We have a Halloween tradition that’s been going on for six years. We unscrew the lightbulb in the garden lantern, keep all the lights off in the house and stay in the TV room at the back and watch a movie. This year’s selection: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, which Derek had never seen.
When I moved to London seven Halloweens ago, I was excited about giving treats to kids in my new neighbourhood. I set myself up with a big bowl of mini chocolate bars, lit up the house like it was on fire, and waited. Over the entire evening, I may have had seven children visit. I may have also been in a diabetic coma by the end of the night from noshing on treats during the 90-minute spans between goblins.
After that, I said no more. It’s just not worth spending an entire evening on an event with so little return. Our street is a busy one and most kids live in the quieter subdivisions behind us. They stay where it’s safer. One of the kids I had that first London Halloween had to be 6′ and 17-years-old. He had a voice as deep as Darth Vader’s. I’m not giving up a Saturday night so Johnny High School can get his chocolate fix.
Derek and his colleagues dressed up for work on Saturday. Derek isn’t Halloween’s biggest fan, so, long ago I bought him this t-Shirt.
He got some grins and smiles. It’s a way of participating but … not!
Sign we’re grown-ups? An $11.99 box of Kit-Kats, Coffee Crisp etc. was on last night for $3.99. And I didn’t buy it! Damn. When did THIS happen?