As she drove home, Grace noticed the warm October sun had melted away the cool bite of the morning air. Its golden hue gave a lustrous glow to the landscape. Trees full of fall leaves in oranges, reds, and yellows appeared to be walking the runway at a fashion show. The tension Grace had felt earlier left her neck and shoulders as the sun massaged them through the window. Summer is really gone she thought to herself. Suddenly she remembered the pictures she had taken with her vintage Nikon, at the beach. She had dropped the film off at the drug center the following day. An idea crept into her head, and she decided to pick up the pictures and some ingredients to make a special autumn dinner for everyone. "We're going to make a quick stop," she informed Reggie, who appeared unfazed. She pulled into the busy parking lot and parked.

She bought the fixings for butternut squash pasta, cheesy garlic bread, and a green salad with feta cheese, pine nuts, and raspberry vinaigrette. She made her way over to the camera counter and got held up by an elderly woman who was having trouble deciding which pain reliever to buy. She rushed back to the car to find Reggie hadn't moved a muscle. "Well, I guess I didn't have to worry about you did I?"

At home, she was greeted by an exuberant Charlie. "Hi, Aunt Grace! Can we go for a walk?"

Rosa took one of the bags Grace was carrying while Charlie wrapped her arms around her legs and Reggie pulled on his leash to be set free. Grace put her purse on the hall table and bent to unhook Reggie's leash. He licked her cheek in gratitude and ran off.

"Okay, let me get the groceries unpacked; then you can show me the neighborhood."

Rosa, in an attempt to distract Charlie and give Grace a minute to get settled, called back to her, "Charlie why don't you see if the mail has come?"

Without a word, Charlie set out on her mission. Getting the mail, she ran back in and set it by Grace's purse. Noticing the envelope of photos peeking out of the side flap, she grabbed them to have a look.

"Okay, Charlie let's go."

Excitedly, Charlie tossed the unopened picture envelope on the table where it slid off and lodged between the wall and one of the table's back legs.

"Wait," Grace injected. "Let's take Reggie with us. He's been cooped up at the groomers all morning."

Once out on the street, Grace waited for Charlie to decide which way to go. They turned left and continued down the road in a direction she had not yet traveled. Tall stone walls made several breaks in the woods as driveways with ornate wrought iron gates hinted at beautiful houses hidden from sight.

Charlie knew the names of all the families. She talked without taking a break, filling Grace in on everything from which houses had children, to who gave out the best Halloween treats. Grace had noticed the decorations on the gates and was surprised that Halloween had sneaked up so fast. It was less than two weeks away. Reggie walked along beside her without pulling on his leash. He sniffed the ground and wagged his tail, happy to be part of the group.

After they had journeyed down to sea level and followed the road for about twenty minutes or so, Grace decided it was time to head back. Living in Sausalito and working in San Francisco meant she was in good condition to negotiate the hilly terrain. She kept up with Charlie and Reggie without too much of a struggle.

Grace had just started to prep for her special meal, as Alex and Jessie arrived home. Rosa thought it was silly to cook when there was so much food in the freezers, but she was glad to get off early.

Michael arrived a little after 6:00 pm. Reggie jumped up from a deep sleep the instant he heard the truck – which was before anyone else.

At dinner, Grace asked the girls what they wanted to be for Halloween. Charlie said a ballerina, Jessie a cowgirl, and Alex a fortune teller. Jessie told Grace that after early trick-or-treating around the neighborhood, they all go to the party.

"What party?"

Michael told her about the Halloween party at the Cove Restaurant on the pier. "It's a special event; the whole neighborhood goes. The kids play games and have cake and ice cream, while the adults have appetizers and cocktails on the other side of the bar area."

Grace looked a little unsure, "The adults drink alcohol?"

"Don't worry," he assured her. The limit is two, and they stamp your hand. It's a small event for this area. I sometimes go because my mother's husband has a business on the pier." He winked at her, "Come on, it's a lot of fun."

"We have to go, Aunt Grace," Jessie implored.

"Of course, we'll go." She quickly looked over at Michael, "The adults don't have to wear costumes do they?"

"Only if they want to."

Grace fell quiet. A holiday for ghosts and goblins she thought, and just maybe – a monster who is very real.