Halloween Treats

by Sandra R Neeley

  Everybody laughed when they realized what she was.

  “Told you it would be the best one,” Maverik said. He loved his Mate. She was beautiful, loving, sweet and a great mother. But she was also extremely intelligent and had a wicked sense of humor and wit that not many people got to see.

  “Alright,” Kaid said, still chuckling. “Let’s go.” They walked back over and got in their car, and one by one, all of the rest of their family’s vehicles fell in behind them. They were on their way to the kids’ first real trick-or-treating Halloween night.

  Chapter 12

  As the clan pulled up to Vince’s house, he came out to tell them where to park. “Ya’ll can pull two up in the driveway behind ours, another sideways right behind them and two along the curb in front of the house. We get a lot of people having their families over, so we don’t want to take up their spaces, too.”

  “You got it,” Kaid answered as he pulled up and parked along the curb, being sure to go to the very edge of Vince’s yard. Bam came in right behind him, Bane pulled into the driveway with Bam beside him and Daniel beside him, with Maverik parking lengthwise at the curb at the end of the driveway.

  “There we go. I knew we could get everybody in,” Vince said.

  “What are you?” Maverik said, standing there with his hands on his hips looking at Vince.

  “I’m Mater from Cars,” Vince said.

  Maverik started chuckling. “I get it. I can see it now. All the purty blonde hair was throwing me off.”

  “Yeah, ‘cause it covers the foam shaped wrecker I’m wearing,” Vince said.

  “Yeah, well, at least you’re not a big ass rabbit,” Bane said, stomping up.

  Vince lost it. He laughed so hard he was choking. “What the hell are you?” Vince finally managed to get out.

  “I’m the White Rabbit,” Bane said straight faced.

  “Like, from the Starship album?” Vince asked.

  “No. From Alice in Wonderland,” Bane said, having to chuckle at Vince’s association of a white rabbit with 70’s rock instead of Alice in Wonderland.

  When Janie finally got the kids out of the vehicle and they all walked over, Vince looked at them, then at Bane. “Ohhh, I see it now.”

  “Yeah,” Bane said. “Daisy wanted us all to match, so we’re Alice in Wonderland.”

  “Same. Christian wanted us to all be cars from Cars. So, I’m Mater, he’s Lightning McQueen, and Natalie is Sally Carrera. Ya’ll look great, though.”

  “May I have some tea, please?” Daisy asked, holding her teacup upside down.

  “Oh! You almost got me. I was getting ready to go get some tea to pour in your upside down cup!” Vince teased.

  Daisy laughed. “Look at Mama and Brandt,” she said, watching Janie get Brandt organized and over to the group.

  “Janie, honey, you look great,” Vince said.

  “Thanks. And Brandt is…” Janie said.

  “I know, the Cheshire Cat!” Vince said.

  “Noo,” Brandt drawled. “I’m a Bampire Shesher Cat!” he announced right before he displayed his fangs and hissed at everybody.

  “Whoa! That’s scary, man!” Vince said, acting like he was afraid.

  Brandt grinned and walked off toward his cousins, happy that he’d finally scared somebody.

  “I love it,” Maverik said, walking up with his family. “We got two dead lumberjacks, I’m a dead motorcycle guy, and my Valerie is…” he said, using his hand to draw attention to Valerie where she was walking toward him.

  Vince looked for a moment, then starting laughing. “Okay, I thought Bane won, but you do! Cereal killer! That’s freaking awesome!”

  “Thank you,” Valerie said, hugging her brother.

  “Guess what we are!” Havoc yelled up at Vince while he tugged on Vince's pant leg.

  “Hmm, you have a hatchet stuck in your head, you’re bleeding everywhere.” Vince looked at Hellen and put his hands on his hips. “And you got bloody leaves and sticks in your hair, and what happened to your hair? Why’s it white?”

  “’Cause I’m dead!” Hellen said giggling.

  “You both have hatchets in your hands, too. Could it be that you’re tree chopper downers?” he asked.

  “Yes! We’re lumberjacks! Dead ones!” Havoc shouted, jumping up and down.

  “You know, I think the look suits you. You should dress like that all the time,” Vince said seriously.

  “I might,” Havoc answered, nodding his little head thoughtfully. Then he caught sight of Analise and wandered over to wait for her beside her family’s car while they got everything out and situated.

  Kaid waited for Delilah and Barron to get out of the vehicle, then they started walking over. “Uncle Vince!” Barron called out.

  Vince turned around to see Barron and his mouth fell open. “Holy hell,” he said when he saw Delilah striding toward them.

  “Yeah,” Bane said. “She’s something.”

  “Did you ever doubt it?” Valerie asked. “Most of it is the way she carries herself, more so than her actual appearance, not that she’s not beautiful, but you can feel how regal she is.”

  “Very, very true,” Maverik agreed.

  “Damn, Delilah. You trying to get some poor male killed for staring too long?” Vince asked.

  “Not particularly, but, you know, if it does happen, it happens,” she said, grinning at Vince. “And, thank you for the compliment, Lion.”

  “I see you brought your arch nemesis and his sidekick,” Vince said to Delilah.

  “I did, Batman and Robin follow me everywhere I go,” Delilah said. “I never get to have any fun!” Delilah said on a hiss.

  Barron looked up at Vince. “It’s really my Mommy. We’re pretending, though.”

  “Oh, okay. I get it. I won’t be scared then,” Vince answered.

  Bam walked over with Everly, Analise with Havoc following along with her, and Emmalyn. “Oh my goodness!” Vince said, bowing before Analise. “Welcome, Princess Merida,” he said dramatically.

  Analise giggled. “It’s just me, Uncle Vince!”

  “Oh! Analise. I thought you were Merida.” He looked over at Everly. “Everly, hon, you are gorgeous.”

  “Thank you, Vince. Bam talked me into buying a real gown so I’ll have something to wear to a special occasion later.”

  “You chose the perfect dress.”

  Vince looked at Bam. “You’re not dressing up?”

  “Yup. Waiting ‘til the last minute. I’m a Bear,” Bam said. “Me and Emmalyn are the bears from Brave. “

  “Seriously?” Vince asked.

  “Yeah, I’m going to wear a bear mask, but the costume is all me, and Emmalyn is already wearing her costume.”

  “That’s perfect. And with Lise being Merida and Everly being the Queen, it’s awesome,” Vince said nodding.

  Daniel and Avaleigh finally joined the group, having taken a little longer to get Angelle situated in her stroller.

  “Game of Thrones!” Vince said. “Drogo and Daenerys.”

  “Yes, indeed,” Daniel answered.

  “Ya’ll look good. And what is this? You brought your own personal dragon guard?” Vince asked, looking at Remi.

  “It’s me, Uncle Vince,” Remi said from inside the dragon head.

  “Remi! I was wondering where you were,” Vince said.

  “It’s me. And look at my sister! She’s a baby dragon,” Remi said, proudly showing off Angelle.

  “That’s who I’ve been waiting to meet. I heard you had a new sister,” Vince answered.

  “I do. Her name is Angelle, and she’s tiny. But she’ll grow up and I’ll watch over her until then,” Remi said.

  “Well, let me see,” Vince said, kneeling down and looking into the baby carriage. “Hello, little girl,” he said.

  He put his finger near her hand and she grabbed hold of his pinkie. “She’s beautiful, ya’ll. Congratulations.”

  “Thank you,” Daniel said.

  “Man, I have to
get pictures of everybody before the night’s over,” Vince said.

  “Hey! Ya’ll are all here!” Natalie said, walking out with Christian who was dressed as Lightning McQueen.

  “Hey!” everybody greeted while the typical hugs went around.

  “Anybody need to go make pottie before we go?” Natalie asked.

  “No!” the kids all screamed.

  “Well, then, let’s go!” Natalie said, pretending to drive the foam Porsche she was wearing out onto the sidewalk. “We have candy to collect!”

  “Or tricks to play!” Hellen shouted.

  “Watch that one,” Valerie and Maverik both said to each other at the same time.

  <<<<<<<>>>>>>>

  Jobe took a deep breath, blowing it out slowly through his pursed lips as he looked at the door in front of him. He was about to knock on that door, and when he did the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen was going to walk out of it and if everything went right, before the end of the night, she’d be his girlfriend. His promised girlfriend.

  Jobe reached up and knocked on the door, then took a step back so he’d be easily seen through the peephole. He watched as the interior lights of the house glowing through the cut glass near the top of the door was shadowed as someone approached. Then he heard the lock turn and the door opened.

  “Jobe, welcome, son. Come on in,” Mr. Chauvin said.

  Jobe hesitated. “Mr. Chauvin, if you don’t mind, could I speak to you out here real quick first?”

  “Sure,” Mr. Chauvin said, stepping out on his front porch and pulling the door closed behind him.

  Jobe reached around and took a small square box out of his back pocket and opened it, holding it up to show a single gold band with a yellow gold bow splattered with tiny round diamonds adorning the top of it. “Maggie Mae and I have spent almost every night, and every weekend together. I can’t imagine a day without her laughter and her smiles in it. I know it’s too soon to ask you for Maggie’s hand, but I have no doubt that will come in time. I’d like to offer her this promise ring tonight. I want her to know my intentions, and I hope she’ll have the same wants. If she accepts it, I want you to know that I fully intend to make her my wife one day with an engagement ring, and eventually a wedding band. But for now, until we’re ready for those steps this makes us official, more than just dating. With your permission of course, which is why I’m showing you this promise ring before I offer it to her, because this isn't just a spur of the moment decision to me, and I don’t want to offer her my promise of a future, if you’re not seeing us together. I could never disrespect her, or you by causing problems that way.”

  Mr. Chauvin smiled at Jobe and reached out to shake his hand. “Son, you could have asked her to marry you tonight and I’d have been thrilled. But I respect you even more than I did for wanting to go slow and make sure everything is done properly. You have my blessing to offer her your promise, and when the time comes, as long as you are both still happy, you have my blessing to take her hand in marriage.”

  “Thank you, sir,” Jobe said, grinning ear to ear. “I want to work for a while, save enough money and be able to offer her a life she’ll be proud of before we take the next step, but hopefully, this will let her know that I only see her standing there beside me.”

  “Spoken like a man with a plan. Come on in, Jobe. I’m sure if she’s not ready, she will be soon.”

  “Thank you,” Jobe replied, slipping the ring into his back pocket again and following Mr. Chauvin back into his home.

  “Maggie Mae!” Mr. Chauvin called out.

  “I’m almost ready, Daddy. Let me know when Jobe gets here!” Maggie called back.

  “I just did, he’s here.”

  “I’m coming!” she called back excitedly.

  A few minutes later Maggie walked into the living room, smiling with her false fangs in place.

  He took in her blonde hair pulled up into a bun at the crown of her head with wispy pieces left to curl about her face. Her big blue eyes framed with dark, long, black lash enhancements, and her blood red lipstick coupled with shadowy makeup placed in just the right places gave her an otherworldly look. The two pinpoint dots of a ‘vampire bite’ on her neck with a hint of a trail of blood falling from them made it clear that with her black cape and tight red and black satin dress, she was dressed as a vampire. “Wow!” Jobe said, getting to his feet. “You look great!”

  “Thank you,” she said, smiling at him and going to stand near him.

  “You ready?” Jobe asked.

  “Yes! I’m looking forward to meeting your family,” Maggie said.

  “They’re looking forward to meeting you, too. They should be trick-or-treating right now. By the time we finish dinner, they should be heading back,” Jobe explained.

  “Where are ya’ll going to eat?” Mr. Chauvin asked.

  “I thought we’d stop at Vince’s Place. He’s my uncle so I’ve been there a lot for lunches and all. He’s got the best burgers in the state — I think so, anyway. And then maybe a little dancing before we go home for the annual Halloween bonfire.”

  “Sounds like fun. Ya’ll have a good time, and be safe,” Mr. Chauvin said.

  “We will, and don’t worry, I don’t drink so even though we’ll be in a bar, it’s for the food and the dance floor,” Jobe said.

  “I trust you. Ya’ll have a good time,” Mr. Chauvin said.

  <<<<<<<>>>>>>>

  Jobe pulled into the parking lot at Vince's Place and chose a spot near the front of the bar. It was only about 9:00 P.M. so there weren’t many people in the bar yet. He walked around to the passenger side door and helped Maggie get out, then held her hand as they walked into the bar.

  “You been here before?” Jobe asked.

  Maggie shook her head. “No! My Daddy would have skinned me alive if he ever thought I’d come to a bar while I was still underage.”

  “You’re going to like the food, I think. And if you want to dance, we can dance, too,” Jobe said.

  “I do like to dance!” Maggie said excitedly.

  Jobe pulled open the door and stepped inside first intentionally. You never sent a female into a room first, you always stepped inside first to take measure of the room before taking your female inside. That he’d learned from Uncle Maverik. Seeing that everything was low key and only a few sparse patrons here and there, he stepped aside and still holding Maggie by the hand, led her into the room beside him.

  “Jobe!” Eustace called out.

  “Hey, Eustace!” Jobe returned. “Ya’ll not too busy tonight,” Jobe commented.

  “Not yet, about 11:00 o’clock it’ll be packed. Everybody’s trick-or-treating with their kids right now. Ya’ll here for the night?” Eustace asked.

  “No, just dinner, and maybe a dance or two, then we’re heading to the bonfire at home,” Jobe answered.

  “Alright, yeah. I’ve heard about that bonfire. One year I’ll have to attend. This year though, I’m here so Vince has the night off with Natalie and Christian.”

  “Where’s Maria?” Jobe asked.

  “Finally managed to get that woman to stay home. She’s handing out candy I’m sure.”

  “When is she due?” Jobe asked, leading Maggie to his favorite booth near the front of the place where he could see the dance floor and the bar as well as have a quick access to the exit if he chose to get out quick.

  “Yesterday! And no, I’m not being funny. She was actually due yesterday,” Eustace said, chuckling.

  “Ya’ll call when she goes into labor,” Jobe said. “I know everybody’s been waiting.”

  “We will,” Eustace said, trying to hand them laminated one page menus to order from.

  “Nah, we don’t need those,” Jobe said. Then he looked at Maggie. “You want lettuce, tomato and pickle on your burger?”

  “No, thank you. If I wanted a salad I’d order a salad,” she said.

  “My thoughts exactly!” Jobe answered, then turned his attention back to Eustace. “We’ll have
two cheeseburgers, hold the salad,” he said chuckling, “two orders of onion rings and an order of fries. Two Cokes, and two chocolate shakes?” he ended on a question while glancing at Maggie.

  “Vanilla,” she whispered.

  “One chocolate shake and one vanilla shake,” Jobe finished.

  “Coming right up. Ya’ll feel free to feed the juke box, band won’t be here for about an hour.”

  “Thanks, Eustace,” Jobe answered.

  “So, want to tell me why when we came in you stood in the doorway and blocked the entrance?” Maggie asked.

  Jobe grinned, one side of his mouth curving up. “Uncle Maverik taught me that you never open a door for your woman and allow her to enter a public place first. You always open the door, step into the room and decide if there are any threats. If not, then allow her to enter at your side. If there’s any reason she shouldn’t be in that room, you turn around and leave and take her somewhere safer,” Jobe explained.

  Maggie smiled. “I like that.”

  “Makes sense. Everybody is opening doors and allowing their women to go first. What if it’s not safe? You just sent them in to make sure it’s safe for you. So, at home, in the car, any place that I’m absolutely assured of your safety, I’ll open the doors for you and let you go first. In public, always expect me to step into the room and keep you out of sight and behind me until I’m satisfied that it’s okay for you to be there. I’m not being rude. I’m taking care of what matters to me.”

  “I matter to you, Jobe?” she asked.

  “More than you know,” he answered, reaching across the table to take her hand in his. “Which leads into something I wanted to talk to you about.”

  “Okay,” Maggie answered.

  “I’m in no position to be proposing anything for today or tomorrow. But I know that when I am ready to support and take care of a wife, I want it to be you. I can’t imagine anyone else standing beside me. So, while it’s not an engagement ring,” he said, letting go of her hand and straightening out enough on the seat of the booth to be able to reach into his back pocket, “it is a promise ring. And it makes the statement that we’ve spoken of a promise of the future. We’re more than just dating. It shows my intentions,” he said, sliding the small box toward her.