I Believe In Mary Worth

 


It's Halloween week, kids! I like Christmas, who doesn't, but Halloween is special. I still enjoy watching the kids go out trick or treating. We live  near the lake where the fancy people have their big houses and they get into the spirit of the season. Adults are everywhere, watching the little ones. Cars, up and down the street as parents track their children. "Elio, Aria, Kai, don't eat that candy!"

But, I will now take you back to the days of shag carpet and rotary phones where Halloween was thee day. Free candy. Can you smell that stash? Aaaaahhhh...

Before we hit the streets we had to get into the spirit of the season and that was when we called Mary.

"I believe in Mary Worth..."

My big sister was the instigator in these summonings. We weren't allowed lighted candles so we made do with Dad's flashlight and the dark bathroom. We stood in front of the medicine cabinet mirror and called her name.

Except - we never got to round three because we chickened out. Every time. 

Back then Halloween was for kids. Parents stayed home and handed out the candy. "Johnny, Martha, Mary Margaret, don't eat that candy!" They didn't drive us around. We walked. Rain, wind, snow... we walked. Alone. It was not easy with a plastic mask that probably had more lead paint than my chewed #2 pencils.

Out we go. The wind is picking up the leaves and my socks are already soaked from wearing holey sneakers. The trees sway and moan as we stumble into the night. We hear a scream far off and the bang of porch door. Carved pumpkins glare at us and something brushes against our leg. "Go home, kitty!" It's dinner time and the neighborhood smells of cabbage and fried chicken. Front doors are left open as shadowy figures pass by. My fingers are frozen. My face is bleeding from the killer mask. Not enough to stop me, though. I've got twenty more houses to go to. Annabelle trips and loses her haul. We feel in the dark with our fingers for lost pieces, then rush on to fill our bags. Mrs. G hands us the usual, one sticky popcorn ball and we are off. We can see an old man sitting in his chair, ignoring us as we knock and shout, "Trick or Treat!" He doesn't move. We blow raspberries and kick his door, then we run. Real bats are flying under the street lights and we scream as we run home, exhausted, cold and hungry. 

An apple- blaaarrgh. 

One lint covered popcorn ball - bleeeccchhh. 

Mary Janes and Tootsie rolls- save for desperate times. 

We quickly hide the chocolate from Dad who wants to see what we have. 

I stand in front of our bathroom mirror to count the cuts and scratches on my face. Then, I shut off the light.

"I believe in Mary Worth."

"I believe in Mary Worth."

"I believe... Nope."

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