2006 Cheaper by the Dozen Special
Chapter 1: Halloween I 2003
Trouble Brewing
"This is a neighborhood watch," the announcer said on TV. "Although this is not as big a threat as the jewel robberies back in San Francisco, it's a violation of the spirit of Halloween. For few years, we've been going through pretty much the same thing. The people of are not safe. Someone is taking advantage of trick-or-treating and doing wrong. Pulls tricks, harmful tricks which last Halloween caused someone a loss of fifty bucks due to a cleverly pulled prank involving a car and a particularly strong pin. Enough on that though. This year, everyone needs to be cautious."
"That's the third year in a row!" Charlie, the eldest son, complained.
"Let's just wait and see what happens this year," Mike said not worriedly but if anything, enthusiastically.
"Honestly Mike, the way you're talking, it might be you behind them," Kate, their mom, said from behind them while carrying the laundry.
"Mom, how you could you think that of me?" Mike asked, putting a hurt expression on his face, but a hint of humorous sarcasm.
Kate rolled her eyes and walked upstairs with the laundry.
Sarah kept quiet throughout the whole conversation, mouth slightly open. When she got up, Mike followed immediately after.
"Charlie, you're gonna have to take the kids trick-or-treating this year," Tom, their dad, said, coming into the room.
"Dad, it's been like that for three years, and always Sarah ends up running off with her independent self."
"Let Sarah go, you've still got Nigel and Kyle, Mike too," Tom said. He seemed in a hurry. "Now I have to go, I'm part of the neighborhood watch to keep the kids safe. That goes for you too Charlie, keep the kids by your side at ALL times!"
"Got it dad," Charlie said, rolling his eyes.
Later, Charlie of course stayed true to his word and took them out.
"Why not that house over there?" Mike nagged.
"It's unoccupied!" Charlie said for the hundredth time.
"What does that mean anyway?" Mike asked.
"It means its home to a witch," Nigel said, grinning mischievously.
"Is that true Charlie?" Mike asked. "I don't believe you Nigel! I'm older than you, so you know nothing about houses!"
"Why'd you ask then?" Kyle challenged.
"Quit fighting, and you can get more candy from this house," Charlie said, leading them to a stop.
"But my bag is full," Mark complained.
"Quit complaining fedex," Mike said. "Just ring the bell and ask for candy."
Mark obliged. He put his bag down, and rang the bell. "Trick or treat!" they all chorused.
"Oh, I'm giving you adorable children a treat," a small plum woman said delightfully.
Mark bent down to pick his bag up, but it wasn't there! "Hey, where's my bag?"
"It's ok, mine are small enough to pocket them until you find your bag," the plum woman said smilingly. "Here're chocolate kisses, and a mars bar. I advise you to eat that straight away, since your bag is gone, or ask your dad to hold it for you."
"Brother, not dad," Charlie corrected.
"My mistake, well take care kids, good night," the woman smiled. The minute she closed the door, a fight broke out.
"You took my BAG!" Mark yelled, and jumped on Mike.
"Shut up fedex!" Mike said, pushing him.
"Just 'cause you like it, doesn't mean you're tough!" Mark yelled. "GIVE IT BACK!"
"I didn't take your dumb bag! Besides, you're on wimp I can beat."
"Bring it ON!" Mark said harshly. He jumped on Mike.
"Whoa, Mark, this isn't like you!" Charlie yelled. "We're going home. We'll settle it there!"
Back home, there was more yelling between Kate, Mike, and Mark.
"He took my bag!"
"I don't have your bag!" Mike yelled. "You lost it! Get over it! Just deal with it!"
"Who else took it, huh?"
"Look, the neighborhood has kids losing their candy all the time for the last three years," Kate said calmly. "All kids scream, but you're overreacting."
"He was the only one there, and the news said it was a boy, it all fits!"
"Far fetched, apologize and get over it, let the neighborhood deal with the schemer." The word 'schemer' seemed to arouse something in Kate's mind. She had to end this and think. She felt she got somewhere. "Apologize or else."
Mark rolled his eyes, "Sorry Mike."
"Apology accepted," he said, still quite angrily, and walked upstairs quietly despite anger.
She looked over at Sarah watching TV. She always described her daughter as a schemer. Tom called to tell her it might've been a tomboy. Seemed a bit coincidence, but since he was a father of a tomboy, he'd know it was one. Could it be Sarah?
