The trouble with hide and seek

Trey hides to count, when he is the seeker. It has finally gotten through to him that he must count slowly and give the hider time to hide.

I have the perfect spot in mind. He'll never think to look here.

I wedge my bigger-than-I've-ever-been self into the spot. And look up to see a monkey. Wrapped tightly by the neck, in one arm of a sneaky little blondie. He stares at me. Two bright blue eyes and snaggle-teeth, with a whole-face smile. Aden knows my secret.

I put my finger to my lips, then whisper, "Don't tell Trey."

Trey has begun seeking now, and hearing his singsong, "Where aaaaaare you?", Aden runs to join him. After one room of no luck on his own, I hear Trey say to Aden, "Where's Mama?"

Aden giggles. After all, he knows.

Then he takes off as fast as his short chicken legs will carry him, monkey flapping in the wind, big brother on his heels.

Straight to me.

"I found you, I found you!!" Trey is proud of himself, choosing to ignore the fact that he so cheated.

I am now the seeker. I stay in my spot to count, because, let's face it, getting up is going to be a painful struggle that should be delayed as long as possible.

The count commences, and I expect Aden to run off to see where Trey is hiding so he can continue his game of subterfuge. Alas, he is fascinated by my counting. Or maybe he just stays for the amusement watching me try to stand. We'll never know.

"Ready or not, here I come!"

I'm up and moving. Emerging from the room I was in, I loudly muse, "Where aaaaaare you?"

"Here! In the living room!" comes the muffled answer.

Great.