those frightful feelings

Ben was dreading Halloween. Of course, Mae wasn't thinking about the October holiday. She had other things to worry about these days. His wife was finally pregnant.

Of course, he guessed that was a miracle. According to her and his mother, she was to take it easy. He would be the one who would have to tend to his Halloween needs.

It didn't help that his best friend Taylor moved to Iowa. Ben didn't even have Omaha to count on these days. After all, his other so-called friend was newly married and evidently not as kid friendly as Ben once thought.

Now, he wished he had a best friend. How could he possibly help his son Caden have friends when he felt he didn't have any of his own. Meanwhile, he went to do yard work since Mae ordered him to clean up the place before kiddies arrived for tick or treating.

Ben sighed as if he knew he should be happy with how his life turned out. He did have a family and he was with the woman he loved better now than possibly before his accident so many years of go which had left him with a memory lapse. He was grateful. Still, he did wonder if everyone thought of him as an idiot of some kind.

He went to rake leaves and put them in towering paper bags. After awhile he looked up to see someone doing the exact thing, but missing most of the leaves to bag.

Actually, the guy didn't look much older than Ben, but he couldn't think of anyone new moving in next door.

Finally, the guy looked Ben in the eye and smiled.

"Hey, I remember you." He grinned as if he remembered him from elementary school. Ben went over to the fence and introduced himself.

"Ben," Drew nodded. "You liked to do fun things with glue."

"What?" Ben winced.

"First grade." Drew nodded. He made Ben sound so cool. Ben couldn't imagine it. "Even the girls loved your curls."

Ben slightly chuckled and shook his head. "You, live next door?" Of course, he didn't remember Drew, but he didn't have to let him know that.

"Oh, I'm just doing..my..my girlfriend a favor." He shrugged.

Ben went to help him with the leaves. A while later, Drew helped Ben with his leaves.

He didn't really know his neighbor, but Drew's house was behind his house and Ben didn't even know. It was a small world.

"I can't decide if I want to sell my house or not," Drew said it was the family home. "I do spend most of my time with Ellie and the girls."

"Oh, the girls." Ben smiled. Caden liked those girls. "Maybe we can spend Halloween together."

"Sure thing." Drew grinned as if he needed friends, too.