Every family has secrets—some serious, some surprising, and some so funny they become legends told again and again. In CUTIS’s family, one secret stood out above all others. It wasn’t about hidden food, missing toys, or sneaky adventures outside the house. It was a secret shared only between CUTIS and Dad, a special funny thing that turned ordinary days into moments of laughter and unforgettable joy.
It all started on a quiet morning when Mom was busy cleaning and organizing the house. Dad sat on the couch pretending to read the news, but in reality, he was already watching CUTIS from the corner of his eye. CUTIS was unusually calm that day—too calm. His eyes moved carefully, his body stiff with purpose, as if he was guarding a big plan in his head.
Dad noticed it immediately.
“Something is going on,” Dad thought, smiling to himself.
CUTIS slowly climbed onto the couch and sat beside Dad, leaning in close. He looked left, then right, making sure Mom wasn’t watching. Then he gently tapped Dad’s arm and made a soft sound, almost like a whisper. Dad raised his eyebrows in surprise.
“What is it, buddy?” Dad whispered back, playing along.
CUTIS grinned—a mischievous, confident grin. Then he did something completely unexpected. He leaned forward and pretended to cough dramatically, covering his mouth with one hand. When Dad leaned closer, CUTIS suddenly burst into exaggerated laughter, clapping his hands like he had just told the funniest joke in the world.
Dad froze for a second… then laughed out loud.
From that moment, the secret was born.
The “funny cough joke,” as Dad secretly named it, became their private game. CUTIS would pretend to be serious, then suddenly perform his dramatic cough-and-laugh routine, and Dad would respond with an equally silly reaction—sometimes pretending to faint, sometimes gasping in fake shock, sometimes laughing so hard he had to hold his stomach.
The rule was simple: Mom must not know.
Every time Mom entered the room, CUTIS instantly became innocent and calm. He would sit quietly, eyes wide, acting like the most well-behaved little angel. Dad would clear his throat, straighten his posture, and pretend nothing unusual had happened. But the moment Mom left, CUTIS would look at Dad and wiggle his eyebrows, signaling, Ready?
And off they would go again.
The funniest part was CUTIS’s timing. He somehow always chose the most unexpected moments—when Dad was drinking water, tying his shoes, or trying to focus on something important. CUTIS would suddenly perform his secret move, causing Dad to choke on laughter or burst out laughing at the worst possible time.
One afternoon, Dad was on a phone call. CUTIS sat nearby, unusually quiet. Dad thought, Good, he’s behaving. But CUTIS had other plans. Slowly, very slowly, he crept closer. When Dad turned slightly away during the call, CUTIS struck—dramatic cough, wide eyes, instant laughter.
Dad covered the phone, trying desperately not to laugh. His shoulders shook, his face turned red, and he had to excuse himself from the call. CUTIS watched proudly, knowing he had won another round.
Their secret funny thing grew more creative each day. Sometimes CUTIS added funny faces. Sometimes he pretended to fall over in slow motion. Other times, he would dramatically point at Dad, as if accusing him of something serious, then suddenly burst into laughter. Dad always responded with equal enthusiasm, making silly faces or pretending to be shocked beyond belief.
What made it special wasn’t just the humor—it was the connection. CUTIS felt important. He felt trusted. This wasn’t just a game; it was their thing. A private world where laughter had no rules and joy came freely.
One day, CUTIS decided to raise the stakes.
That evening, the family sat together for dinner. Mom was talking about her day, completely unaware. CUTIS sat quietly, behaving perfectly. Dad relaxed, thinking tonight might be calm.
Then CUTIS slowly looked up at Dad.
Their eyes met.
CUTIS gave the tiniest nod.
Dad froze.
CUTIS lifted his hand slowly… paused for dramatic effect… and performed the funniest, most exaggerated fake cough ever. He followed it with a laugh so contagious that Dad completely lost control. He burst into laughter so loud and sudden that Mom stopped talking mid-sentence.
“What’s so funny?” Mom asked, confused.
Dad tried to answer, but words wouldn’t come. He laughed harder, wiping tears from his eyes. CUTIS laughed too, clapping his hands in victory.
Mom looked between them, suspicious. “What are you two hiding?”
CUTIS immediately switched to innocent mode, tilting his head sweetly. Dad finally caught his breath and shook his head. “Nothing… just a funny thought.”
Mom didn’t fully believe it, but seeing them so happy, she smiled and let it go.
Later that night, Dad sat with CUTIS, still smiling. He realized something important. Life was stressful. Responsibilities were heavy. But moments like these—pure, silly, shared laughter—made everything lighter.
CUTIS, curled up beside Dad, looked peaceful and proud. His secret had worked perfectly.
From then on, whenever Dad felt tired or overwhelmed, CUTIS somehow knew. He would approach quietly, check if Mom was watching, and perform their secret funny thing. And just like that, Dad’s stress would melt away.
Years might pass. CUTIS would grow, change, learn new things. But Dad knew one thing for sure: he would never forget this secret. He would always remember the little partner who taught him that laughter is powerful, secrets can be joyful, and sometimes the funniest things are the ones shared quietly between two hearts.
And somewhere deep inside, CUTIS knew it too—this wasn’t just a joke. It was love, wrapped in laughter, shared between a dad and his very clever little friend.
