“Is my wig on straight?” Scarlett tugged on the ends of the yarn.
Maddie nodded, her smile missing a front tooth, the bow on top of her Cindy-Lou-Who hair, bobbing.
The best friends glanced back at their moms who walked slowly behind the pair. They weren’t quite old enough to trick-or-treat alone, but at least they were together.
Scarlett swung her plastic jack-o-lantern bucket filled with candy at her side as they walked up the driveway of the next house. The scent of a bonfire hung around them, the chill October air a blanket on their skin. Darkness had fallen, streetlights and porch lights the only source of comfort for the trick-or-treaters. Squeals and giggles sounded from some kids at a neighboring house. They must’ve chosen trick!
Maddie rung the doorbell and the two stepped back to wait, bouncing on their toes. The door slid open and a young couple holding a baby greeted them.
“Trick-or-treat!” both girls sang in unison.
The woman grinned at the man. “What do you think, hon?”
He gave the girls a knowing smile but pretended to mull it over. “Let’s do treat this time.”
“Treat it is!” The woman laughed and held out a hand.
Scarlett and Maddie giggled with excitement, then each reached into their buckets, grabbed a piece of candy, and handed it over. “Happy Halloween!” they yelled, before sprinting away.
Maddie leaned toward Scarlett. “Do you believe the old wives’ tale where kids used to get the candy from each house, instead of giving it to them?”
“Not a chance.” Scarlett shook her head.
Then they ran off to give away more candy.
©Laura L. Zimmerman 2018
