Page 7 of Halloween with a Daddy
It has generated no revenue at all since my great-grandfather stopped allowing people to rent it out for events. I don’t know the entire story, but my dad told me that the guests were doing more damage than it was worth, and my great-grandfather finally grew tired of dealing with it. I think every generation eventually gets sick of this place.
Mark meets up with me early on Saturday and I help him get things set up for the party. That gives us some time to catch up, and he fills me in on his new job, which is going exceptionally well, according to him. He’s very excited about the party and the opportunity to host it at Grimwillow Manor.
I get a little concerned when I see how much alcohol is being delivered, but I hold my tongue.
Shortly before the guests arrive, I change into my costume and walk downstairs to find Mark putting the finishing touches on his zombie make-up.
“You look hideous.” I chuckle under my breath.
“So do you, Uncle Edgar.” He narrows his eyes. “What the hell are you supposed to be, anyway?”
“Really?” I take a step back and look down at my costume. “I made you watch this movie with me.Somewhere in Time? Christopher Reeve?”
“Ah.” He nods. “You’re supposed to be a boomer.”
“Fuck you, Mark.” I laugh and walk over to the bar. “Make me a damn drink.”
“I don’t know if I have anything from the prohibition era.” Mark steps behind the bar and looks up at the bottles.
“I’ll take a whiskey.” I growl under my breath.
“Right, right.” He grabs a bottle. “I haven’t forgotten. I was just messing with you. See, I even got your favorite brand.”
“The cheap version of it, but it’ll do.” I crack a smile and take a seat on a stool.
“If this isn’t up to your standards, I got some of that local craft beer you like.” He motions to the small fridge behind the bar. “Everyone else will drink from the keg.”
“Thank you, Mark.” I nod as he pours some whiskey. “You really didn’t have to go out of your way for me.”
“Are you kidding? This party is going to be amazing!” Mark grins, his eyes lighting up with excitement.
We’re interrupted as the first two guests arrive. Mark works with them, so he introduces us, and I talk him up a little to his work colleagues. It isn’t long before more and more guests come through the door. Mark gets busy greeting everyone, so I retreat to the bar and sip my whiskey while checking out the costumes people are wearing.
I spot at least a dozen girls and one guy dressed as Harley Quinn, which seems to be the most popular costume, but The Joker is a close second. There are lots of comic book, movie, and television show characters, which make up most of the rest outside of the standard costumes you see at every party. There is an overweight guy who has painted himself like a jack-o’-lantern, which gets a lot of laughs.
After some mingling, Mark finally makes his way back over to the bar.
“How is it going, Uncle Edgar? Do you need a refill?” He looks down at my glass.
“Yeah, but I’ll grab the bottle when I’m ready.” I nod to him. “Lots of interesting costumes tonight.”
“I told people to be creative and wear whatever they wanted.” He shrugs. “A couple of people asked about the dress code, and I told them they could get as wild as they want, as long as it doesn’t offend anyone.”
“Yeah, you mentioned that. I think people are staring too much to be offended.” I point out a woman dressed like a nurse in an outfit that would give patients a heart attack if they were actually in an ER.
“If that’s what they choose to wear, I’m not complaining.” Mark grins and sips his drink.
I get up from my stool and walk around the bar to grab my bottle of whiskey. None of the guests have come over here for a drink yet. Mark has a drink station set up near the door with a keg, liquor, and the mixes needed to make the most popular drinks. Still, the place is getting more crowded by the second. I pour my second drink and notice two new guests arrive.
“Damn.” I say before I can catch myself, and Mark follows my gaze.
“Oh! It’s Amelia!” He looks over his shoulder at me. “I think she’s got a crush on me.”
“Does it go both ways?” I ask inquisitively.
“I’m not sure yet.” He narrows his eyes. “But that devil costume may turn me into a sinner tonight.”
“The devil?” I give him a side-eyed glance. “I was talking about the other one.”
