Stepping Between The Ants - Book FOUR: The Fall Behind

By Lord Chester L. Baldwin II

Set in 1963, 'Stepping Between The Ants' Book FOUR: The Fall Behind, is a continued collection of stories that follow two boys; Skipper and Richie, that try to figure out what life is all about. 

The story about Skipper and Richie with their mother, (Mother Bean) and their younger brother Charlie and their younger sister Mary, travel on a bus; running away and arrive in Portland Oregon where Mother Bean's mother; Grandma Scarbrough lives. 

This story documents some of the continued adventures and challenges that Skipper and his brother Richie encounter in their new surroundings, which include;

Having to go to a public school after having always attended Catholic schools

Skipper and Richie find their own special place to be, eventually to be placed up in Grandma Scarbrough's attic, where, for the first time in their lives they feel a sense of well-being and safety.

Skipper and Richie find new friends from their new school who help educate them to their new surroundings and help them to acclimate their bearings. 

Skipper and Richie find and join a Boy Scout Troop with their new friends where they can continue their quest to become Eagle Scouts.

Within this coming-of-age story, Skipper and Richie will have to face their own predetermined notions of what the awful label, 'Retarded' really means before they can fight the injustices and begin to truly understand, and to find the courage and strength to support and champion their newly found, life-changing friendships.

• Language: English
• Publisher: A Lord Baldwin Happening
• Release date: Jan 6, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201898045

Book preview

1

— HALLOWEEN SCARE —

—

Don’t you think it’s just dumb to go out?   Aurilla Mae asked as she adjusted her pointed witch’s hat in front of the mirror in Grandma Scarbrough’s bathroom.   

No.  Skipper answered, putting the plastic-squeeze-change purse onto his nose.  How do I look?    

Aurilla Mae rolled her eyes and said, fine,... well,... it’s kind a silly.   

That’s good.  Skipper said, smiling back.  Silly is good,... for a clown.   

From her grin Skipper could tell she was perturbed, but as she went back to adjusting her hat, she smiled and said, but, I mean, aren’t we too big? We’re in the seventh grade now and,... 

Can you ever be too big?   Skipper asked.  There’ll be bigger kids than us out there."   

That doesn’t make it right.  Aurilla Mae replied.   

This isn’t a right or wrong thing.  Skipper said laughingly, trying to comprehend where she was coming from.  He knew that, in a way, she was right; both of them were getting to be too old to go out trick or treating, but like the Santa thing three years earlier, Skipper wasn’t ready to let it all go yet.   

He looked at her with all the seriousness he could pretend to have and said, I’ll tell you what concerns me,...  He looked around as if to need secrecy.  I have never been out on Halloween night with a girl before.   

Never?   Aurilla Mae asked.  What about your sister, or your mother?    

Well, you know what I mean.  Skipper said looking away.  They don’t count.   

You ever had a girlfriend before?   She asked playfully, looking at herself but glancing at Skipper’s reaction through the mirror.   

Thoughts of a girl that had once betrayed him, passed briefly through his head.  No,  Skipper answered coldly, not really.   

Oh.  Aurilla Mae replied congenially, That’s okay then. 

Okay?   Skipper returned.  What’s that mean?    

I don’t know.  Aurilla Mae replied cautiously, My mother said be careful; especially if you have other girlfriends.   

Other girlfriends?   Skipper said, remembering that it was Aurilla Mae that had sought him out at school.  You know?   Skipper said, changing the mood and the tempo, We need to get going.  Richie and Leslie are waiting outside for us. 

Skipper straightened the mop top on his head but it slid down again.  We need to get out there or all the candy’ll be gone.   

Like that’d ever happen.  Aurilla Mae said, Everybody’s got candy bars and popcorn balls and,...   

Yeah,  Skipper interrupted, stepping towards the back door, but they only got so many of them candy bars, and then they just hand out apples and junk stuff.  I like apples, but not for Halloween.  The early bird here gets the candy.   

Thanks, Mrs.  Bean.  Aurilla Mae yelled into the kitchen from the back porch.   

Who you yelling at?   Skipper asked as he pulled the door shut.   

You mother.  She answered.  I was just saying thanks and all for letting me get ready here.   

She’s not even home.  Skipper said with lowered eyebrows and a smile.  She left with Charlie and Mary five minutes ago.  Didn’t you hear em leaving?    

Oh no!  Aurilla Mae said with a gasp.   

What?   Skipper asked, looking her over to see where she’d hurt herself.   

My father told me never to be alone in a house with any boy.  Ever. 

Yeah,.... but it’s fine.  Skipper said, rolling his eyes.  You didn’t know, did you?    

No.  She answered almost in tears.   

I think he meant something else,  Skipper said, anyway, your secret’s safe with me.   

But,...  She said, still upset.   

Okay, okay.  Skipper interrupted as he stopped her halfway down the driveway.  You don’t have to worry.   

I don’t?   She whimpered.   

No.  My grandma’s in her room.   Skipper lied.  See?  Her light’s on right there.   

Really?   She asked with anxious eyes, staring at the side of the house.   

Yeah.  Skipper said, looking away.  So don’t worry, okay?    

Aurilla Mae sighed as if the weight of the world had suddenly been lifted off her shoulders and then smiled reassuringly as she said, Okay, thanks. 

Then all of a sudden, she pushed Skipper on his shoulder making him struggle to catch his balance, and she said rather angrily,  Why did you do that?    

Do what?   Skipper questioned looking back at Aurilla Mae and rubbing his shoulder like it was injured.   

Teasing me.  Aurilla Mae replied, a bit less angry and less annoyed.  And for making me feel like I did something wrong,... 

Hey,  Skipper replied smiling wryly, I didn’t do it on purpose, I don’t know what’s happening in your head with your rules and Catholic guilt stuff.   

Yeah,  Aurilla Mae replied thoughtfully, I guess you’re right.  She smiled and asked, So why are we using pillow cases?    

Some guys, you know, big guys that come up from behind little kids and grab at their bags and rip em open and then pick up the stuff off the ground and run away.   

That’s awful.  She said disturbed.  Who would do that?   

Lots a kids,  Skipper answered, They’re all around.   

With Leslie behind him, Richie stepped up to Skipper and Aurilla Mae with resentment.  It’s about time.  He said irritated.  We might as well go back in, everything’s gone by now.   

It is?   Aurilla Mae asked, looking empathetically at Leslie who, on hearing the bad news that Halloween was over, became worrisome and concerned.   

No.  Skipper answered.  Richie? You need to be careful what you say to my people; they might think it’s true.   

Your people?   Richie said disbelievingly.   

Skipper smiled.  Aurilla Mae? This is my friend and bestest brother, Richie.  He lives up there in the attic above that house.  Skipper pointed up to the attic window.   

Hi again, Richie.  She said smiling, almost laughing.  Are you really worried there won’t be any candy?   

No, not really.  Richie replied, smiling but still a bit miffed.   

And under this disguise is none other than our good friend, Leslie.  He lives across the street.  Skipper said, pointing.  Over there.   

Hi Leslie.  Aurilla Mae replied, again smiling.  I like your costume. 

Even in the darkness, Leslie seemed rather enchanted by Aurilla Mae’s smile and he looked back at her with a sort of amazement.   

Yeah,  Richie chimed in, And I just discovered another power Leslie has.   

What is it?   Skipper asked.   

As Leslie looked over with slight interest, Richie said, He can look at a car,... any car,... and he can tell you what the make and model and year of that car is. 

Richie’s arms were animated as he said excitedly, I’m not kidding.   I been watching Leslie for a while and I don’t know how he could do it, but he can.   

Aurilla Mae looked at Leslie and smiled as she said, You’re really kind of a special person, that everybody wants to be around.   

All in all, Leslie was captivated and bewitched by Aurilla Mae’s charm and kindnesses, but Leslie was taken off guard as he pondered over what Aurilla Mae had said to him, wondering if it was some kind of code that he was supposed to figure out.   

Taking Aurilla Mae firmly by the hand Skipper led the others to the street.  There’s puffy clouds and it’s not raining, and it’s not cold,... let’s just get going.   

They were almost in front of the Ramsey’s house when Skipper stopped.  Looking into their living room through a window he could see, ‘Mike the Different’ talking to his mother.   

What about Michael?   Aurilla Mae asked, turning to Skipper with concern, He’s getting ready to go out.  Should we take him with us?    

No!  Richie commanded.  He’ll slow us down to nothing. 

Leslie looked concerned and asked, Why? 

Skipper looked into Aurilla Mae’s face, and he thought about her question,... and he reasoned that, ‘Mike the Different’ would be more trouble than Richie could deal with.   

Nah,  Skipper answered, shaking his head, I don’t think he’d like going with us.  And anyway,  Skipper continued, maybe to convince himself that he was right, His mothers’ got her coat on already.  She’s gonna take him out.   

Let’s go to Leslie’s house.  Richie said, pointing.  It’s right there and,... 

I don’t want to go to my house.  Leslie said.   

How come?   Aurilla Mae asked with serious concern.   

I just don’t.  Leslie insisted looking back at Aurilla Mae with determination.   

There’s too much to explain right now.  Richie reported almost angrily.   

It’s okay.  Skipper said, pointing to the house on the other side of Grandma Scarbrough’s.  Let’s just go down this block and go all around it in a circle.   

Let’s do it.  Richie said running to the door to ring the bell.  Trick or treat.   

An older lady opened the door and asked, So, what are you?   to Richie, who wore a cardboard box around his torso with only his head, arms and legs sticking out.   

I’m a box boy.  He said proudly.   

Oh.  I see that now.  She said smiling as she dropped a Mars bar into his bag.  And what are you?  Aurilla Mae asked Leslie.   

Leslie, mystified with his first exposure to Halloween, looked back with alarm.   

She laughed and said, Bela Lugosi, huh?   

The lady dropped two candy bars into his bag and one into everyone else’s bags.   

Thank you.  They all called out, almost in unison, running to the next house.   

You kids have a good night.  She said as she went back inside. 

Seeing Leslie confused, Skipper said, It’ll be like that at the next house too.   

Who’s Bela Lugosi?   Leslie asked.   

It’s only been two hours.  Richie said to Leslie who was falling behind the group.  Come on; don’t you want more candy?    

More candy?   Skipper mused.  My bag must weigh 20 pounds. 

I’m tired too.  Aurilla Mae sighed as she sank onto a sidewalk curb.    I think I need to go home. 

Skipper sat next to her on one side and Leslie sat on the other side, waving his hands through the dark insides of his pillowcase to touch as many of the candy bars as he could.   

I guess your dad’ll be worried.  Skipper replied.   

I don’t know why I was getting so upset before.  Aurilla Mae confessed, trying to look into Skipper’s eyes through the darkness.  My dad hasn’t been home in months.   

Really? Skipper asked.  How come?" 

Business trip.  She countered curtly.   

Oh,  Skipper replied, interested.  Is he a reporter on an assignment or something?    

No.  Aurilla Mae answered looking away.  I don’t even know if he’s still working for ‘the Oregonian’ anymore.  She pursed her lips, looked back at Skipper worried and said, I tried calling him after school started, but the people at ‘the Oregonian’ said he wasn’t there anymore.  She paused and continued, He’s been,... not coming home.   My mother is,...  Aurilla Mae grew silent with a fearful look on her face.   

Skipper knew from the look in Aurilla Mae’s eyes that she was about to talk about her mother, but then she grew fearful and apparently, she was not ready to let Skipper know about her or the condition that had made her mother sick for so long.   

Skipper kind of, momentarily, checked out mentally, considering the thought that Aurilla Mae feared any of his reactions, negative or positive and that action-reaction might distance their budding relationship.   

Skipper knew that what Aurilla Mae didn’t know was that when Skipper had seen her mother at the garage sale, three or four months before, he had already suspected after seeing her mother’s odd mannerisms and her facial expressions, it was obvious to Skipper that there was something more wrong with Aurilla Mae’s mother than just the flu.   

And while lost in thought, Skipper wondered how he could tell Aurilla Mae that since he arrived in Portland, he had already been surrounded by, the, ‘different’ people with issues and problems,... and Skipper was having to adjust his life and readjust and realign his values to the new truths that he was still learning about, concerning the, ‘different’ people,... and trying to understand the, ‘different’ people’s challenges. 

And the closer he got to comprehend what the true circumstances were, the more it frustrated Skipper that so many others, even good people, shunned and even hated the, ‘different’ people. 

There was no way that these, seemingly intelligent good people, would ever want to interact with the, ‘different’ people, or get close to, or even try to comprehend any part of the, ‘different’ people’s wants and needs or the bigoted, unfair struggles the, ‘different’ people were facing every single day.   

Skipper came back to earth, smiled and said, That doesn’t mean your dad doesn’t still work at the Oregonian; he could be on a secret assignment in some other country, like an international news correspondent or something.   

Hope filled Aurilla Mae’s face as she said, You think so? 

Sounds like it could be true.  Skipper replied.   

I never thought of that.  Aurilla Mae replied amiably.  That could be true.  She leaned over and kissed Skipper on his cheek before she stood up and said, I still think I need to go home and check up on my mother.   

"But this is the best time ever to get more candy.  Richie replied.  We get to,..." 

You said everything was gonna be gone.  Aurilla Mae reminded Richie.   

Well,  Richie returned, it’s a good thing I was wrong, right? 

Hey,  Skipper said, We can drop Aurilla Mae off and hit all the best houses on the way back.   

You okay?   Aurilla Mae asked, looking down at Leslie as she touched him on his shoulder.   

Leslie nodded as he stood, looking back at Aurilla Mae with a sparkle in his eyes.   

How do you know which ones are the best houses?   Aurilla Mae asked after she had stood up.   

As Skipper watched them exchanging glances, he had a feeling of confusion, fear and hope.  He wasn’t ready to get any closer to Aurilla Mae yet, but there was a strange desire that burned inside him, where he didn’t want to lose her and her affections to another boy.  We better get going.  Skipper said, herding the group down the street.   

The trick or treaters had thinned out, leaving stragglers in groups and gangs to forage the candy jungle.   They were a block away from Aurilla Mae’s house when something in front of them in the shadows moved just enough to put Skipper on the alert.   

What?   Richie asked, seeing Skipper staring down the street ahead.  What is it?    

I don’t know.  Skipper answered.  I thought I saw something. 

Leslie’s eyes flashed, as he seemed to cut through the dark.   His head jerked suddenly as he saw and sensed something more.   

What do you see, Leslie?   Skipper asked as he looked out into the darkness.   

Four people,... no five,  Leslie answered softly.  One of em,... is Roger.   

Roger?   Skipper asked.  Are you sure?    

Leslie looked back with serious concern as if to say, Of course I’m sure.   

We need to get out of here.  Skipper said as he grabbed Aurilla Mae by the hand and pulled her along with him into the yard they were closest to, and started running.   

What’s the matter?   She asked with surprise in her voice, looking behind to see Richie and Leslie running behind them.  Are they after us?    

I don’t know.  Skipper answered, squeezing her hand tighter to keep hold of her as he accelerated diagonally through another backyard.  I don’t even know if they saw us, but if Leslie’s right, and he always is,... Roger’s out tonight to cause trouble to the weak and we are outnumbered.   

They saw us.  Leslie’s voice called from behind, out of breath. 

What? How does he,...?   Aurilla Mae asked, breathing hard between words.  I never saw em.   

This is another one of Leslie’s special powers,  Skipper replied curtly, and this one is being able to see in the dark. 

Skipper stopped short when he heard something.  He pulled Aurilla Mae around a corner by a garage while motioning for Richie and Leslie to follow, all the while, hoping they were out of danger.  Heaving to find air to speak, he turned to Aurilla Mae and said, Are you alright?    

As she nodded, looking back into Skipper’s eyes, he knew she was wondering what to do next, but her look also conveyed her trust in him and the direction he had chosen.  He felt an excitement and a brand-new responsibility that he then accepted and knew he could never betray.   

Is it true he was in the MacLaren Correctional Facility?   Aurilla Mae asked.   

The MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility was a reform school for boys in Woodburn Oregon; a precarious place where Oregon’s difficult and problematic boys that had gotten in trouble with the police, were sent to, either in hopes of possible rehabilitation or with more regretful case scenarios, where it was a, ‘passing through’ facility before the wayward boys were processed and shuffled to be sent to other more secure, but also more grueling reformatories and or penitentiaries.   

Exaggerated dark tales and sordid accounts of lost boys in MacLaren were shared in most schools, with kids passing along rumors mixed with facts about a boy’s possible destination, should they make mistakes or go bad. 

Skipper and Richie had both been made aware of this awful place when they went to Clinton Kelly, but Skipper was surprised that Aurilla Mae even knew about the place.   

Who?   Skipper finally asked.   

Roger, of course.  Aurilla Mae answered, smiling.  Who else are we running from?    

We’re not running from him.  Skipper contradicted.   

Yes, we are.  Aurilla Mae corrected placidly.   

Well, maybe we are,  Skipper said innocently, but it’s not just him, it’s him and his gang.   

Well, was Roger in MacLaren?   Aurilla Mae asked again.   

Where did you hear that? Skipper asked with a stern look on his face.   

Aurilla Mae looked over at Richie, who glanced back with a look of embarrassment.   

I don’t know,...  Skipper answered with a confused, conflicting glance that reflected a small concern about the likelihood of a possibility as Skipper turned back to look at Aurilla Mae in the darkness.  Roger brags about a lot of things to his friends to impress them, but he lies a lot.  And,...  if he was, I wish he was still there; we wouldn’t be running like this.  Skipper, with his hand still clenched to hers, said carefully with a loud whisper, We better go.   

The four of them moved past a fenced house, stirring a dog to bark threateningly.  Oh great.  Skipper said, looking back while running to make sure the dog wasn’t following them.  Suddenly Skipper’s foot stepped into a hole in the ground and he stumbled forward.  He tried to let Aurilla Mae’s hand loose but at that moment; she held tight, trying to hold Skipper up.  The results ended with Skipper slamming onto the ground with his back, followed by Aurilla Mae plummeting helplessly face-first on top of him, her forehead hitting the bridge of Skipper’s nose.  Skipper lay there torn between the hurt to his head and nose, and the scent of Aurilla Mae’s perfumed hair, filling his senses as she was pressed down on him.   

Quickly getting to her feet, she extended her hand and asked, You alright?    

Yeah.  Skipper said, struggling to get to his feet without her help.  His ankle gave way when he put his weight on it and he faltered, almost falling again.   

Whoa.  Richie said rushing past Aurilla Mae to get to Skipper.  Skip? You sure you’re okay? Your nose is bleeding.   

Yeah, yeah.  What’s new?   Skipper said, balancing his weight on his right foot.  He applied pressure on his nose to stop the bleeding and gave a silly smile in the direction of Aurilla Mae.   

I’m so sorry.  She said stepping forward to see Skipper’s nose.  I did that.   

It’s okay,  Skipper said, letting go of his nose.  I just twisted my ankle a little, that’s all.   

Leslie peered around the corner through the yards that they had just crossed through, and turned to Skipper and whispered, I don’t see anybody.   

That’s good.  Skipper murmured, turning to Aurilla Mae.  We’re almost to your house.   

We are?   She asked.   

Yeah.  Skipper said, pointing through the house in front of them.  It’s over there, two blocks.   

Can you walk?   She asked with concern in her eyes.  Are you sure your nose is,... 

Yeah, I’m okay.  Skipper answered as he stumbled forward, but I better go slow.   

This is the best.  Skipper said as they approached her house.  You know what I mean, Aurilla Mae?    

What?   She asked.   

Richie, you tell her.  Skipper said, looking over at him.   

What?   Richie asked, standing on the porch next to the light, staring inside the pillowcase to see what riches he had in the bag.  Leslie moved next to him to do the same.   

Well, for one,  Skipper said, your thermometer says it’s 46 degrees, in Michigan it’s real cold right now; freezing, might even be snowing.   

Oh yeah.  Richie agreed, looking up before he peered into Leslie’s pillow case.   

And,  Skipper continued, getting Aurilla Mae to look directly at him.  It’s All Soul’s Day today, and it’s All Saint’s Day tomorrow; and tomorrow’s a Friday, and there’s no school on All Saint’s Day.  Skipper looked over at Leslie.  There’s no school on All Saint’s Day if you go to Catholic school, Leslie.  I think you’ll still have to go.   

Leslie glanced back with a ‘no fair’ look.   

When they arrived at Aurilla Mae’s house the front porch light was off, leaving the porch dark and unwelcome, especially to the trick or treaters that had by now thinned out up and down the block. 

As they stepped up onto the porch, the front door opened slightly and Aurilla Mae’s mother, peered out suspiciously as she turned on the porch light.   

Mother,  Aurilla Mae called out kindly, it’s just me.   

I thought I heard voices.  Aurilla Mae’s mother reported with a crazed look of suspicion and confusion as she opened the door wider.  She was standing there, modestly dressed in her nightgown and bathrobe and bare feet.  To Skipper, her face looked washed out and lacked colour, but he couldn’t be sure that it wasn’t just because of the poor illumination from the porch light.   

At first, Aurilla Mae looked at Skipper and was embarrassed for her mother’s condition and Skipper was unsure how to respond, but then something strange happened; Aurilla Mae’s mother caught sight of Leslie and her eyes narrowed as her stare stayed focused on Leslie.  Who are you?   She asked, looking like she thought Leslie was some kind of a ghost.   

This is my new friend, Leslie, mother.  Aurilla Mae answered.    You remember,... we went to the park this summer and,... 

But Aurilla Mae’s mother did not seem to hear her daughter but instead, continued to stare at Leslie like she was in a trance, and like Leslie was some long-lost friend that she hadn’t seen for a very long time.  Are you the one?   Aurilla Mae’s mother asked questioningly as colour returned to her face that reflected hopefulness and her eyes grew large in anticipation of Leslie’s next move.   

Leslie said nothing but stared back at her with his deadpan face that seemed to morph into a sort of compassion and kindness as he seemed to be psychic and could speak to her through ESP. 

And after only seconds of silent communication, Aurilla Mae’s mother’s face changed again and the worry and puzzlement and bewilderment seemed to fade away.   

Oh.  Aurilla Mae’s mother finally said with a look of revelation and wonder as a hint of a smile crossed her lips.   

After watching the transformation, Aurilla Mae looked to Skipper and asked, What’s going on?    

I don’t know,  Skipper replied with raised eyebrows and an ambiguous smile, but I think Leslie had discovered and is using one of his powers to talk to your mother.   

That’s crazy.  Aurilla Mae said, looking back.   

Uh, don’t use that word, Aurilla Mae.  Skipper said softly without taking his eyes off of Leslie and Aurilla Mae’s mother, It upsets Leslie; he doesn’t like it.   

Leslie began to look thoughtful like he was considering something, but then his face relaxed as he said out loud, Yes, you can.   

Aurilla Mae’s mother’s face seemed to lighten up and her eyes looked off and away like she was in deeper thought or maybe a very good daydream.   

Mother are you alright?   Aurilla Mae asked as she stepped up and gave her mother a hug.   

I’m fine.  Aurilla Mae’s mother replied with a calm demeanor.  But I am feeling mighty tired and worn out.   

Let’s get you back to your bed.  Aurilla Mae said, looking over at Skipper rather self-consciously.  I need to go help my mother.   

I know.  Skipper replied courteously, I’ll call you tomorrow. 

Leslie and Richie followed behind Skipper until they were well away from Aurilla Mae’s house and Richie stopped, and while facing both Skipper and Leslie, said with astonishment on his face, So what was that?    

I think Leslie was,...  Skipper began, but then turned to Leslie and said, Did you just talk to her with ESP?    

Leslie looked back at Skipper and Richie and replied, I don’t know.  I think I was,... but, I don’t know.   

Can you read my mind?"   Richie asked with apprehension.   

Leslie looked at Richie for a moment with his eyes narrowed before he answered, No.  I can’t.   

But Aurilla Mae’s mother?   Skipper questioned.   

When I was looking in her eyes,  Leslie said hesitantly, There was something like an open door that let me in.  And she had a lot of, like, dark smoke-like curtains that were moving around and swaying with a wind that kept changing directions.   

So, maybe you can’t read our minds,  Skipper questioned, because our brain door is shut?    

Leslie thought for a moment and said, Her door was open and she wanted me to help her, and she let me in.   

Well, I think,  Richie replied with an announcer-type voice, you may have just discovered that you have a formidable power.  A power that only works with,... 

Don’t say it, Richie.  Skipper commanded with a gentle smile.  But seriously, Leslie, were you able to do that when you were at Fairview? 

No.  Leslie answered curtly.  I don’t think this ever happened before.   

So, it’s a new power.  Skipper replied.  And they keep popping up at the darndest times.  Skipper smiled, looking back towards Aurilla Mae’s house.  I hope she’s alright.   

Me too.  Richie replied, Aurilla Mae’s nice; I like her. 

She is nice.  Leslie repeated.  I like her too.   

Skipper breathed a heavy sigh as he looked down, his mind filled with different random thoughts of the evening.  Yeah,  Skipper said, me too, but it’s kind a late.   

But we gotta get lasties or something.  Richie protested.   

Lasties?   Leslie’s voice called from the curb where he was sitting, blindly waving his hand through his bag of candy.  Is that like pasties? 

No.  Skipper said, Lasties is the rest of the bag or the last one to go to the house gets the big dumperino,... All the rest of whatever’s left. 

They do that?   Leslie asked, pulling up a random candy from his bag to surprise himself over and over again.   

One time in Iron Mountain an old lady dumped a bowl of Mars Bars in my sack.  Skipper said.   

She did.  Richie confirmed, nodding his head and smiling.   

She said she wanted to turn off her light.  Skipper explained, leaning on one foot to ease the pain.   

Leslie and Richie sprinted to the door like only the first one of them to reach the porch would profit.  Skipper could hardly get a step off and decided to wait down on the sidewalk.   

Boys, boys.  A huge woman dressed like a chef said as she swung open the screen door.  I got enough for everyone.  She bent down and looked over the steps to Skipper and asked, you coming up?    

No thank you Ma’am.  Skipper answered holding up his bag.  I’m fine.  I got a lot here already.   

He hurt his leg.  Richie said, Fell into a gopher hole or something in the dark.   

You did?   The woman asked, looking compassionately at Skipper as she stepped out onto her porch.   

I’m fine, I’m fine.  Skipper insisted, waving her to go back inside. 

Here, here.  She insisted, coming out to Skipper and dropping a large assortment of different candy bars from her serving bowl.  There you go too.  She said, depositing handfuls of candy bars into Richie and Leslie’s bags.   

As the woman in the Chef Halloween costume stepped back into the light, Skipper suddenly recognized her.  It was Ellen; one of the women at the funeral.  So do you live here now?   Skipper asked.   

Yes.  She said calmly before looking hard at Skipper.  Suddenly her eyes flickered with confusion and fear and she said, You were that boy at the funeral; the boy with Rose.   

Skipper looked back, anxious.   

Hey,  Richie said, pointing, Mrs. Ramsey’s home again.  Let’s go there before we go home.  I’ll bet she’s got a lot a candy.  Richie and Leslie ran past Skipper looked up, broke eye contact with the large woman who looked on confused as he walked away.   

Excitedly, they had no sooner left the yard and begun to cross Henry Street, when, coming cattycorner, a group of boys appeared suddenly; in the lead was Roger, who yelled with triumphant affirmation, There you are.   

Skipper realized that with his bad ankle he could not run away, and that Richie and Leslie were standing there; frozen with fear.  Skipper joined them, and with great keenness he stood in front of them in pain; his elbows extended enough to prod them both to start slowly walking backwards.   

What was my last words to you?   Roger asked, looking directly at Skipper.   

With his fists clenched, Skipper glared silently back at Roger.  Roger looked from side to side to get reassurance from his four other buddies that they were with him. 

Skipper continued to ease backwards as Roger moved with caution, closer to him.  I told you you’d be sorry that you crossed me.  Roger answered himself, And now you’re gonna get it.   

Even though Roger had his fellows flanked on either side, Skipper could tell that Roger was still scared of him.  This was of little comfort, knowing that Roger’s courage was manufactured by his entourage, which grew stronger with each step of retreat Skipper took. 

Shadows seemed to move across one of the side windows to the Ramsey’s house and Skipper hoped that Mrs. Ramsey might interrupt things, but the more Skipper seemed to be drifting into the darkness down Henry Street, the more uneasy he felt.   

Just kill him,...  A familiar voice said from Roger’s left, and get it over with.  Detroit yelled and from the tone of his voice, was pushing for his own portion of justice.   

Something that Skipper’s brother David had told him entered Skipper’s mind.  It was a couple of years earlier, in Iron Mountain, where three of the older Ring brothers that lived next door, had picked a fight with Skipper and Richie, and while in the process of getting beat up, David appeared out of nowhere, taking on all three of the Ring brothers, sending them all home crying.  Later that night, playing the card game, ‘Casino’ on David’s bed, Skipper asked him how come he wasn’t scared.   

Wasn’t scared?   David repeated laughing nervously, I was scared; and I knew it was gonna hurt,... but I knew that if I thought how much it was gonna hurt, I’d start to get more scared, and I knew if I showed them that I was scared, they’d beat the crap out of me because they knew they could, because I was scared.   

Skipper wasn’t going to give Roger that edge.  Skipper knew that Roger needed to think that Skipper was not only, not afraid of him, but that he wasn’t afraid of his friends either; and that he was not afraid to get hurt. 

More darkness closed in on them as they had slowly moved backwards past the Ramsey’s back yard.   

You take him,...  Detroit said calmly, and we’ll take care of the others.   

Don’t tell me what to do.  Roger said angrily.  I can take care of myself.   

Skipper stopped moving backwards, gave a firm, final push with his elbows to distance Richie and Leslie, and with adrenalin again racing through his veins, Skipper looked back at Roger, his eyes blazing as he braced himself for what he knew would be a sneak attack.  That was the way of bullies like Roger.   

Detroit and the three others began to press forward, close to Roger, so as to force him to stop hesitating, thus causing Roger to step forward.   

You and your friends may get in a few hits on me, but that’s okay, cause I’m gonna be working on hurting you, Roger.  And then I’m coming for you, Detroit.   

Roger and his friends stopped moving forward.  Skipper saw the fear in Roger’s eyes.  Detroit suddenly moved back, fear in his eyes, apparently not wanting to have anything to do second helping from Skipper, but unfortunately, Roger’s other friends were not intimidated and could care less if Roger or Detroit got the brunt of the hurt, just as long as the numbers prevailed and they could get in on the fun.   

Suddenly, an enormously large dark beast in the Ramsey’s back yard raised itself up on its hind feet.  It gave out a loud snarling roar that was not a growl but more of a mixture of a high-pitched sound like a person might make while falling off a cliff mixed with the sound of a baby screaming.  The massive bearlike beast was as wide as a door and with its paws raised up to attack, the beast commanded over ten feet tall.   

Roger screamed in horror and turning to run away, slammed directly into Detroit and another one of the boys, causing all three to fall to the ground.  The two other assailants turned and ran away as Roger tried to stand but his feet got tangled, causing him to step directly onto the stomach of Detroit, which causing Detroit to fall again and cry out in pain.   

There was another weird pitifully forsaken sound as the beast took another step forward.  Roger’s pseudo-friend Detroit began crying out in fear and pain, till, in abject fright, he was yelling, Don’t let it eat me! 

The other assailant got to his feet and he and Detroit, both not wanting anything to do with this bearlike beast, wasted no time running away in different directions, leaving Skipper, Richie and Leslie looking down at Roger,... but all of them at the mercy of the enormous bearlike beast.   

The dim light from the Ramsey’s back porch illuminated the colossal bear’s thick furry body, but the next time the massive bearlike beast growled, Skipper realized that it was, ‘Mike the Different’ wearing his raccoon fur coat.  As, ‘Mike the Different’ stepped more into the light, Skipper could see a weird kind of smile on his face—almost like it was a game he was playing,... acting out a part to humor Skipper, Richie and Leslie.   

Leslie, who’s night vision was supernatural, had seen the bearlike beast before anyone, and he had already known that it was, ‘Mike the Different,’ and wondered with curiosity what, ‘Mike the Different’ was going to do.   

At first Richie was frozen in fright, but as he recognized the beast’s sounds to be, ‘Mike the Different,’ Richie became brave and stepped forward to stand next to Skipper.   

Meanwhile, Roger who had already been deserted by all of his pseudo friends, scrambled to his feet, and bolting down the street in the other direction, screaming,  Help!  as he ran terrified into the night.   

Let’s go!  ‘Mike the Different’ yelled at Roger in his loud, slurred English.  Let’s go!  That weird, strange grin stayed on his face as he lowered his arms and stepped out to the road next to Leslie.   

Yeah!  Leslie yelled as he ran to, ‘Mike the Different’ and hugged him.   

Let’s go?   Richie said looking incredulously at Skipper.  You know what he was saying just now?    

Yeah, I do.  Skipper answered.  What’s funny is,  Skipper said smiling, I don’t know how he could have known or heard what it was that I said; I think he was running away in his underwear, going the other way when I said that.   

‘Mike the Different’ is amazing.  Richie said, his eyes sparkling and his smile wide.   

Shadows moved across a window from the Ramsey’s back porch and Skipper looked over to see Mrs. Ramsey looking out through parted curtains.  He wondered how much she’d seen, but he knew that it didn’t matter.  The light behind her illuminated her face just enough so that he could tell that she was smiling.  He nodded in recognition, but seeing Skipper looking over at her, she quickly stepped inside and the curtain fell back over the window.   

Richie pretended to be, ‘Mike the Different’ the beast, which caused, ‘Mike the Different’ to laugh, which caused Leslie to begin laughing too, which caused Skipper and Richie to laugh even more.   

After the laughter died down, Skipper turned to, ‘Mike the Different’ and said, Hey, we were all just gonna knock on your door for Halloween.  You wanna go with us?    

With a wide smile on his face, ‘Mike the Different’ looked at Skipper with a strange, questioning stare; which looked look like he was straining to lift something.   

We’re gonna go,...  Skipper began to repeat himself, speaking loudly.   

He can understand you,  Leslie interrupted, without you yelling at him.   

Oh.  Skipper said.  It just seemed like he didn’t hear me.   

Leslie placed a hand on, ‘Mike the Different’s arm and said, Come with us.   

Somewhere between walking from his back yard to his front door, ‘Mike the Different’ began to understand what they were doing and he let out a loud yelp of pleasure. 

The four of them stood on the front porch repeatedly yelling, Trick or Treat.  In between each time they said the phrase, Trick or Treat,  ‘Mike the Different’ laughed loudly in anticipation, and even though his voice was much louder than anyone else’s, and although he could not figure out how to get into cadence with the rest of them, no one seemed to care.   

There were tears in Mrs. Ramsey’s eyes when she opened her door holding a salad bowl half full of candy.  There’s someone here,...  She said in a melodic way, I think I know who it is.   

Between knowing his mother was talking about him, and thinking he was pulling a fast one on her, ‘Mike the Different’ laughed excitedly, making seal-like sounds as he inhaled.   

Looks like you boys are out for the last roundup.  She said smiling as