Page 77 of The First Time

She stands frozen in the hallway. “Where should I hide?”

Instead of pointing out that she just bragged to Josh about her hiding ability, I grab her hand and lead her to the laundry hamper at the end of the hallway. I open it, and it’s miraculously empty.

“Would you be too afraid to hide in here?” I whisper.

She shakes her head, so I lift her up and place her down inside. Then I hear Josh on twenty downstairs, so I put the lid back on (making sure to crack it for air and start to scramble around for a spot.

I run into the guest bedroom and panic as I hear him shout that he’s coming. Crap, I open the closet and try to wedge myself between some of the clothes.

This is such a weak spot. Although, I don’t know why I care so much. We are doing this to entertain the four-year-old,not for me to actually show him up. But I just so happen to be super competitive.

The sound of doors opening and closing downstairs, as well as his empty threats of finding us, make me smile.

Then I hear him coming upstairs, and I hold my breath. He’s being so dramatic. Every door he opens, he makes an ‘aha’ sound, like he just found someone.

That’s when I hear the giggles coming from the hallway. I shake my head as I listen to Brie snicker inside the basket. I wait in anticipation for him to find her, but then I hear footsteps come into the guest bedroom.

At first, they sound like they are getting further, maybe from the other side of the room, but then I hear them get closer and closer. Light shines into the closet as he opens the door. I stand as straight as I can against the back of the wall, behind the clothes.

I hear a choked laugh, then the clothes part, and he is staring at me. “Found you, Freckles.”

Stepping forward, I cross my arms across my chest. “It’s only because I used all of my time to help Brie,” I whisper so she doesn’t hear me.

“Aw,” he throws an arm around my shoulder. “Don’t feel bad. I’m sure you’ll do better next time. Now,” he says louder as we walk into the hall. “Where can that little booger be?”

More giggles.

We both look at each other and silently laugh together at how damn cute she is.

“Is she in here?” he asks as he swings open a hallway closet door. “No, she’s not in there.”

More giggles.

“Is she in here?” he continues as he jumps into her bedroom. “Nooo, she’s not in there.”

More giggles.

“Wait a minute. Did I hear something?” he asks.

More giggles.

“I think I know where she is,” he says as he walks back into the hallway.

More giggles.

He stands in front of the hamper while I lean against the wall and watch. He’s always been good with her, but I don’t think I’ve had this intimate of an experience with the two of them where I can really see just how great he is.

“How about in here?” He throws the lid off the hamper, and she screams with laughter then stands up.

“You found me, Uncle Josh!” she exclaims.

He lifts her out of the basket and onto his shoulder. She hangs off him and squeals with delight.

“I found you, you little rug rat.”

“Aunt Lay-lay, he found me.”

I come up behind them, laughing as she hangs upside down. “He did find you. I wonder how.”

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