Thunder and Lightning

Chapter 14: Halloween

Halloween was a childhood favorite for Kitt and Nzinga. Mama always made sure the house was decked all the way out with pumpkins, and colorful squash along the outside steps with they were carved with funny faces that invited children up to the home for treats. Mama liked to hang bright latterns in shades of purple, gold and black along the ceiling of the porch and filled each window with iridescently lit candles that more glowed than shone. Some in the town called Halloween the devil's holiday,

"The devil don't get no holiday. This day is about people scaring away what scares them." Mama would say.

"Do we scare people?" Kitt always asked the tough questions. Mama's eyes twinkled.

"They would be foolish to not be. But they can't scare us away."

Mama was right. Most in town loved us, but there were a few who wanted nothing but for us to leave. It seemed that during these times Mama would really show out. The kids all thought Mama had the best magic tricks, the teens called it slight of hand. The more intuitive ones knew it was magic and would find themselves intrigued with her, making friends or at least a good enough neighbor to borrow sugar from. Others were scared and would not allow their children to come over for slumber parties or knock on the door to ask the girls to play. But Kitt and Nzinga didn't care, cause Mama made them feel special.

This year was the first in many years that Kitt and Nzinga were together for the holiday. Their memories brought teethy grins to their faces as they planned and decorated Nzinga's small apartment with thrift items and grocery store finds. Calinda and the pixies hung lights around the window pane and cast pixies webs along the door.

Kitt had spent the whole afternoon organizing the candy, making sure to not have any nut filled treats in the bowls. For the house, she made green drinks that had fog that hung around the glass as well as spooky fingers foods that looked like digits, insects and mummies. Amina ate a few of the treats then left out to meet up with Dave and collect a few things.

Nzinga and Dru spent the week coordinating and sewing outfits for everyone settling on an 80's skate party theme clad in colorful tights, off the shoulder sweatshirts and side ponytails. The guys wore fanny packs, Hawaiian shirts and goofy baseball caps. For all his grace, Dru was horrible on skates and held tight to the wall every time the doorbell rang. He slipped and slid across the floor before finally giving up after even Mabi laughed when Dru hit the floor for the 5th time answering the door for trick or treaters. Little witches and fairies sang their chants and did their impressions of them. Any time Calinda felt that one performance was superior, she made sure to sneak more candy into their little buckets.

In the city, children's activities ended at 8PM to ensure that everyone arrived safe at home and out of the way of those who intended more tricks than treat. But for the first time, in a long time, Nzinga didn't want to stay in and binge through a television show. She pulled at Badru's arm, urging him to stand. He plopped down on the bed and pulled her on top.

"Stop playing silly!" She laughed as tickled her. "I really wanna go out and do something"

"Like what? I can't handle any more ice cream, and dairy does a number on you too."

She playfully hit on his shoulder "Too late now, you gotta accept my love for ice cream and my body's response."

"Oh yea?"

"Yep" And something lingered in the air. She knew he would accept and love her, no matter the bad parts. She already felt the same way, though she dared not admit it. "Let's go to the Underground."

The Underground was not a place she normally ventured too. After arriving in DC she found her way there like any magical creature would. She just wanted to see what it all was about. But the place was all play and too much danger, so she stayed away. Magicals spend time there in the hidden pubs and juke -joints or shopped for supplies at the black market. The Underground was known for throwing the best parties, so if ever there was night to get out, Halloween certainly was the best time.