Old lady touches the top a her jugs like she forgot her manners. She goes <Robbie, dear, these are my granddaughters> and she taps their animal heads with her finger that has a big gold ring on it and says both their names. Real nice little white girl names no doubt but they dont make it to my brain cuz Im shook. Mrs F? Mrs Fs granddaughters? Hows this all happening? Mrs F goes <Arent they adorable?> and Robbie doesnt move and she goes <They are the lights of my life, these two pests> and Robbie doesnt move and she goes <Ive missed having little children around> and Robbie doesnt move.

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Rabbit and Raccoons plastic pumpkins droop cuz theyre confused. Mrs F covers it up good though cuz one thing Mrs Fs skilled at is talking. She goes <These are Roys children, dear. I dont get to see them enough these days, not nearly enough for a pinchy fingered old woman like myself. Remember I told you Roy and his family moved to Virginia? Seems like yesterday, I know, but its been four years now. Of course I cant blame him, Merck made him a wonderful offer and you dont get offers like that every day. Its good for the children. Safe neighborhood, good schools. But Id be lying if I said it doesnt make a grandmother lonely.>

* * *

Robbies lips are moving. Just a little. If we were wagering Id wager hes trying to say <Yes, maam> just like he always says to Mrs F except right now fat boy cant make a peep.

* * *

Mrs F says <Roy and his wife are at a dinner party tonight with some of his old friends. They were going to skip it so these munchkins could have their trick or treating but I said, no, no, you two go ahead and have fun with your friends. Just leave old Nana the candy gathering duties, me and my sore knees will survive. Of course, I dont mind at all. I think its a gas. Everyone seems to have more fun when theyre wearing masks, dont they? And that includes the adults! Well, now Im prattling.>

* * *

A ball a sweats hanging suspenseful to Robbies nose and it alerts me how Im sweating too, bad sweat like Im pissing out through my skin all the ill junk Ive done. Dang. Howd I do so much ill junk in one day? I stole and lied and cussed and disrespected elders and killed a dog and did unnatural stuff with chemicals. When that evil business leaves your body it produces a cloud a odor. Thats evolution right there. You stink so bad you got to move your ass if you want out a the cloud.

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