It was the morning of Halloween when Rhonda opened up her kitchen door, walked in and started cleaning. The boys had made a proper mess of things. Dishes were piled up, the margarine had been left on the counter and the bananas were so dotted with black and brown spots that they could barely be considered edible. And what was that horrible smell?1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31rjJDdswt 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHA33wrHbTA

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Rhonda sighed as she changed the garbage sack. There was a wicked crick in her neck and her back hurt. Such is the price of getting old she thought to herself. She took the trash out and threw it in the rubbish bin. 1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡKe2GXAvcvG 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjnOfBM6Rz

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbIy78xYTt
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Mrs. Wiggins, from across the street, was doing the exact same thing. She had a gaggle of boys, too. Mrs. Wiggins was dressed in a baby blue bathrobe and slippers. She hadn't quite gotten her day going from the looks of it. 1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ923Qadeuhp 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgae3OOLYc

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcARJRa0NPV
1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡELWVDxZqq3 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM37xU5MP3G

“Hello, Regina,” Rhonda said. “How’s Henry and Matthew?” Henry and Matthew were her two boys. They went to the same school as her Johnny, Mikey and Billy. They played football together and got on very well. So well that their families had spent many a summer day together having barbecues and swim sessions in the Wiggins’ pool. 1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOPkwAdOwg 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5s5s6Rqoi

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjL10dzPQK
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Much to her dismay, Mrs. Wiggins didn't return her cordial greeting. Mrs. Wiggins dropped the trash bag she was holding and it split open and spilled rubbish onto the sidewalk. 1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxhjfJSrcf 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFC1pL3SSBx

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhY78xJiqi
1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡo680DXAUm3 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQ7T2xQunB

Regina Wiggins whimpered and ran back into her house with a look of terror on her face. “How very rude,” Rhonda said, but then she thought better of it. “Don't be judgmental,” she muttered to herself.1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7oL50RAo3 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfE2ijm5m5

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbel3fXgT8L
1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwuy5LwpW6 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33KSXZ58mR

She remembered that Regina suffered from IBS. Irritable Bowel Syndrome. When she felt the need to run to the bathroom she had to go right away or an unfortunate accident was sure to follow. The IBS had taken it’s toll on her poor neighbor. Aged her prematurely. 1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡx83J8X5UA7 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgOtkFFeCF

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqG0zjhkF51
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Being the good neighbor that she was, Rhonda cleaned up the trash that Regina had spilled onto the sidewalk. She decided that she would bring Regina a nice cup of tea later and find out if she was all right. But not until she finished cleaning that dreadful kitchen.1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsShCLad9s 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOB1qt64zp

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkucGVZWTX
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She filled the sink with suds and water and began cleaning the dishes. Most of he kitchen had been put back in order, but there was still a dreadful smell coming from something. One of the boys had probably dropped a piece of fruit behind the trash can. It wasn't unusual. 1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkOG5zdPBe 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOWuhilsSx

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlsvcZ35rY
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The clinking and clanking from her cleaning of the dishes awoke her husband Eddie. Eddie walked into the kitchen and he paused at the door. He looked at Rhonda for what seemed an eternity, but was actually no more than a few seconds. 1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEgoQunkMj 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6LwDCTBNl

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkCmYhnUbk
1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsvp2s43Jj 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbbOOXnTTo

The look on his face was one of bewilderment and worry. “Well hello to you, too, dear,” Rhonda said. “Are you hungry?” she asked. “Have a seat and I'll make you a bite.”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIoiXRx5rB 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zyPoi2KU0

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxRBgQv33g
1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOSdzJb6Cy 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdV6BHhELQ

Eddie stood there in his boxers and white tee shirt intently watching his wife of twenty seven years. His eyes were wide and his wispy, white hair was out of place. He took a step backwards. 1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8XAhmz6s3 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJlb02Izx1

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5XtSa6ARx
1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcbFjE3vk4 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKsXiGfBO5

“Sit down if you want some breakfast, Eddie,” Rhonda said again. Eddie took a step forward and paused. He took another sheepish step. “Sit down, you unusual man,” she instructed him again. 1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IKKiDdgFd 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSS7OvDTdJ

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK92y0H4ojP
1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZAHbAzKUq 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VJkXUjerY

Eddie pulled a chair out and sat at the table. Eddie’s eyes never left Rhonda as she stepped over to him, bent down and kissed him on the forehead. Eddie’s brow wrinkled in horror and confusion.1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpPIyGkw2A 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneWEDWCzRa

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJx8ISZglzF
1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMzZjSTwAI 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcL5xC9DZ8J

Rhonda grabbed a skillet that she had just washed and sat it on the stove. She walked to the refrigerator and shook her head when she opened it. “My word,” she said. “I really need to go grocery shopping. It's as bare as bones in the ice box.”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1m4sPdupDf 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6be3jZRNw

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AE9urxCut
1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEboQxagT3 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYwdQlzNhV

She pulled out an egg carton and opened it. There were only two of them in it. Clicking her tongue, she took the two eggs and sat them next to the skillet. She ignited the burner and put a wee bit of olive oil into the skillet. Before long the two eggs were sizzling.1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtuasUn1PO 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaR7jVKkRf

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyrvWo1P7G
1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lk4yGK6MJ 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIaXeRQY2d

“I would make you some toast, but it seems we are out of bread,” she said. Eddie watched her in silence. When the eggs were finished she dished them onto a plate and sat them in front of her husband. He just stared down at plate of eggs. Every now and then he would look up at his wife, who was now sitting across from him.1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NanSkAWzl 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLM8zDoXllu

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkQkFhpDqX
1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpIGgIZhZP 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5GHnLQdfN

“Well eat them,” she said with an annoyed tone. “Would a thank you and a good morning be too much to ask?”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡVV4a4pziab 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQQI47AkKr

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobHxF6Dnfr
1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9SHpuijtt 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPNc1vdu7R

Eddie shook his head. “Thank you, dear,” he replied. “And good… good morning.” He picked up his fork and began to put small bites into his mouth. He chewed, but all the while he never took his eyes off of Rhonda. 1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pl3CXle6r 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xNPxjpCdu

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GYTWTe2KK
1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwGtLgpCGI 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8EBoZJIln

“I swear,” she said, “everyone has forgotten their manners today. It must have something to do with it being Halloween.”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvfQMDx8vL 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6jeTIGDF2

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnHQ5lEn3D
1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSw1tGhd7D 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXS7s8dlgqN

Eddie just nodded his head. The look of worry and confusion hadn't left his face. He took a few more bites of his egg. 1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7f79FjGX4j 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxzeHrXSwx

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTwXpZplLC
1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7fd2IumYe 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qDFVKW30I

“Well what is on your mind?” she said to him. “I can see something is bothering you. Out with it then.”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzd8aU0Mif 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5mHUyDNiP

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoG0arf9pI
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He sat his fork down and looked at her intently. “How?” he asked gingerly. 1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡapsXomuISb 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0slJVIhaX

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTL5T2eeyfo
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“How?” Rhonda asked. “How what?”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5Jt6Ms4n4 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKOnZbWfks

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrF9EvSrNz9
1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡShd7Nep755 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzD0iuxslBG

“How are you here right now?”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTfa2ASQ4I 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBxmmqOOAf

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKv3ljBh9I
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“What kind of question is that? I live here.”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1v9yKQDYa 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURinxJGKym

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLLMFLL16b
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“But, but…”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9ttumMOVT 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJADKZa8qGo

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5BRBkcw20
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“But nothing. I live here. What kind of question is that? I swear, Eddie, old age is finally getting to you. Making your mind soft.”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡkt3BxFalWG 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQp5PVCvJDH

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QJP0JKbNk
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Eddie picked up his fork again and took another bite. He sat the fork back down on the plate. “I don't know what's going on right now.”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡroDZ6W5MJC 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOixPMZBFq

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDA6nnoimVd
1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmVzb4gqG0 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6EeYm2Brz

“You are sitting with your wife having breakfast,” she said to him. “As pathetic of a breakfast it is. I apologize for letting the shopping lax.”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vpkoFnJUE 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhHximNABS

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPe8Q9CtWa
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“I'm the one who does the shopping now,” Eddie replied. “I don't keep much here. I eat out most nights.”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVl1WZlBsU 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOMyWJcdqW

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BJeOJjOXL
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Rhonda rolled her eyes and stood up. She walked over to the garbage can and looked behind it. “Do you smell that?” she asked. “It smells like something's gone rancid.”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBOwCj3Ez8 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcM7QGTvkEx

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiC7Nifucm
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She searched the kitchen for a few minutes. Her husband stared at her the whole time. His look of worry turned to one of wonder. Then his wonder turned to seriousness. His eyes hung on the floor while she searched for what was rotten. 1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLUFCC4rWY 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRxdvIbX2J

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJp8s9DAuxx
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“I bet Mikey left a piece of fruit out,” she said. “It wouldn't be the first time and it won't be the last.”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfDNxPcygP 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMSvOhFtdE

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOWEC1ZqoS
1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzYhuuHI0E 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyLthMfE1j

“Mikey doesn't live here anymore, babe,” Eddie answered. “None of the boys do.”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDZCtelazs 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmsbkYbGxG

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9BcuDaPtf
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“Nonsense,” she replied.1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9Q7EhnpoS 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ptjjoAL8s

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5tS7xNB5k
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“Mikey is off in college now,” he said. “Johnny is in the army and Billy is working at the DMV. He has a family of his own now.”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvuVM4XGji 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnmn7x9UPf

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04o4MI73fs
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“Ha ha. Very funny,” she said with no amount of amusement in her voice. 1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡE24TmiBuLb 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbi74XLRlI

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbibO00gulX
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“I'm telling you the truth, babe,” he said. 1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡPN2aZfBsFg 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfEklYlOyz

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgrxAO8syx
1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡZu3WlW3DPl 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj96Dec8P1N

Rhonda grabbed the small pad that sat on top of the refrigerator and grabbed a pen. She started making a shopping list. “Is there anything you need from the market? Razors? A new toothbrush?” she asked. 1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfEkPzRiBB 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYg0FuqxXbS

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPAMuTRwyr
1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuUfv8eGip 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9V8P8699x

“Sweetheart,” he said, “you have to listen to me.”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HBg8x0y2u 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJyyYOnD7r

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCMIKHrjjY
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“I don't have time for your nonsense,” she replied. “I have to get the house in order before the boys get home.”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡlP1S7VhnZk 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnK995aMuII

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQPujWgTmP
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“Baby, the boy's ain't coming home,” he said, “I told you. They don't live here no more.”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡch0BsXtsJe 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLL6RE6R1O

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAR5AP9DAK
1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlKO9PtmcZ 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WC3F9DUb6

This time she slammed the yellow pad she was writing on down on the counter. “Enough with this nonsense, Eddie!” she declared. “I have enough to do without you adding to the list with your foolish pranks! I need to go to the market and get groceries and Halloween candy for the kids in the neighborhood. Now are you going to make yourself useful and help me or are you going to sit there and continue to be a horse’s ass?”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡXftUZ5ELTC 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7Heq2enUc

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Tw5PukCv4
1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFMUpkRwdl 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsz4KjtMqD

Finally finding the courage, he stood up and walked over to his wife. He gently put his hand on her shoulders and turned her around to face him. “Babe,” he said quietly, “you've been dead for twelve years.”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMbcQLCz1B 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QWggeNOwk

1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUwl51g2fl
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She lifted her eyes to meet his. “Rhonda,” he said, “honey, you've been dead for twelve years.”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaISGMFrty 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9jcu4oPbZ

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Rhonda pushed him away. “Enough of your tomfoolery!” She cried out and then went back to writing her list. 1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OBc8fOvzL 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoo8tkNBKaf

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He put his hand on hers and stopped her from writing. “I'm not fooling you,  babe,” Eddie told her. “You got in a car accident after you dropped the kids off for school. Twelve years ago today.”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPrXjAsMxY 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VYjLRHP8Y

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She put her pad down and sat the pen on top of it. What was he saying to her? Then suddenly it came back to her. Just like Eddie had said, she had been driving to the market after dropping off the boys and a van came out of nowhere and hit her station wagon. Then there was nothing but blackness. Until earlier when she walked into the kitchen. 1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHq1wbNGly 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfERRzd7dOJ

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Pulling out a chair for his wife, Eddie sat her down and then sat on the edge of the table. She looked confused. Almost as confused as Eddie did. “Okay,” she said in barely a  whisper. “Okay. Will you help me find what that horrible smell is, Eddie? And then I'll go back to where I came from.”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAE67QAMs6 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEj7ahOTcUx

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Eddie nodded. “I would help you with anything, darling,” Eddie replied. “But I think what you are smelling is yourself. You been in the grave a long time.”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDN3pYpmL0 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3plZbnbV6p

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“He’s right, mom,” came a voice from the entrance to the kitchen. It was Mikey. There he stood, grown and handsome. Beside him stood Billy. He was much older than he was the last time she saw him.1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyo8LYGVbL 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vRxrdxOAe

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“My boys!” Eddie cried as he ran over to hug them. “When did you get here?” 1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QFJ09Fq5m 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEFAUAb21w

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Billy returned his embrace. “We got here a few minutes ago. It took us a few minutes to process what was going on, so we just sat quiet in the hallway.”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡFb1o5wcL00 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksZCZZ9nbH

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“We figured you could use a few minutes alone,” Mikey added. “To sort things out.”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rQlCpJ9bc 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzM2dpOquv

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“Oh,” Eddie replied. “Where’s Johnny?”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8sUmimRQJ 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYD8XbRR5Ow

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“Johnny couldn't be here, pa,” Billy replied. “He's living overseas now. You know that.”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBsODYj5lO 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpOh93dGMJ

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“Oh yeah,” their father replied. 1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uFqpoynNo 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zjmJFLaaP

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The boys turned their attention to their mother. “Hi, ma,” they both said. They took turns giving her a long hug. 1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUKUOy3xuR 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20niZNLzs1

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“I don't know how I got here,” their mother said to them. 1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNoV8VVLCz 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyxRmuj457

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“It don't matter,” Billy said softly. “But you can't be here anymore. It isn't right.”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡARCznO5fQx 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCL61ywSvi

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Mikey took his mother’s decaying hand into his own. “You need to go be at rest again, ma,” he said. 1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡAX02TzqxBF 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9recchV4R9

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“Okay,” Rhonda relied. She knew he was right. She didn't know where he came from, but she knew it wasn't natural for her to be where she was now.1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡkweqKORH9g 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AKMD9rGK4

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Billy opened the back door and motioned for her to follow him. Holding Mikey’s hand all the while, she did. The four of them walked out into the back yard. Under a tall tree there was a hole dug in the ground. There was a wooden cross at the head of the hole. “That's where you came from, ma,” Mikey said to her. 1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡOs4WzWQ5Cd 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCEvffUeBg

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“I'm buried in the back yard?” she asked. 1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoQNCdTQ75 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEM1NS5vTl

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“We had you in the cemetery for a while,” Billy answered, “but every year on Halloween you would dig your way out of your grave and make your way back here. It got to be a real hassle sneaking you back into the graveyard, so here you lay.”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡLY2uVMDYun 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoe3LIplAvP

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They all sat and just stared in silence for a few moments. Rhonda broke the silence. “I guess it's time for me to go,” she said. 1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tdavU1Oli 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7zRiDm6Ow

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The boys and their father nodded. They boys took two shovels that were there waiting for them and turned the hole into a nice, deep, rectangular grave. 1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QhoqMsFDu 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTDRnTT28l

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They all said their goodbyes and their mother climbed into the freshly dug grave. As soon as she laid back in the dirt her eyes closed and she was gone once again. The life had slipped from her. 1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZxu7g8oPb 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IKYrTlBPg

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“How did you boys know? Why did you come here? You aren't playing hooky from school are you, Mikey?” Eddie asked. 1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYxgdlCWBi 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2h3r1lGki

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“No, pa,” Mikey replied. “I'm not playing hooky from school. I haven't been in college for ten years. I graduated. I have a family of my own now.”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡmylVEh0Flk 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhBCtUgMIG

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Eddie’s brow furrowed once again. “What?” he asked. “You just enrolled last year! You couldn't be done already!”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5oSf6qG0b 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8saryr3K9

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“Billy patted his pa on the back. “It's true, pa,” he said. He's been out for years now.”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7jbYj5QM1 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jO25fAhRj

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“This is insane!” Eddie exclaimed. “This whole morning has been bonkers!”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5C0OXMJPX 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3gGiXIXaa

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“It has, pa” Billy answered. “It is every year.”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡscLoIncoUQ 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgxWoR15xk

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“Every year?” Eddie said. “It ain't ever been like this! I would have remembered a morning this whacky!”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Xj7PHxsWP 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6BXJZIFdE

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Mikey turned his father a half turn and nodded towards the east end of their back yard. A hole, not unlike the one Rhonda has come from sat there waiting. “It happens every year, pa,” Mikey replied. “We don't know why, but it does.”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoxZqXWXkE 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqIDchpneR

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“Naw,” Eddie responded, shaken. “Naw it can't be right.” He looked at his hands. There was no decomposition of the skin like Rhonda had. There was no stink on him like there was on her. 1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQK83WWJAn 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXpHBm5sIC

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“It is, pa,” Billy answered. “You died six years ago. Had a heart attack at the factory. On Halloween morning. Just like ma.”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zVE7FnAdZ 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3OrBh0Yfm

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“But that ain't right,” Eddie muttered. “I ain't rotten like she was.”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdCRvFOhaU 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuctBCtVrQ5

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“It's true, pa,” Mikey said. He put his arm around his father’s shoulders and led him to the hole. “Every year on Halloween you and ma both come back. We don't know why. You just do. And we don't know why you aren't rotten. We can't figure that out.”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGkDE9sDXV 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZvsJP18bU

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Eddie’s look of confusion turned to one of acceptance. “Well it is what is I guess. It was good seeing you boys again. You know your mother and I love you dearly.”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgAQCJpbGk 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWKdGnfUye

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“We know,” Billy replied. “We love you, too.”1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuN8rVpYIc 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkP4A3IAtBG

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The boys took their shovels and dug the grave while their father watched. When it was finished Eddie walked over to it and said, “I guess I'll see you next year,” he and the boys both laughed uncomfortably and Eddie jumped into the hole they had dug. As soon as his feet touched the dirt of the grave his body fell limp and lifeless once again. For another year at least. 1234 copyright protection1163ＰＥＮＡＮＡJn5XNYveuu 尼1167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzlGjwQYy2

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