wereenlistedtobakecookiesandbrownies,makepopballsanddyapples.eswereallowed—indeed,expected.Irememberexactlymyversa-tionoerwithmymother.

    "WerehavingapartyforHalloweenatschool,andteachersaysweedressedinourtrick-or-treatoutfitsinsteadofouruniforms.Iwanttobeahobgoblin."

    "Whatwasthat?"

    "Youknow,ahobgoblin."

    "Imnotsurewhatthatis.Isitanythinglikeamonster?"

    "No."

    &quhost?houl?"

    "Notthose."

    "Perhapsalittlevampire?"

    "Imnobloodsucker,Mother."

    "Perhapsitsafairy?"

    Ihowled.Forthefirsttimeinnearlytwomonths,Ilostmytemperandscreamedinmynaturalwildvoice.Thesoundstartledher.

    "FortheloveofGod,Henry.Youscaredthewitsoutofme,raisingthedeadandhowlinglikeabaherellbenoHalloweeninforyou."

    Bansheekeen,Iwaellher,theywailandweep,buttheyneverhowl.Instead,Iturhetears,bawlinglikethetwins.Shedrewmetoherandhuggedmeagaiomach.

    "Therenow,Iwasonlykidding."Sheliftedmyandgazedintomyeyes."Ijustdontknowwhatahobgoblinis.Listen,howaboutgoingasapirate,youdlikethatnow,wouldntyou?"

    AndthatshowIendedupdressedinpantaloonsandashirtwithpuffedsleeves,ascarftiedaroundmyskull,andwearinganearringlikeErrolFlynn.OnHalloweenday,Istoodbeforeaclassofghosts,witches,andhoboes,theonlypirateintheschool,probablythewholety.Teacherhadtappedmetosing"TheTeddyBearsPiic"aspartofthescaryeaiforourparty.Mynormalsp