Imogene’s costume, if it was that, was a hybrid of Hollywood witch and low-rate prostitute. Her reddish hair was now capped with a conical hat and her eyes were heavily laden with kohl. The dress she wore revealed too much of her flesh, which in turn betrayed far too much of her age, or so Jon felt. Her breasts, plumped by a push-up bra, were creased and freckled, and her legs sat lumpy inside their stockings.

Jon’s sense of disgust was suddenly replaced by a powerful lash of shame. Had his inner self always been this judgmental, this ugly, he wondered?

The other guests proceeded to heap praise on their hostess’s appearance, which only increased Jon’s self-loathing.

“I’m off to the dance just as soon as I get you good people fed,” said Imogene. “Now, please don’t even trouble yourself once you’re finished. I’ll clean everything once I’m back, and then the dining room will be all ready for your breakfast feast tomorrow.”

As she ladled out the stew, Teddy questioned her about it containing eye of newt. Other jokes, equally dreadful, were offered. With the main course served, Imogene then made several trips back to the kitchen, returning each time with a platter of desserts, which she laid out in a row on a stout hutch that stood against the dining room wall.

“Here is my cell phone number,” she said, snapping a business card onto the table. “Don’t hesitate to call if you need anything, but I won’t be late at all. Happy Halloween!”

Her heels click-clacked along the hardwood floor and she was gone.

Jon spooned up more of the stew, which was nowhere as succulent as its aroma. Teddy, Alicia, and Paige had no difficulty finding topics of conversation. When Jon emptied the last drop from the pitcher, Teddy clapped his hands and announced that he’d brought something much finer than ice water. He rose from the table and darted upstairs, returning a moment later with a bottle of twenty-year-old scotch. Glasses were filled, including Jon’s. They drank and chatted and switched off the overhead light to bask in the cold moonlight.

Jon cleared his throat. “Alicia, can I ask you something?”

In the bluish light, her startled expression appeared ghastly. “I…suppose so.”

“Did you know that Teddy here was once married to Paige?”

Alicia’s eyes fell to her finger of scotch. “Yes, of course I did. Teddy told me.”

“When did Teddy tell you? Before you came up here? After?”

Paige gripped Jon’s forearm, mouthed the word ‘stop’.

Alicia shrugged and said, “I think the important thing is that we all managed to get away, tonight especially.”

“Why? Because of Halloween?” asked Jon.

“Because of Paige’s father,” Teddy said in a steely, final-sounding tone.

Jon felt his brow furrowing.

“This is the anniversary of his passing.”