Nemo Spoiled the Game

When my grandchildren were small, we played lots of yard games when the weather was fit to be out. Of course, Nemo played too, excited to be a part of the activities. One of our favorite games was Hide and Seek in the back yard. These were some wild and fun times. When I was “It”, I’d lean against a tree, eyes closed, and start counting…maybe by fives to a hundred. I could hear wild scurrying and running steps and then I’d call, “Here I come, ready or not.”

Well, there were trees to hide behind, a storage building, corners and nooks. My little ones would scrunch down and be invisible. Only thing was, they weren’t invisible to Nemo. he thought it was great fun to be a part of the game and would inevitably go to one or the other of the children and stand there looking at them, wagging his tail. A certain giveaway! Then, it was a wild race back to the base tree. Usually, my grandchildren, who were quite a bit quicker and faster than I, would reach the tree first and be free. But, when I happened to be able to count them out, poor Nemo was in disgrace.

“It’s Nemo’s fault,” Sara or Nathan would exclaim! “He always tells.”

We tried putting him in the house to keep him out of our game but that didn’t work. He’d cry and scratch on the door, a sad little fellow. So, who could have fun when a member of the team couldn’t join in? Out he’d come, and we’d continue. My grandchildren had to out-run me and dodge Nemo who ran too. Those were some wild and fun times!