Flossie's scary Halloween trick

Hi neighbors. I trust we all made it through another Halloween. My street was crowded with superheroes and cartoon characters galore; with a few video game characters thrown in for good measure. There were still traditional witches, goblins and ghosts though.

Flossie came over to help hand out candy ... and a few "tricks" of her own.

"I will not be held hostage by bandits and beggars!" she exclaimed when I asked how much candy she had brought over to add to the cauldron of chocolate treats.

"None!" She snorted and took a coffee cup down from the cabinet. "Although I do not approve of adults teaching children to beg; I will not be responsible for their dental hygiene going to heck in a pumpkin one night a year. I do not give out chocolate, chewing gum or other sugary treats at all."

I poured us each a cup of hot coffee and prepared another pop. "I don't think any child will lose a tooth simply because they eat candy one night a year," I grumbled. "Let the kids have some fun, Flossie! You were a kid once were you not? Admittedly a long, long," I paused wondering how far I could push my luck, "long time ago. But surely you remember the fun of Halloween night."

"I remember having to plow the family vegetable garden with a push plow when someone decided to put all the harness on the roof -- with the horse still in it -- and tip over the outhouse, and," she paused for a dramatic breath, "took all the wheels off the Model T."

I had to laugh. "Flossie! Those pranks took place a generation before you came along. Don't fool me."

She sipped her coffee, sat it down and picked up a candy bar from the cauldron. It was a pure dark chocolate one. She unwrapped it and then she used it to stir her coffee until most of it melted. The rest she popped into her mouth.

"I'm older than I look!" she quipped.

The doorbell rang. "See! It's not even dark and the little beggars are already here! I have to get ready. Stall'em!" Flossie disappeared into the bathroom.

The children at the door were pre-school age and dressed like princesses. They were adorable! I gave them each a couple of candy bars. Their little faces lit up and they smiled and whispered "thank you" in timid voices.

Suddenly their faces turned to looks of shock and horror. I turned to see Flossie wearing a mask of a zombie with rotted teeth, dislocated eyes and rotten skin everywhere. "Candy! Give me candy!" she moaned.

The children turned to run and I turned to chastise Flossie.

"What are you doing? You scared those little children?"

She pulled off her mask. "Isn't that what it's all about? Scaring children? All these kids dressed up like superheroes ... let's see if they are brave enough to steal candy from a zombie." (Followed by a wicked laugh.)

I looked outside my door and saw four children turn around on the porch and run down the street. "Now see what you've done?"

"Yep, I've solved the problem about children's dental health. No chocolate, no problem."

Flossie threw her mask onto the couch, poured more fresh coffee into her cup and grabbed another candy bar.

"You know word will spread and children won't come here now."

She smiled, "Your point is?"

"My point is, I want the children to enjoy Halloween and to come here feeling safe, and get some candy."

"Don't be silly," Flossie sat back on the couch. "I just gave those kids the best Trick or Treat they'll ever have; one they will remember for years. The night they really had something to be afraid of -- chocolate!"

Until the next time friends, I hope your children didn't meet up with Flossie this year!