Midnight Desserts & Halloween Invites

October 30th has its own charm. Almost separate and distinct from Halloween itself.

And just a whisker away from Halloween, it’s a day filled with pumpkin spice in the air and a nostalgic excitement.

Writing this at close to midnight.

Earlier tonight, I found myself at a downtown bar with some old friends. Good people, yet my laughter felt hollow, my mind floating somewhere else. I was thinking about Anna.

Sitting at that table with my friends, I remembered our together evening at the Thai place. The sizzling spice, the laughter, the moment her eyes clouded over as she spun her wedding ring.

The echoes of her story, filled with pain, betrayal, and loss, were still fresh in my mind. She had been tossed aside harshly and unexpectedly after five years, left in the shadow of another woman.

Pushing the last of my dinner around my plate, I gave in to the pull of my thoughts and shot Anna a text. “Free for a late dessert?” The three bouncing dots were swift. “Absolutely! 🍰”

We met at a new-to-use late-night café.

The scent of coffee beans and sweet pastries replaced the savory aroma of my unfinished dinner. I watched as Anna’s eyes lit up, twinkling like the fairy lights adorning the quaint space.

She laughed, sharing tales of her most outrageous Halloween costumes. A sudden image of Anna dressed as a quirky alien, complete with green face paint and antenna, brought laughter bubbling out of me.

Her laughter joined mine, and we echoed each other.

Amid our laughter, Anna’s eyes softened. “Kelly, do you have plans for Halloween tomorrow?”

I shook my head, a smile lingering on my lips.

“There’s a party at my office. Costumes mandatory, fun guaranteed. Would you like to come?”

Would I? My heart did a jubilant jig. “I’d love to, Anna!”

I found myself already looking forward to it, already scouring the recesses of my mind for costume ideas as we continued to laugh, our giggles mingling with the scent of coffee and the warmth of companionship.

As the night wore on, we browsed online for last-minute costume ideas, our laughter never dwindling. We debated the merits of classic witch versus quirky alien, vampire versus superhero.

“How about a duo costume? Salt and Pepper? Sun and Moon?” Anna suggested, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

By the time the clock ticked towards midnight, we had a plan in place. The excitement buzzed between us, a shared secret as we paid the bill and stepped out into the chilly night air.

I felt light, like autumn leaves dancing in the breeze, carried by the gentle winds of newfound friendship and the promise of shared memories.

Tomorrow would be a day of costumes, laughter, and dancing. It would be a night to remember.

I could hardly wait to step into the morrow, hand in hand with a friend who had brought unexpected joy and warmth into my life. As we hugged goodbye, the embrace filled with anticipation and affection, I felt the whispers of the night breeze carrying away the last remnants of loneliness and uncertainty.

K.