Disclaimer: This fanfiction is not assiocated with Early Edition, TriStar, CBS or Fox Family.

Summary:  Gary and his family celebrate Halloween without having to worry about the paper much.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
A Hobson Halloween
by Lori Anderson
 
Chapter 1

Gary sipped his morning coffee reading the paper as ususal after getting it from the cat outside the door. Halloween was coming, and for once, he hoped that it wasn't like time.  He never wanted go through that again. Not only had he been kidnapped by those witches who thought he was a warlock, but he was glad that Spike was alright after eating the posion carmel apple preventing Henry from eating it.  It had taken a good hour to cheer Henry up after coming from the vet with Spike at the bar, and Gary sighed remembering.

"A penny for your thoughts honey," Toni said coming into the kitchen wearing her robe.

Gary smiled at her.  "I was remembering the last Halloween I had to go through.  I don't want to go through anything like that again.  Did I ever tell you about it?," he replied. 

Toni shook her head as she poured herself a cup of coffee.  "No.  I'd like to hear about it now."

"Okay.  I'll tell you after you sit besides me.  It all started that morning when I got the paper.  I reached down to get the paper, and the cat ran into the loft like it always did, except there was something different about him that time.  Instead of being yellow like he is, he was black.  I mean he was
completely black..  I thought I was imaginaing it for a minute, but the cat was black.  I wondered what was going on, and took the cat downstairs to the
bar with me to show the others.  I told them what happened, and Marissa said that it was still our cat. It was black outside, but it still poured like a cat inside.  Then, I read in the paper about some children being poisoned and dying on the South Side,  and that no one knew what was the cause.  I thought it was candy, but it wasn't.  It turned out to be some apples that had been accidently sprayed with some kind of pesticide in a factory.  All the apples that had been sprayed had been removed from the truck, but some of them had been taken by a apple salesman earlier that morning.  He had sold the apples to a elderly lady who was making candy apples to give away for Halloween treats for the kids who came knocking on her door.  I was able to get there and stop the kids from taking the apples, telling the woman why they were bad.  Henry, Errica's boy, had been the first one to get a apple, and if Spike hadn't
knocked it out Henry's hand knowing it was bad, Henry would've ate it, and gotten sick or worse.  He blamed himself for what happened, but he didn't
know the apple was bad until Spike knocked it out of his hand.  Spike recovered, and everything was fine."

Toni sipped her coffee.  "That salesman should've asked if the apples were alright before he took off the truck that morning.  He sold them to an
unspecting lady who didn't realize they were poisoned.  Had any of the children eaten the apples and died, it wouldn't have been her fault.  Spike
saved Henry's life, and you saved the other children's life when you told the woman about the apples being bad."

Gary sipped his coffee and nodded.  "So, have the kids got their costumes yet?"

Toni nodded.  "Yes, and you're going to love them once you see them.  Rose is a princess, and Jeff's a baseball player.  They want to show you their
costumes once they get them on."

"Why don't you bring them to the bar for lunch today?  They could show me and the others their costumes then.  Sounds like a good idea?"

"Sure does sweetheart.  I'll do it.  They're going to be excited about showing their costumes off."

Gary smiled again and finished his coffee.  "I'll see you later for lunch. I've got some saves to do before I go to the bar this morning.  Nothing too difficult."

"Okay.  You can tell me about them later.  Have a nice day and be careful."

"I will.  Tell the kids I'll see them for lunch. Bye for now."  He kissed her on her check, rinsed out his cup, and put it in the drainer.  He went
out of the kitchen, grabbed his jacket, and headed out the door.

 Chapter 2

Gary entered his bar after suceessfully saved a lady from having her purse stolen by a kid on rollerskates by the Walgreen Store earlier.  He had told
the kid that stealing was wrong, and he should appologize to the lady for trying to steal her purse in broad daylight after handing the lady her purse
back.  The kid looked ashamed at having been caught and apologized to the lady for trying to steal her purse.  He said he really didn't want to do it,
but had been dared by some friends and didn't want to be looked at as a chicken.  Gary had told the kid that a dare like that wasn't very smart in
the first place, and that had the lady called police, that the kid would be in jail, and possibly in more serious trouble then he would have wanted.
After everything was alright, Gary had told them both good bye, and went towards Mc Ginty's.

"Good morning Marissa.  Chuck," Gary said going to the kitchen to get himself a cup of coffee.

"Morning Gar.  How do you like the decorations we put up?," Chuck asked smiling as he showed Gary the Halloween decorations that he and some of the
staff had put up.

"It looks nice Chuck.  When did you do this?"

"Earlier this morning.  Do you think the customers will like them?"

"They didn't complain about the decorations last year, and I don't think they'll complain this year," Marissa replied sipping her coffee and smiling
at Chuck.

"I'd like to forget part of last Halloween if you know what I mean Marissa," Gary said.

"I know what you mean Gary."

Chuck looked at both of his friends wondering what they were talking about  "You had a bad Halloween last year Gar?  I don't understand why you said
you'd like to forget about part of it."

Gary sighed.  "Come into the office pal and I'll tell you everything that happened last year."

They went inside the office and sat down at their desks with their coffee cups.

Gary rubbed the back of his head the way he did when he was nervous about something which he was. "Alright, here goes:  Last Halloween, I got the paper as usual and got a surprise that I didn't expect.  Instead of the cat being it's usual color, it was completely black like a witches cat.  It was quite a shock at first. Anyway, I took it downstairs to show the others, and looked at the paper. There was a story about kids being posioned on the South Side of town by
candy and some of them died.  Turned out that it was some apples had been accidently sprayed with some kind of pestiside, and some clerk had sold them
to a lady without realizing the apples were bad.  I had to find the apples and prevent the kids from eating them.  There were these two women who
thought they were witches and thought I was a warlock.  I wasn't of course, but they didn't believe  me for a while.  They sprayed mace in my face,
handcuffed me, and kidnapped me.  They took me to this old house which they had lived in years ago, tied my hands behind me, cut a piece of my hair off,
and put it in their potion they were brewing to free a dead sister of theirs.  I was getting desperate for them to let men go so I could find
where the apples were at, and prevent the kids from eating them.  They knew I wasn't a warlock when the potion didn't work and were going to lock me in
the basement until next year.  I was supposed to eat a live toad or frog something that warlocks do, and I didn't do it.  I made a deal with them.
If I convinced them that I was a warlock they had to let me go, and if I wasn't, they wouldn't.  I had one chance and I looked right at the cat for
help.  The cat leaped from the top of a chest and in midleap, it turned back into it's normal color.  I managed to get to the ladies house and warn her
that the apples she had were bad, and saved the kids from eating them.  Of course, I had forgotten that Henry and Patrick had already been there, and
that Henry had gotten one.  I went to find him hoping that he didn't eat any of it.  He didn't because Spike knocked it out of his hand knowing that it
was bad.  He almost died from the poison, but somehow, he didn't.  Don't ask me how it happened, because I still don't know how to this day.  So, now you
know the whole story of what happened last Halloween Chuck."

"Poor Spike.  No wonder you want to forget some of it Gar.  Being mistaken for a warlock by a couple of crazy women who think they're witches is
something I'd forget too.  Henry was lucky that Spike was there to keep him from eating that bad apple.  Thank goodness, you don't have to worry about
that this year."

Gary nodded as he sipped his coffee.  "That's for sure pal.  This is one Halloween I'm going to enjoy.  Speaking of which, Toni and the kids are
coming here for lunch, and the kids are going to show their costumes they're wearing for trick or treating this year."

"Someday, I'll be doing that with my kid, or kids.  Something that Jade and I are looking forward to."

"How is Jade this morning?"

"She's fine.  Whenever she gets a touch of morning sickness, she drinks the special herb tea she makes. She tried to get me to try some of it, and I said no thanks.  I like tea, but not that kind."

"Since when did you start drinking tea Chuck?  I've never seen you drink tea."

"I drink it once in a while.  I usually drink it at home if I get thristy for something."


Chapter 3

Gary told his chef Tony to prepare a special lunch for him and his family today in the kitchen. "Toni and the kids are going to be here for lunch today, and I want something special for them," he said.

Tony smiled knowing how much his boss loved his wife and kids.  He felt the same way about his wife, Abby. "Si Senior Hobson.  I will make you and your family a very special lunch today," he replied.

"Thanks Tony.  By the way, how are you and Abby doing?  I almost forgot that you two are married now."

"We are doing very well.  Thank you for asking.  Abby sends her love to you and your family."

"Bring here sometime Tony,  I'm sure that my Toni and kids will want to meet her."

"I will ask her Mr. Hobson.  I am curious.  How did you and your wife meet?"

Gary smiled.  "She was a federal marshal working on a case and I happen to get involved somehow.  One thing lead to another, and soon we were dating.
I asked her to marry me, and she said yes."

"Mrs. Hobson is a very lovely woman and I must tell you that I have never seen you so happy."

"Thank you Tony.  I feel very happy with my family that I wanted for the longest time."

Gary left the ktichen and went into his office to do some paperwork before Toni and the kids arrived.

The phone rang, and Gary picked it up on the first ring.

"Mc Ginty's.  Oh hello Mom," he said upon hearing his mother's voice on the phone.

"Hello Gary.  Your father and I wanted to tell you that we'll be in Chicago this next week.  We've been doing some traveling since he brought his new
RV, and Berine thought he'd show it to the grandkids.  We'd love to see their Halloween costumes they have as well since it's coming up," Lois told
Gary.

Gary smiled.  "Sure.  The kids wil lbe glad to show you their costumes and you and Dad are welcome to stay in the guest room.   I'll let Toni know that
you'll be here.  Are you at home or in the RV calling me?"

"We're at home right now.  Your father has a business meeting of the town council to go to, and I've got somethings with my club to take care of as
well.  Your saves going alright?  Nothing scary, I hope."

"Don't worry Mom.  I promised Toni that I wouldn't get into any more scary saves, and I'm keeping my word."

"Good.  Well, give Toni and the kids our love, and we'll see you next week."

"Will do Mom.  Give my love to Dad."

"I will Gary. Good bye."

"Goodbye Mom." Gary hung up his phone and sighed. He loved his parents, but glad they weren't close by.

Chapter 4

At lunchtime, Toni came into the bar with the children and walked towards a table where Gary was sitting. "Hi handsome," she said smiling at him as she and the children sat down in the other chairs.

Gary kissed his wife hello.  "Hi honey.  I've had my chef prepare a specail lunch for us today.  I know you'll like it when he brings it out.  My mother
called me a while ago, and said that she and Dad will be here next week. They want to see the kids and spend some time with them," he told her
smiling back.

"I'd better get the guest room ready for them then."

"They've got their new RV and want to show it to the kids.  I know that was my dad's idea.  So, how was your morning so far?  Did you get their
costumes?"


Toni nodded as she took a sip of her water that the waitress had just brought them from the kitchen. "Uh huh.  You can look at them later in your office.  I told them that you wanted to see their costumes, and they were all excited.  Rose's costume is really cute, and so is Jeff's."

"I 'll see them later after lunch.  I had a good morning myself."

Toni knew that Gary would tell her about his save when they were alone at home, and smiled again.

The waitress came out of the kitchen carrying a tray in her hand and a smile on her face.

"Compliments of the chef.  He fixed one his specailities just for you today. He said it was perfect for such a nice family," she told Gary as she started to set  the plates down in front of the kids first, and then, gave Toni and Gary their plates.  "Enjoy!  He is fixing a specail desert for you as well."

Toni looked at her plate.  "It looks delicious!," she said and took a bite of it.

"Tony's the best chef I have here.  Everyone likes his cooking," Gary told her.

Rose took a bite of her spagetti, and smiled.  "Yummy!  I love spagetti!," she said.

"Me too," Jeff agreed after taking a bite of his spagetti.

After lunch, Gary took his family into the office, and shut the door so they could have some privacy.

"Okay.  Let's see your costumes.  Rose, you go first."

Rose opened her sack and took out her princess costume complete with crown.

"Do you like like it Daddy?," she asked.

Gary nodded.  "It's very pretty honey.  You're going to be the prettiest princess on Halloween."

"Thank you Daddy."

Gary turned to his son.  "Okay, your turn Jeff.  Let's see yours."

Jeff smiled and showed his father his baseball costume.

"Good costume son.  You're going to hit a home run with everyone who sees it."

"Thanks Dad," Jeff said putting his costume back in the sack carefully.

"I noticed the decorations when we came in.  Who did it sweetheart?," Toni asked.

"Chuck and the waitress's did.  They look nice, don't they," Gary replied.

"In a way it does. "


Chapter 5

"That was a good lunch.  We've got some more shopping to do, and then. we're going home.  I'll see you later sweetheart," Toni said giving Gary a kiss on
the check as their children watched. Gary kissed her back.  "Okay.  Be good kids, and I"ll see you when I get home," he told them smiling.
Toni and the children said goodbye and walked towards the door with Gary following behind. He waved goodbye as they got in Toni's car, and drove away from the bar. Gary sighed, turned, and went back inside the bar to finish doing some paperwork that needed to be done. As he entered the office he shared with Marissa and Chuck, he could tell by the look on Marissa's face that something was wrong, and Gary went over to see what was upsetting her.

"What's wrong Marissa?," he asked taking her hand in his and looking straight into her eyes.

"Gary, I know this sounds silly, but I feel that something's going to happen at the bank today.  Don't ask me how I know it, but I just got this weird feeling that something's going to happen there at three o clock," Marissa replied hoping that she was wrong.

Gary frowned, and took out his paper.  He searched for anything about the bank, but found nothing. "There's nothing in the paper about the bank Marissa. "

"Are you sure?  Check it again.  I've never been wrong about things like this before."

Gary sighed.  "Alright, just to make you feel better, I'll check it again, but I'm sure nothing's going to be there."

He took out the paper again, and looked through it.  This time, he did see something about the bank on the merto page, and what he read almost made him
drop the paper.  "Oh boy.  You were right Marissa.  There is something about the bank in the paper.  It says that the bank will be robbed at three o
clock by two masked men.  Looks like I'm going to have to warn the bank about the possible robbery around that time."

"Gary, be careful.  Remember what happened the last time you were in a bank."

"Yeah, I remember.  Don't worry Marissa.   I have no intention of being taken hostage again."

"Can't you just call the bank president, and warn him over the phone?"

Gary shook his head.  "Sorry Marissa.  You know I have to do it in person. I promise to be back before closing time.  I'll leave here around three to
get to the bank in time to warn them."

Marissa took a sip of her coffee.  "Good luck Gary."

Gary nodded, and went to his chair and started to work on his paperwork that needed to be done.


Chapter 6

Around three, Gary headed towards the Frist National Bank to warn them about the robbery that was going to take place.  Oh boy, he told himself.  I  promised Toni I'd wouldn't get in anymore dangerous situations, and here am I breaking my word to save a bank from being robbed.  She'll understand when
I tell her later. Gary arrived at the bank, and went inside to find the bank president to warn him about the robbery. "I need to see the bank president please.  It's very important," he told one of the security guards.

"The bank president's busy buddy.  You can tell me what's so important that you have to tell him," the guard said wondering what it was that Gary had to
say that was so important he had to see the bank president.

Gary rubbed the back of his neck and tried not to be nervous.  "Don't ask me how I know this, but at three, two men wearing masks are come in here and
try to rob it.  I'm not making this up.  Honest!  It's almost three now."

The guard looked at the clock and then looked out the window of the bank. Sure enough, like Gary had just warned him , a car came to a stop outside
the bank, and two armed men got out wearing ski maks.

"Go in the bank president's office and stay there!  I'll tell the other guards," he told Gary.

Gary nodded and went inside the bank president's office just as the guard was reaching for his gun.

"Pardon the interruption sir, but the guard told me to come in here so he could stop the attempted robbery of your bank by two men who now just pulled
up wearing masks," he told the man.

Mr. Peterson glanced toward his office door, and heard what was going on outside.

"Freeze you two!  Throw down your guns, and raise your hands!," the security guards ordered the would- be robbers aiming their weapons at the men.

The men wondered how the guards knew about the robbery as they obeyed.

A teller called the police as the security guards kept the would be robbers covered.

Five minutes later, Gary and Mr. Peterson watched as the police took the two men away in handcuffs.

"Hobson.  I knew you were involved somehow," Detective Armstrong said seeing Gary there.

"Hello Armstrong," Gary replied smiling.

"I'm not going to ask how you knew about the robbery because I don't want to know the answer. These two men have been hitting banks in broad daylight and getting away before we can catch them.  Thanks to you and the security guards, we finally caught them and can put them away."

"Mr. Hobson, as president of this bank, I want to thank you for warning us about the robbery.  Your quick action saved a lot of people's savings from
being taken from our vaults," Mr. Peterson told Gary.

"You're welcome sir.  I was just at the right place at the right time," Gary replied wondering how many times he said that everytime he made a save.

"I've heard that before.  Well, my work is done here.  I'm going back to the station to make my report.  Can I give you ride back to your bar Hobson?"

"I've got my van parked outside somewhere Armstrong.  Thanks anyway."

Gary and Armstrong left the bank together and headed towards their own vechiles.


Chapter 7

Gary entered Mc Ginty's after having prevented the bank robbery without getting taken hostage or hurt. "Charlie, please give me a beer would ya.  I need one right now," Gary told his barkeep. "Sure Mr. Hobson.  Coming right up," Charlie replied reaching over to get Gary his bottle of beer.
He smiled and handed Gary the bottle after opening it for him. Gary thanked Charlie and went inside his office to calm his nerves after what he'd been through. "I'm okay Marissa.  I didn't get hurt preventing the bank robbery. Armstrong was there," he told Marissa.

Marissa nodded.  "I'm glad Gary.  I was so worried that something might happen to you in there like the last time.  You know what I mean," she said sipping her coffee.

Gary took a sip of his beer.  "Yeah, I know what you mean.  That time with my parents in the bank."

"I can sense that you feel guilty that you broke your promise to Toni about not getting into anything dangerous with your saves.  You didn't break your
word to her Gary.  "

Gary frowned at her.  "How do you figure that Marissa?  I promised not to have any dangerous saves, and I went into the bank knowing what might
happen."

"You did what you had to do, but you didn't get hurt, and you weren't take hostage."

"Toni might not see it that way when I tell her, and I know I'll have to tell her about it later."

"She might if she knew that nothing happened that would cause her worry."

Gary sipped his beer again, and rubbed the back of  his neck when he was nervous. "Sometimes, I wish I never got the paper when things like this happen.  Oh well.  It's over now.  So, what are the plans for the bar on Halloween? Knowing Chuck, he'll probably have something crazy going on."

Marissa smiled.  "He's thinking about having a costume party that night. Everyone come in costume with the best costume winning first prize, and the
door prize going to the silliest costume."

Gary had to smile at that.  "That's Chuck alright.  Oh boy.  Does he know what's he's giving for first prize, and for the door prize?  I'm afraid to
guess what he might do."

"DId someone mention my name?  Hi Gar.  How did your bank save go?," Chuck asked coming into the office.

"It went just fine Chuck, and I found out from Marissa about the costume party you're planning for Halloween night.  Did you ever consider the fact
that some of our costumers don't have costumes to wear?"

"You've got a point there Gar.  I guess we can have a party without the costumes.  It wouldn't be fair to some of them if they didn't have costumes
to wear.  Are you and Toni going to take your kids trick or treating?"

Gary nodded.  "Yeah.  I'll be out of the bar during that time, so you and Marissa will be running things here."


Chapter 8

Gary drove home from the bar in his Wrangler Jeep at five o clock after finishing some paperwork. He had to tell Toni about the bank robbery he had prevented earlier, and hoped she didn't get mad. How was I supposed to know that it would show up in the stupid paper all of a sudden, Gary grumbled to himself as he turned the corner that lead to his and his family's house.  Sighing, he entered his driveway, and parked his jeep in the usual spot that he did, taking his keys out of the igination after turning the engine off. The minute he entered his house, Gary was greeted by his children who came running towards him.

"Hi you two.  Did you have a nice day today?," he asked them smiling as he went into the living room.

"Yes Daddy.  We had lots of fun shopping with Mommy," replied Rose smiling back.

"Good.  Why don't you both wash up for supper while I go talk to Mommy for a minute?."

Rose and Jeff went towards the bathroom to wash their hands while Gary went into the kitchen.

Toni was finishing making the salad by the sink and turned to face her husband.

"I know you were at the bank earlier today preventing the robbery." she told him.

"How did you find out?  I was going to tell you about it later," Gary said .

"You forget whom you're married to sweetheart.    I've seen enough of bank crimes to know what you were doing there.  I'm glad you didn't get hurt or
taken hostage."

"I feel gulity about breaking my promise to you honey."

"You didn't break your promise.  You prevented a bank robbery, and you did it to save other people's money."

"That's what I love about you.  You're so understanding at times."

Toni smiled.  "I know.  How did you like your welcoming committee?"

Gary laughed.  "I loved it!  Whose idea was it?"

"Theirs.  They wanted to greet you when you came home.  By the way, where are they?"

"In the bathroom washing their hands for supper."

"Good."

Chapter 10

Toni sighed.  "This is something else that I didn't want the kids to hear. I had the scanner on today while the kids were playing outside, and there were reports about kids doing pranks around town.  Nothing too serious, but the police were saying that anyone caught vanderlizing someone's property
without permission would be fined and given a warning," she replied, the detective in her coming through her voice.

"Honey, I don't want you to get upset over this.  You're no longer working for the police, remember.  Why are you so interested in this for?  It's just
kids doing it for fun at this time of year," Gary said.

"Gary, some of the people that have had their yards or cars draped with toilet paper or shaving cream, have had it with these type of pranks.  I
remember one year at Halloween when I was still on the force, we had gotten a call from a man whose car had been sprayed with shaving cream and eggs
thrown at it.  He was so mad that he wanted us to arrest the ones responsible and flie charges against them."

"Sounds serious, but some of these kids don't mean any harm by it."

"Did you do it when you were that age?"

Gary shook his head.  "No.  My parents wouldn't let me.  Warned me that if I got caught that I'd spend the night in jail to teach me a lesson, and I
didn't do it because of that."

"I will never understand why kids do that for around Halloween.  I'm going to get the rest of our dinner ready for the table.  I just thought I would
tell you about what's going on."
 
She got up and went back into the kitchen to finish fixing dinner for her family.

Gary sighed and sipped his lemonade again.  Sometimes, he wished that they didn't have the scanner in the house.  He didn't want the kids to hear what
was going on and ask questions that they couldn't answer. Thank goodness his children weren't at that stage yet, and he and Toni would make sure that when they got to that age, they would tell their children that those kinds of pranks weren't nice and ask them not to do it.


Chapter 9

A tired Gary drove home from Mc Ginty's in his jeep wrangler ready to relax and enjoy a quiet evening at home with his family.  Halloween was just one
week away, and with everything going on, it was amazing that he didn't feel like he was going crazy at times.  His parents were coming for a few days,
and of course, Bernie would want to help Gary with the paper given the chance, and Gary was going to make sure that his dad didn't. Sighing with relief, he drove into this driveway and parked his wrangler in his usual place. Grabbing his jacket, Gary walked towards the door, reached for the knob, and
opened the door. "Honey!  I'm home!," he called as he hung his jacket in the hall closet.

"Daddy's home!," Rose exclaimed as she ran towards her father with her brother walking behind her.

Gary smiled and picked up his daughter.  "How was Daddy's girl today?," he asked her.

"Good.  I even hung up my costume so it wouldn't get wrinkled."

"You did?  That's great honey.  Is Mommy in the kitchen?"

Toni came out of the kitchen just then wearing her apron over her shorts. "I thought I heard you.  Hello sweetheart," she said coming towards him
smiling.

Gary put Rose down on the floor and walked towards his wife.  "Is it that hot in here that you're wearing shorts?  I mean, they look nice on you, but
I was just curious as to why you're wearing them."

"I just felt like wearing them.  I'm not wearing shorts outside.  Sit  down, and I'll get you something to drink."

Gary sat down in his favorite chair and Jeff handed a piece of paper that he had in his hand.

"What's this son?," he asked looking at his son as he took the note.

"Just something I drew for you Dad." Jeff replied smiling.

Gary looked at the picture  that Jeff had drawn and smiled.  "That's very good Jeff."

"Thanks Dad."

Toni came out of the kitchen with a glass of lemonade in her hand.  "Here you are."

Gary really wanted a beer, but knew that he wouldn't get it until after the kids were in bed.

"Jeff, you and Rose need to go wash up for dinner, okay.  I want to talk to your father alone."

Jeff and Rose went to the bathroom to wash up, and Toni sat down besides Gary.

"Okay.  What's up?  You normally wait until the kids are asleep before you ask me what I think you're going to ask me," Gary said as he took a sip of
his lemonade.


Chapter 11

Later that night, Gary and Toni sat together on the love seat by the fireplace, soft jazz music on the stereo playing as not to wake the children
who were alseep in their beds in their rooms. "Okay loverboy, tell me how the save at the bank went today," Toni said looking into Gary's eyes.

Gary took a sip of his beer. "I got there in time to warn the security guards about the possible bank robbery. He told me to go in the bank president's office and stay there until it was safe to come out.  I did, and had to explain to the bank president what was going on.  We both heard the guard yell at someone to freeze, and for them to drop their weapons.  When we came out of the office, both would-be robbers were on the floor, their hands clasped behind them, and the guard covering them with his gun.  They wanted to know how the guard knew about the robbery ahead of time.  Ten minutes later, the police showed up, and took the men away in handcuffs.  Sweetheart, I was in no danger whatsoever during that entire time," he replied.

"I am relieved to hear that.  When you came home earlier, you looked a little tired.  Did you have a hard day at the bar today after your save?"

Gary shook his head.  "No.  Chuck has the bar decorated for Halloween.  I'm glad this is one Halloween I don't have to worry about posioned apples or
anything dangerous to children."

Toni took a sip of her beer.  "I'll be glad when it's over.  Halloween is not my favorite holiday."

Gary smiled.  "Don't tell that to the candy store people.  They love this time of year."

"Yeah.  The more candy someone buys from them, the more money they make."

Gary took another sip of his beer.  "I have a hunch that my parents are up to something besides coming here to see the kids in their costumes.  Don't
ask me why.  It's just a hunch I have."

Toni frowned.  "The last time I heard you say that, we were in your apartment above the bar going over the case file about the bank robbery that happened a long time ago."

"I'm surprized you can remember back that far."

"You'd be surprized at what I can remember honey."

"I don't think I want to know what else you can remember unless you want to tell me."

"Maybe I will sometime.  I'm going to buy you some men's pajama's for Christmas."

This time, Gary frowned.  "What's wrong with what I wear to bed?  It keeps me warm."

"That's my job, and I won't play second fiddle to a pair of sweats.  You're getting the pajamas."

Oh boy Gary thought to himself.  I knew this would come sometime.

"While we're on the subject, what would you like me to buy for you?"

"Surprise me.  Just make sure it's something I'll like."


Chapter 12

Gary and Toni went up the stairs to their bedroom after the last jazz song was over on the stereo. "Why didn't you tell me you don't like my sweats?," he asked as Toni removed her clothes on her side.

"Because I know how much you like to wear them which is fine, but I thought you woudln't mind a change once in a while.  Hence, why I told you I was
buying you the pajamas.  I never said I didn't like your sweats," she replied as she took her nightgown out of her dresser drawer and slipped it on.

"Is that the nightgown I bought you when we were on our honeymoon in Hawaii?"

Toni shook her head.  "No, I still have that one hanging in the closet. This is the one that I brought myself. I'm not wearing the one you bought unless it's a specail night where just the two of us are alone."

"I see.  Good idea."  Gary yawned.  "Well, I'm ready to go to sleep after having a busy day."

"So am I.  Let's go to sleep honey."

They said goodnight to each other and climbed into bed.

The next morning, the alarm went off at six thirty, and Gary reached over to shut it off so that it wouldn't wake up Toni who was still sleeping.  He yawned, grabbed his robe, put it on, and went down stairs to get the paper. As always, after opening the door just enought to gently slide the paper out from underneath the cat. Gary turned and shut the door.  He knew better than to let the cat in with his wife allgeric to it. Gary went into the kitchen, put the paper on the table, went over to the sink, took out his coffee cup, and poured himself a cup of good hot black coffee that he would need to help him get through the day.

He took a sip, went back over to his chair, put the cup on the table, and opened up the paper.

Oh boy.  Will they never learn? he thought as he looked at the article on the second page.

"Prank goes awary.  A harmless prank of smashing pumpkins went bad when two teenage boys, ages 13 and 14 were arrested for vanderlism by the police.
The two boys were smashing a pumpkin belonging to a Mr. Fred Smith of 13 South Mian St, when the owner caught them and called the police.  This took
place at 2 o clock as the boys were walking home from school early due to a meeting," the paper said.

Gary sipped his coffee and shook his head.  He knew he had to stop the boys from smashing the pumpkin and being reported to the police by the owner.
Thank goodness it was in the afternoon, and not the morning.

Five mintes later, Toni came down dressed in her robe, and went over to pour herself a cup of coffee.

"Good morning honey.  Anything interesting in the paper this morning?," she asked kissing him.

Gary nodded.  "Yeah.  Two boys are going to be arrested at 2 this afternoon for vanderlism.  You won't believe what they do to get charged with it," he
replied smiling at his wife.

"Does it have something to do with toliet paper and shaving cream?"

"No sweetheart.  They get caught smashing a pumpkin on someone's yard."

Toni laughed.  "Sounds normal around this time of year.  I've had a few reports of it when I was in the force.  Owners demanding we do something
about the kids who were smashing their pumpkins, and we had to tell them that unless they wanted to press charges, there was nothing we could do.
They didnt like that very much, but we are not the pumpkin partrol around here."

"I have to get there to stop them before two o clock this afternoon.  That's the only thing I see so far."

"Watch out for any smoke bombs that might go off somewhere in the area. They like to do that kind of thing too around this time of the year.  We
tried to discourage them from doing it one year."

Chapter 13

After breakfast with his family, Gary left for Mc Ginty's glad that his save was in the afternoon for once, and not the morning.  Sometimes, the early
saves got to him at times, but Gary never complained about them. He got to the bar, parked his jeep in it's parking spot, and entered his business ready to start work. "Good morning Marissa.  Chuck," Gary said said smiling at his friends and co-workers.

"Morning Gar," Chuck replied sipping his hot coffee that he had poured a few minutes ago.

"Hello Gary," Marrisa said smiling at her friend and partner.

"I have only one save today, and it's at two oclock this afternoon.  I have to prevent two boys from being arrested for vanderlism for smashing someone's pumpkin."

Chuck shook his head in amazement.  "Figures.  Happens every Halloween around here."

"You haven't been here for a couple of Halloween's Chuck.  How do you know this happens?," Marissa asked.

"Easy.  Strange things always happen around Halloween no matter where you are Marissa.  I bet you're glad you don't have to worry about the one
Halloween you had anymore Gar."

Gary looked at his friend.  "Who told you about it Chuck?  I know I didn't say anything."

"Marissaa told me what happened that time.  We were talking about how things were going, and she happened to bring it up in the conversation.  Didn't
that idiot that bought the apples know that they were bad  when he smelled them?  To think, lots of kids could've died from those apples because his
mistake."

"It was because of me that no kids died.  Some old lady had brought the apples to make carmel apples for the trick or treaters and didn't know they
were bad.  I told her and she thanked me for letting her know."

Jade came into the bar with a shopping bag in her hands, and a smile on her face.

"Hello everyone," she said going over to her husband by the bar.

Chuck frowned at his wife.  "You should be at home taking it easy.  What are you doing here?," he asked.

"I wanted to show you my costume for the Halloween party here, honey."

"Jade, honey.  You're three months pregrant.  Any costume you have will show it."

"Chuck, I am not a child.  Please don't treat me like one.  I am going to wear a costume for the party."

Gary laughed.  "Looks like she's got her mind set pal."

Chuck sighed.  "Alright, let's see your costume."

Jade took out her costume from the bag.  It was a Tomb Raider outfit that she held in her hands.

"I'm going as "Laura Croft" from the movie.  What do you think?"

"It looks like it might a little tight for you."

"Wait until you see the one I have for you Chuck darling."

"What?!  I'm not wearing any costume."

"Oh yes you are.  You can try it out later when you get home.  Gary, what do you think of my costume?"

Gary smiled.  "I think it looks nice Jade."

"Thank you.  I'm going to go home and hang it up so it won't get wrinkled. See you later Chuck."

She put the costume back in the shopping bag, waved goodbye and left the bar.



Chapter 14

Chuck sighed again.  "Of all the costumes she could've picked, she had to get that one.  Gar, she doesn't realize how tight that thing will be with
her in the state she's in right now.  I'm going to try to get her to get something more fitting for the party," he said once Jade was out of earshot.

"Chuck, let her wear what she wants.  Jade wouldn't buy it if she thought it might be too tight for her.  You don't really show your pregancy until the
later months anyway," Marissa told him.

"She's right Chuck.  It won't be too bad.  I didn't tell Toni what to wear when she was carrying the twins. and you shouldn't tell Jade what she should
or shouldn't wear either," Gary said sipping his coffee.

Chuck sipped his coffee again and decided to change the subject.  "I forgot to tell you something yesterday.  Patrick called from Orgeon.  Said to tell
you that he's doing great as a teacher and sends his love to everyone here. He's a good kid.  I miss him around here.  I never thought I'd ever say
that, but I just did."

"Patrick was a good kid and a good worker.  I miss him too, but he's doing what he went to school for."

Marissa put her two cents in.  "There were times that he drove Gary crazy, but most of time, he thought of Gary as the brother he never had.  They
became close towards the end before he left.  Gary even saved his life once. I'll let him tell you about it," she told Chuck.

Chuck looked at Gary.  "You saved Patrick's life?  I'd love to hear the story on how that happened."

Gary sighed.  "It all started with a catfight outside my door one morning. Our cat was there, and another cat was fighting with it to be the one to
come into my room.  I broke it up, but they had completely ripped the paper into pieces.  After putting what I could together, I figured out that there
was going to be a shooting at the high school, and I didn't know yet who was going to get shot.  To make a long story short, Patrick was playing
basketball in the school gym with some of the students, and one of them was angry at him for telling his girlfriend to break up with him.  The kid had
gotten a gun from his locker, and was going to shoot Patrick. I threw something at the kid hoping it would stop him which it did, and another kid pushed Patrick to the floor out of harm's way.  The police took the kid with the gun away, and Patrick and I came back here."

"Sounds like the kid had a serious problem.  What was it like being a teacher for a day?"

"Very nerve racking I can tell you pal.  I threated to throw one kid out the window for throwing a spitball at me.  This is the same kid who is now doing
what he wants to when he gets out of school.  I encouraged him to stand up to his father and tell him that he didn't want to follow in his footsteps in
the family business."

"Have you heard from this kid since then Gar?"

Gary nodded.  "A couple of times.  He said that his father understood how he felt, and that he's going to support him in what he wants to do after
graduation."


Chapter 15

Gary left the bar around 1:30 hoping that he could get to the place where the pumpkin was in time to stop the two kids from smashing it and getting
arrested by the police.  He never would understand why kids would do something like that, but he was going to make sure that these two wouldn't
wind up in jail. Gary got to the house around two, and sure enough, there was the pumpkin sitting out in the yard. He heard someone talking and laughing, turned, and saw the two boys coming towards the house. "Hold it guys!  This pumpkin's not worth going to jail for.  Think about what would happen if the owner caught you destroying his pumpkin, and decided to call the police," Gary told the two boys.

"You're saying that if we smash his pumpkin, he'll get the cops on us?,"one of the boys asked.

Gary nodded.  "Yep.  He might be watching us right now from his window waiting to see what you're going to do.  One phone call to the police, and
both of you'll be in the jail for destroying his property."

"That stupid pumpkin's not worth it.  Thanks mister. Let's go shoot some hoops," the other boy said.

"A smart decision.  Have a nice day."

"Same to you mister and thanks again for warning us," the first boy said as they walked away.

Mr. Smith came out of his house then.  "Thank you for stopping them from smashing my pumpkin mister.  I'm getting tired of these kids coming here and
thinking it's fun to destroy my pumpkin," he told Gary.

"You're welcome.  My name's Gary Hobson by the way," Gary said smiling at Mr. Smith.

"Mine's Fred.  Thank you again Gary."

"I've got to be going now.  Have a nice day Fred."

Gary drove away from the house glad that he had prevented two kids from going to jail, and a man's pumpkin from being smashed as a pre-Halloween
prank.

When he got home later, Gary saw his parent's new RV parked outside, and knew they were in the house.


Chapter 16

The minute that Gary opened his door, Lois smiled and put her arms around him in welcome. "Welcome home Gary!  Toni's in the kitchen making dinner, and your's father's in the living room playing with the grandkids.  Take off your jacket, sit down, and I'll get you something to drink," she told him.

Gary gently removed her hands from him.  "You don't have to do that Mom.  I can get my own drink," he said.

"Nonsense!  Go sit down, and I'll bring you a glass of ice tea.  Don't argue with me."

Gary sighed.  "Alright Mom.  I'll go and sit down."

Lois was pleased as she walked back towards the kitchen to get his drink, and help Toni with dinner.

Gary sat down in his favorite chair, and couldn't help smiling as he watched his children playing with his dad.

"I hope you're not telling them any of your stories," he said.

Bernie only smiled.  "Now, would I do that Gar?," he asked.

"Knowing you, yes you would."

"Gar, none of the stories I tell them are about you I promise."

Lois came out the kitchen just then with a glass of ice tea which she handed to Gary.  Hearing her husband's last remark, she frowned.  "How many times
have you promised that you wouldn't tell a story about Gary, and did the opposite?  Bernie, be truthful now."

Gary knew that his father had just been caught in a lie by his mother and sipped his tea.

"Okay Lois.  I've only told them just a few about Gary about when he was young," Berine admitted.

"Would you like me to recount the number of stories you've told about Gary whenever you got the chance?  I'm sure that he would like to hear about it."

Bernie sighed.  "Okay, okay.  I've told a lot of stories about our son, but none of them are bad.  I know that 's the truth.  I would never tell a bad
story about Gary unless someone asked me to."

"That's better.  I'm going back in the kitchen and help Toni finish fixing dinner.  You can tell Gary what we were talking about on the way here
earlier."

"I'd rather you tell him since it was your idea Lois."

"I will later."  Lois turned, and went back into the kitchen to help Toni finish fixing dinner.

"Dad, what is Mom talking about?  If you have something that I need to know, please tell me," Gary said.

"Your mother can tell you later Gar."

Toni came out of the kitchen carrying a salad bowl which she put on the table.  "Your mother wants you, I, and the children to come to her house for
Thanksgiving this year," she told her husband. 

"She does?  When did this come about?"

"I'll tell you after dinner."

Gary sipped his ice tea again knowing that the feeling he had about his parents coming here was more than just to see the kids in their halloween
costumes.  He intended to find out more about what he had just heard after dinner.  "I bet you had something do to with this Dad."

Bernie shook his head.  "Nope.  It's all your mother's idea Gar. "

"I don't know why, but I believe you Dad."


Chapter 17

After a delicious dinner, and a great desert that Lois had made, everyone went into the living room. Toni and Lois stayed in the kitchen to finish putting the leftovers away, and do the dishes, while the others watched a program on television and to relax from a busy day that everyone had had earlier.
Gary wasted no time asking his mother what brought up the subject of his family coming to her house for Thanksgiving once Lois and Toni came out of
the kitchen having finished the dishes. "You're saying that you want us to come to yours and Dad's house for Thanksgiving this year, right?," he asked looking at his mother who sat besides his father on the loveseat.

Lois nodded.  "Yes, that's right.  It's always been a tradition for many years, and since you now have a family, I thought it'd be nice if you could
all come to Hickory for Thanksgiving this year.  I'd really love to make dinner for everyone.  That's what your father and I were talking about on
our way here," she replied.

Gary looked at his wife.  "How do you feel about this sweetheart?"

Toni smiled.  "I feel like it's a good idea, and the kids will love going to their grandparents house for Thanksgiving and playing in their yard," she
replied.

Gary looked at his children and saw the excited look in their eyes, and knew they had been asked.

"I take it from the look on your faces that you want to go to Grandma's and Grandpa's house for Thanksgiving this year.  Did they ask you if you wanted
to?," he said.

"Yes Daddy.  They did.  Can we go?  Please!," Rose replied.

"I don't see why not.  Okay, we'll go to their house for Thanksgiving this year."

"Goody!  Thank you Daddy."

"How's Chucko and his wife doing these days Gar?," Berine asked changing the subject.

"Just fine Dad.  Jade came into the bar earlier to show us what she's wearing to the Halloween party at the bar.  She's going as Laura Croft from
the "Tomb Raider" movie," Gary replied.

"I bet that went over well with Chucko."

"He didn't like it because she's three month's pregant.  He's going to try to make her change her mind and get something else that won't show he said."

"That's Fishman for you.  I wish him luck.  Knowing Jade, she won't let him talk her out of it," Toni said.

"Do you remember that friend of yours in the police force back in Hickory Gary?  Well, he just got promoted, and he said to tell you hello, and that
he congrulates you on your marriage and having chidlren," Lois said.

"If I see him sometime while we're there, I'll stop by and say hello."

"That woman who claimed you still owed her that book from when you were in high school was fired by the school board two weeks ago.  She made such a
fuss about a book that you returned when you were still in school, that one of the other ladies who worked in there did some checking and found out that
you had returned the book like you said, but was never recorded on the file. She showed it to the principal, and he was mad.  He called us at home and
told us that you shouldn't have had been chased by her and denied bail when you were put in jail.  That she was at fault, and that he's sorry for all
the trouble you went through that day," Lois told her son (HomeGroan Spolier)  as she sipped her ice tea.

Toni proudly touched Gary's arm.  "That's one thing about Gary that I love, his honestly.  For him to stand up to that woman and tell her that he did
return the book should've told her that someone else made a mistake."

Bernie smiled.  "When Frank found out about it at the meeting, he laughed. He said that you weren't the only one who had problems with her, and that
something should've been done about it before now."

"I bet they gave her a choice, either retire or get fired," Gary said.

Bernie nodded.  "They did, and she refused to retire.  That's when they told her that she was fired.  They also told her that they were tired of her
causing problems with students who had told her that they had returned their books before they were due, and that it was her fault for not througly
checking with her help about it.  They already had her replacement picked to hire which they did."


Chapter 18

Later that night, Gary and Toni sat by the fireplace together sipping beer and listening to the radio playing softly as his parents went to kiss their
grandchildren goodnight, and go to bed theirselves. "You're very quiet for some reason.  Is something bothering you honey?," Toni asked looking at Gary.

Gary smiled and shook his head.  "Nope.  Nothing's bothering me sweetheart. I was just thinking about something.  I didn't mean to give you the
impression that something was wrong," he replied.

"Can I ask what it is you're thinking about, or is that none of my business?"

"You can ask, and I'll be glad to tell you what I was thinking about.  I keep no secrets from you."

"Okay, what were you thinking about?"

Gary put his arm around her and drew her closer to him.  "Just how lucky I am to have you and the kids in my life.  For a longtime, after my divorce, I
was afraid I'd end lonely with just a cat around for company."

"Well, you don't have to worry about that anymore.  I'm here now, and I'm going to make you so very happy. That first time that we kissed, something told me that you were the man I'd been looking for, and I was determined to make you mine which I've done.  I really do love you."

"I really do love you too.  Did you know that my parents were going to ask us to have Thanksgiving at their house, or was it a surprise to you too like
it was to me?"

Toni smiled.  "Your mother sprang it on me while we were in the kitchen earlier.  I had the feeling that she had something she wanted to tell me,
and before I could ask her, she told me about us going to her and Bernie's house for Thanksgiving this year.  Of course, your father had to mention it
to the kids, and I couldn't say no."

"It'd be good for them to see where my parents live.  I've told them about Hickory, but they'll be able to see it for theirselves on Thanksgiving.  I
just hope that we don't get snowed in or something."

"Don't be bothering trouble honey.  I have the feeling that it'll be nice that day."

"I hope you're right.  Do me a favor tonight please.  Wear the nightgown that I brought you to bed."

Toni frowned.  "With your parents here?  Are you serious?"

"You can always put your robe on when you go out of the bedroom."

Toni sighed.  "Alright.  I'll wear it, but just in our bedroom.  If I have to go check on the kids for some reason, I"m putting my robe on over it s o
that your parents won't see it."

"Sounds fair enough.  This has been quite a day."

"Amen to that."


Chapter  19

Toni put a Celion Dion tape in her taperecorder upstairs in their bedroom, and turned the volume on low. She pushed play, and the song "Power of Love" came on making Gary turn his head. "I had to play that song sweetheart.  That's how I feel about you," she whispered smiling at him.

Gary almost blushed as he climbed in the bed besides her.  "I like it.  You didn't tell me that you liked her music.  I could get you some more if you
want," he said putting his arm around her.

"I'll let you know later.  The kids were sure excited about going to your parents house for Thanskgiving next month.  It'll be their first trip out of Chicago besides the vacation that we had."

"Uh-huh.  I didn't tell you how my save went today.  I kept waiting for you to ask."

"Okay, now that we're alone, how did your save go?"

"It went fine.  I managed to convince the two boys that smashing someone's pumpkin wasn't worth spending a night in jai for.  I told them to think
about what would happen if they were caught by the owner.  Once they thought about that, they decided it wasn't worth it, thanked me for warning them,
and went on their way."

'You saved them from being charged with destruction of private property.  I wish you could do the same to a lot more of the kids around here.  Jerkins,
from the station, called me today to tell me that he wishes I was still on the force.  He said they would like my help with handling some of these
pranks.  I told him that I was perfectly happy being a wife and mother, and that I wished him and the others good luck.  He didn't like that too much."

"I bet he didn't.  You kept your promise, and I'm glad that you did."

"Being your wife and a mother to our twins is the most important thing to me right now.  Sometimes, I do miss the work, but not enough to go back.
Don't be surprised if my mother calls and wants us to go to her house for Christmas.  I don't think she will, but she might."

"I'd rather that we have our own special christmas here honey.  You can always invite them here."

"No thanks.  I love my parents, but I won't have you bored to death with hearing my father's stories.  He loves to tell how good a cop he was to
anyone who'll listen, and after a while, it gets to be old hat.  My mother warned him once that if he didn't stop telling those stories, he'd be
sleeping on the couch for a while."

Gary chuckled.  "Did she threaten to get the pillows and blankets for him to put on the couch?," he asked.

Toni nodded.  "Yeah, she did.  You should have seen my father's face.  He didn't think she was serious, but he soon found out that she was when he saw
her go to the linen closet to get a extra blanket for him.  He promised he'd quit telling their guests and friends his stories, and my mother made him
keep his word."

"I know you would never do to that to me."

"I might handcuff you to the bed, but I wouldn't make you sleep on the couch."

"I haven't heard that one for a while.  Remember the last time you threaten to handcuff me to the bed?"

"Yeah, I remember.  You weren't a bad kisser than too."

"You didn't have to kick me that hard that day.  That hurt, and the bruse didn't go away for a while."

"Let's just go to sleep.  We've got a lot of things to do to get ready for Halloween."

"You turn off your stereo, and I'll get the light."

Toni shut off her taperecorder, and Gary shut off the light, and got back in the bed.

Toni sunggled up close to him, and Gary put his arm around her as he feel asleep.

Chapter 20


Halloween finally arrived, and Gary and Toni got ready to take their children out trick or treating. "You two go and have some fun with the children.  Bernie and I will stay here and hand out the treats for the trick or treaters who come here," Lois told her son as Gary was zipping up his jacket.

"Thanks Mom.  Don't they look cute in their costumes?," he asked smiling proudly at his kids.

Lois nodded.  "That's why I took their picture for.  Now, go and have a good time.  When you get back, you and Toni can go to the party at the bar while
Bernie and I watch the kids here."

"Okay, let's go," Toni said, and walked towards the door with her children following behind her.

Bernie and Lois watched as Gary and Toni walked down the street with the children.

"Do you remember when Gary was that age and we took him out trick or treating?," Lois asked Bernie.

Bernie smiled and nodded.  "Yeah, I remember.  That was a lot of fun that night," he replied.

"Now, he's doing the same with our grandchildren, and it's bringing back a lot of memories."

Bernie put his arm around his wife.  "I know honey.  He's having a ball doing it like we were."

Everywhere they went, Gary couldn't help, but smile proudly as people commennted on cute his children looked in their costumes when they handed
out the candy when they went to the houses.  One house they did not go to was his ex-wife's parents house.  Gary made sure that they did not go there
for any reason. He was not going to let his children be subjected to the rude treatment of his ex-father in law that he had went through when he was married to his ex. This was one Halloween that he was happy to part of.  He didn't have to worry about any poisoned apples or candy given to his kids like Henry had
been given that one night. The look on Henry's face when Spike had saved his life by knocking the apple out his hand still stuck with Gary at times.  He had told Toni all about it one night, and she had understood how he had felt.

"Daddy, who's Henry?," Rose asked as they were walking back to their house with their bags full of candy.

"He's a friend of mine who lives in another state.  Why?," Gary replied wondering how she knew about him.

"I overheard you telling Mommy about him one day."

"You know it's rude to listen to other people's conversation young lady," Toni told her daughter.

"I didn't mean to Mommy.  I came in to get something to drink from playing outside, and I heard you and Daddy talking in the kitchen."

Gary smiled at his daughter.  "One day I will tell you all about Henry and his mother, but not right now.  Let's go show grandma and grandpa all the
candy you two got tonight."

When Lois and Bernie saw how full their grandchildren's candy bags were, they both grinned.

"Looks like you two made quite a hull there tonight," Bernie said.

"What your grandfather means, is that you really got a lot of candy tonight. Just like your father when he was your age and went trick or treating," Lois
told Rose and Jeff.

"Mom!," Gary said not wanting for his children to hear about his trick or treating days.

"You and Toni go to the party, and we'll put the kids to bed.  Have a good time."

"Bye kids.  Be good for grandma and grandpa.  We'll see you in the morning," Toni told her kids.

"Bye Mommy.  Bye Daddy," both children said .

Gary and Toni left their house, got inside the van, and drove to Mc Ginty's for the Halloween party.

Email the author: lori@maplecity.com
 

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