The Chairman
What a funny thing it was! He got stuck in a chair! Edging his neck deeper and closer between the crack, it was only fine skill he could master.

“just a bit more and I can show mom?”

Nice chair, good chair! Just a bit more. This plastic slit between the back and seat holds up a little too well.

“ouch! This had better be worth it.”

He twisted and turned; manipulated strands of hair. The lights blinked from the television set but the voices of Alice and the Mad-hatter had become a lump of incomprehensible gabble.

Droplets of sweat formed on his forehead and one or two rolled into his eyes.

With the last heave of breath and push, his neck was given satisfying acceptance.
Now, is there anything he can’t do? He grinned like the Cheshire Cat. With his body firmly hid behind the chair and head sticking out, he looked like the elusive animal too. The hall appeared funny from this angle- there was the same television, the sofa set and carpet; his toys scattered with neglect on the floor but they all seemed to be laughing at him. Suddenly he no longer felt in control.

It’s time to show mum. But he didn’t have to call her, for there she was, standing frozen at the doorway, then rushing over in dismay.

Why the dismay?

“alright darling, tilt your head a little, see if we can get you out”

Yeah, that’s simple. I can do that. Nice chair, good chair! This plastic definitely holds up well.

“ouch. Not good.” he wished that mum wouldn’t look so alarmed. It made him feel like crying. His neck is starting to hurt.

Mom has started to cry. She called dad at the office, told him not to be alarmed. As he sat sadly next to her, the chair like a cone collar on a dog, mom made another phone call. Her directions were crystal clear and calm.

The fire department has arrived! Two brave men guarded the red engine while four stout men ran into the apartment armed with an axe and toolbox.

“This is the first time we’ve encountered this.” One of them remarked observantly as he stroke the stubble on his chin.

The work was tedious and long but slowly and surely, one back broke (pity about the chair) and his neck was freed.

The little boy paced a little, shrugged as though trying out a new neck on the skinny shoulders, and grinned, “Great work guys, you certainly learn something new everyday!”

This is for Abel who grew up a precocious child and is now a man-boy with an old soul. Confused? Yeah so am I. Happy 3rd Anniversary.