The Reaper's Candy

The Reaper's Candy

         Goblins, scarecrows, and princesses scurried from door to door.

         “Trick or treat!” proclaimed in unison could be heard in varying volumes up and down the street.

         I myself was accompanied by a bumble-bee and a pirate. Three year-old Lauren was the bumble-bee and her older brother Ryan was the fierce pirate, scourge of the Caribbean.

         “Grandpa, look at my candy. I’ve got a million pieces!” Ryan bubbled with excitement.

         “Candy!” was all my bumble-bee would say.

         “OK, Ryan, let’s go down this side of the street and then we need to go back to the house and let Mom and Dad go through your candy.”

         “OK, but I wanna go to that house over there!” Ryan pointed to a dark house set back from the road. A group of older kids had just left the porch hoopin’ and hollerin’ as they ran by us.

         “Candy!” confirmed the bumble-bee as she held onto Grandpa’s hand.

         We approached the house. I could see that it was not going to be the usual run-up-and-get-my-candy kind of house. The porch light cast a deep purple hue. Music was playing a dirge of sorts. The first thing I noticed was Ryan’s pace began to slow considerably as we approached the sidewalk leading to the front door. We stopped. Our eyes surveyed the eerie lighted porch and door.

         Ryan knew the drill. You just walk up to the front door; knock on the door; listen to the occupants gush about the cute little bumble-bee and the fierce pirate; and then collect your treasure. That was how it had been all night. That is until now. We had stopped. His treasure beckoned him to the door. Lauren, my bumble-bee had attached herself to my leg. I could tell Ryan was going to be going solo on this one.

         We continued to stare at the front door. Propped up in the porch swing was an overstuffed image of the Grim Reaper complete with black robes and a sickle. It sat motionless on the swing. Ryan studied the figure and then my brave little pirate started up the walkway to the porch. That is, until about half-way, when the Reaper moved. It stood up. My pirate retreated.

         “You go Grandpa!” the better part of valor for a six year-old pirate is to let Grandpa do it.

         “OK, you stay here with the bumble-bee. I’ll be right back.”

         I began to unfasten the bumble-bee’s grip around my leg so that I could make the short trip to the porch and retrieve the pirate’s loot.

         “No!!” protested the bumble-bee.

         It appeared that we were at an impasse. We had no one to claim the treasure offered by the Reaper. I was restrained by the bumble-bee and the pirate was restrained by his better judgment.

         “Well, let’s just go on home.” I offered as a solution to the problem.

         To my amazement, the bumble-bee spoke, “Candy!”

         It appeared that Lauren still wanted this one last piece of candy. “Hey Ryan, it’s just a guy in a costume. Do you want to go and get the candy? I’ll be right here.”

         “No way!”

         “That’s all right; we’ll just go on home.”

         Apparently the Reaper had been watching the drama play out in our little group, for to the amazement of all of us, the Reaper began to descend the steps and walk towards us. He got closer; Ryan’s eyes got bigger; the bumble-bee scrambled up into Grandpa’s arms.

         Ryan turned to retreat to the safety of home. But before he could leave the property, the Reaper spoke. Ryan wheeled around to focus his attention on the Reaper, who had reached into the big black bag that he carried with him. He pulled out a handful of candy and all sorts of goodies.

         “Here, don’t forget your candy,” the Reaper spoke.

         Ryan, fierce pirate that he was, responded immediately to the Grim Reaper, “You can keep your ole candy. I’m going home.”

         It was the pirate’s final word. He wheeled around and began walking home, with Grandpa and the bumble-bee close on his heels. There was no look towards the Reaper and no desire for the offered treasure. I don’t know if it is rude to turn your back on the Grim Reaper. But I don’t think he was offended, for I heard him chuckling to himself as I held the bumble-bee and followed my pirate on his way to his house.