While going through some old files recently, we came across a story that had long been tucked away. In 2008, Cheryl wrote an original story,  the “Big Green Chair.” It is a memory of her kindergarten year, so circa 1956. She was tasked with taking care of herself while her parents juggled work and family needs. Alone for countless hours each weekday, she filled the time with creative imaginings, reading the encyclopedia, and generally entertaining herself. She developed a  child’s sense of humor, while pretending and observing her surroundings, as well as exploring her inner world. The result was that she became self-sufficient, maybe even too much so at such a tender age. Following is that story exactly as she recounted those solitary days as a little girl on Burton Road in Middletown Ohio.

The Original Story

I was a “latchkey” kid before the phrase was coined, but with one important difference: I was never alone. My mom folded boxes at the local corrugated paper company. Because she wanted to be home with the family in the evenings and to see us off to school each morning, she opted for the night shift. In the mornings, after bowls of oatmeal, and lunches were packed, she faithfully stood at the door and we went on our way.

Each day I’d return home around mid-day. The school bus driver had Mom’s strict orders to watch me until I passed through our front door.  Once inside, I locked the door and stood silently, listening for the familiar sound of my mother’s soft and steady breathing. She was a “gentle” sleeper and it was nice to know she was there.

At times I watched cartoons, without sound, to be quiet. Sometimes I lay upside-down in my huge chair and extended my legs upward and pretended to walk on the ceiling, defying gravity. Other times I looked at pictures in the encyclopedia. Still other times, I napped, tuckered out from a hard morning at school.

Later, when my dad came home from the City Water Works, the house would buzz with noise and chatter. But in the meantime, many hours were whiled away in that chair, a giant gentle hand that held me when everyone was away.  There, nestled in the warmth of my big green chair, I learned about the world and about myself. Within the silence of my own thoughts I grew up imagining that anything was possible.

Written from memory, 1-30-08

You can also visit the our musical story page here, which was written and first published some months later in 2008.

Music

Audio Player

Lyrics

Half a day is passed at school
Then I’m home by noon, it’s time to play

Mama worked hard yesterday
Now she’s sleeping late
So I won’t make a sound

I’ll grab a bite to eat
Prop up both my feet
Settle back into the big green chair

After lunch I read a book
Switch on TV to look
Cartoons fill the screen

Throw my legs upon the back
Swing my hair this way and that
Now my whole world is turned upside down

Without a single care
You could always find me there
Nestled deep into my big green chair

I notice that I’m wearing mismatched socks
Volume D has pictures of each different kind of dog
My purple Kool-Aid stain moustache is finally wearing off
What a shame

Now it’s getting close to four
Soon bursting through the door
My brother comes in

With my sister close behind
They both laugh to find me there
Kind of dozing in my big green chair

Then Mama’s at the stove
And Daddy has just come home
Glad to see them, I jump from my green chair
All together we’re finally
Home again

Credits

From After All, track released September 1, 2008
Cheryl Martlage – Lyrics, vocals and production
Emerson Martlage – Music, guitar, vocals and production
Mr Toad’s San Francisco – Mastering
The Tibbs Family – Inspiration
Images – Gemini