Halloween Prank

“C’mon, guys! We can do this.”

James and Ian kept their interest on their tablets and didn’t pull out their earplugs, but I wouldn’t give up. I plucked their earbuds and waited for their irritation to subside.

“Even though you’re too old to trick-or-treat, we can still have fun. Anybody up for a prank?”

“A prank?” James seemed mildly curious, but Ian chafed to get back to his tablet.

“A joke that you play on people. For Halloween, it’s usually something scary.”

Ian rolled his eyes. “Can I have my earbuds back?”

“Um…no. Thank you.” James turned to his tablet.

I’d counted on this reaction. I had everything I needed. Even a ruse.

For stage one, we built a straw man from my old clothes, boots and a burlap head, then sat him out front, facing the driveway. The ruse was in place.

The boys ignored him and I could scarcely restrain my glee.

On Halloween night, I had Sandi take the boys out to buy some candy. As quickly as I could, I took our decoration out back, disassembled him, and pulled on his clothes. I even stuffed straw into the cuffs and under the cap. Then, I went out to the front to sit.

Sandi pulled into the driveway almost immediately and turned off the car. James and Ian climbed out, but I waited until they were both on the sidewalk.

“Aarrrgh.” I jumped from the chair. “AARGH!”

“Aaah!” James ran back to Mom.

Ian’s eyes and mouth opened wide. “What the…” He ran back to the car.

Sandi smiled. “Hi, sweetie.”

I pulled off my cap and burlap face. After a quick kiss to Sandi, I turned to the boys. “Now, this,” I flourished the cap and burlap face, “is what I mean by a Halloween prank.”

William R. Bartlett lives in Belton with his family.