Scary Halloween Story

I arrived at work, sat at my desk, got my computer up and running and was ready for the day, but not for the email I checked that morning. One of my dear friends and work associate, it seemed, had lost his brother to what appeared to be a heart attack. The email told time of services, etc. and as I wanted to offer my condolences, I emailed him, though I knew he would be off work for at least a week. The services were to be private, so I was unable to contact him in his time of grief.

My friend was the head of the Respiratory Therapy services department at the hospital where I worked. For privacy purposes, I won't use his name. . Once or twice a week, I had to go to his office to perform certain duties which required the use of the equipment in his department, and could not be done in my office. I knocked on his door, and heard his usual cheery "Come on in." He was back and I was glad to see him. I wanted to, in person, talk with him about his brother's death. My friend was in his forties and I assumed his brother was close in age.

"Hi", I said. "I am so sorry about hearing about your brother!! What happened?

And so he explained, his brother had died on Halloween. Evidently a great guy, albeit young -early forties, very overweight, and quite the trickster, he, without realizing it, and I am sure without wanting to, played a very scary trick on the neighborhood children and their parents. My friend related to me the events surrounding his brother's death with tears in his eyes, and a weak smile.

"It would be just like him to set the whole thing up, being the funny guy he was," my friend told me. "But this was the ultimate. He is probably laughing at how it played out, God rest his soul."

I felt bad, but was glad my buddy was talking it out, letting out his grief in his own way. I listened and grieved with him as the story unfolded.

Halloween was always a fun time for this gentleman. He, unmarried, living alone, enjoyed seeing the kids in their costumes and decorated his abode in no-holds-barred manner. Always the eerie recording, triggered by some sensor, always the best house to go to as he would buy the big sized candy bars, not just the treat sized ones they sell close to Halloween. (I have seen now they sell them in mini size all year long).

Evidently, he was ready for trick and treat time, a huge bowl of candy, decorations out in place. Darkness descended and the neighborhoood children started coming. Kids coming and ringing the bell, dressed in all sorts of costumes, and he answered and deposited the spoils into their eagerly outstretched trick and treat bags. At some point, something happened, and from what little information was gathered, my friend's brother was lying in the open doorway, one arm wrapped around a huge bowl of candy, the other arm outstretched, hand open with candy strewn near it. I am sure, as my friend was also, people got a great kick out of seeing someone pretending to be dead and it probably was a bit scary walking up to this sprawled man and grabbing candy before he could grab your leg or something, yelling "Ha Ha , gotcha!".

As the evening passed and trick and treating hours were over, it seems a neighbor, on his way to bed, locking up for the night, noticed my friend's brother's house and the front door was not shut, and he was still lying there. He went over and found him non responsive and called 911. It was too late, of course, as autopsy revealed a massive heart attack.

So, whatever pranks you plan on this Halloween season, just keep your eyes open, and be alert. For this was one trick that no one expected. And maybe, just maybe, double check on a guy sprawled out in his doorway.