A Halloween Memory

 I was talking to a co-worker today about Halloween. We were reminiscing about what we used to do when we were kids, and this one popped into my head. I haven't thought about it in so many years! But here we go:

My best friend Emily and I were freshmen in Junior High. One day in school we got the bright idea to actually go out for Halloween. The plan was for her mother to drop her off at my house and then pick her up later, as it was a school night. Oh, what mischief we were going to make!

She got to my house, and we snuck two eggs out of the carton. We carefully put them in our jacket pockets and told my mother we were going to a friend's house and would be back by nine. Then we skedaddled out of the house for a night of mayhem!

Surprisingly, it was very quiet that night in my neighborhood. We walked around and only saw a very few kids trick or treating. What were we going to do with the eggs that were burning a hole in our pockets? No clue. 

So after walking around aimlessly, we decided that we were hungry and would go knock on a random door to see if we could get any candy. We approached a nice house, knocked, said, "Trick or treat!" and then I realized we were at Bobby K's house! (remember, my elementary school crush???) And of course, he was the one to open the door and laughed. "Nice costumes!" he joked. I was mortified! Emily said, "Are you going to give us a treat?" and being the nice guy he was, he gave us each a big candy bar. "Have a nice night girls!" he said as he closed the door, chuckling. Ugh! Emily giggled at my mortification. "I hope he doesn't mention this at school tomorrow!"

We finished our treats and then headed for the junior high. "This night is a bust!" I complained. "And now Bobby thinks we're lame!" "So what?" Emily replied. "It's not like he's still on your list. You like Tom, and I like Bill." This was so true. "How about we throw the eggs at the school and then head back to your house. It's getting cold!" Sounded good to me.

So we speed walked the rest of the way to the school and there was no one around. We started walking up the long, wide driveway when Emily stopped, fishing around in her pockets. "What are you doing?" I asked. "Look what I have in my pocket!" She pulled out a box of sidewalk chalk. "Okay..." I said. "Let's write something on the driveway!" "Like what?" I asked. "How about 'we love Tom and Bill'?" "Are you kidding? People will know!" "No one knows. Come on: it will be a great prank!" "Well," I began, "I guess the condensation overnight and the dew will get rid of the letters. Let's do it!" And we did. When we were done, to us the letters looked as large as the Nazca Lines of Peru. But I wasn't worried: that pink and purple chalk would be gone by the time we got to school the next day. Before we left, we lamely threw our eggs into the road and went back to my house.

The next day at school she and I were upstairs talking to a couple of friends before first bell when someone came running up to us. "Have you seen what's in the school bus driveway?" "No, what?" "Come look out the window!" We did, and low and behold: the condensation and dew had NOT erased what Em and I had written! Big giant letters spelled out "we love Tom and Bill!!" in bright purple and pink chalk. Emily's face turned beet red and thankfully no one could tell that I was scandalized too! Our friend Robbin said, "Who do you think did it?" Emily babbled something non-sensical while I kept my mouth shut. "Hey Em, don't you like Bill?" She giggled. "Um...but how would I have gotten here to do that?" "Huh, you're right!" Robbin said. "Wonder how long before it washes away?" I said, "Maybe the janitors will get rid of it today!"

Those words stayed on that pavement for at least a good week. And every day we were reminded of how lame we were. I think I'm going to text Emily later today to see if she remembers! Happy Halloween! 💀👻

You Had to be There

 When I first started this blog, I made mention of my friend Skye but then never followed up. I'm still not ready to tell the whole story. However, when Brie and I were driving to work one day this week she brought up an incident that had us laughing out loud. So here it is:

One day at work Skye approached me. "Hey, I'm having a birthday party this Saturday. You want to come?" I was shocked at the invitation but there was no way I was turning this down. "Sure, I'd love to come!" "Great! You can meet my new girlfriend." Me to myself UGH! But I'd already accepted and figured I could rope Brie into going with me. "Great!" He gave me directions and told me what time, said it was outside and at night there would be a big bonfire. Great...

So Saturday rolled around and I got a reluctant Brie to come. "I'm only going because it's a barbecue and I want a hot dog," she groused. "Yeah, yeah," I said. I wanted to meet his family and friends and hopefully show up the girlfriend.

It took longer than expected to get there because he lived in a relatively rural area that I wasn't familiar with. "Are you sure we're in the right area? This looks like klan country. " I laughed. "Stop it. Skye wouldn't have us out here in klan country! Just think about the grilled hot dogs!"

Presently we reached the correct address. I went to turn into the driveway. "OH snap!" Brie said. "It looks like a klan meeting!"

I parked, left the car running, and looked around as Brie locked the doors. The attendees, all white, sat in a circle on the lawn, staring at us. I did not see the birthday boy...

Suddenly, someone yanked on my locked door handle! We both screamed, but it was Skye and he was laughing. "Get out of the car!" "No!" Brie replied. I, on the other hand, was probably staring open-mouthed at a shirtless Skye. All abs and rib tattoos and JACKED. None of this had been displayed at work! So you know i unlocked my door for him to open it. Snap!

"Come On Brie," he said. "Let's get you ladies something to eat and you can meet my family." Sounded good to me! Right up until I saw the food display. Unwittingly, I had assumed it was a BBQ because it was outside. Nope! The covered hot tub was holding pizza, salad, veggies, chips: and he reverently showed us the blue bowl of watermelon. Now I'm sure he believed he was being respectful by including the "food of my people" but I didn't dare look at Brie. I don't even remember what we grabbed but as he was leading us to the circle Brie hissed, "Someone owes me a hotdog!"

Long story short: we were introduced to everyone Brie decided that his older sister was the grand wizard. There was a LOT of drinking that went on (not us!) The girlfriend was a wispy insecure thing, and it wasn't helped by Skye spending a lot of time kneeling by my chair talking to me. His mother loved me, which I appreciated but then again I am rather charming, ha ha. 

Then at sunset it was time for the big bonfire! We were a bit worried as pretty much everyone was drunk (not us!). But he and his nephew Joe (Brie's eye candy) did it up proper. It was a little disconcerting when they started dancing around it, but at least there wasn't any chanting or hoods! However, since it was dark and we figured it might be a 'sundown town' we decided to leave. Especially since there was no birthday cake!

We thanked them all for having us and bid them a good night. Skye walked us to the car and said, "It wasn't so bad, right?" I agreed and gave him a hug. Brie gave him a look and got in the car. He waved as we drove off and then Brie burst out laughing. "That bowl of watermelon!" she gasped. "Well Im sure he thought it was a nice gesture." "And the grand wizard sitting there in a wife beater and shorts! A bra would have been appreciated!" "Well Brie: it was family so thats what they're used to." "And the dancing: it was like something out of "The Lord of the Flies!" I couldn't help laughing at that one."Okay mom but promise me one thing: if you're ever invited to another of his parties I get to stay home!" "Okay." "And tomorrow you grill up some hot dogs. You owe me!"

Miss you Skye. And the food of my people! 😆