The cold air of that halloween night lightly blew against you, following your daughter around the neighbourhood as she knocked on every door trick or treating. Eerie decorations adorned numerous homes, carved pumpkin’s lights casting cozy glows on the street filled by children in their silly costumes.

You admired your daughter, adorable in a witch’s costume, her basket brimming with various candies and treats, a contented smile on her face. Even though she only had you in her life, she appreciated your sacrifices.

Until she stopped in front of a house, its owner almost invisible to everyone. A little kid was known to live there with his father, yet you never had the opportunity to properly meet him and welcome him to neighbourhood. The lights in the living room were on, signalling that you could finally grasp the occasion and pay a visit with the trick or treat excuse.

Encouraging your daughter to knock and repeat the words for the hundredth time, a tall man opened the front door, a little boy standing next to him with a bowl of candies in his arms. Simon just stood there for a few seconds in confusion, his sharp and masculine features enhanced by the glow of the porch’s light.

The father’s gaze roamed your face, taking in the details and forcing his brain to remember where he had seen you already. Ah, you were his neighbor.

“Claire!” The boy’s face brightened as soon as he recognised his classmate, Simon’s expression shifting to a look of realization. “So.. this is the lady you were talking about? Claire’s mother? Good god..” He inquired quietly to his son, knowing full well you had heard him.