“So I sit here…”
“…and wait,” Misha confirmed.
Clara sighed. When she agreed to babysit her nephew, she thought playgrounds and picnics. Not nonstop rain and hours in a gloomy cafe while her car was being repaired.
She looked around for the boy. Yep. There. His red top. He’s crouched behind the same table. Every. Single. Time.
“I give up!” she announced.
“Ta-da!” Misha popped out like a cork from a bottle.
The four-year-old ran to her and wrapped his arms around her torso. “Best play-date ever, Auntie Clawa! I love this Waiting Game!”
Clara smiled. “Wanna hide again?”
For Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers
Photo prompt © David Stewart
Na'ama Yehuda 
Kids are high perseverators
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL! They are, aren’t they? Trying to figure out the world is a big task…. Whatever they can make predictable feels mighty fun to them! 🙂
LikeLike
Aw, I really like this little slice of life 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s the little slices that make very tasty life treats, right? 🙂 Your comment made me smile! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful, Na’ama. You story reminded me of when I was on a planet far away many years ago, a mere child of blissful ignorance.
How I loved all the mystery and drama when a storm came. The lights went out and we lit candles and used a flash light to go to the bathroom. It was fun for me.
So often it happens that I wish I didn’t know now what I didn’t know then. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Childhood innocence is a thing to cherish. Not in the naive assumption that children have no complex feelings (for they do), but in the knowledge that the time where they can be fully in the moment, is brief. And precious. Storms are stirring. I still find them to be exciting and mysterious (even with the knowing of how much more they are than that). I’m glad for the fond memories of some aspects that may well have been a lot less simple for the adults. Also, bathroom by flashlight is excellent fodder for light-circles on the wall. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well said, Na’ama. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww, so sweet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Sadje! We can all use a bit of awwww once in a while, and kids are good at eliciting those. I try to get a regular dose of delight-by-proxy. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very true. A heartwarming story does us all good.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 Yay! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
A delightful tale, Na’ama!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Keith! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This should come with a trigger warning. SOooo many games of hide and seek with kids, and as lovely as their hugs and enthusiasm are, it’s not always enough to break the adult malaise.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, there are different kinds of hide-and-go-seek games with children, too, and not all of them are nice … But, yeah, this one was, AND children should NOT charged with the responsibility to cure adults’ malaise through their cuteness, though it is delightful when a child’s joy eases one’s moroseness. Hugs to ya.
LikeLike
Little games are always delightful for children. Thanks Na’ama for reminding us of this blissful time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Susan. Yes, the little attentive games we can play, build predictability and security and anticipation of fun for little ones. And … their delight is often contagious! Whether we want to play another “knock-knock” joke round or not. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely story, Na’ama. What an inspired game Clara came up with. My youngest grandchild loves peekaboo, and it won’t be long before hide and seek can be allowed in the garden.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha! I’m not sure it was Clara’s idea… but it seems she’s resigned to her fate … Love is a great motivator! 🙂
LikeLike
If their happy with hide and seek then she maybe got off lightly, even if she is a little bored!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly! And I think she realizes it in that last line … 🙂 For, yep, it can be a LOT harder sometimes … Worse if the little one is bored! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely, you used the prompt really well
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Michael! 🙂
LikeLike
Kids are easily amused. Hope the rain clears, young ones need to burn off energy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed! I think Misha is burning some energy as he goes, but … yeah, I hope the weather clears, for both their sake. Because I suspect that the one who needs to burn off energy is antsy aunt Clara … 😉
Also, here’s to children’s easily amused ability. Some of us don’t lose it, or … at least … not completely. And children are great reminders of it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
He’ll have to take her to the park. 🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep!
LikeLike
Na’ama Y’karah,
I once heard a saying that I’ve never forgotten. “Children learn to dance before they learn there’s anything that isn’t music.” Sweet piece. Love Misha’s voice. Aunt Clawa. 😉
Shalom & Hag Samayakh,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, indeed, the world IS music to a child … and if we think of the sing-song voice we use when we lilt to a newborn, or the rhythm of one’s heart as the baby’s head is against one’s chest, then no wonder there’s music in their veins before there are words. And, yes, Misha’s a darling. 🙂
LikeLike
Sounds like he loves his aunty!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 Sure does! Also seems like she doesn’t really dislike him, either … just the weather and circumstances … 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person