Stories of Halloween - I Guess I’ll See You Next Year

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?825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8H5MEcI8B0

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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. 825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsDtniDSJo

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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. 825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJg2IJjSuk

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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. 825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiQsTxTHLF

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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. 825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHbS7ZojPa

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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.825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC10Lb07sTr

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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. 825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGJlaZmMgp

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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.825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLWmdx9QxM

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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. 825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7E6yrdwfd

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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. 825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuvMNlCXZN

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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.”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQjbaFcIa3

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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. 825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw14W9Fc4yj

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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. 825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCJdytyLOT

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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.825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPDCYzanHF

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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.”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QwkAj73d2

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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.825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLWjcS02gN

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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.825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmdxq3JBls

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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?”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHw4OpB0qn

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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. 825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXmEe6FFxw

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“I swear,” she said, “everyone has forgotten their manners today. It must have something to do with it being Halloween.”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgVpAtiPcF

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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. 825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLyPb26QPf

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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.”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSyq27vrVu

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He sat his fork down and looked at her intently. “How?” he asked gingerly. 825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5xPPHOcjZ

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“How?” Rhonda asked. “How what?”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwqIr7h1Ym

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“How are you here right now?”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKan3cppElB

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“What kind of question is that? I live here.”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0rtdED8mT

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“But, but…”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WBF88uAcN

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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.”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7oFritMYX

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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.”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyOgenaCjB

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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.”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87IyjYif4k

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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.”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Eu1MraMpN

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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.”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wVgllR99e

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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. 825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡls1v77LygK

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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.”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfx8pfjMXT

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“Mikey doesn't live here anymore, babe,” Eddie answered. “None of the boys do.”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitXIL9DLnQ

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“Nonsense,” she replied.825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGvAPLa1C7

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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.”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0AU9c7MRa

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“Ha ha. Very funny,” she said with no amount of amusement in her voice. 825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjerpto3bJ

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“I'm telling you the truth, babe,” he said. 825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYumolMROr

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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. 825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCqxmZBHEJ

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“Sweetheart,” he said, “you have to listen to me.”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTkRBtyv9x

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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.”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2yh3xOLFg

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“Baby, the boy's ain't coming home,” he said, “I told you. They don't live here no more.”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflZSax2UjZ

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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?”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPSaPK7mTK

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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.”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfAIfv2bf0

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She lifted her eyes to meet his. “Rhonda,” he said, “honey, you've been dead for twelve years.”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcEtT6N0Kc

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Rhonda pushed him away. “Enough of your tomfoolery!” She cried out and then went back to writing her list. 825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHDhbIcqK8

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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.”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQ9kAvg1nQ

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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. 825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmR8yIu8qsb

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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.”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46Nj2NusE4

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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.”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwePi7mwnk

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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.825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7A2o1GQJmk

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“My boys!” Eddie cried as he ran over to hug them. “When did you get here?” 825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuf8s5PZHe

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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.”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMmchxwWFN

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“We figured you could use a few minutes alone,” Mikey added. “To sort things out.”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuR8gmGEGE

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“Oh,” Eddie replied. “Where’s Johnny?”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcFK8YFZMH

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“Johnny couldn't be here, pa,” Billy replied. “He's living overseas now. You know that.”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdP3dqWRJ1

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“Oh yeah,” their father replied. 825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bqGtE1Wxr

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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. 825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEgGXCfDLc

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“I don't know how I got here,” their mother said to them. 825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnzolALRmE

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“It don't matter,” Billy said softly. “But you can't be here anymore. It isn't right.”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kQdLHuE2k

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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. 825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrL8PFFAZt

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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.825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiU3KcWbAcC

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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. 825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZnbwCqQoX

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“I'm buried in the back yard?” she asked. 825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxzYDfeFWU

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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.”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHPdN4iuzY

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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. 825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxpi9hGEDC

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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. 825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMIsQ2xbco

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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. 825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCM8vdRLKry

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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. 825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOPqIo8Mhg

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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.”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6suawZSn3

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Eddie’s brow furrowed once again. “What?” he asked. “You just enrolled last year! You couldn't be done already!”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPO5z0kDDL

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“Billy patted his pa on the back. “It's true, pa,” he said. He's been out for years now.”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMBG0qd1Kb

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“This is insane!” Eddie exclaimed. “This whole morning has been bonkers!”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbknoWsbUl

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“It has, pa” Billy answered. “It is every year.”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpSsz5U53K

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“Every year?” Eddie said. “It ain't ever been like this! I would have remembered a morning this whacky!”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9bTUvtzoZ

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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.”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9w4mcLHlBj

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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. 825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xceIbqGhe

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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.”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoHLDAuRit

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“But that ain't right,” Eddie muttered. “I ain't rotten like she was.”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAVq0F3qBG

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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.”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhIf9qZKTF

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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.”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5Wbscvfu3

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“We know,” Billy replied. “We love you, too.”825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0sL02T7qM

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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. 825Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3O9m1tXXp

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