Eddie

I spent time chopping firewood and stacking it in the evening, just to get it out of the way. We had three wood-burning stoves in the house: one in the living room and one upstairs in the big bedroom I shared with Lib. There was another one in the basement, with a chimney that piggybacked on the living room one above it. Misty admitted that while she did have enough money to put in a furnace, it would mean tearing into the house, and none of us wanted that.

"Space heater and blankets are good enough for me," Wayne told her. "Specially the ones you made. I'm gonna be fine down there."

"And I have Mannie," Just bragged. "He's always warm!"

"Very true, although he's not supposed to be on the bed," Misty chided before grinning. "Maybe I should make some quilts too."

"Enough," Lib told her mom. "We've got sheets, pillows, blankets and bedspreads. We are GOOD for the moment."

Misty looked relieved. "Oh all right, fine. But I know it's going to be a cold winter—did you see the coats on the squirrels in town?"

"Can't say as I noticed them," Lib shot back, stirring a pot of what smelled like chicken stew. "But I know we've got more than we need, so we should be good. Everyone, wash up and come to the table; we eat in six minutes."

We hustled, because Lib is pretty strict about meals, and it was one of the best times in the house. We ate together for dinner whenever possible, and at first, I kind of balked, but it grew on me. I mean the food was always good, and just talking with the others and hearing them out—

I appreciated it. Just like hanging out with Hellfire, or Corroded Coffin. You make your choices in life, and I was surrounded by good folks now so I wasn't going to blow it.

"I made ten do—I mean eleven dollars today," Just announced, passing the broccoli my way. "And the lady next door to the Millers wants me to do raking for her!"

"Can you handle it?" Misty asked. "Is it the one that slopes, or the one with the big pine by the driveway?"

"The pine one," Just replied. "That just drops pinecones so it's easy. Do we have any rice?"

"Here," Wayne handed over a steaming bowl. "How's Big Orange doin?" That was the name of Just's pumpkin, which was about the same size as Mannie now, and getting bigger.

"Better now that it's on cardboard," Just said. "It's nearly five feet around!"

We all grinned at his excitement. I liked Just. He was a smart kid, with a good sense of humor, and it was clear he adored Wayne.

The stew was great, but I didn't have the heart to ask if the chicken in it was from the store or the pen. I mean I understood livestock have their purposes, but I was still kind of tender-hearted about doing in the surplus pullets.

"So it seems to be a go for the party," Misty announced. "Who all is coming?"

"Let's see—Dustin, Mike, Lucas, Will, Jonathan . . . probably Erica and I'll send the invite to Max, Robin, Nancy and Steve," I replied. "So that's ten altogether."

"With the four of us, and I might ask Jim to stop by as well," Misty thought out loud. "Makes for a good number right there."

"Jim?" I asked, and Misty nodded.

"Hopper. I know he'll be busy on the 31st, but he deserves a mug of cider and a slice of pumpkin pie as much as anyone."

That put my mind at ease about pranksters. Just like any other place, Halloween can be good and bad, depending on your age. Up until twelve, free candy. After that, vandalism. I'd done my fair share back in the day, including some spray paint on the old water tower, but not now. And I'd had concerns about Carver in particular being a dick simply because he could. We were kind of isolated, so I know both Wayne and I were always kind of keeping an eye out on things.

Are we going to DO things?" Lib asked, serving me a second helping of stew. "A haunted house? Maybe an obstacle course, or bob for apples?"

THAT got everyone talking and making suggestions. Just was all for everything; Wayne was more pragmatic about what would be safe, and Lib just winked at me from across the table. In the end we decided that we'd have three contests: apple bobbing, pumpkin toss, and a blindfold maze in the barn.

It was Just's turn to do the dishes, so Lib and I wandered out to the porch, enjoying the crickets and watching the sun go down. I came up behind her and slipped my arms around her for a little hug.

"You know this means costumes too, right?" I teased her.

Lib

I showered the next morning, still occasionally giggling over the glow-in-the-dark surprise my sweetie had presented the night before. I mean—I always thought sex was going to be sensual and solemn and serious. The books I'd secretly read always talked about 'intimacy' and a 'rapport' with your partner. None of them said a damned word about a grinning lean sex maniac with a big putz wrapped in green latex.

I didn't know you could laugh during sex, that you should laugh during sex sometimes, and it makes it SO much better. We were making 'lusty lightsaber' jokes until we fell asleep.

Consequently, I was a little late getting to work, and Ms Longstreet was already setting out the scratch pads and pencils by the card catalog when I came in. I apologized but she just waved it off and I got to work putting the papers on their rods and opening the doors for the regulars to come in and stake out their spots. We have a few retirees and some book groups that come in nearly every day to see us.

I hoped Billy wouldn't show up, and it looked like he'd forgotten about me, which was fine. I didn't need any further aggravation from him at the moment. Instead, I was considering what to make for the party, and wondering if I needed to wander over to our cookbook section for ideas.

Nancy Wheeler came in, returning an armful of books and I noticed that while two of them were biographies, one was about careers in journalism, and another was a guide to handguns. She gave me a quick smile.

"Hey Lib! Thanks for the invitation," she told me. "But I have a question because Mike's too worried to ask so I told him I'd do it. Can we bring someone with us? An extra guest?"

"Ah, sure! The more the merrier!" I told her. "Who?"

"Her name's Jane," Nancy said carefully, "Although sometimes she goes by a nickname, El. She's Chief Hopper's daughter?"

I nodded. I'd seen her once or twice, usually with the chief while running errands. "Sure, absolutely. Oh! Is anyone allergic to anything? I don't want to serve up something that will make folks break out in hives."

"Not us," Nancy smiled again. "Anything I can bring?"

I waved a hand. "Food's always welcome. We're at about fifteen if you need a number. I'm glad you guys are coming."

She leaned a little on the counter, nodding. "Same. It will be nice to do something fun around here, especially since the tornado."

A patron came up with a question about our directories, so Nancy waved and headed to the Reference room while I helped the man figure out which one he wanted.

-oo00oo—

After a morning of answering calls and shelving, I got out at noon and headed to Family Video to extend the party invites to Robin and Steve, both of whom accepted, albeit reluctantly on Steve's part.

"I may stop in, later," he murmured. "If I have time."

"Time?" Robin looked at him. "Got your Halloween evening booked solid, Dingus? Will we be cutting into your trick or treat time Mister Too Cool?"

"No and knock it off. I mean look at me Robin; I can't show up at a party when it starts! Who does that except losers and people with OCD?"

"Two insults for the price of one," Robin snapped at him before turning to me. "I'll be there. What can I bring?"

"Whatever you like," I assured her and added to Steve, "We'll be having contests for prizes, too."

"Popcorn balls? Taffy apples?" he snickered.

"More like homemade pies and a couple of scarves my mom made," I countered. "There's one that would really bring out the blue in your eyes, Steve."

He was taken aback for a moment. "Really?"

"Buuut if you're not going to be there . . ." I murmured. "Besides, you being bigger and taller and faster than nearly everyone else . . . you would have had a hell of an advantage in the contests. Pity, you know?"

"Fine," he gave in with a rueful grin. "I'll BE there. Happy now?"

Robin considered, snickered and sailed off. I laughed myself.