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?copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgDw8CcvfC9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNEIWY37uT
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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. copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmt4kaDNf99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJ0nsWmv4Q
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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. copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9vW15owMA9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrPwOisbNx
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“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. copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡToiklRUUDZ9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCM2riRJL2x
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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. copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡX39UTfcTZh9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfkvHCmrnp
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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.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FYfUWqej79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KQtfx5CZt
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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. copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8DlAQnUYj9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxo60EE6gD
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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.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡStm3Yy8IW79Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhrUnry2yP
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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. copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDZCtkvg5E9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThqkbOMKQk
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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. copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡihPzmNqi7c9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqx3LJSxtJ
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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.”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXCFHEMYOB9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcm2JqOsjlW
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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. copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLIaZ5uxY59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlGS57Gxq2
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“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. copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWotZ4IPch9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9yw1DDIa4
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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.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡhK5kyi50gO9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXebugO8ZZ
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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.”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡknsoS9qtl09Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuq0IBvZqDY
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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.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzyCeSmYVX9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxAcgcHgCl
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“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.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IwQQt9hws9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZmxcDKTUm
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“Well eat them,” she said with an annoyed tone. “Would a thank you and a good morning be too much to ask?”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbCEzhR6mx9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0dAypdii7
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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. copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnUYUUgjhw9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJQHjo6wHp
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“I swear,” she said, “everyone has forgotten their manners today. It must have something to do with it being Halloween.”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnoVSH2Saq9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6OxO7WUEE
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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. copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡRH6zYmRyue9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwqe3em090
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“Well what is on your mind?” she said to him. “I can see something is bothering you. Out with it then.”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLQm4V4hg59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkicLxf0Tf9
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He sat his fork down and looked at her intently. “How?” he asked gingerly. copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOSpGXUh4h9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAE1lcgl5w
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“How?” Rhonda asked. “How what?”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89bV1TIfs29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkTalfnCBs
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“How are you here right now?”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQwVIv2vyq9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsDODZ30BF
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“What kind of question is that? I live here.”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPodG4LvEz9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3reR5eV5Q
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“But, but…”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdEvYh6DCY9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoinPxfULa0
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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.”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡynpYhR6HlK9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoOkelz97K
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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.”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡQldEvq8Jp89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XpXiEiRNq
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“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.”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9vJshG39g9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXZnUh1d9P
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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.”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtiqueenhJ9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvQfTLwVZF
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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.”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGymbcu6Zl9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolZfBS08N0
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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. copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡijjbs7xRBX9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwXKLzDMHq
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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.”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡym4n6oG5Xo9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxrUhctUYb
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“Mikey doesn't live here anymore, babe,” Eddie answered. “None of the boys do.”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrJCqssCGn9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRz9MQmgLl
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“Nonsense,” she replied.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhupWXzIXB9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMrkWebjvW
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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.”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTf8KRZ0bV9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ICw3yKeSf
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“Ha ha. Very funny,” she said with no amount of amusement in her voice. copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYzwP709769Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgi3TP7rzlk
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“I'm telling you the truth, babe,” he said. copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZlKIDTpwL9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2J0Vy7n8t
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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. copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSoBg2lxE69Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ayRatqhRy
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“Sweetheart,” he said, “you have to listen to me.”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgtlTZVEvE9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobIW3Sqtai
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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.”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkOgEM5CCi9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcxz9Asz4C
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“Baby, the boy's ain't coming home,” he said, “I told you. They don't live here no more.”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EcFzVtw0O9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9AHJJibjn
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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?”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwBq6bTGH19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4O2LyL4J4
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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.”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡNW6VUyIE679Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZ2s2N0NSJ
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She lifted her eyes to meet his. “Rhonda,” he said, “honey, you've been dead for twelve years.”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡidlZbSf5S39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3As52uT3iM
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Rhonda pushed him away. “Enough of your tomfoolery!” She cried out and then went back to writing her list. copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyI6b5RZmi9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0FE6I8ZLr
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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.”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMhWTSPydn9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3fnHm6QmR
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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. copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡWB9ssN9bGV9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyATOYAa4rw
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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.”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuQJxCQGgX9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEvTsttDxV
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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.”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1rs5042pe9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjS2dlwGY4
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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.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ89iuOkCDy9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1JI3W4AC2
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“My boys!” Eddie cried as he ran over to hug them. “When did you get here?” copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UuRYq8Ec59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgkHZnD3Xf
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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.”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LAHDrmvl39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzrdgrBTvz
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“We figured you could use a few minutes alone,” Mikey added. “To sort things out.”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdQOY4xyDS9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP07heoIQid
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“Oh,” Eddie replied. “Where’s Johnny?”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡTADRTZOBtq9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMj9UAniieA
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“Johnny couldn't be here, pa,” Billy replied. “He's living overseas now. You know that.”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWQUjjb68Y9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWlwRWU9f8
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“Oh yeah,” their father replied. copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AqNXipoHA9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWx8i40eYat
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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. copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cPD6J5Zs99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwYCO3C22M
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“I don't know how I got here,” their mother said to them. copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡpALWVFLzLI9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1NMDCPgES
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“It don't matter,” Billy said softly. “But you can't be here anymore. It isn't right.”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnZq9p7eed9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiQv5u7VKM
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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. copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3H1YTtZP109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbr01W5v30g
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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.copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMthy21Znl9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAunCrs8vt
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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. copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYqNbykNN59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpIHMk8ftE
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“I'm buried in the back yard?” she asked. copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCZZQoWxOH9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjF21snaIR
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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.”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkkirUIBv89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOR6uU8XiiF
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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. copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pzM5AFlWl9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGuGbpO8H7
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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. copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRBiZ3Swr19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv820OdpDm6
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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. copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgm1Z28CsR9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsIFsxTRaf
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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. copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5oDwI9xH19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujccYEJRwU
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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.”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FnL1GtrSH9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNeN0dsJ5Z
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Eddie’s brow furrowed once again. “What?” he asked. “You just enrolled last year! You couldn't be done already!”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡTn8bgbsbnl9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93GnQHBjqG
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“Billy patted his pa on the back. “It's true, pa,” he said. He's been out for years now.”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMAatjtSbl9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiIoGz5hTw
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“This is insane!” Eddie exclaimed. “This whole morning has been bonkers!”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4J54Gg7jVB9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDNn2tX8LQ
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“It has, pa” Billy answered. “It is every year.”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHZ0Ng05Ya9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8scwuGtCr
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“Every year?” Eddie said. “It ain't ever been like this! I would have remembered a morning this whacky!”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKldaN4TJO9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeqJrXd8rQ
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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.”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡda571cI8rD9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnUi6mgkuH
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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. copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡof6T38d8aC9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgp4aHaxYv2
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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.”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8bfFGN0ge9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhZosHzZF4
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“But that ain't right,” Eddie muttered. “I ain't rotten like she was.”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQSd6o1zDY9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGwo4Y5DXL
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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.”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSig3RNnEt9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8P9EeeCkRA
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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.”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuhpa2cwA09Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ85TNj7pDZ
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“We know,” Billy replied. “We love you, too.”copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡTc2dWjE5CE9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6SQ0F975M
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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. copyright protection5ＰＥＮＡＮＡw17qtKnOaH9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGPbwQRFYW
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