Lily and Mark sat in the darkened room, waiting, their faces lit only by the flicker of candles. Tonight wasn’t just Halloween. It was the night they’d finally reveal the truth, and each passing second brought Carla closer to the moment they’d prepared for.
Halloween night, I’d been looking forward to this one. “Just think, Lil,” Mark, my husband, said, nudging me as we set out candy, “next Halloween, we’ll be doing this for a little trick-or-treater of our own.”
Halloween night, I’d been looking forward to this one. “Just think, Lil,” Mark, my husband, said, nudging me as we set out candy, “next Halloween, we’ll be doing this for a little trick-or-treater of our own.”
smiled, resting a hand on my belly. “I can’t wait.”
As we settled onto the couch, I thought about all the little moments we’d had that brought us here. But then, as if someone could sense our peace, Mark’s phone buzzed. It was Carla, Mark’s mom, who lived in a neighboring town. I had a bad feeling and didn’t even need to look at Mark to see him tense up beside me.
Mark sighed, glancing at me apologetically. “I’ll be quick. Promise.”
I tried to hide my frustration. “Go on, take it. It is your mom, after all.”
Mark picked up, his voice warm. “Hey, Mom, happy Halloween!”
Carla’s voice was loud enough for me to hear a little from across the room. “Happy Halloween, honey! It’s just not the same without you here. Remember all those Halloweens when you were little? We made the best costumes together.”
Mark softened. He didn’t see it, but I knew Carla loved these “remember when” conversations. She pulled on his memories to reel him back in, reminding him of the special bond they shared, one that became especially close ever since his dad passed when Mark was a kid. Now, with no other family close by, he felt responsible for her.
“You should come celebrate here with, Mom. I know you reminisce when you feel lonely,” he offered.
“Oh, no, no,” she said, pausing. “I wouldn’t want to intrude on your evening. Could you come to my place?”
I had heard this act enough times to know exactly where it was going. She wanted him to come to her, and she wasn’t about to give up until she got what she wanted. Mark tried to gently brush off her hints, glancing at me with a reassuring smile.
“Mom, Lily’s due any day now. I need to stay close to where she feels most comfortable, just in case,” he said, almost pleading.
Then, her voice came back, trembling. “Actually, Mark, I wasn’t going to say anything, but… I’m just feeling really shaken up. My neighbor, Susan, she’s… not doing well at all. Had a fall today, right in her driveway. Scared me half to death.”
Mark’s brow furrowed. “Oh no, is she okay?”
“Well, I… I think so. I don’t know. She might need help. And I’m… just so alone. It’s hard, Mark. Not having you here. Susan always says I’m like family to her.” Her voice broke, like she was holding back a sob. “She could really use a hand. And I… I don’t know who else to turn to.”
I rolled my eyes, unable to hold it in any longer. “Does she need help, or does she just want you there?” I whispered, frustration bubbling over. But Mark looked at me, torn.
“I know, Mom. I know it’s hard.” He turned to me, his expression torn and apologetic. “Mom, if you need me, I’ll come.”
He headed to the hall closet and reached for his emergency bag. I could feel my patience snap.
Mark bolted up the stairs, and I heard him start to pack his bag. A wave of frustration bubbled up inside me. It was Halloween night, our last quiet holiday before the baby, and here he was, ready to rush to his mother’s side again.