by Donna Shreve
I feel it is important to create the setting before I disclose my tale of family lore. It was a crisp cool and clear Halloween on an early evening in the northern suburbs of Stockton. 1979 found the young boys were very much into the fun of Halloween.
I had agreed to accompany the eager boys on their annual adventure around the neighborhood gathering their treasures. John enjoyed staying home handing out the candy.
He had created quite a spooky act to add to the fun of Halloween. John wore a long black graduation robe with a black hood he found in our assortment of costume aides in the Halloween box. He also wore a hideous rubber hand. To add to the creepy atmosphere, the former music major John had a Bach organ fugue in D minor played by E. Power Biggs blasting in the background.
Leaving with the boys ready to gather treats, I took them to a few houses and then steered them to a specially selected neighbor. I had selected her because the boys liked her and the feeling was mutual. Brad was only four and I was limited where I could leave him without a fuss.
I had put careful planning into this evening. Having promised the boys my quick return, I dashed to my next neighbors who agreed to my prearranged scheme. My costume was innocent enough at first glance and off I hurried to our front door. I wore my mother’s coat, a paper bag with eyeholes over my head, and my own shoes because my mother’s shoes wouldn’t fit. Under my mother’s coat was my freezing naked body.
Waiting until there was a lull between trick-or-treaters, I approached the door, rang the doorbell, and then scrunched down a bit so my tall stature wouldn’t give me away.
The door opened slowly as the organ music assaulted me. John then reached out from behind the door with his creepy hand. He waited for the expected scream and then, out of curiosity, he opened the door even further. That was when I opened my coat and flashed him. Stunned silence!
Under my paper bag mask I bit my lip to stop myself from laughing and or saying anything. There was still stunned silence. My patience was giving out. Fortunately he finally spoke, “How many houses have you been to?”
I shrieked and then asked, “What took you so long?” He answered, “I didn’t recognize you.” Another shriek. “Well, what gave me away?” I asked. He replied, “Your shoes.”
I was incredulous, “My shoes!” I then said I had to pick up the boys and did a 180 and left him frozen at the front door.
455 words
D. Shreve
6/19/2004
Post Script To Halloween Story of 1980
The year is 2017 and it is 35 years after the first event. Halloween in Cape Cottages is non-existent. Never in the 34 year history of the complex has any little kid dared to ring a doorbell Of course, there are few if any little kids in the 112 condo complex.
John and I are settled in after dinner watching television when the doorbell rang quickly three times. I looked for John as he usually answers the door if it is evening. I guessed he was in the garage so I answered the door not knowing what to expect.
There greeting me was a man with a plastic bag over his head with two eyeholes cut out. He wore flip flops and a crummy ole robe. As soon as I opened the door, he opened his robe. There he stood in all of his naked glory. My reaction was to laugh hysterically. I am not sure what he expected from me but at least I did not just stand there frozen in silence like he had 35 years previously.
After 50 years of marriage I can say John is still full of surprises.
Swagerty-Aldrich Family Web Site 