Above us, Ana lets out a barking laugh. “Fat chance of that happening.”
I hold my hand over my heart and shake my head. My ego is hurt.
Ana and Goldie arrive at five, dressed and ready to go trick or treating. Since we are all together for Halloween, we thought it would be fun to dress up. Well, Lemon and Ana thought it would be fun to dress up and included me into the mix.
I wanted to go with something cool, like Wizard of Oz or Star Wars, but the women in my life didn’t care what I wanted and left the decision up to Goldie. Which, anyone who’s ever met a seven-year-old knows isn’t a fantastic idea.
Ana and Goldie make their way to the front door. Lemon gushes at how adorable Goldie is, dressed as Goldilocks. After she pelted her gym teacher with a whipped cream pie, my daughter decides this is who she wants to be for Halloween. I’m Papa Bear with Lemon and Ana being Mama Bears. Goldie made the decision on who Lemon would go as.
For our costumes, our faces are partially painted, we’re wearing bear ears on headbands, and dressed in brown with black mittens and shoes. I think we’re pretty adorable but would’ve preferred to carry an ax around as the Tin Man. Something a bit more macho.
After we take an ungodly number of photos, the four of us head out into the neighborhood. We have houses we must stop at like my parents, Ms. Linda’s, Landon’s, Ms. Sarah’s, and we’ll stop and see how Ina’s doing at the Sweet Magnolia B & B.
House after house, Goldie goes to the door, rings the bell, and says, “trick or treat.” This is one of those traditions I hope never goes away. Halloween was always one of my favorite holidays as a kid.
When Goldie gets her candy, the three of us yell thank you to the giver and wait for Goldie to show us what she got. We want to eat our favorites but hold back. We told Goldie she couldn’t eat any candy until we got home and checked it. That’s what my parents used to say. It took me years to figure out my parents were eating my candy after I went to bed. It’s like a parental rite of passage or something.
People compliment us on our costumes, and numerous kids say hi to Ms. Walsh. Rosie, along with her mom join us on our trek through town, and because the girls are little, we take a break when we get to Main Street.
The businesses along the road are all decorated, with some handing out coffee and hot chocolate, not that it’s cold out. We’re lucky and find a vacant park bench to sit out. I take Goldie’s bucket from her and pour some out and tell her to pick a couple of pieces. She does and so do Ana and Lemon.
One piece catches my eye. An idea sparks and while it might be crazy, the timing is perfect. I pick it up, unwrap it and tap Lemon on her shoulder. She looks at me, the candy, and back at me with a smile.
“Years ago, I gave you a red ring pop and told you I would propose with a real ring later. Unfortunately, it’s later and I don’t have a real ring, but I do have this ring pop, and this is me proposing.”
I stand and then drop to my knee. Lemon covers her mouth as her eyes widen. Ana squeals. Goldie cheers me on.
“Lemon Walsh, will you marry me?”
She nods. “Yes, I will.”
“I’ll get you another ring,” I tell her as I slip the ring pop on her pinky. “Until then . . . well, don’t let this one go to waste.” I pop it into my mouth quickly and then kiss her. “I love you. I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to ask.”
She cups my cheek. “It’s okay. We were on a break, remember?”
How could I forget?
