Chief

This is a story about how Rosemary Rothacker, in the fall of 1977, began calling her husband Chief.

Thursday night was THE night for David and Rosemary.  They began the night playing co-ed volleyball at the local high school.  Next it was a stop at Lud's, a local pub, with a few friends.  Then came bowling at Southgate Lanes.  Rosemary bowled on one end of the lanes in a woman's league and David on the other with the men.  After bowling ended at midnight the newlyweds closed down the lane's bar with their friends.  The night concluded at Sambo's, a Denny's-like eatery.  Friday mornings were a bear*.

As time progressed, Rosemary began calling David, Chief.  Friends and relatives took notice.  It was generally observed that the name was spoken out of respect.  David, a rather tall fellow, who to some was rather intimidating, was the husband, the leader.  The name seemed to fit.  Soon, even relatives began calling David, Chief.  It all became very comfortable and for years no one questioned where the moniker came from.  Until one day someone asked David.  As he explained the name was spoken by Rosemary out of respect for him, Rosemary listened.  And then Rosemary's face began to turn red as she clenched down upon her jaw and began to jump up and down.  Rosemary jumped up and down, right out of the room.  It is said that she kept muttering, "Bobbit, Bobbit, Bobbit!"

Gaining her composure, she returned to the conversation.  As she wiped the drool from the corner of her mouth, revealing razor sharp incisors, she said, "Let me tell you how I came to call Einstein here, Chief.  We had been playing co-ed volleyball for a few weeks when a new guy joined in.  He was about six foot three, the same height as David and he was mentally challenged.  He never moved more than a foot from his position on the court.   When he was at the net, he hardly moved at all other than to put both of his arms up in the air.  He played volleyball exactly like the Indian character in the movie One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest.  By chance, do you remember what Jack Nicholson called that Indian character?"

From that time on, David reserved his explanation of how Rosemary came to call him Chief, to when she wasn't around.

*Note: the author's body racks with pain and his head pounds as he thinks about being so young and foolish.

Comments

[Debra Estep]

In the words of the country song...
"That's my story and I'm sticking to it"

Ummmm as long as Rosie is not around..
TOO FUNNY !!!!

Have you EVER heard me call you Chief ?

The answer would be nooooooooooooo.
And do you know why ? lol

Because the times I've heard Rosie say it,
there was a certain ~ever~ so slight tone, that I took as less than complimentary.

[Steve Sherlock]

good story!

[dave]

Your perception is correct Deb. Actually it is Ro's side who calls me that. You know what our side calls me.

Thanks Steve!