Boondocks

Chapter 18: The Dark

CROC

The sun set, and a full moon rose. The children skipped through the shadows, buzzing with excitement. When I was Eve's size, nothing about the dark brought joy. I used to scrunch up into the corner of the loft and bury myself in blankets, my ears perked for any little sound at all.

An owl hooted, and Eve smiled up at me, eyes wide with wonder. "That was an owl."

"It was," I said. If only she'd been there to tell me that before, when something as innocent as an owl would cause my body to quake. I'd never went out at night. I hadn't spun and jumped around like Eric was now.

But watching them made me remember; that hadn't always been true.

Flashes of Pappy's dark figure filled my mind's eye. He was as tall and sturdy as the trees, catching a firefly with cupped hands. He walked over to me, and I held out a jar. Had my hands really been that small?

"There now," he whispered as he eased it inside and screwed on the lid. He knelt down, holding it up between our faces. The jar glowed and winked as the insects danced within. "Look at them. They having themselves a little fais-do-do."

Eric grabbed my hand and squeezed, pulling me back to the present. A hulking white mass lumbered through the trees. Then another appeared on the opposite side. "They're just bears wearing sheets," I soothed.

"Hey." Julia flicked my ear hard.

I hissed and gripped the spot, ducking forward to stop her from doing it again.

"Don't spoil all the fun," she scolded.

I sighed. So much fun.

Men with painted faces jumped out from behind tents, shouting things like "Boo" and "Ooga-booga." By the time we made it to the center of camp, the children had screamed a half-dozen times. And each time they did, everyone laughed like it was one big joke.

I clenched my fists, holding back the urge to put an end to all of this. It didn't feel right, but then the babies would laugh too, and no real fear filled their scent. They called "trick or treat", received their candy, then raced to the next. I eased, beginning to understand the appeal. This was fun for them.

Merle jumped from behind a tree in a leopard print top five sizes too small, purple eyeshadow, and hot pink lipstick. "Nag, nag, nag, nag, nag!"

The kids screamed, and Willow burst into laughter.

Julia stormed forward and smacked his shoulder. "You better not stretch out my shirt! What in the hell are you supposed to be?"

Merle focused on the kids. "I'm the scariest thing this side of the river!" He moved as if to snatch them up and roared, "Granny Julia!"

The kids squealed as they scrambled out of his reach.

Willow leaned against a nearby tree, laughing so hard tears fell from her eyes. I smiled. Yeah, maybe it wasn't so stupid. She finally looked herself again. How could she ever think I wanted someone else? Had I not made it clear how much I wanted her? She was like the swamp; she anchored me. But unlike the swamp, I would never leave her. Wherever she went, I would follow, and no woman could ever replace her.

Julia hit Merle again. "You asshole!" She looked sternly at the kids. "It's not that scary!"

"She said scarily," Merle murmured before jumping back to avoid another slap.

We continued on, and the kids bags grew heavier. The men had gone on three different supply runs in search of treats. What little they found had been added to the stockpile with strict instructions not to be touched. Now, it filled their bags so full, Eric had a hard time carrying his.