Page 11 of Death

A door opens across the lawn beside us.

“Happy Hall—oh!”

I look over to see my mother in the doorway with a giant pail of candy and I realize that we stopped in front of my own house.

“It’s you.” My mother laughs. “Sorry, honey. Thought you were a trick-or-treater.”

I chuckle. “No, it’s just me, Mom, and…” I gesture at Ari as we take a few steps up the walk. “Mom, this is Ari. He…” I quickly decide not to even mention the near-death experience. “He walked me home.”

Ari bows his head. “Good evening, ma’am,” he says.

Mom pauses, her face slowly falling. “Ari?” she repeats with shadows in her eyes.

I bite down. Yes, Mom. I’m standing next to a guy. Don’t freak out or anything.

She shifts with unease, opening her mouth to speak only to close it again quickly.

“Mom,”I say, growing embarrassed.

“Sorry, I’m just…” She straightens up and swallows hard. “Thank you for walking her home.”

Ari smiles. “It was my pleasure,” he says.

“We appreciate your kindness. Very much.”

I furrow my brow at them. Why is she acting so stiff?

“Would you like to come in?” she adds, waving behind her at the door.

“No, thank you,” Ari says, staring at her. “I’m not here to intrude. Just getting her home safely.”

Mom exhales; with relief or disappointment, I can’t be sure. I’ve never seen her like this before. Is she worried about me walking around with a stranger? Is she suspicious or angry or—

Ah, crap.

It’s my outfit.

I cringe on the inside. I meant to stop and throw on my jeans at Dina’s before I came home and now she knows what I’ve been wearing all night.

I am so dead.

“Well, thanks again,” I say to Ari. “It was nice talking to you.”

He looks at me and smiles. “Have a good night, Tannis.”

“You, too. Stay warm.” I step up the porch stairs to stand beside my mother.

“I will.” Once again, he gives a respectful bow. “Happy Halloween,” he says as he turns around.

“Happy Halloween,” Mom says, her voice lightly quivering, “Ari.”

His eyes linger on her for a split second before he looks down and reaches the sidewalk again, taking quick strides back into town.

I stand still, preparing for the strong word-lashing I’m about to receive as my mother continues staring at the back of his head.

“Mom, you okay?” I ask, testing the waters.

She twitches and throws on a motherly smile. “Yeah. Let’s get inside. It’s freezing out here.”

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