In the Spring of 1960 an invasion occurred in our town. It’s started as a slow trickle coming from downtown. They were brought in by big trucks early in the morning. They started to appear by surprise on my peaceful orderly street. It took about one week for them to creep into my house and other well-chosen homes to dwell. The sounds they made were  disgusting and disguised as human-like tiny voices. 

Word traveled fast on the party phone line. These creatures had no natural predators. Stunned by the invasion, several of my buddies ran down to the ball diamond to try to make up a plan of civil defense. We brought our handy weapons... ball bats made in America by Mr. Louisville Slugger. All were heavy pure wood. The screeching horrible sounds echoed throughout the street. Many fathers too afraid to stay in their own homes gathered in the front yards with their hands over their ears and shaking their head. Us young men of 9 and ten year old future warriors agreed to make a stand.

We crept back to my house in a long line employing the crouching walk posture ... a sure sign of eminent danger. Bats at the ready we stormed the storm door and in we went! My sister looking for quick cover threw the humanoid to the hardwood floor while it was still talking and whining. “Mom come quick!” I screamed and held my bat over the head of the THING. All my buddies huddled behind me and pushed me toward an early death... but I held steady. Mother appeared and told us all to “Get out of the house you bunch of Sissy’s!  It’s just a little doll called Chatty Cathy!!!  

Everyone ran as a pack of puppies back to the safety of the ball diamond. Wow! Pull the string and that dang thing talks! The whole town was alive with Chatty. Most guys have never recovered. Haunted for about five years after we all would report to one another how each guy found a unique attempt to score his first doll homicide. We ate soap and were severely grounded but almost every father quietly rewarded us with a bottle of pop and a choice candy bar. Boys and dads had bonded and it was worth our sacrifice. Hoorah!!!  

Hug your kids. Love your neighbor. Thank God you live in this town!