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?1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSv6p1PBfz 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1KMzc27so

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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. 1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UmZQAMF53 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61HXRDwlr4

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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. 1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1hwb2eGjv 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyeK96XBAp

1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokoJFCmwHc
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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. 1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkmLO4WbKb 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEpkW57Jxx

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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. 1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3GxMQ0MvJ 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTdW5XxFOy

1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcu45rsTTxm
1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡbun2Py4EUY 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4NKmQXimc

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.1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡo40YVn2hA1 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDM9dEssaw

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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. 1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡz02cgBuWnG 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThnZxvaAhe

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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.1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Nj4oWTx9O 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡustMVrTk1k

1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCppLjCvdI
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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. 1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cUXXqSJfY 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3Ys8j50TU

1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWcoLLqtDl
1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqcdNrm8dT 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxWkauqgHm

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. 1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9S7BK3Pzs 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vKwJ5hPPw

1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPJbbFWx2y
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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.”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡCI0SdZBDyY 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jAQpiyLfn

1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3GhuVqGhG
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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. 1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNqdWmWrdm 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9UTKPijHz

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1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4O7a4n6Boo 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIleFg9ixBY

“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. 1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPpUiJ0YcA 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHC2JjvYT1

1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQFjlHeZ2n
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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.1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvBG5KvOU2 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcH48KgtjoI

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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.”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BiT74Maap 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Yh8sXE47G

1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1RzwBlUwZ
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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.1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuicyMguG2 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBw2OUkkkQ

1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPTk7W8R3L
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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.1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vdkrccFD8 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYXNkvDtDV

1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARQsNy7aow
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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?”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iSrqv0Xzv 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrwn9jhSnI

1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEtDZL32QV
1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLEG6aIcLb 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBvMopOdM6

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. 1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkc7TBg0GN 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKM6CzTVXPQ

1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32JQavprxI
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“I swear,” she said, “everyone has forgotten their manners today. It must have something to do with it being Halloween.”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgXxXZUSHq 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKe0k8Hbwp

1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCEc12p5cz
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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. 1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeYFftW0xb 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjSvabeRZ9

1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWciPxS7qd
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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.”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzUKRLmuKE 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFekhT7pONg

1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4fYfHWSAf
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He sat his fork down and looked at her intently. “How?” he asked gingerly. 1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nuz91gqYj 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqwa5hx17v

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“How?” Rhonda asked. “How what?”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lmZvXhBL1 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35J6abZZmc

1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJiYdBwd5G
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“How are you here right now?”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYiWALNrtW 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfuylRc2bX

1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJCBPox3Du
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“What kind of question is that? I live here.”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2jmX7CDM6 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGt6B8e4jit

1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNt8njrsGG
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“But, but…”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡXs2Z5NMFCs 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxF3dKhZoD

1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡem7oTVBhBG
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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.”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcTZ02TWkl 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JhgVh6Gob

1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOC5tpWUgru
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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.”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRIn0qsZ6q 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQtctzNbDT

1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwH54EcJ9va
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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.”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡpk6vNtt435 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZe9S1e8fS

1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sm9Tz1xZ3
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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.”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MN4ly4Q4U 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRynIr1fXZJ

1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCmsUmav2X
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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.”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7FIQOJhBW 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCf5UkG7Ok2

1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyICXoVecJY
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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. 1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeuiVau9D0 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQxpZAxN3d

1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQ8Pby6f5A
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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.”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4cooNVoft 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVLt5hHws9

1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSx7mu2bm9
1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50GGsO6v5P 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2QprSupn4

“Mikey doesn't live here anymore, babe,” Eddie answered. “None of the boys do.”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMV0O9eO9v 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC01rz5YxHZ

1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSsX4tctgB
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“Nonsense,” she replied.1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LXErt7lmP 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33IScM38fq

1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGuRnjlOXw
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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.”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGZvz7s5SQ 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUofuy1GSz

1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxQoDkH0T2
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“Ha ha. Very funny,” she said with no amount of amusement in her voice. 1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡK44wVxyG5n 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuXh7Idw9M

1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgZjikt40S
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“I'm telling you the truth, babe,” he said. 1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1lbROeu3K 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtP6R1Mtyt

1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYkYSph1M8
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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. 1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvgU5ldkK6 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIo53Q0CWmC

1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOVO1bztkQ
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“Sweetheart,” he said, “you have to listen to me.”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡRp0NJXiuwS 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2cKJhVqbS

1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1F5vN5lIT
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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.”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXTZvJHj2F 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxbnVkeAJg

1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXeMsrTxhq
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“Baby, the boy's ain't coming home,” he said, “I told you. They don't live here no more.”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vkuHQhflB 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06Ec4FIeEQ

1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAIFceq24m
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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?”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaMs5qnS1j 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUlg57hz0o

1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmm3VfjR6D0
1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqGtUb9hCv 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgusaUIgMMQ

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.”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RkfYX43YE 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrRf56xABT

1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVy4D0ZCwi
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She lifted her eyes to meet his. “Rhonda,” he said, “honey, you've been dead for twelve years.”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuajwe779T 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvk3iPZvK0f

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Rhonda pushed him away. “Enough of your tomfoolery!” She cried out and then went back to writing her list. 1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPekq1urZl 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrOfYQ00mX

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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.”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0yhBmOJRy 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4LRbWopd3

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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. 1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6KX4YuWcZ 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrmevEvCpO

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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.”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwZkWKdoFY 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCHlAxBGAq

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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.”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ms70z01CE 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFYsPhhQt9

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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.1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRbnXQJPU5 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQP5EeG17z

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“My boys!” Eddie cried as he ran over to hug them. “When did you get here?” 1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBH9qUiJXZ 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFRBGn20Mz

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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.”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKr8C8MTfr 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwbqT32XyS

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“We figured you could use a few minutes alone,” Mikey added. “To sort things out.”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡWW5N6aaCTM 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5xewxKP2n

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“Oh,” Eddie replied. “Where’s Johnny?”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCm8Bpw94i 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41kzEwW0vJ

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“Johnny couldn't be here, pa,” Billy replied. “He's living overseas now. You know that.”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqkawhtAxE 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3vZYtGECF

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“Oh yeah,” their father replied. 1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qeJFxMDw2 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPsnRkOHPl

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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. 1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ny0D6KWBH 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgulilcSbG

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“I don't know how I got here,” their mother said to them. 1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡFou9rqcQ2F 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0t0JeDbmp

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“It don't matter,” Billy said softly. “But you can't be here anymore. It isn't right.”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8aM35KsbJ 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhF0HADGtAd

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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. 1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡAX9vT61xsV 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNAq0QkHsW

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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.1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyEYyXT6Ur 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDE88pRdikT

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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. 1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡan5zzPKMZi 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CD943x3X0

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“I'm buried in the back yard?” she asked. 1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡJL4kZQOCnc 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnfSr7FEVV

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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.”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOl27GrL7p 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXbNlF2ZPz

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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. 1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxO5R0F3sn 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5372wGckTl

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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. 1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡphfAmG3QD2 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSzcPTPPtM

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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. 1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RjUy4FVLv 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWj6G7V711a

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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. 1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFEo3DI05L 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwc1seIyjXd

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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.”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOPECpEjBP 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVeBfKCu51

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Eddie’s brow furrowed once again. “What?” he asked. “You just enrolled last year! You couldn't be done already!”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEXCxBUrZn 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcT7171y5uf

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“Billy patted his pa on the back. “It's true, pa,” he said. He's been out for years now.”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYBeZqn8CE 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiIdj26liM

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“This is insane!” Eddie exclaimed. “This whole morning has been bonkers!”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTcZhnDr4c 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEySopKA1J

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“It has, pa” Billy answered. “It is every year.”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIdOQXl2Uw 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbEWzsdRfF

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“Every year?” Eddie said. “It ain't ever been like this! I would have remembered a morning this whacky!”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBPd1LeYSI 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KXw8fPOQJ

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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.”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CmsLZAlPt 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSf9a9dIc7A

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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. 1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLUbwP9826 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Pmf3i6BEz

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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.”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpbLMg04t1 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZX7waAAYM8

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“But that ain't right,” Eddie muttered. “I ain't rotten like she was.”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjwCp01QDS 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoywYM6cHT

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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.”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8vGXa588V 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycGgVPcQZk

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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.”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMFWWwojeD 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HfKZIx2PU

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“We know,” Billy replied. “We love you, too.”1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIIz7IqGEH 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nEGa78Zv4

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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. 1234 copyright protection1166ＰＥＮＡＮＡshVTb3lWRn 尼1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZlKvgXCou

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