Hallyween
by Kathy Thayne Herman @copyright 10-28-2012
Marsha, blond hair flying with tear- filled blue eyes, stomped her foot and swung around to face the mirror.
"I will surely die."
"You will not die," Janey spoke sternly as she pulled her long, unkempt brown hair into a ponytail . "Stop saying that, you know it isn't true."
"It is, it is true."
"Marsha Jo, you stop it this instant!" Janey stood, and smiling, stomped her foot beside her dearest friend. "You will not die. I am moving, but not so far away we can't still get together on sleepovers. "
Marsha took a deep breath to gather herself. She brushed the curls away on her forehead before she turned to her friend . " We swore to be best friends forever, to never be apart. We SWORE!"
Janey took her hands into hers and pulled her back to the pink flowered bed. "I know we did, and we will be best friends forever. I promise... look, I cross my heart, promise and hope to die we will always be best friends. But you know daddy has to take this job, since getting laid off. Uncle Fred hired him to work in the hardware store for more than enough money to pay our bills. Marsha, we can't stay here any more."
With that, brave Janey covered her face and broke into sobs. Arms wrapped tight around each other they both cried and declared their love, devotion and pact to be best friends forever.
*****
It was now early October as they walked to the corner drugstore, laughing and planning for Halloween costumes and candy. Next year they would each be in a separate middle school, a whole new world of students and classes.
They left their worries at the door as they walked into Key's Rexall and gazed at the wondrous Halloween costumes, candies, decorations and jewelry. They would spend nearly two hours deciding, laughing and giggling like the school girls they were. They walked up to the register, each with an armful of supplies and paid the patient cashier in collective quarters and dollars from chores. As they turned to leave Marsha's eye caught an orange and white wrist band in a clearance bin. "Hallyween" was inscribed. 50 cents. "Why so cheap, Mr. Dunn?"
"Oh, I ordered them online to sell but they misspelled Halloween so I am just trying to get rid of them. Haven't sold a one." He looked down his nose through his reading glasses and said, "If you're interested you can two for a quarter."
"Total?" Janey was thrilled. "You do mean a quarter for both, right?" "Yes, yes..oh, just take them. You two are peas in a pod. Now skidaddle, don't want anyone else hearing I went soft for a moment." He scoffed but they knew he was smiling the minute they left the store.
Nearly skipping down the street, Marsha stopped abruptly, "You realize the importance of this, don't you?" "Hahahaha", laughed Janey. "You mean that my true name is Halley Jane Burton?" Halleyween!! They laughed the rest of their way home... Halley- Ween, it was priceless. "Put yours away, Marsha, we'll give them to each other on Halloween. How perfect!"
*****
School was rowdy the last week of October. Miss Brinton blamed it on the early winter forcing it's way in with gusts and dirt devils, howling in the trees and yellow brown leaves skipping and dancing along the streets and round the corners. Jeremy Jones, the loud, nasal scholar of the class noted the wispy clouds swimming around the moon meant the dead was preparing to fill the night air swooping in and around the clouds landing behind the trees.
But none of the events were calming Marsha's ever increasing sadness. Each passing moment brought her closer to losing Janey. Her family had to be moved out by Nov. 1st.
*****
Marsha began writing a small journal, in secret, for Janey. The cover was of butterflies, her favorite. She wrote reminding Janey of their lives together. The fall in the creek still wearing their Sunday dress, their special picnics at Harvard's Pond, the time little Tim Weeks got stuck in the mud and squealed til they pulled him out, all the happy times, the memories. She put the journal in her top dresser, now finished, to give her on their last time together for a while, Halloween.
*****
Halloween night came none too soon. The friends hadn't seen each other in a couple of days as Janey's family was furiously packing to get everything done and ready for the big move on Nov.1. Janey was packing all her treasures and memories of her best friend but kept their Hallyween bracelet to the side for their special night. The move may be sad but going out trick or treating for one last time was going to be awesome.
"Janey!" "Yes, mom!" "Come on down now, we have everything ready for the biggest trip. Bring everything you can to squeeze into the rental truck. We've only got Uncle Joel's pick up for tomorrow so we need to fill it up tight tonight."
"Okay, just leaving out my things for tonight with Marsha." Janey sat on the floor in the nearly empty room and raced around some of their favorite memories of so many sleep overs. BBF's really are forever. She looked at the bracelet for tonight and gave it a kiss before setting it on her trick or treating bag for that night. It would be a special night, indeed.
*****
It was 5:40 p.m. and the sun was setting. As she watched out the window waiting for Janey's parents to drop her off, Marsha thought she would burst. The night would be perfect. costumes - check. Candy bag - check. Flashlight - check. bracelet - check. Old enough to go out alone for their last Halloween excursion excitement was extra high. First night out alone, last night out as BFF's in their hometown. But also first night out for their new future....
*****
The family was loaded into the car but mom was having her worries. She always seemed to have them no matter how well everything was planned out. It usually ruffled Marsha but tonight was different... anything to please Mom and get them off to their party with young Tyson so she and Janey could for once go off on their own and celebrate their last night untethered.
She was nearly 20 minutes late before the knock on the door. Marsha brushed off the thought that Janey had come to the front door completely unseen. Must has zoned off, she thought. A stumble to the door and gasp in surprise. There stood Janey so perfectly dressed in her Gothic costume. Black dress belted in black leather and black fish net nylons ; save for the white shadow above her eyes she was the ultimate Goth. Marsha felt a little under dressed in her nurse outfit. In her hand she had a very large syringe filled with red food coloring and a doctor's bag with a hand sticking out. They hugged and laughed as they looked each other over. It was their perfect night.
As with most Halloweens the air was chilly, a slight breeze creating a light howl as it blew around and through the large tree branches. Fallen leaves danced and frolicked along the streets and a cool foggy mist rose from the streets and floated high and low licking your toes to chilling your cheeks. They huddled close as they stepped onto the sidewalk and began their journey through the neighborhood.
They stopped at Ms. Vanessa's house first. She lived alone and seemed not to enjoy giving out candy at all but she always did. A knock on the door brought it open slightly. Two hands and half a face peeked around the corner as she handed a single bar to Marsha. As she went to shut to door Marsha spoke up, "But don't forget...." "Oh, getting greedy are we?" Ms Vanessa smirked and dropped a 2nd bar into Marsha's bag then slammed the door shut.
What was that about? She handed Janey the bar and on they went passing other friends and ghouls along the way. There was so much noise and laughter in the air. Everything was going perfect. Mrs. Hansen, quiet old lady who never stopped smiling and waving to all the children to and from school was especially generous on Halloween and once again it was Marsha who got the large handful of candy to share with Janey.
"Are you having fun, Janey?"
"Of course I am, silly. This is our time. Wait, before we forget. Let's exchange our bracelets. They sat on the grass and each pulled out their bracelets mistakenly printed Hallyween and switched one with another. Marsha had written on the inside: "BFF's Forever. Love Marsha." Janey had written "BFF's FOREVER! Your Janey." The two sat up and hugged. There was no sorrow tonight.
As they approached Mrs. Hamilton's, Marsha urged Janey to be the one to ring the doorbell but she stepped back suddenly and shook her head. "No, you, Marsha. You know her better than I do." "Janey, come on, I am doing all the ringing and you look so cute." But it was clear that Janey was more content to stand behind and watch the fun. Before she could even ring the doorbell, Mrs. Hamilton opened the door and looked around."Not as many youngsters out tonight. Should you be out alone, Marsha?"
She laughed at Mrs. Hamilton's joking and said, "Now Mrs. Hamilton you know mom would never let me out alone and Janey is right here with me." "I don't see her." Curious, Marsha turned and saw Janey was indeed out of sight. "Well, here is some extra for your imaginary friend." She smiled and said, ""Really, Marsha.. you shouldn't be out alone."
Hopping off the porch and looking to the side of the house, Marsha jumped and gasped when Janey showed up straight behind her. "Don't do that to me! I nearly died!"
Janey laughed,"You did no such thing! You are always talking about dying. Why? It's not so scary. You just keep living but in a different way." "A different way? One day, you will have to explain that better but not tonight. It is getting late and your parents will be coming to pick you up." Together they ran down the hill and into the final cul-de-sac for the last of the nights candy pickings. Tomorrow was far from their thoughts as they giggled and skipped to each house.
*****
The walk back home was slow and laughter wound down. The wind had died, the leaves laid rested in the street; even the howling trees had slowed to a gentle whir. They both sat down at the gate out front Marsha's house, looked at their candy and then their bracelets. "I shall wear mine forever," Janey spoke seriously. "Me, too, Janey. It's proof we are BFF.s and nothing will keep us apart. Nothing." Janey's face saddened for a moment, then smiled, "No matter what, Marsha. No matter what anyone says. Life goes on forever and nothing will keep us apart." They both hugged, cried, laughed and hugged tighter as they suddenly saw Janey's parents waiting for her in their van.
" I will call you, " Marsha yelled, " We will make plans right away."
"Yes!" Janey yelled, "Best Friends Forever."
With that she jumped into the van and with nary a sound they drove off and seemed out of sight unusually fast.
*****
Marsha barely grabbed hold of the front door handle when it pulled open abruptly and a hand pulled her inside.
Thank God, you are all right!" Her mom pulled her a little too tight to her chest with tears streaming down her face. "We have been frantic with worry. Where have you been?" She pushed Marsha back and looked seriously into her face. "Where, Marsha?"
Bewildered by her mom's behavior and their obvious misled concern she tried to react calmly and spoke quietly. "Why, mom, I was just out with Janey trick or treating. We didn't....."
"Stop it, Marsha!. We know that isn't true. You must tell us what happened! "
"Mom, you are scaring me now. I didn't do anything wrong. Janey was a little late but we went out where we said we would and came home." Why is everyone so upset? Up until now. I had my best Halloween ever. Mom, why are you crying?"
"Dad", he turned to her with reddened eyes she knew had been crying as well. "Sweetie," he said choking on his emotion. "Your mom and I have been very worried about you. We came home early after hearing the news and wanted to be here with you." He began to walk closer to her.
"The news?" Her bewilderment was turning to fear. She started backing away until she reached to front room window. "What news? What is wrong with everyone?" She could feel herself on the verge of hysteria. "Some one tell me. NOW!"
*******
Her mom took her hands still holding the bag and pulled her down onto the couch. "We know you weren't out with Janey tonight, sweetheart."
"But I was, I truly was!"
"Honey, we came straight home when we heard the news to be here for you and when you weren't here we went out of our minds looking."
"Mom, we just went around the neighborhood like we told you. I''m sorry you were so worried, but we were careful, got lots of candy and had a wonderful time. We sat out front for a few minutes laughing, you must have seen us."
Marsha, stop it right now! You were not out with Janey. You couldn't have been!"
"But, mom.."
"You couldn't have been! Janey is dead." Her mom gasped in a sob and covered her mouth shaking.
"Don't you EVER say that to me! How could you say that? We went to Mrs. Hansen's, Miss Hamilton's and Ms. Vanessa's and all the others... they will tell you."
Her dad knelt down in front of her, his eyes looking deep into hers. She had never seen him so intense and troubled. "Marsha, we called them and they were all positive they only saw you and no one else. Mrs. Hamilton said she told you that you shouldn't be out alone."
Marsha dropped her bag to the floor and covered her face in sobs. Nothing made sense.
Her dad sat beside her and put his arm around her shoulder as if it could protect her from what he was about to say. "Marsha, we got a call not long after we reached Tyson's party. It was from Janey's Uncle Fred." He paused and closed his eyes for a moment as if summoning all the courage he had.
"Late this afternoon as they were driving their rental truck to their new home there was a terrible accident. A large 18 wheeler crossed the center line and Janey, her mom and dad were killed instantly."
Before he could say another word she pushed him away and jumped up screaming, "No!" "It's impossible, I was with her all night. We laughed and went everywhere...No! You need to call them. There is a mix-up." Mom?" Her mom raised her face to Marsha's and the sight was one of unspeakable sadness.
******
Despite their protests, Marsha grabbed her bag and ran up the stairs, slamming her bedroom door shut behind her. There she fell to the ground against the door shaking her head back and forth trying to reason everything she just heard. Rocking back and forth, she kept murmuring. "No... No... Janey, what is happening? Come to me, Janey, show them you are alive." Janey! Help me!"
The noise downstairs grew more quiet; their crying turned to whispers. For a long time she sat in the darkness looking at the moonlight through the window. The moon was full and lighting her dresser brightly. She wiped her swollen eyes and slowly stood up looking at the drawer where she had left the journal. As she put her shaking hand on the drawer she remembered with great sadness that she had forgotten to take the special journal she made for Janey as a surprise gift . Carefully, she opened the drawer and reached in, but the journal was gone.
Just a brief moment later she saw a shadow in the mirror and turned to see the image of Janey, smiling and holding the journal in her right hand and on her left hand she held up the Hallyween bracelet from Marsha. BFF Forever. Quickly the image faded and Marsha shook herself off and ran downstairs.
Finding her mom and dad, with tears running down her cheeks, she held up her bracelet from Janey... "BFF'S FOREVER! Your Janey." 'She took the journal from my dresser! She truly was with me tonight. She tried to tell me and she was right, Life does go on and she is still with me. We truly are Best Friends Forever!
THE END
