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Shaun and I decided to shop at Halloween City and pick our costumes. Growing up, Halloween was my favorite holiday. The idea of dressing up and hiding your identity by pretending to be someone else for a day was exciting.
After Seth died, Mom didn't decorate the house like she used to. But once Shaun was born, she started it up again.
Shaun bounces on his feet and rushes toward the cashier. Once I pay and the cashier hands me the bag, we walk out the door, climb into the car, and head home.
* * *
Gem and I sit on the couch watchingGoosebumpswhile Shaun sits between us, eating popcorn.
My phone goes off when the invisible boy smacks Champ, one of the character, in the face, causing Shaun to cackle.
When I see Maverick's name on the screen, I ignore it and turn the phone over.
"Are you still ignoring him?" Gem says in a whisper.
I glance at her and quickly look away, shaking my head.
"It wasn't his fault what happened to you," she says, softer this time. Gemma was there for me after that night, which changed my life forever. I will never forget the horrified look on her face when she picked me up on the side of the road—broken. Ever since that horrible night, she was my anchor, keeping me grounded and supporting me through my pregnancy and after my little Shauny was brought into this world.
"I know you don't want to hear this, but as your best friend and partner in crime, it’s time you tell him about that night." She grabs my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "You have to find a way to forgive to move forward. If not for yourself, then do it for the little guy." Her eyes turn to my son—sunshine during my darkest nights.
If only it were that easy.
FORTY-FIVE
HALLOWEEN
SCAR
Idecided to go trick-or-treating with Gem and Shaun to distract myself from Skylar’s attempt to ruin my life. It was the perfect distraction, and it felt good to be out and about.
“Oh, my God! My feet are killing me,” Gemma complains, flopping onto the couch.
“We only walked a few blocks, Gem.” I walk in after her and lock the front door.
"I thought I could handle the pain for the perfect costume, but now I can't feel my toes!" Gem moans dramatically.
I chuckle and plop down beside her. "Well, at least we got a good haul of candy to make up for it."
Gemma sits up and starts rummaging through her bag. Her hand pulls out a handful of candy, the wrappers crinkling as she unwraps one. "You're right, we really struck gold on the sugar front," she says, her eyes lighting up as she takes a bite of her mini–Twix Bar.
“Can I eat my candy now?” Shaun asks, jumping up and down.
“Yes, you can—”
“Yay!”
“Butwe need to inspect each piece before you eat any of them.”
He scurries into the living room and dumps his plastic pumpkin full of candy onto the coffee table.
“Come on.” I smack Gemma’s leg. She’s lying back with her head against the couch and her arm over her eyes. Gemma and I are heading to the club that’s hosting a decades Halloween party, so we decided to dress up like singers from the 80s. I chose Madonna, and Gem is Cyndi Lauper. She’s been begging me to go for the last month, and after my emotional moment with Maverick, I was ready to blow off some steam.
“Fine.” She grunts. “This wig is too fucking hot.” She yanks it off and tosses it to the side.
“Naughty word, Auntie Gem!” Shaun sings and Gemma rolls her eyes.
* * *
