Page 59 of Let Leaves Lay Where They Fall

“What?” Jamie is flabbergasted.

Nathan shrugs. “We didn’t really do much for Halloween when I was growing up.”

“That’s awful!” His face wrinkles. “It’s always been my favorite Holiday.”

The line shifts forward several paces. Snaking behind them, out to the street and down the sidewalk, out of sight.

“Was it a religious thing?”

“No no. Nothing like that.” Nathan nods ahead as the line shifts again.

Jamie shuffles forward. “You didn’t go trick or treating with siblings or cousins?” He pauses. “Do you have siblings?”

“No.” Nathan pushes his lower lip forward and blows a curl away from his nose. The wind is gusting across the parking lot, making the unseasonably warm night feel cooler than it is.

“When I was little, we would meet up with my cousins, aunts, and uncles to wander the neighborhood and gather all the candy. One year, when the adults thought we were old enough to go on our own. We all switched up our costumes and went around a second time. For twice the candy.” Jamie laughs.

“No, it was just me and Bertie.” He shrugs. “We did watch tv specials and pass out candy.”

“You never went trick or treating with friends?”

“I wasn’t a very popular kid.” His cheeks burn.

“That’s surprising.’’ Jamie meets his eyes. “I imagine people love you.”

“I was a scrawny queer kid. People just didn’t like me.”

“I’m sorry.” Jamie’s face is sincere. “I like you. I would have back then too.” His dimpled lop-sided smile lifts the mood.

The Grim Reaper guarding the gate ushers them through with the wave of a cardboard scythe. The paths inside are lit by scattered jars holding votive candles hanging from tree branches or nestled in the soil and atop boulders. Casting eerie wavering shadows through the reserve.

Jamie's eyes grow big and catch the warm dancing glow.

An ax wielding hulk of a man leaps from behind a tree wearing denim overalls doused in red paint splatters. He stomps toward the group, roaring. Inciting screams from a pair of teenage girls two steps ahead.

The roar of a chainsaw and distant cries echo from ahead.

Jamie is giddy.

Nathan is enamored by the cutie.

“This is amazing.” Jamie squeezes Nathan’s forearm.

Rubber bats dangle on strings attached to tree limbs overhead. Bouncing off the top of people’s scalps. They both duck toward each other, bumping their foreheads.

“Are you okay?” Laughing hysterically, Jamie rubs his brow with the heel of a palm.

“I’m fine.” Nathan chuckles. “Are you okay?” He wraps tender fingers around the back of the cutie’s neck, leans in and kisses his forehead.

Jamie’s deep brown doe-eyes gaze up through long lashes. His dimples make Nathan feral. The cutie places a hand in the middle of Nathan’s back and electric heat rushes his body. The urge to pull the man behind a tree and ravage him is hard to suppress.

They move forward on the stroll. Met with several more costume creatures jumping from bushes and even once, down from a tree. Psychos, ghouls and zombies. Oh my!

Jamie grabs Nathan’s hand when a scruffy werewolf leaps from the dark at his side. Finally jolting the unbothered cutie. He doesn’t let go.

The paths open into a grassy clearing where a small fair of booths and tables are set up. The volunteers even managed to get a handful of food vending carts deep into the sanctuary. The scent of fried batters and sweet treats float on gusts of wind.

“I can’t believe I’ve never come to this. I’ve heard about it for years.” Jamie’s eyes bounce from booth to passing tourist and back to Nathan.

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