A Halloween to Remember
This Halloween was the first one without Kate’s husband, Carl, and she wanted to make it a special night for her daughter, Holly. Kate hoped that if they made the evening fun, it would help lift Holly’s spirits. The cool autumn air filled the neighborhood as Kate got busy decorating their yard.
She hung plastic bats from the trees, placed flickering pumpkins on the steps, and draped fake cobwebs everywhere, creating a spooky atmosphere. Meanwhile, little Holly, who was only five and didn’t quite understand the whole spooky theme, carefully arranged her favorite pink dolls and her fluffy teddy bear right next to the glowing jack-o’-lanterns.
“Honey,” Kate said with a gentle smile, “Halloween’s supposed to be a bit spooky, not just cute.” Holly tilted her head, still clutching her teddy bear. “Why does it have to be spooky, Mommy?” she asked innocently, her big brown eyes wide with curiosity. Kate chuckled softly and knelt down beside her.
“It’s just how Halloween is,” she explained. “We dress up and pretend to be scary, all for fun. But you know, maybe a little cute won’t hurt this year.” Holly’s eyes sparkled with excitement, and she grinned at her mom.
Suddenly, Holly lit up with a bright idea. “Mommy, can I wear the costume Daddy made me last year?” she asked, her voice bubbling with hope. Kate’s heart sank as memories of Carl flooded back to her, but she quickly pulled herself together. “Not this year, sweetheart. Let’s make a new one together, okay?” Holly’s face fell a bit, but she nodded, understanding that things had changed.
As the evening approached, Kate helped Holly into her new costume, a little witch outfit with a black hat. She tugged the hood just right, making sure everything looked perfect. Holly bounced with excitement, ready to join her friends for trick-or-treating. “Have fun and stay safe, okay?”
Kate called after her as Holly dashed off, her laughter echoing through the night. Watching her daughter run off into the festivities brought a brief moment of normalcy that soothed Kate’s heart.
Not long after Holly left, trick-or-treaters began to arrive at the door. Kate greeted each one with smiles and candy, feeling her spirits lift with every costume and giggle she saw. Then, as she was handing out candy, one little girl’s costume made her freeze in place.
The intricate details, the familiar fabric — it was just like the costumes Carl had once made. Kate’s heart raced as she managed a trembling smile. “Where did you get your costume, sweetie?” she asked, her voice shaky with emotion.
The little girl beamed with pride. “My dad made it!” she replied, her smile wide. Kate’s pulse quickened, and she felt a spark of hope. “Could you…show me where your house is?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady. The girl nodded eagerly, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She took Kate’s hand and led her a few streets away, her tiny feet pattering on the sidewalk.
As they reached the doorstep, Kate’s breath caught in her throat. There, standing and handing out candy, was Carl — alive. For a moment, their eyes locked, both filled with shock and a whirlwind of memories. “Hi,” Kate whispered, feeling the weight of everything they had lost. “Hi,” he replied softly, his voice almost a sigh.
Words felt heavy between them, but the silence spoke more than they could say. After a long moment, he sighed, his face a mix of relief and sorrow. “I’m sorry, Kate. I didn’t know how to tell you the truth.”
Trembling, Kate finally found her voice. “What truth, Carl?” she asked, searching his eyes for answers. He looked away, shame washing over him. “I met someone else. Her name is Rachel,” he confessed, his voice shaking. “The little girl, she’s like family to me now.” His words cut deep into Kate’s heart, but she held back her tears, her voice barely above a whisper.
“And what about Holly and me? We’re your family too.” Carl looked down, the regret evident in his eyes. “I couldn’t live in two worlds anymore, Kate. I had to choose.”
The weight of his words crushed her, but somehow, Kate managed to stand tall. “Then be happy, Carl. That’s all you can do,” she said firmly, her heart aching but resolute. She turned away, taking a deep breath as she walked back down the steps, determined to leave the past behind.
Back at her house, Holly’s laughter welcomed her like a warm embrace. Candy spilled from her bucket as she danced around, showing off her costume. Kate hugged her daughter tightly, feeling an overwhelming rush of love.
“We’ll make new memories, just the two of us,” she whispered, understanding that the life she shared with Holly was the one she would cherish. Together, they would create a future filled with joy, love, and adventure, without looking back at what was lost.
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