Squeeze, Squeeze: A Halloween Hand-Hold

Tavi scooped the gooey pumpkin pulp with both hands. Slimy! Squishy! She squealed and giggled. Mom laughed, orange seeds stuck to her fingers. Together they carved a big smiling jack-o'-lantern face.

Tavi twirled on the porch steps, her leaf collar bouncing. Two jack-o'-lanterns glowed beside her like friendly eyes. "Tonight I'm getting EVERY purple candy!" she declared, bucket swinging proudly.

Mom took Tavi's hand. "Squeeze, squeeze," Tavi said, giving it a happy squeeze. Mom squeezed right back. Together they stepped off the porch into the golden evening.

Down the leaf-covered sidewalk they went, crunch, crunch, crunch! A buzzing bee child zoomed past. A tiny witch cackled happily. What wonders waited at the next glowing door?

Door after door, candy dropped into Tavi's bucket — plop, plop, plop! A little sheet ghost waved shyly. Tavi spotted purple wrappers glinting and gasped with glee.

Then they came to a house with a crooked gate. Rustle. Creak. A tall shadow waved slowly in the window. Tavi's tummy did a little flip-flop.

Mom crouched down to Tavi's level. "We can skip this house and go home for cozy pajamas," she said softly. "Or we can march up together, hand in hand. What do you think, Tavi?"

Tavi looked at the wiggly shadow. She looked at Mom's warm hazel eyes. "Squeeze, squeeze, squeeze," Tavi said — three tight squeezes. "Let's find out!"

Hand in hand, they pushed open the crooked gate. Creeeak! The tall shadow swayed in the window again. What could be making it move like that?

Closer and closer they crept. The porch boards creaked beneath their feet. The shadow waved again, tall and wobbly. Tavi squeezed Mom's hand so tight!

They stood right at the screen door. Rustle, rustle, CREEEAK! Something was coming. Tavi held her breath. Was it a monster, after all?

The screen door swung wide — and out bumbled a lopsided ghost, bonking right into his own scarecrow! Tavi gasped loudly — then burst into giggles. It was silly old Mr. Finch!

Mr. Finch bowed wobbly, bumping a pumpkin on the way down. "Happy Halloween!" he chuckled, dropping candy into Tavi's bucket. Purple wrappers! Tavi laughed until her tummy hurt.

Walking home under the streetlights, Tavi skipped and swung her full bucket. "That was the silliest monster ever!" she giggled. Mom squeezed her hand, humming a happy tune.

Back home in cozy pajamas, Tavi snuggled with her plush bunny by the glowing window pumpkin. She called Grandma on the phone, bursting to tell her everything.

"I was a little scared, Grandma," Tavi whispered, "but I squeezed Mom's hand and found out it was just silly Mr. Finch!" She yawned, proud and warm, and drifted off to sleep.