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The next day- Halloween
The scarecrow costume is cute.I like the way it looks.But it’s not the orange and purple one I originally wanted.That one was out of stock, but I’ll make the best of it.What do you expect when trying to get a costume the day before Halloween?
The patched-up blue and green dress has matching knee-high socks, a belt, and a tattered hat.It’s a raggedy look that I’ll spice up by putting my hair in two braids and wearing my high heels.
After adding blush to my cheeks and drawing on a nose, I hear a knock at my door.I pucker my lips to blend the lipstick and yell, “Come in!”
Xander enters, and I can’t help but stand in shock.He’s also wearing a scarecrow costume “Great minds think alike,” he says, turning in place.
I follow suit and spin, “It looks so cute on you,” I tell him and grab my phone to take a photo.The oversized overalls are the same blue and green patched design.
“Let’s go,” I grab my keys, and we drive across town.After finding a parking spot, we climbed out of the car and searched for my parents.Before we get through the haunted house entrance, I hear my mom’s voice.
“Oh my!Aren’t you two the cutest!”She walks over, leans in, and gives us both a kiss on the cheek.
“Hi, mom.This wasn’t planned.It just happened.”I state, shrugging, not looking for her to read any more into it than a coincidence, which is exactly what it was.
“Things happen for a reason,” she says, as she points to her right.“Dad is already in the maze with his strobe light and chain saw.Have fun!”she says and continues on her way with a bucket of apples.
“Bye, Mrs.Johnson,” Xander says, nodding toward the entrance for me to follow.
God, I hate this shit.
We begin to walk through the haunted house.I jump a few times and grab Xander’s hand as we reach the end.I know the only way out is by going through the fucking corn maze.
All the memories come flooding in.All the times Nicki enjoyed scaring me with Dad, and the time she left me, I couldn’t find my way out.
“Are you all right?”Xander’s voice brings me back to the present.I stand there trying to find the courage and not be the chicken-shit little girl I used to be.
“I hate these,” I admit, taking a deep breath.
He tightens his grip on my hand, “Concentrate on me.We got this.”I watch as he steps forward, and I turn all my attention to him, not taking the chance to look around at the tall hay bales.
I look for anything to distract myself, the way the straw hangs from his hat.How I feel safe holding his hand.The smile of courage and support when he turns back to check on me and the way his arm muscles tighten, pulling me closer.
Safe, that’s how I feel whenever I spend time with him.Before I realize it, we are walking toward the exit sign.
He stops and puts both hands on my face, “You made it,” he says with a smile, and his thumb rubs along my cheek.
“We made it,” I step forward, placing my hand at the back of his neck and pulling him closer with a kiss.
“Thank you.”
I take his hand in mine, and we find the nearest path to the parking lot.After finding the car, we remove our straw hats and drive back across town.
Once we arrive at the bar, we take a booth in the back and order food.While we wait, we make small talk about some of the students and the upcoming holiday season.
I showed him a few pictures Dani sent of DJ in his costume.As usual, the whole family costume thing is going on.Jacob was dressed as Homer, Dani as Marge with tall blue hair, and DJ made the cutest Bart Simpson ever.
“I like how you and your family are so close.I didn’t have that growing up,” Xander says, placing an empty plate to the side and wiping his face with a napkin.
“Where did you grow up?”I ask, wondering why we never really talk about his past.You would think by now I’d know more about him.
“Here and there, Pennsylvania mostly.”He leans back in the booth and relaxes after finishing his open-sliced steak sandwich and fries.
Are we dating?Not really.We are friends and co-workers, and we hang out more than ever.But at the end of the day, all we ever seem to do is kiss.
“Any plans for the holidays?”I ask, offering him the last potato skin from the sampler platter.He shakes his head, and I place it on my appetizer plate and add ranch dressing to dip it.
“I’m not going anywhere, no family-no place to go.”He shrugs it off as if it’s no big deal.To me, family is everything.I feel bad he didn’t have the same safe family life I grew up with.
“Well, we are your family now.So, you’ll spend it with us.”I bite, and the creamy ranch dressing drips, covering my lip.Before I get a chance to lick it or grab my napkin, Xander reaches over and wipes it away.
He lifts his thumb to his mouth and licks.
Hot Damn.
