Horse Trading

“I’ll give you five of these black-and-orange toffees plus a chocolate sucker for two chocolate-peanut bars.”

My friends and I had looked forward to Halloween since the first of the month and planned our path like Genghis Khan conquering Asia. We bought or made our costumes while Halloween specials on TV whetted our anticipation.

Finally, the big day arrived, but we had to wait for sunset when the dark lured everyone outside. Free from parental oversight, we roamed block after block, collecting candy and memories in equal measure until our tired legs turned us homeward.

There are families who drop all the candy into a communal bowl, and all in the household, parents included, take what they want at will. Not in my home, where it was everyone for themselves. Besides, we had a reason to keep our loot separate. Our own miniature marketplace on the day after was always in the back of our minds.

We began bargaining the next day, following school, and I focused on my younger sisters, Terri and Judy, to whom I’d made my opening bid. Terri had her own proposal. “How about throwing in a popcorn ball, and I’ll give you three chocolate-peanut bars and a sweet-and-sour?

I squinted. “Add a candy apple, and it’s a deal”

Judy, the youngest and still a novice, caught on fast. “I’ll give you all my toffees for your chocolate nougats.”

I didn’t care for either, but wanted more. “Keep the black-and-oranges and give me your peanut bars.”

So it went, back and forth, until everyone was satisfied with their modified treasure. I’d read of fantastic offers and counteroffers at famous marketplaces throughout the world, but nothing held a candle to the fierce trading that took place at my dining room table on the first day of November.