Happy Hallowthanksmas

 Tis the season for gatherings or so Lily guessed.

Actually, all she really wanted was to be alone with Boone again, but that hadn't happened.

Sure, the dinners started soon enough the weekend after Dory moved in. First Cedric did all the cooking, but it was a bit much. It was like he cooked for an Army. "Sorry, I was in the Navy for a little while," he explained. Cedric was not always a nurse.

"I wonder how old he really is?" Lily had no idea. What if he was too old for Dory?

"Oh stop it!" She and Boone had their whisper arguing from the get-go. Of course, this did not stop Madonna from her love bites. She liked to lick Lily's ankles when she least expected it. Lily was afraid that cat had a curse on her.

Soon enough Boone's brother Alfie and his girl showed up. And Boone's sister Oakley and her husband. It was beginning to get crowded. Even Alfie's friend, newly married Gage and Nora were there, showing them slide shows of their Honeymoon in the Ozarks. It made Lily cringe. Especially, when they announced they would have a baby by June. She didn't ask for this. Of course, she was being mute and she knew Alfie would ask Boone if she was all right. But she kept hanging on. Wondering when Boone might give in. 

He was so concerned about Phil and Lexi, too. It was starting to bother their (Lily & Boone) sex life. Naturally, they practically did intercourse on the floor behind the bed. Lily thought he might break his back or maybe hers. But at least it happened like a new cold front. And there weren't many of those this dry Autumn.

Before long, everyone was going to the haunted house or the pumpkin patch. Of course, it was a whole group of them. Boone even got Phil and Lexi to come along. Only Phil was so careful with Lexi as if she might break. Then Boone's mother showed up with Alfie and Boone's dad. After a while when they went to the Pumpkin Patch again, she even invited Gram who was glad to go and watch the carnival rides. 

"Aren't you having any fun," her Gram had asked while Boone was getting them caramel apples at the pumpkin patch.

"I'm trying," Lily was honest.

"Oh, you got to look at the bright side," her gram smiled. "Just smile. These are the little things that will mean a lot, one day."

Harley didn't know what to make of the letter. She only had a wee bit of time to read it as the sun was setting. Of course, they were all headed for the Halloween carnival at the Youth Center. KC's step-sister delivered it and she was not alone. There was a boy who practically had his arms around her waist. 

She didn't question Junie. Yes, she knew KC had been trying to get through to her on the phone. She'd done her best to avoid him at all costs. But still, she needed to know. After all, HATE was such a final word. She couldn't say she loved him either. They were just friends. 

She knew immediately how much he disliked being so alone. 

"Why is he like this?" She breathed under her breath as she winced through his words. It was like he wanted her to hate him. He did. But he didn't either.  Finally, she stuffed it in her backpack wishing she could shred it. She didn't want Brick to see it. Of course, he was off with the guys shooting hoops.

Just then Maddie showed up with Rafe who might as well be stuck to her. That alarmed look on her face had nothing to do with Harley though.

"Was that Junie I just saw?" Maddie wanted to know who she was with.

"I don't really know," Harley shrugged.

Of course, no one was in costume. It was rather warm this year. Harley felt as if she might be in another state. It didn't feel like the Heartland anymore where everyone thrived in layers of clothes and breathing in hot chocolate.

"Maybe I should call my uncle about this," Maddie reached in her back pocket with the one hand she had. But Rafe reached for it before she could.

"Rafe, can you just give us five minutes alone," Harley snapped. After all, she could loom over him like a vulture in her platforms. He shrugged away as if he'd get them something hot to drink. 

"Are you sure you want to be with him?" Harley asked.

"It's not that bad." Maddie squinted a smile.

"But..but he's so gangster-like," Harley grimaced and Maddie laughed out loud.

"Oh, he's just a kitten, you know," Maddie told her.

"More like a dog," Harley protested.

"You're so funny," Maddie's smile was open. "Sometimes, you need that."

"What?" Harley wanted to know.

"Oh," Maddie sighed. "Than animal instinct." She chuckled. She put her phone away. She wasn't going to text her uncle after all.