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You can use David’s head!
We were packed into the basement of our house until the upstairs got built, creating lots of places to hide.
My cousin Barbara Kay (two months younger than me, Mary Barbara) lived a somewhat sheltered life, meaning she wasn’t allowed to act like a wild banshee like I tended to do.
David and I convinced Barbie to play hide-and-seek while she spent the night, with the lights off. Not an easy task since the dark and anything remotely scary terrified her (me too, but that doesn’t count). We compromised, agreeing to keep the hall light on and limit the hiding to our bedroom.
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Boogeyman
Barbie and I hid first. She stunk at hiding. Though in plain sight, David walked past her and searched until he found me. He made a big production of trying to find Barbie.
I didn’t need night vision to see Barbie squatting by the end of my bed nearest the hallway. I smelled a rat that smelled a lot like my game-rigging brother.
He continued searching and ignored Barbie’s muffled giggle when he stood near her.
“I give up,” he said. “Where are you?”
Barbie jumped up. “I was right here the whole time.”
No kidding.
I was it next and figured two could play at this game.
“Ready or not, here I come,” I yelled.
I entered our bedroom and spied Barbie crouching in the exact same place. I brushed lightly against her.
“What the heck?” asked Mary the over-actor. “Someone must have knocked my pillows onto the floor.”
Barbie ended my fun by laughing too loud to ignore. I told David I gave up, because I didn’t feel like looking for him.
Now Barbie was it. “I don’t want to play anymore,” she said nervously. “Let’s do something else.”
“You have to take a turn finding us,” I explained. “It’s only fair. We promise we’ll hide in easy places.”
She foolishly believed me, but wisely insisted on a flashlight.
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Hey, David, are you in there?
A brief sound of movement came from her right. Barbie spun around and cast her beam at the clump of clothes.
“Is someone on top of the bureau?” she asked.
No answer.
She moved closer, reached out, and tentatively touched the pile. David and his coat of many pieces rolled onto the floor, landing at her feet. He lay perfectly still, covered in clothing with only his head sticking out.
“I knocked David’s head off!” Barbie screamed, while running for my parents.
Mom and Dad rushed in with Barbie behind them. Instead of a headless body they found David and me limp from laughing so hard.
Barbie made us sleep with our desk light on and refused to play hide-and-seek in the dark with us again.
Lesson Learned: If you’re afraid of the dark yourself, it’s not nice to scare someone else. But it’s fun anyway.
Related Posts: Chapter Six: Creating Cleavage; Rich City Cousin Chapter Four: Night Crawler
Now it’s your turn: Did you like to play in the dark?
© Mary Norton-Miller and 1950s Suburban Adventures, 2012 forward. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Mary Norton-Miller and 1950s Suburban Adventures with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
1950 Memories of Suburban Adventures 
Most fun things are not nice, are they, Mary 🙂 And the doctors keep pruning all that remains 🙂
Suresh, the only reasons I was brave was because the hallway door was open and it was my bedroom. But I wouldn’t have wanted to be alone in the dark.
We used to play a game like this in boarding school. I forget the name now, but you had two groups, one hiding, the other seeking, all in the dark. But we made so much noise, the nuns banned it. I used to be petrified most of the time anyway, so maybe it wasn’t such a stupid ban!
Yes, Mimmy, hiding in the dark is scary, but seems like so much fun afterward. If it was me, I’d be making noise so it wouldn’t be so spooky.
I don’t remember being afraid of the dark. I do remember being afraid to be alone in the house while growing up. I wanted my bedroom door open so that I could hear my parents and the TV as I’d fall asleep.
Oh yes, Glynis, if I was in the house alone I stayed by the front door for a quick getaway. And my bedroom door was alway open until I reached my mid teens.
Strangely enough, if I am alone in the house, I prefer to lock my room door (even now!) and a room with an attached loo is imperative.
Okay, Mimmy, I admit it. I’m still afraid of the dark if I’m alone. I guess we’re just a couple of scairdy cats.
I often scare myself when it’s dark and I’m alone. I think that’s because I know that it’s not the dark that gets you, it’s whats in it. On the other hand, I can scare myself when it’s perfectly light and sunny outside, too. Maybe I’m just waiting for the next bad thing to happen.
Yes, Donna, a vivid imagination is not handy when you’re in the dark alone. I have a future post about my boobytraps to thwart anything sneaking into my room at night.
so funny. yes, i loved it. played w my 2 sisters and brother and loved to terrify ourselves)
Thanks, KS. Having siblings made growing up fun. A bit annoying at times maybe, but definitely more enjoyable with a companion.
You were fun kids, Skinny. I used to whistle going down the stairs in the dark. D
Oh no, Spunky. If you whistle, the night creatures will know you’re coming! Only whistle when someone is walking ahead of you in the dark. That way they get eaten first and you have time to run away!
That’s a good one, Mary!
Funny piece Skinny. The title made me want to read it 🙂
Thanks, Susannah. Some of the best memories are the simple, seemingly inconsequential moments.
Yes indeedy 🙂