house with both hands in the air. He announced to all who were in ear shot "Oh hell, Willie fell out of his chair!!" He then exited the area without further ceremony.

I got Willie to his feet and we decided he was only injured in the vicinity of his pride. We re-stationed our chairs and continued our lazy July activities. Later we went to Willie's car where he kept a bottle of medicinal bourbon and some paper cups. We toasted our adventure and I laughed. He never did. Here's to you, Willie. Libby turned out OK.