Late one Night....

I don't know where he got it: Either preschool, or daycare, or at his lodge meetings. It was charming at first but now it's just painful.

When we take a trip of more than 4 blocks, Charlie announces story time. We each have to take a turn, and they all have to start with "Late one night when everything was quiet." He'll say something like, "A blue bear ran after the jeep and caught us and ate Papaw. The end." Then it's grandma's turn.

Grandma will say something like "Late one night when everything was quiet Charlie got ice cream because he was a good boy. The end." Charlie will say; "Good story, Grandma. Your turn, Papaw."

I'll tell a real story with plot twists, morals, and inspiration. My story would be worthy of a film at Sundance. James Cameron would kill for my story. Charlie will pause, and say; "Bad story, Papaw. Try again." And I will.

Each of the seventeen times I tell a story, Charlie will not be impressed and will have me try again. Finally, I'll say something like; "Late one night when everything was quiet Charlie got a spanking and had to go to bed. The end!"

Charlie will say; "You tell bad stories. Grandma, your turn."

And so it goes.