15 Chapter 15

“I’ll get it,” I volunteered hastily. I knew it was trick-or-treaters. I’d always thought it was pretty cool to have a birthday on Halloween. I opened the door and faced the usual ghosties and ghoulies, as well as Freddy Kruger, Daryl Dixon, and Darth Vader. I handed out candy bars, chatting with each of the kids about their costumes.

I waited there, hoping more kids would show up, but no such luck. And there was only so long I could delay, so finally I closed the door before Dad could yell about heating the whole neighborhood and went back to the kitchen.

“So, what’s for dinner, Dad?”

He raised an eyebrow, and I sighed.

“Okay. You were saying?”

Before he could resume the conversation, the doorbell rang again. Where had these kids come from? There’d been no one—

“Dammit!” Dad growled.

This time he went to answer it, and he came back too soon for my peace of mind.