candy corn.

“Why did you call?”
*
Silence. Static in the background. Metallic jingle.
*
“Wish you a happy Halloween? I don’t really know.”
*
A sigh. Perhaps from both ends of the line, but this is not certain.
*
“Do people do that? Wish a happy Halloween?”
*
A loud bang followed by an expletive. Then,
“Sorry. Phone’s slipped from my hand. My palms are sweaty. What did you say?”
*
Eyes shut. The retina is now a screen, images screaming.
*
“Nothing–really. It’s okay.”
*
A runny nose, a cough, and cracking knuckles.
*
“Right. So, will you pass by the erm…, the cemetery tomorrow?”
*
Sirens. Probably a fire engine. Red and blue, red and blue.
*
“No. Trick AND treat tonight and a lie-in tomorrow.”