I Was So Scared!

I always insist on dressing up for work on Halloween. I'd considered several ideas for my costume this year - Jessica from True Blood (I have the red hair), Brian Wilson (I have the jersey) - but ultimately opted for a creature I could put together from my random box of dress-up goodies - a cat.

This year was different than my past Halloween nights. I've passed the appropriate age for trick-or-treating, so naturally this year I had to let someone else enjoy the thrill of asking for candy from strangers. I gave the job to R (shortened for his privacy).

R is the epitome of cuteness. He's mastered the art of the Puss-in-Boots eyes. He speaks his mind in the most demanding little voice. His mother texted me the other day to tell me he'd called me "Auntie Clairabell" when he saw my picture. And it just so happens this little almost-three-year-old bundle of giggles is going to be the ring-bearer in my wedding next fall.

But on Monday his only duty was to go house to house with his magical golden pumpkin bag and utter a very confident "trick or treat" to whoever answered the door. "Thank you" is nice as well, but you can only get so many of those out of an almost-three-year old.

Rewind. I'd been looking forward to trick or treating with R but I had to make it through the day first. I donned my kitty ears and bell collar, painted on my face and brought smiles to my coworkers at NDNU. Some freshman students organized a "Nightmare Before Christmas" in the quad, an event that's been held the last couple of years to gather toy donations for Christmas for children in the Tenderloin while enjoying the hoopla of Halloween.

But I just kept waiting for the clock to strike 5, signaling the end of the work day and the beginning of my Halloween fun with R, his parents and our friends. We met at Carlmont Shopping Center, R in his pirate gear and N and S as a pirate wench and Batman. Wouldn't you know it, Carlmont Center sets up trick or treating for kids! Not having my own child (probably a good idea; have to get through the wedding first) I'm oblivious to these things.

We enjoyed dinner (and a few margaritas) at Holas, then set out for the real fun: walking Mezes. I'd heard of this celebrated street in Belmont and its Halloween glory, but this year was my first opportunity to enjoy it, and what better way than with a little pirate, his parents and my fiancé at my side? The whole production was a new experience for me: a street blocked off to automotive traffic, a swarm of children young and old and a plethora of spooky displays.

At a few houses I got the duty, nay, the privilege of escorting the little pirate to the door, braving fog and scary sounds to collect his booty. I suppose you could say I'm a trick-or-treat escort-in-training.

And then we reached the scariest house of all. My fiancé, Criss, had the pirate pal duty this time, and when they returned from the haunts, we knew something had changed. "I was so scared!" R exclaimed, in a voice that can only make you laugh. But the little pirate continued to plunder, and made out with a very great treasure indeed (although I'm willing to bet his parents will enjoy it the most).

So Criss and the sleepy kitty went home, where she curled up on the couch with the real kitty and dozed off with a purr and a happy kitty smile on her face.