SKIN DEEP

by

AUTHOR C

Chapter 4

The Chapters

INTRO

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

EPILOGUE

Halloween Day dawned clear and cold. Joe stared out his window and sighed, making a circular mist form on the cold glass. He drew a skull and cross-bones in the mist with his finger. He wasn't sure if he could wait till five o'clock this afternoon. That was when Chet's dad, Aaron, would take everyone on a hayride, so they could trick-or-treat before the party.

There was a soft tap on his door. "Joe, honey, are you up? It's time to get dressed for school."

"I'm up, Mom." Joe heaved another sigh. How on earth was he going to endure an entire day of school? He shook his head and decided life was just not fair for Halloween not to be a school holiday.

Once he was dressed and ready, he headed downstairs to find his parents at the kitchen table. His father cocked an eyebrow at him. "I have to say I'm surprised. I half expected you to put the costume on."

Joe's eyes brightened. "Mom?"

"No." Laura nudged her husband. "You behave."

Joe slumped into his chair and watched as his aunt set a dish of bacon and scrambled eggs in front of him. "I bet some of 'em are going in costume."

"It was announced on the news this morning," said Fenton. "Any child going to school in costume would have to come back home and change. Sorry, son."

"Halloween should be declared a holiday."

"Actually, tomorrow's the holiday." Frank came down, clad in a maroon sweater and black jeans. "Right, Mom?"

"Yes. Tomorrow is All Saints' Day, part of a three-day festival in Mexico."

"Can we move to Mexico?" asked Joe.

Fenton didn't quite laugh. "Ah...no." He got up and refilled his coffee mug. "You'll have plenty of fun tonight."

"But it's gonna take forever to get here," muttered Joe as he ate his breakfast.

Frank rolled his eyes and sat down to eat his own breakfast. He and Joe grabbed their book bags and headed off to school, after telling their parents good-bye. Joe kicked at the leaves. "It's just not fair. How come we don't have festivals?"

"Hey, wait up," called Tony Prito. He and Biff Hooper joined them. A few minutes later Callie and Phil met up with them. The group chattered en route to the school, Frank and Tony veered to the left for their middle school while everyone else continued to the elementary school.

Joe found he had trouble focusing in his classes but the teachers seemed to understand and didn't send him to the principal's office except for right after lunch when he handed in a drawing of a graveyard instead of his homework.

Joe listened with half an ear as the principal told him, paying attention in class would help him in the future. Then he trudged back to his class with a sigh. He couldn't wait to get home.

Finally the last bell rang and the kids exited the school at a dead run. The group of friends reunited as Frank, Tony and Chet joined them. In the morning, Chet and Iola were dropped off by their mother but they walked home to the Hardys' house on Fridays and Mondays while Sarah Morton did part-time work.

The group slowed down in front of the costume shop. Iola snorted, rather unladylike. "It's even more gross."

Callie pointed at the glass eyes someone had set in the eye sockets. "Because someone put those in. Eww."

Joe didn't waste any time window-gazing. "Come on, we only have a little while to get ready."

Everyone grinned and rushed home. This time before Chet and Iola could go inside, their father pulled up to pick them up. Aaron Morton smiled at Joe and Frank and their friends. "I'll see you all out at the farm in a little while."

Joe beamed. "You bet, Mr. Morton. I can't wait."

*****

"I don't know. It's quite chilly outside, Joe. You'll freeze on the hayride." Laura helped adjust the floppy hat on her son's head. "You could wear a coat, at least on the ride."

"Aw, Mom, no one else is."

"Chet said there would be blankets, Mom." Frank came into the bathroom he shared with his brother. "Mom, I can't get this last button."

Laura helped him with the overcoat and then fixed the deerstalker hat. "My, what handsome boys I have."

Joe barely heard her. He ran out of the bathroom and pulled on the soft leather knee-high boots. "Ahoy, maties."

Laura laughed. "All right, boys. Phil's father will be here any minute now."

Frank looked surprised. "I thought you and Dad would bring us."

Laura patted his cheek. "Your father and I are going to a costume party for adults."

"Ohh, what are you going as?" asked Joe.

Laura looked down at the dove gray dress that brushed her knees with beaded fringe. "We're going as Bonnie and Clyde."

"Who's that?" asked Frank, thinking the names sounded familiar.

"Bank robbers."

Everyone turned to see Fenton framed in Joe's doorway, wearing a pin-striped suit, a fedora and holding a play Tommy gun. He flashed Joe a grin and a wink. "What do you think?"

Joe laughed. "Cool, Dad."

Just then, the doorbell rang downstairs. Joe let out a squeal and just barely managed to not knock his father down in his haste to get downstairs. Fenton shared an amused look with his wife. Laura smiled and nudged Frank. "I'm sure that's Isaiah. Go on."

Frank snatched up his play pipe and hurried downstairs as well. He saw it was actually Phil, dressed as an Arabian sheik. Phil kept pushing his glasses up on his nose, ruining the image. "You ready?"

Frank nodded and he and Joe headed out of the house with a quick wave for their aunt. They piled into the Cohens’ old station wagon. Frank saw Callie was seated in the back, clad in a princess outfit. She grinned at him, careful of her glittering tiara.

Tony was dressed as Superman and Biff was wearing camouflage, like a soldier. He even had a plastic rifle and helmet. Isaiah nodded to everyone and headed out to the Morton farm.

When they arrived at the farm, they all noticed the large flatbed trailer loaded with two rows of hay bales. The trailer was already attached to Aaron's double cab truck. He waved to them as they got out of the station wagon.

Phil took long enough to thank his dad and say goodbye, before they all piled onto the trailer. "Hey, I wonder what Chet's going as?" said Tony, making his spot comfortable. "I never saw him go to the costume shop."

"He never said anything today," said Biff, laying his rifle at his feet.

Chet walked out of the house, clad in a football uniform. He got onto the trailer, looking rather embarrassed and he sat a little distance from everyone else. Joe grinned. "Hey, Chet, you got one of the football ones, huh?"

Chet shook his head. "Um, no. Mom found the bottoms at a thrift store. She made the shirt."

Iola came out, looking perfect as a pixie but everyone saw that her fairy wand was a dowel rod and wooden star painted silver. Callie gave her a friend a hug. "Oh, I love it."

Iola managed a smile. "I like yours better. Mom didn't want to pay a lot for something we only wear once a year."

Aaron started for the driver's side of the truck. "Okay, everybody, we're heading out. Hold on to something and let's go trick-or-treating!"

The kids shouted with glee as he headed back to town.

*****

An hour and a half later, the group headed into the Morton kitchen where a portable CD player blasted Halloween songs and sound effects; along the counter, there were snacks set up.

Joe was glad for the hot chocolate. He was freezing from the wind as they rode around town. He cupped the paper cup with both hands and sipped the hot liquid.

Tony came up to him, rubbing his arms. "You left me some, right?"

"Left you some? This is all mine."

"Right. I'm just as cold as you." Tony helped himself and shivered. "Man, it was freezing out there. I guess I should have worn a jacket like Mom said."

"Hey, Dad's getting the bonfire ready," said Chet as he came into the large kitchen. "We can roast marshmallows and hot dogs."

"Yum," said Joe. "I'm hungry." He and Tony followed Chet outside to where there was already a blazing bonfire. Everyone stood around it, warming first their hands and then their backsides. Sparks would fly and the girls would squeal, not wanting to get their outfits or hair singed.

Frank moved away from the fire and went inside to grab a soda. The heat was getting to him, with the thick costume he was wearing. He briefly considered ditching all but the pants and shirt but knew that he would get too cold too fast. He finished his soda, pressed the cold can against his head and then tossed it in the trash.

He headed back outside, determined to stay as far from the bonfire as he could. He stepped outside and savored the cold air as he moved back to his friends. But for some odd reason, he by-passed his friends and brother gathered around the bonfire and headed into the woods.

Moonlight seemed to highlight a path between the trees, and he moved swiftly toward his destination. Frank slowed down at one point, wondering where he thought he was going but the compulsion became stronger. He was going somewhere. When he saw the stone cottage, the wisp of smoke coming from the chimney, he knew he'd found his destination.

Let the author know what you think of this story

Home   Library   Authors   Rogue's Gallery   Vehicles   Chums   Message Board  Rap Sheet  Links  Contact

Disclaimer