Halloween Story

by Holly F.
(New York)

'Obnie's paintings have inspired us all,' Mrs. Quimby finished. 'Obnie died long ago in a truck accident and is dead to us, but in our souls the inspiring artwork remains.' I jolted upward. I had fallen asleep, and missed Mrs. Quimby's report on Obnie, one of her old students. Milo Obnie was dead. I thought about that. I was just thinking, because I've seen the name Obnie somewhere before.

Cursing myself for forgetting, I left Mrs. Quimby's art room and made my way to eighth period. I asked Ms. Rodney if she knew a Milo Obnie. She said no. I wondered where the name came from still. I rushed home and thought in the kitchen. I thought on the living room recliner. I thought all over the place, and then ran upstairs to my room and lay on my bed. Then I remembered. Milo Obnie was in my dreams.

Terrific! I've figured it out. But it doesn't mean any-thing to me yet. I remembered Milo Obnie saying, 'Don't give up, just do your best.' That related to me. Milo Obnie was talking to me through my dreams. I'd been meeting him every night since October began. It was October 17th. Milo sat down in a chair across from me and talked about what he thought was right for me.

Obnie Quimby had some relation to me. I looked out-side and across the streets. I looked at our paint-spattered road. Construction went on years ago causing the spatters. Everyone knew that. And the bent pole. Wait. The spatters?it was blood! And the crooked telephone pole?something crashed. It was Obnie. His body was never found. Our house was being built. The body probably flew out and was under our house! That's why Obnie talked to me!

Begging to go to bed at six-forty five was new. Mom and Dad stared at me questioningly. 'I need to talk to someone.' I fell asleep quickly and then I was awake. I was at my kitchen table, in a chair across from Obnie. 'So?' Obnie said. 'You've figured it out.' I smiled. 'Yes, Obnie, I have. I've been dying to meet you.' 'You too,' Obnie replied. 'I'm just very surprised that you've figured out who I am. Is there anything you'd like to talk about?' 'Not really,' I said. 'How's heaven?' 'That's personal,' Obnie replied, flicking a speck of dust off his shoulder. 'Anyway, I enchanted Mrs. Quimby's brain. She won't stop thinking about me for days, even weeks.' 'Shoot,' I said. 'So?You wanted me to know who you are?' 'Yes.' 'Why?' 'It gets lonely up there. Oh, Headmistress is cal-ling. I go to school in heaven now. You need to get back into bed.' I got up and walked back to my bed. I thought about Obnie some more and then fell asleep.

'Emily! Wake up!' I jolted awake and got up. I gave my Mother a glare. Obnie invited me to the kitchen again in the morning. We talked a lot more, until Obnie screamed. Someone was coming inside. They'd see him. 'It takes me a while to poof away! If they catch me?' 'I'll never be able to see you again. Stall your Mom. I might not make it. If I don't, I'll need to put a spell on you both.' 'Okay, Obnie,' I said. 'I want to tell you something.' 'What?' 'Over the weeks, I've bonded with you. And, I love you.' I remembered those last few words before I told Mom to watch me perform a trick and then run upstairs to fall asleep. She never said a word about Obnie.

'Rocking Halloween,' I told Mom, and then went to bed. I'd forgotten all about Obnie. I was called down at eleven thirty, an hour after my parents went to bed. 'Why so early?' I asked Obnie. 'I was sleeping.' 'Tonight's our last night. You won't see me for eleven months.' 'What?' I asked. 'No!' 'Yes,' Obnie said, smiling. 'I'll miss you.' 'Me too.' Tears formed in my eyes. Obnie held me close. 'I?' He bent down and proposed. I said, 'Obnie, you're dead.' 'Would you like to come with me?' 'No,' I said. 'I love you very much, but I can't leave the life I have here.' Obnie bowed. 'Very well.' ?But,' I said, 'when I die, I will gladly take your hand in marriage.' 'You will?' Obnie's eyes brightened. 'Of course,' I said. 'And I won't marry anyone else.' And do you want to know what? I never did.