The Last Halloween Wish

### **Title:** The Last Halloween Wish

**Story:**

It was Halloween night, and the air was filled with the sounds of laughter and the rustling of leaves. The streets were lined with glowing jack-o'-lanterns, and children dressed in costumes ran from house to house, their bags filling with candy. Among them was Jimmy, a cheerful boy with a pumpkin-shaped candy bucket in hand. He was excited to join his friends for a night of trick-or-treating.

Jimmy’s friends arrived at his house, dressed in various spooky costumes. They knocked on his door, eager to start their adventure. Jimmy’s parents gave him permission to join them, and he quickly slipped into his skeleton costume, grinning from ear to ear. The group set out into the neighborhood, their laughter echoing through the chilly night.

As they made their way through the houses, collecting candy, Jimmy began to notice that his stash was smaller than everyone else's. His friends teased him, playfully taunting him about his fewer treats. Although he tried to laugh it off, Jimmy felt a pang of disappointment. As they headed home, the excitement of the night began to fade for Jimmy. He walked behind the group, his head hanging low.

On his way back, Jimmy’s eyes caught sight of a house he had never noticed before. It was an old, weathered building, standing alone at the end of a shadowy street. The house seemed out of place, its windows dark, and the lawn overgrown. Jimmy hesitated but decided to approach the house, thinking it might be his last chance to catch up on his candy haul.

He rang the doorbell, but there was no answer. The house remained silent, and the air felt colder than before. Curious, Jimmy peered through one of the windows. Inside, he saw a frail old woman sitting in a dimly lit room, holding a phone to her ear. She appeared to be speaking to someone, but her expression was sad, her eyes filled with a deep longing. After a few moments, the call ended, and the woman slowly stood up, her face etched with loneliness.

Jimmy decided to try again and rang the bell once more. This time, the door creaked open, and the old woman stood before him. Her face softened as she saw the little boy standing on her doorstep, dressed in his Halloween costume. “Trick or treat!” Jimmy exclaimed, trying to muster some enthusiasm.

The old woman’s eyes brightened, and a warm smile spread across her face. “What a lovely surprise,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion. She invited Jimmy inside, offering him a seat in her cozy, old-fashioned living room. The house, though eerie from the outside, was filled with a comforting warmth.

She brought out a tray of homemade cookies and a bowl of candies, along with some snacks she had prepared. “These were meant for my son,” she said softly, her voice tinged with sadness. “But I suppose he’s too busy to visit his old mother on Halloween.”

Jimmy listened quietly as the woman spoke of her son, who lived far away with his wife. She told him how much she missed him and how she had hoped he would visit her that night. As she shared her story, Jimmy couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of empathy. The old woman reminded him of his own grandmother, who always had a kind word and a treat waiting for him.

The old lady insisted that Jimmy take as much candy as he wanted. She even packed some extra cookies and snacks for him to take home. Jimmy’s heart swelled with gratitude, and he promised to visit her again soon. The woman smiled, her eyes shining with a bittersweet joy. For a moment, it seemed as though a weight had been lifted from her heart.

Jimmy left the house feeling a strange mixture of emotions. The night had taken an unexpected turn, but he was glad he had met the old woman. He went to bed that night with a full heart and a full candy bucket, drifting off to sleep with a smile on his face.

The next morning, Jimmy woke up to shocking news. The old woman who had given him the candies had passed away a week ago. The revelation hit him like a cold wind, and his mind raced as he tried to make sense of it. How could she have been there last night, talking to him, feeding him, smiling at him?

Panicked, Jimmy ran to the old woman’s house. The street was eerily quiet, and the house looked even more abandoned than before. He pushed open the creaky door and stepped inside. The room was exactly as he remembered, except for one difference—there was a diary lying on the table, its pages open as if waiting for him.

Jimmy picked up the diary with trembling hands and began to read. The entries were filled with the old woman’s thoughts, her memories of her son, and her longing to see him one last time. She had written about her plans for Halloween, how she hoped her son would visit, and how she had prepared his favorite snacks, just in case.

The final entry was written on the night of Halloween. It spoke of a little boy who had come to her door, reminding her of her son when he was young. It ended with a note of peace and contentment, as if she had finally found the closure she needed.

Tears welled up in Jimmy’s eyes as he realized what had happened. The old woman’s spirit had lingered, waiting for her son, but it was Jimmy who had unknowingly fulfilled her last wish. By visiting her, by being the child she longed to see, he had given her the peace she needed to move on.

As Jimmy left the house, he felt a warmth in his heart, knowing he had made a difference in her life, even if just for a moment. Halloween would never be the same for him, but it would forever be a reminder that sometimes, the simplest acts of kindness can bring the greatest peace.