Episode 19 (7.1)
November 16, 2008 05:52 PM
* * *
It’s Halloween in Freeboro. The sun has begun to set over Main Street; The windows of buildings have been painted festively to usher in the holiday. The street lamps, glowing with dark, orange lights, have been decorated with cornstalks, some doors have hay stacks and pumpkins. Children skip up and down the road, carrying bags full of goodies, while their parents trail behind them, chatting.
At the McCaulley house, Isabel sits in the middle of the room, dressed in a t and shorts. Jillian stands behind her, working to get her hair into the perfect coif, pins sticking out of her mouth. The two glance up as Alicia rushes down the stairs, a white sheet in hand. Alicia pulls on her Uggs, glances at the clock, and then rushes out once more with a soft shriek. Isabel and Jillian glance at one another.
Levy fiddles with the “bolts” on his neck, then takes another sip of coffee. Carleen steps into the kitchen, dressed up in full “Bride of Frankenstein” regal. She gives her husband a peck on the cheek, accepting her own mug from him. Lynne, coming up from downstairs, stops in the doorway as she sees her parents being affectionate. A soft smile creeps on her face and she slinks back down the stairs.
* * *
Lee finished stuffing his costume into the duffle bag, checking a last time to make sure he had everything. Tucker watched from his beanbag chair on the floor, a video game on “pause” on the screen behind him. Lee ran his hands through his hair, evidently a little nervous.
“Lee, she agreed to go with you, that’s half the battle.”
“Huh, what?” Lee looked back.
“Regina Saul, man. You already bagged that chick! She’s bought a ticket for the Lee Love Train.” Lee rolled his eyes and shouldered his bag.
“You sure you don’t want to come tonight.”
“Halloween’s not my thing. Besides, I don’t want to be third wheel.”
“I doubt anything’s even gonna happen,” Lee softly retorted.
“Yeah, keep telling yourself that, Romeo.” Tucker snarked, then went back to playing his game. Lee thought about checking his bag a fifth time, sighed, and walked out the dorm.
* * *
Molly pinned the scarlet letter to the front of her shirt and examined herself in the mirror. Content, she left the bathroom and walked into the living room to find Shane sitting on the edge of the couch, dressed in a “gangster” outfit. He seemed fidgety, his hands clasping and unclasping in his lap, his eyes glancing at the clock every few seconds.
“Wow.” Molly leaned against the divider wall.
“What?”
“You’re dressed up.”
Shane glanced down at himself, “Uh, it’s Halloween.”
“I know. But last year, I remember someone telling me that he was getting to old to parade around in a costume.”
“Oh, that, yeah, well Alicia said that Lynne was being strict about a ‘costume rule’ this year. She smuggled this out for me from the Hathaway’s closet.” Molly cottoned to his nerves.
“Something bothering you, Shane?”
“No-er yea, well,” He sighed, “Moll, what if Keira is there?”
“You deal.” Molly answered simply.
“Thanks,” Shane muttered.
“Seriously, Shane, you go to school everyday with Keira. You’re going to run into her.” She shrugged, “It’s part of the breakup process, bud. You’ll get through it and you’ll find someone who can make you happy. I promise.”
Shane seemed to become contemplative, “You know, I was thinking.”
“What?”
“Considering your track record, maybe I should start asking someone else for dating advice.” He grinned, deviously. Molly shot him a stink eye.
* * *
Alicia burst through the door, “I’m sorry, I know I’m late, but Isabel was getting ready and-” The room was empty except for Lynne, who glanced at her from behind the counter.
“Uh, you’re fine. Mom and Dad are just getting the food ready in the back with Charlie. The first guests don’t get here for another hour.” Lynne regarded her. “Where’s your costume?”
Alicia pulled out her sheet, “Right here.”
“You’re kidding.”
“... No?”
Lynne opened the door behind her with her foot and called back, “Mom, Dad, get out here.”
Levy and Carleen emerged from the back, Carleen smiling when she saw Alicia. Levy saw the sheet in her hand and grew equally as disturbed as his daughter. He whispered to Carleen, who shook her head. “Alicia, honey, a sheet?”
“I didn’t really have time to find a costume. I cut out the eyes really cute though,” She held up the ‘head’ of the costume and poked her fingers through the holes, “See, they’re kinda big like Casper-”
“Honey, come with me.” Carleen motioned her towards the upstairs, “Let’s try to find something more fitting. Alicia nervously went to follow.
* * *
Jillian pushed the chair back under the table, then gathered up her hair supplies. She deposited them into a back room, her “office”, and shut the door behind her. The front door opened, Allan entering into the room dressed up as a marine.
“Hey Ma,” Jillian accepted a kiss on her cheek, “Shouldn’t you be getting ready?”
“We have time,” Jillian glanced at her watch, “And your sister was in a desperate state to get ready.”
“Iz, have a date or something?”
Jillian coyly smiled, “Or something.” She gave her son a look over, “That’s a very authentic costume.”
“Someone had one laying around the frat house.”
The front door opened once more, this time Jason entering; behind him trailed Julio. Jason was dressed as an adult Harry Potter, complete with the thunderbolt scar; Julio looked like a prince, his hair slicked back underneath a crown. “I found this guy waiting outside, he says that he’s hear for Iz.” Jillian swept past her sons and embraced Julio in a tight hug; he graciously returned her show of affection. Allan glanced at Jason, who just shrugged in confusion.
Jillian turned to her sons, “Jason, Allan, this is Julio. He’s Isabel’s date tonight.” Jillian beamed with happiness, but her boys looked confused and uncomfortable.
* * *
Lynne and Levy turned at the sound of footsteps coming down the steps. Carleen came first, followed soon after by Alicia. She was dressed in a genie outfit, her belly visible underneath a flimsy pink fabric. Carleen had delicately tied up her hair, leaving a few strands to hang suggestively on the side of her face.
“Now that’s a costume,” Levy grinned.
Alicia blushed, “My mom’s going to kill me.”
“You leave your mother to me,” Carleen reprimanded. “Considering what she’s worn in the past, you have nothing to worry about. Any boy who sees you tonight won’t be able to keep her eyes off you.” There was something in her tone, a knowingness, that made Alicia nervous. For some reason, Shane flashed in her head, and she felt her stomach tighten even worse.
* * *
“This is so stupid.” Jackson’s voice trailed out from the closed bathroom door.
“Oh honey, I’m sure you look fine.” Shelly called back, while Nicki stifled a laugh. Nicki was dressed up as “sexy” santa, while her mother was decked in red, white, and blue stars and stripes.
“No, I look like a tool. I should be at college.”
“Jack, we already talked about this. Besides, your best friends aren’t going to be there.”
“Which means all the more women for me.” Shelly coughed. “Uh, sorry mom.”
Nicki cut in, “Let’s see the costume, bro.”
Jackson opened the door, slowly. He stood there, dressed in a white, bunny suit. Sitting on the counter was an easter basket, full of green “grass” and plastic eggs. Shelly clapped happily, “It’s darling!”
Nicki bit back a laugh, “Oh, yea, Mom. I think it definitely fits Jackson perfectly.” Jackson glared daggers at his sister.
Shelly was oblivious to her daughter’s sarcasm. “We have this costume contest WON this year!”
“Oh boy,” Jackson dryly added. Nicki played with one of his ears, but he smacked her hand away.
Her smile didn’t fade. “Remember,” She whispered, “Mom and Dad are still warming up to this whole frat thing, you dolt. They’d be worrying all night if they thought you were going to get yourself arrested again. Just chill this holiday and soon everything will be over.” She stepped away, “Besides, you look cute as a rabbit.” She ducked a plastic egg.
* * *
Jason shook Julio’s hand, “Nice to meet you, man.” Allan followed suit, while Jason stepped back towards his mother, who was still beaming.
“A date?” He whispered.
“This’ll be their third, I believe.” His mother whispered back.
“So the fact that her ex-boyfriend is in town-”
“Doesn’t play into this at all.” Jillian tersely added, “And we already decided not to tell her.”
Allan and Julio were chattering about college, although Julio only seemed half interested. His eyes kept trailing up the stairs. Jillian caught the cue and walked to the base of the stairs, hollering up “Isabel, your prince is here.”
Seconds later, Isabel emerged and began stepping down towards them. She wore an 18th century style dress; he hair was pulled up delicately, decorated with ribbons. Her skin was pale, with red cheeks and exaggerated lips. Jason shook his head, impressed with the costume. Allan’s eyes didn’t leave Julio; it was obvious that he was judging him. Jillian squealed with delight, “You look beautiful!”
Isabel blushed, “Mom, stop.”
“Izzie’s a hottie.” Allan whistled, which drew an elbow into the gut from Jason. Isabel walked up to her “prince”.
“Your mother is right, though, you look absolutely beautiful.” He kissed her gently on the cheek. “Should we be going?”
Isabel glanced at the others, but Jillian waved them on “We’ll meet up with you there.” The young couple left and Allan turned on the others.
“Um, dudes, what about Tim?”
“I think we’re fine as long as he decides to not show up. Besides, I think mom’s little threat probably worked.” Despite Jason’s confidence, Jillian looked slightly guilty and nervous.
* * *
Carleen and Levy talked to the first early guests, smiling and chattering away. Lynne watched her parents host absently, her mind centered around last minute calculations and ensuring they had enough cups and plates. She sat beside the front door, underneath a small stand, armed with a small cash box and a roll of tickets.
Charlie, dressed as Lurch, opened the door for Abby and Tyke Diore. Abby wore her usual costume: A black hooded cape, black shirt, and black pants; Tyke was dressed as “Alex” from “A Clockwork Orange.” Charlie stepped back, silently, to let the two walk into the transformed Levon’s Beans. They moved up to Lynne’s stand.
“Welcome to Levon’s Haunted Hideway,” Lynne tried her best ‘spooky’ voice, but her enthusiasm had begun to wane.
“You really out did yourselves this year.” Abby said with admiration.
“Make sure to tell my father that,” Lynne waved in Levy’s general direction, “The decorating is spearheaded by him.” Abby handed her the ten dollars and received two tickets. “Lottery, prizes, now have a boo-tiful time.” Tyke snickered and Abby quickly ushered him away.
As they moved amongst the early guests, Tyke seemed disappointed, “Man, this is why I hate coming early.”
Abby glanced at her brother, “Why’s that?”
“The best part of Halloween are the girl’s costumes. It’s what they wear, or more appropriately, what they don’t.” His tone was completely serious. Alicia, walking by, blushed and covered herself up.
Tyke momentarily glanced at her; Abby followed his eyes. “That’s Allan’s sister. The younger one.”
Tyke sighed. “They better have some booze.” Tyke trailed off towards a beverage table, while Abby watched him go, weariness on her face.
* * *
Tim and Tori stood outside Levon’s Beans. They were dressed in simple, black suits, their faces hidden behind white masks. “Well, it’s now or never, sister.”
“Let’s go have some fun,” Tori’s mouth curled into a smile.
Posted at 11/16/2008 by beck | Comments? (1)