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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9U0hTiPjYg37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrSY0TMPrh
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYZE7F2mA437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwF9vG3hwu
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ykG64LMGm37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZ5U9BBcS7
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHuOBvGMlS37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTkiOuTpGL
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡhP6ClP5wBU37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLzL4ngXMW
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡOW5fceNx8637Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbB1XGodEb
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26xETNRbKQ37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzMtAJ9YXN
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7IFNLXiTM37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI89vBJfLIc
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡiM45GT5PvC37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewTn2v7hgQ
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfpxd0kYsi37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfAIDCdKTu
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIchx6P8XF37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClTd3wQhgK
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAfQ85BB1d37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORaH5deVvv
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡldrgfAoh4v37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn61xO6L22g
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoHqbzU3gv37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeXrLLywOA
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2QR3w6aOV37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AQ52CRA9F
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡbstUOlTKDa37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4l39nG0XP
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLiEM29nII37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXa01knHll
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡSw758pnhNP37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIRAJTU7Bf
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYcPF0PIIA37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCEkcne7uP
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMRukDSVzD37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcBsxNPLVk
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqIBXpQTto37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jSDLprBbm
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEXZ40huUi37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpPo3AOucZ
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He sat his fork down and looked at her intently. “How?” he asked gingerly. copyright protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeCqKuVUem37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJG17KCVeP
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“How?” Rhonda asked. “How what?”copyright protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡceVVAVCmMd37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokJ5mQPZM4
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“How are you here right now?”copyright protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKyLlaRW3s37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLiqQEhGE3
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“What kind of question is that? I live here.”copyright protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2f8utAHbYO37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlT5EjWjBCX
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“But, but…”copyright protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡPj9wImO2bs37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLniR1BOkcq
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡduyMa3G0qw37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuV6MN8nBtA
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JPM0xYRXl37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBk4n7cKJF
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡaW001Nzsoa37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrrxvOFIzp
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtAoJxp2ar37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdkDLQsry2
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Wr0QFViSI37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO829MNZeey
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKl3xHt7Cm37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zO9IAWIPb
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡmavysktiyq37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAtAKcbHU0
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“Mikey doesn't live here anymore, babe,” Eddie answered. “None of the boys do.”copyright protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WGqtpzH3237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarME2wQeeL
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“Nonsense,” she replied.copyright protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfo3UFMfqC37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GrVlusbIG
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxMLPKqscn37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAL81Htv9Fd
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“Ha ha. Very funny,” she said with no amount of amusement in her voice. copyright protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZE7SCba9V37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vuexcI2lo
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“I'm telling you the truth, babe,” he said. copyright protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnkWptt5og37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4VIisU1vf
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQmE9RXcNH37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVCOEUhyWM
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“Sweetheart,” he said, “you have to listen to me.”copyright protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMB4EFd7Ux37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oqDc5yuDv
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbSuYWZftA37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBqqfDvO79
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SauZU1XCK37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCSp383yXa
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64jtzFuJeC37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjluIoCLXz
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcxxO4tmAD37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyGc3pBFby
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She lifted her eyes to meet his. “Rhonda,” he said, “honey, you've been dead for twelve years.”copyright protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPXMPMhJDJ37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu57bhaATQL
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Rhonda pushed him away. “Enough of your tomfoolery!” She cried out and then went back to writing her list. copyright protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡTu8BbiTyWU37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJXIUfSv8I
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyMVmyGeOM37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTSdBNsuiB
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6afQheqbuJ37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86Z0kBNN65
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyzanSCv4E37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67i67CIVpO
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡb11twr7AxZ37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgV6z1ebJaB
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZaGNcNQE537Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn65uF7JRRT
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“My boys!” Eddie cried as he ran over to hug them. “When did you get here?” copyright protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFOZHpWBDn37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTy0Z2F7LwY
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pubOOOFf137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquxqtA6AlC
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“We figured you could use a few minutes alone,” Mikey added. “To sort things out.”copyright protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ApnmBylAA37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOA4e4ElF0
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“Oh,” Eddie replied. “Where’s Johnny?”copyright protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwdnoUKFxK37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGqcLEgqZV
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“Johnny couldn't be here, pa,” Billy replied. “He's living overseas now. You know that.”copyright protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42Q3vHRMnk37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi19IdUnuln
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“Oh yeah,” their father replied. copyright protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvvivr06V437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAaUjoPGSa
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHh6eImEVh37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadtk8MIXtA
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“I don't know how I got here,” their mother said to them. copyright protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHtnQw0Hrp37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXP3qabdT9G
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“It don't matter,” Billy said softly. “But you can't be here anymore. It isn't right.”copyright protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCIfLTxk4X37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCO03ZcgSl
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76YejLzeVz37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28vR8yQkPI
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡ777LqPggxs37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLMjCVStgH
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cAf1ccInt37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeFcxi8qLo
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“I'm buried in the back yard?” she asked. copyright protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOFwkzoB3v37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaR3nplvP6
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XsDzIE0eV37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Z0U2nknS9
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtomRK6tjy37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEwJyy6TWZ
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡy63jLNo0W437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeDnXbV35S
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡDk59d4ePHl37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oiGLgSHkX
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2v5zb4ZD9S37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgF6zmSPez9
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWuXG4ae2n37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPmrpIjfXT
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5OJyKa6Vp37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9LIAbrUqp
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZZQODVHhD37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4vsN6Ee04
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“This is insane!” Eddie exclaimed. “This whole morning has been bonkers!”copyright protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JGuy5wrFN37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCfp42vIhw
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“It has, pa” Billy answered. “It is every year.”copyright protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡ317NzF6Rnu37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHkT7pVD7d
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“Every year?” Eddie said. “It ain't ever been like this! I would have remembered a morning this whacky!”copyright protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡkB97YEIZ4037Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMxWFEmBht
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyXKlXxcvL37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2FMZkqlWI
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDJH1Fi5HL37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2jjPjDfFz
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBNFuK11qn37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYAzhpSVFx
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“But that ain't right,” Eddie muttered. “I ain't rotten like she was.”copyright protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFYcaWSEtK37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ56qFoQxkv
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvHPTvRVCZ37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHARO0wdR4x
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5PHwfxHIq37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYCyMD4Zu9
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“We know,” Billy replied. “We love you, too.”copyright protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqFS5nHGYb37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV26xASbFSF
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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 protection33ＰＥＮＡＮＡYP5UQsJoHv37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKShisat82
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