It was Halloween and Jazmine turned this way and that, preening in front of the mirror. She'd wondered about her selection of a costume, but it was really the only logical choice. She was dressed as a fairy. Ryan had taken her and Jake to a costume shop, but the fairy outfits had been all wrong. She'd looked at the witch costumes and shuddered. Then she'd considered dressing as an alien or a bunny or a robot, but none of those felt right. Instead, she'd purchased the fairy costume because a little magic would make it perfect.
A smile tilted her mouth as she pointed at different parts of her costume and wiggled her fingers. Within minutes, she was happy with her new creation. She'd just explain to Ryan and Jake that a few alterations had been necessary.
Jazmine sighed contentedly. She loved caring for Jake, helping him with homework, and seeing him smile and laugh every day now. He had been in school for over a month and was making excellent grades. She sighed again. She had two months before her return to Flitter Town.
She furrowed her brow. Now that Jake was doing well, she could turn her attention on Ryan. He might be more of a challenge, but if she could make him happy, too, then father and son would both be happy, and if they were both happy, it stood to reason they would reconnect. Jazmine liked her reasoning. And if everything went as planned, she could leave the human realm with a successful assignment to report to Teacher-fairy.
It was almost dark. She patted her hair, adjusted her gossamer wings, and rushed next door. Ryan was on the front porch lighting candles in pumpkins
"Hello Ryan. I can't wait to go trick-or-treating. Is Jake inside? Do you like my costume? I made a few changes. I hope Jake likes it."
Ryan was bent over lighting the last candle when he heard Jazmine. From the excitement in her voice, you'd think she had never experienced Halloween.
He turned to answer her and his jaw dropped. She was gorgeous. The costume she was wearing looked nothing like the one she had purchased. The droopy skirt had been replaced by colorful petals, each a shade of the rainbow that glittered in the soft glow of the pumpkins. The pearlescent body glove accentuated her small feminine form, and her shapely legs and arms glistened and sparkled. Although the costume was modest, it created visions Ryan did not want swirling in his head.
"Ah…Jake's in the house." His mind was mush.
Jazmine gave him a questioning look. "Are you feeling okay, Ryan. You look like you might have a fever."
The fact that she'd noticed his discomfiture embarrassed him. Quickly opening the door, he ducked inside and yelled for Jake.
"Jake, Jazmine's here!"
Jazmine followed him inside.
Jake ran into the living room. "Wow! You look beautiful. Where did you get that costume?"
"It's the one we bought. I made a few changes."
"I'll say you did. Hey, Dad, Jazzy looks really pretty, doesn't she?"
"Ah, yeah." Ryan changed the subject, "You got your candy bag?"
"Yeah, Dad."
"Oh, I forgot mine," Jazmine exclaimed. "Wait for me while I run home and get it."
"You're coming with me?"
"Of course, that's why we're wearing costumes, silly Jake." Jazmine turned toward the door and stopped. She turned back around. "You don't want me to go?" Her lovely shoulders slumped.
Ryan spoke first. "It's just that adults don't usually go trick-or-treating. They pass candy out to–"
Jake interrupted. "Jazzy, I think it'd be really cool if you came with me. Hurry and get your bag!"
Jazmine's face lit again and Ryan experienced sunshine breaking through a cloudy day.
"I'll be right back!" She rushed out the door.
Ryan looked at Jake. "That was nice of you, Jake. But if you don't want her going with you, I can talk her into staying and passing candy out with me."
"Naw, I actually think it might be fun. And since she looks so pretty, maybe we'll get more candy. When I tell Gary and Mario about getting more candy, they'll like the idea better. If they don't, they can go off on their own."
Jazmine returned, waving her bag. "You ready, Jake?"
"Yeah, let's go. I know the best houses."
Ryan stood on the porch and watched them leave; his eyes on Jazmine's cute backside.
"Hey, mister, we said trick-or-treat. You gonna give us some candy?"
Ryan looked at the tiny child tugging on his pant leg, and then at the older children impatiently holding their bags open.
"Sorry, kids. I guess I need to give you double for your patience."
The rest of the evening, while Ryan doled out candy to the hoards of trick-or-treaters, he couldn't get his mind off Jazmine. She was a strange one. The fact that she'd dressed up for Halloween, and actually expected to pal around with Jake and his friends, made him chuckle.
Shortly before eleven, Jake, Jazmine, Gary, and Mario rushed into the house.
"Let's see who got the most candy." Jake challenged.
"You know I did," Jazmine countered.
Ryan leaned against the doorframe watching the boys and Jazmine dump their candy on the carpet.
"Dad, we had a great time!"
"Yeah, a really great time!" Jazmine echoed.
Gary and Mario agreed with emphatic nods.
Ryan moved from the doorway to the couch, watching their playful jostling and trading of candies. Realizing how happy Jake had been these past few weeks put a lump in his throat. Jazmine had been good for him. And what about you? Has she been good for you? Ryan refused to ponder that question.