The party is still going, but we’re running out of appetizers. Fear not! I grab the bottles and the spices and the knives, and I get ready to save the night.

I feel like my knife-juggling is enough entertainment for the night, really.

Too bad no one’s really watching.

I’m having fun anyway.

Oddly enough, people start swarming around me only once I’m done preparing the petit fours. Even Naomi. Et tu, Gram!

The guests have arrived! The decor is set, the costumes are dazzling… Here comes the best party of the year! It starts with dancing in our remodeled dining room. The right music, and sugar-frosted cookies laying around, what else do you need.

The zombie Roman legionnaire and the schoolgirl in torn up uniform are just Mom, and my little sister, who changed her mind on what costume she wanted to wear.

Lots of Mom and Dad’s friends around. I know these two. They’re Charlotte of course, the high school brat, and Pari. Mom never told me Pari’s full story, but from what she’s saying now, I gathered she’s doing well, now. She got a job at some rehab center. I hear Charlotte snarkily reply “oh, would that be the center that helped you, then?”

I really dislike this Charlotte character. If I were Pari, I’d probably also resort to turn my back to her and eat the cheese eyeballs.

Actually as the party progresses, we all start gathering around the cookies, and pretty soon, everyone has a plate in hand, including me. And I have to admit, these sugary bats and ghosts and pumpkins? They taste really good.

… Aunt Shanna didn’t get the memo about being in costume. Not in raincoats.

The Spooky Day party doesn’t start before 6PM, after the twins are back from school. So the parents and I have a full day ahead to spend time together and get in the spooky mood.

It starts with mom, who’s pulling the “oh look what’s up there!” trick on me.

I’m sad to report it worked. She scared me. In my defense, there could have been something truly funny, “up there behind me.”

It’s dad’s turn to get carving, at least for the morning.

And then, we all gather around in the living room. The twins are away, so we can watch whatever movie we please.

Starting with a classic of the horror genre, Fall 13th.

“It’s always the same,” Dad says. “Don’t these kids know the first to woohoo are the first to die?”

Once the movie is over, Mom and I cook another Frankenstein cake together, and I get to return her stupid prank. “Is that a frosting spot on your pajamas, mom?”

And then when she looks down I hit her nose.

Tonight, we party!