It Was Halloween

"There was only one rule: don’t open the door.” It was Halloween 1997 and the kids were all over the place in crazy, scary, funny, and silly costumes. There appeared to be more trick-or-treaters than usual. I was warned about the door before my mother left for work.

It was easy to agree to as the candy on the porch was full and my big brother was out there with his scary costume on, so who would mess with him? No problem.

Then his friends showed up and wanted Dan to go with them. "Just for a quick trip around the block," they said. "Okay then," I said, "Go ahead, the candy will be fine until you get back."

Well, he didn't get back. The candy disappeared fast and I had to refill, so I quickly left my post in the house and went to refill the candy bowl. I opened the door to a friendly-looking face and the next thing I knew I was being drug by the hair into my house.

She said, "You were told not to open the door to anyone, and know you have gone and done it. Your penalty will be to make 100 gingerbread cookies for me and mine without any objections and your life will be spared! You are lucky I am being generous! Where is your brother?"

"I will take care of him!" she said. I worked almost the rest of the night. My brother never did get home. When Mom arrived all the cookies were gone and I was fast asleep when Mom woke me and asked where my brother was.

When I told her what had happened she said, "I told you! It's always something when you open the door on Halloween! I hope nothing bad happened to your brother now!"