Annoying Fun

Lauren plopped onto the couch, her legs curling under her as she scrolled through her phone. 

Babysitting Sophie wasn’t bad. She was a sweet kid who mostly entertained herself. Right now, Sophie was busy lining up her collection of dolls like they were having some kind of tea party. It was peaceful, quiet, even... until the front door burst open.

“Knock, knock!” Larry’s voice boomed through the house, shattering the calm.

Lauren groaned, not bothering to look up. “Ever heard of knocking before you come in?”

“It’s my house,” he shot back, his grin practically audible.

“It’s Margaret’s house,” Lauren corrected, setting her phone down. “And you’re just an uninvited guest.”

Larry wandered into the living room, carrying a grocery bag. “Oh, come on, Grinch. I come bearing gifts.”

Sophie’s head popped up. “What did you bring, Uncle Larry?”

Larry crouched down to her level, pulling out a box of cookies and a small bag of chocolates. “Snacks and ice cream for my favorite girls.”

Sophie clapped her hands, taking the cookies eagerly. “Thanks, Uncle Larry!”

Lauren narrowed her eyes. “Are you bribing her now?”

Larry straightened, holding up his hands innocently. “Bribing? No. I’m simply showing my appreciation for the little ray of sunshine in this house. Someone’s gotta counterbalance your storm clouds. But I got you some ice cream too.”

Lauren crossed her arms. “How thoughtful.”

Larry smirked, plopping down on the armchair across from her. “So, how’s babysitting going? Sophie giving you a hard time?”

“Not at all,” Lauren said, her tone clipped. “She’s great. The only hard time I’m having is with you.”

“Me?” Larry pressed a hand to his chest, feigning offense. “I’ve been nothing but charming.”

“If by ‘charming’ you mean obnoxious, rude, makes me want to kill you, then sure,” Lauren replied.

Sophie giggled as she munched on a cookie, watching their exchange like it was her favorite TV show.

***

That evening, Lauren was helping Sophie build a gingerbread house at the kitchen table. Well, Sophie was building. Lauren was mostly supervising and trying not to get frosting on her sweater.

“You’re doing great, Sophie,” Lauren said, handing her another gumdrop.

“Thanks! It’s gonna be the prettiest house ever!” Sophie declared, her little hands carefully pressing the candy into the frosting.

Just as Lauren started to relax, the door swung open again, and Larry strolled in like he owned the place—which, technically, he kind of did.

“What’s going on in here?” he asked, leaning against the doorway.

“Uncle Larry, we’re making a gingerbread house!” Sophie exclaimed, waving him over.

Larry raised an eyebrow. “Is that right? And who’s winning?”

Lauren looked up from the table, confused. “Winning? It’s not a competition.”

“Everything’s a competition, Grinch,” Larry said with a grin, pulling up a chair.

Before Lauren could protest, he grabbed a handful of gumdrops and started decorating the other side of the gingerbread house.

“Hey!” Sophie protested. “That’s my side!”

“Relax, kiddo. I’m just adding some flair,” Larry said, sticking a gumdrop on the roof.

Lauren crossed her arms, watching him. “You really can’t help yourself, can you?”

“What? I’m bonding with my niece,” he said, not looking up.

“You’re hijacking her project,” Lauren shot back.

Sophie giggled, clearly enjoying the chaos. “It’s okay, Lauren. Uncle Larry is fun.”

Lauren rolled her eyes. “Yeah, fun like a bad sitcom.”

Larry leaned closer, his grin widening. “Admit it, I am fun.”

“I’m tolerating you,” she corrected.

“Same thing,” he quipped, popping a gumdrop into his mouth.

Lauren had just finished cleaning up the mess when she heard the unmistakable sound of a hockey puck hitting the wall. She walked into the living room to find Larry practicing his slapshot using a foam puck and a small net he’d set up.

“Are you serious right now?” she asked, arms crossed.

Larry turned, stick in hand. “What? I gotta stay sharp.”

“You’re going to break something,” Lauren said, gesturing to the lamps and picture frames lining the walls.

“It’s a foam puck, Grinch. Relax,” Larry said, lining up another shot.

Lauren moved to stand in front of the net. “Nope. Not happening.”

Larry grinned. “You gonna block my shot?”

“Try me,” Lauren said, her chin tilted up defiantly.

“Oh, you’re on,” Larry said, his eyes gleaming with mischief.

Before she could think twice, he took the shot. The foam puck hit her square in the stomach, and she let out an exaggerated groan, clutching her middle.

“Wow. Brutal,” she said, trying not to laugh.

Larry laughed, lowering his stick. “You’re a terrible goalie.”

“And you’re a terrible houseguest,” Lauren retorted, tossing the puck back at him.

Sophie walked in, looking between them. “Are you guys fighting?”

“No,” Lauren said quickly.

“Yes,” Larry said at the same time.

Sophie tilted her head. “You guys are weird.”

Larry shrugged, picking up the puck. “She’s just mad because I’m winning.”

“There’s nothing to win,” Lauren said, exasperated.

“That’s what losers always say,” Larry teased.

Lauren shook her head, walking out of the room. “Unbelievable.”

As she headed back to the kitchen, she couldn’t help the small smile tugging at her lips. For all his antic

s, Larry was... well, Larry. Annoying, yes. But also kind of fun. Not that she’d ever admit it to his face.

Would you?