I remember back in the day, we had two nights. The first one was "Cabbage Night." this was a night where the boys simply terrorized the neighborhood. A night of nothing but pranks, i.e., windows soaped, doorbells rung, rotten tomatoes thrown. Just good clean fun! Usually the night ended with us kids running for our lives. While being chased under bushes, over fences and through backyards by some very steamed adults and on occasion, even the police. I'm tell you it was great fun!
The second night was Halloween. Pranks? Yes, but to a lesser degree. The plus was a pillow case full of goodies. The only folks who got hammered on Halloween were the ones who put apples or oranges in the goody bag. They were the pre-cursors to the modern day liberal! But I digress.
Last Saturday night, they came to my house.
It started about 5:30 p.m., with the real little ones. Cute as cute could be, escorted, of course, by their parents. Little spider men, witches and goblins (what the heck is a goblin?). Then came the little princess queens and fairies (the last two actual Queens and Fairies, these days you have to explain). They, the little ones, were a joy to behold.
Around 7 p.m., the older ones came, the 8 to 13-year-olds. Then, here comes a little girl about 11 or 12 with a cell phone plastered to her ear. She didn't speak but was all business and indicated by her body language (a nod and some eye movement) that I interpreted to mean "put some candy in the bag stupid," I complied. Then, with another nod and blink I interpreted to mean "what took you so long," she turned on her heel and marched down the walk! Unbelievable!
Then came the next group. Among them, a rather overweight young man in the 13-year-old range. This did din't walk, he waddled. When I gave this bug guy his candy, he said "Is that it?" I said "yup" and he unhappily waddled away. The last thing this kid needed was a few more Tootsie Rolls.
I should have reached in his bag and took a couple back and said "No, that's it," but didn't think fast enough. Then, there was the mom who came to the door with her kid asleep in a stroller behind her. "I'm trick or treating for my child who fell asleep, could you give me some candy for him?" Now there's a Mom!
Therein is the story of my last Halloween! Next year, it's lock the doors, shut the lights and go to the movies.
- BILL HICKEY
Bill Hickey lives in Natick.
