The Halloween Dilemma

The Halloween Dilemma

By Billy Burgess

"Mom, can I get the Super Crusader costume for Halloween?" Ten-year-old Frankie asked.

"No," Mom said, sitting on the couch knitting an afghan.

"It's on sale for twenty dollars," Frankie said.

"Tomorrow is Halloween and we don't have the money to buy new costumes. You'll have to wear the pirate outfit from last year," Mom replied.

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"I want to be a kitty," six-year-old Michelle said.

"I'm sorry but you can't go trick-or-treating. You'll have to stay at Grandma's tomorrow night. I have to work," Mom told her.

"Frankie gets to go," Michelle whined.

"He's going with some friends," Mom said.

Michelle stomped her feet.

"I have some money left over from my birthday, but I don't have enough to buy it. I only have $15.00," Frankie frowned.

"Our neighbor, Mrs. White, has been complaining about the leaves in her yard. Maybe you could ask her if she's willing to pay you $5.00 to rake the leaves."

"Great idea!" Frankie slipped on his blue jacket, got a rake from the garage, and stepped out.

"I'm going with you," said Michelle, running after him, wearing a pink jacket.

"Okay, but don't you jump into the leaves."

"I'll try not to."

"Take a hold of my hand," Frankie said.

Michelle held his hand as they walked across the street to Mrs. White's house.

They stepped onto the porch.

Frankie knocked on the front door twice.

A short elderly woman, wearing thick glasses opened the door.

"What brings you dear kids to my door?"

"My mom said you might want your yard raked. I want to earn some extra money to buy a Halloween costume."

"It's an awfully big yard but I'll pay you $12.00 if you rake it."

"Wow! That'll be great," Frankie said.

"Wait a minute." Mrs. White briefly went back inside, and returned with a handful of trash bags. "Use these for the leaves," she told them.

Frankie stuffed the trash bags into his jacket pocket, and ran off the porch. He began scraping up the red and orange leaves.

Michelle giggled as she scooped up the leaves with her hands, and put them into piles.

Frankie quickly raked the front yard, and headed toward the back, where there were even more leaves. He made one big pile and started raking together another.

Frankie pulled out the trash bags from his pocket.

"Here. Start putting the leaves into the bags," he said.

Michelle grabbed a few bags and ran back to the front yard.

Frankie completed raking, bagged up the backyard leaves, and carried the bags to the curb.

Michelle sat on the ground, picking up a few leaves at a time, dumping them into the bag.

Frankie knocked on the door again. Mrs. White stepped out onto the porch with her wallet in hand.

"We're done and I put the bags on the curb," Frankie said.

"It looks wonderful." Mrs. White handed a ten-dollar bill and two one-dollar bills to Frankie.

"Thank you."

Mom was on the porch swing wearing a coat and clutching her purse when they returned home.

"Mom, Mrs. White paid me twelve dollars," Frankie said excitedly.

"Good for you. Now put the rake away and we'll go to the store," Mom said.

Frankie returned the rake to the garage, and then climbed into the backseat of the car next to Michelle.

As soon as they arrived at the store, Frankie went straight to the Halloween section and picked up a Super Crusader costume from the rack.

He started to leave, but came to a halt. An orange and a pink kitty costume caught his attention. Maybe I can get it for Michelle. She did help me with the leaves, he thought.

The price tag read $16.95. I do not have enough money to get both.

He took one last look at the Super Crusader costume and put it back, and grabbed the pink kitty costume.

Frankie glanced at the items down the aisle and focused on a $5.00 zombie mask. He picked it up.

Mom and Michelle were down the grocery section, pushing a shopping cart. He hid the costume behind him.

"Did you get your costume?" Mom asked.

"I changed my mind and got a zombie mask instead." He turned to Michelle, and pulled out the kitty costume. "Is this the right one you wanted?"

Michelle smiled, "Yes. Is it mine?"

"Only if you want it, I haven't paid for it yet," Frankie said.

"I love it!" Michelle shouted, grabbing the costume.

"What do you say to your brother?" Mom asked.

"Thank you," Michelle said.

"You're welcome," Frankie replied.

"Can I go trick-or-treating with you?" Michelle asked.

"Sure. Come with my friends and me," Frankie smiled.

© 2011 - Billy Burgess