A Mother's Halloween Wish Goes Awry

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is my submission for the Halloween 2026 contest. This story will contain hints of near incest, spouse abuse and survivor guilt, and a special type of magic. All characters are 18+.

*****

It was February 7, 1986. Newlyweds Mike and Mary O'Hara, sat on their living room couch sharing a bottle of wine and listening to the radio. Neither was willing to admit, at least to their friends and neighbors, that they didn't particularly care for wine; however, all those same friends and neighbors drank the stuff and the O'Haras were anxious to conform. The bottle they were drinking from had been given to them by the couple across the street, Carlos and Maria Alvarez. The Alvarezes swore it was the best wine they'd ever tasted.

Mike and Mary finished the wine and mutually agreed 'Never Again'. From now on they'd stick to soft drinks. They liked to joke that they had a mixed marriage; Mike drank Coke while Mary drank only Pepsi. They stood up just as the FM station they liked began to play 'That's What Friends are For' by Mary's favorite singer Dionne Warwick. Mary pushed Mike back onto the sofa and straddled him. She gently nibbled on earlobe. "Dionne's right. And we're alone now... Darling."

Mary didn't need to say anything else; Mike knew that husky tone of voice and he was perfectly okay with what it signaled. Even if it meant that in the morning Mary would be complaining about sore legs and aching abdominal muscles.

Across the street the Alvarezes practically mirrored the O'Haras. Except the Alvarezes truly enjoyed their bottle of wine... after they put their two sons, ages 4 and 2, to bed. They sat side-by-side drinking their wine and playing footsie. "I think it's time Carlos." Maria said as she set down her glass and rolled over to kiss her husband on the mouth and fondle him... further down.

"Huh?" Carlos was paying attention to the fondling and not what Maria was saying.

"Remember? You promised when Santiago turned two we could start trying for a little girl?"

"Oh. Tonight?"

"Only if you think you're up to the job!" Maria teased as she stood up and walked toward the bedroom. Carlos proved he was more than up to the task.

266 days later, at 2:33 AM on October 31st, 1986, Maria delivered a beautiful baby girl at St. Bridget's Hospital. The Mendezes named their daughter Starina. She weighed a little over eight pounds. Her olive skin and black hair hinted at her Mexican bloodlines.

In the birthing suite next door, Mary O'Hara delivered tiny, red haired and green eyed Monica 10 minutes later. After returning to their homes Mary and Maria enjoyed spending time together. They often swapped babies while nursing. After the babies were weaned Maria went back to work at Carlos' garden center. Mary happily became the daytime care giver for all four O'Hara and Alvarez children.

From the moment the nurses put them in side-by-side bassinets in the nursery the two girls were practically inseparable. For the next twenty-two years Monica and Starina (called Trina because early on little Monica had trouble enunciating the letter S) did everything together. When the girls entered 1st grade the school tried to put them in separate classes. The girls simply held hands, cried, and refused to be separated. The school relented and put them together in Mrs. Freeman's class. They stayed together like that until they entered 9th grade when their academic preferences forced them to take different classes. They still studied together every day. Most nights one of them slept at the other's home.

Monica and Starina had their first real disagreement on their 15th birthday. They were too old now for trick-or-treating like the little kids; however, they happily volunteered to escort the neighborhood kids all around the area. That evening after dropping off the last of their charges Monica and Starina headed home. Monica found a pack of cigarettes on the ground. She took one out of the pack and stuck it in her mouth. She offered the pack to Trina who backed away grimacing. Monica fiddled with the lighter.

"Don't you dare light that thing!" Starina demanded.

"How do I look?"

"Like a total skank! If you light that we're done."

"Are you serious?"

"Absolutely. Monica I love you like a sister but I have no intentions of hanging around someone who stinks like cigarette smoke and will eventually die of lung cancer."

Monica deeply resented the ultimatum but she spit out the unlit cigarette and tossed the pack and lighter on the ground. "Okay. I guess you're right." They continued their walk home... still BFFs. Neither girl realized Starina had just saved Monica's life.

The serial killer dubbed "The Austin Stalker" sat in his nondescript grey van and watched the two luscious teens walk away. "Damn, damn, damn." He muttered. The drug laced cigarettes had never failed before. "Shit! And she was a redhead." He waited for the girls to walk out of sight then he pulled forward, got out of the van, and retrieved the cigarettes and lighter. He got back in the van and drove away looking for another hunting ground.

Their next flare up came during freshman year at the University of Texas-Austin. Two months into the semester they were doing well in their studies. Starina was a business major while Monica was studying photography. After a hard week, and an infusion of funds from their parents, they decided to reward themselves with a day exploring the city.

After spending Saturday shopping, eating, and wandering in the city Starina stopped in front of the 'Pins and Needles' tattoo shop. She stared, transfixed, at the displayed artwork, especially a brilliant red rose. "Come on 'Nica, let's get a tattoo." She tried to drag Monica into the tattoo shop.

"Are you crazy?" Monica pulled her hand away. "The only people I'm letting near me with a needle are the ones giving me flu shots. Tattoos are dumb... and permanent."

"Oh come on! Everybody's getting tattoos. Why shouldn't we?"

"Darn it Trina I'm too young to be a parent but now I'm going to sound like one. Just because everyone else is jumping off a cliff does that mean you have to do it too? Think for yourself girl. A spur-of-the-moment rash decision today will be on you for the rest of your life. Think of that."

"But look at that beautiful rose. You know I'm named after a rose, right?"

"Yeah, I know. When we were 13 I asked my mom about your name. She didn't know so I looked it up. Back when we were born there was a very popular miniature rose called 'Starina'. Since your mom worked at a garden center I kinda figured that's where it came from... or you were named after the village in Hungary."

"Hungary?"

"Yeah. And I didn't think either of your parents were Hungarian." Monica grabbed Starina's hand and guided her away from the tattoo shop toward the bus stop. They showed their student ID's and caught the CapMetro bus back to the campus.

Safely back in their dorm room the two girls prepared for bed. Monica showered first because her long, red hair took longer to dry. Starina's short, black hair needed a simple toweling. Monica sat on the edge of her bed, her body and hair wrapped in a towels, glancing through her Psych 101 textbook, when Starina came back to the room also wrapped in a towel... her hair was already dry.

Starina took a deep breath and stared at her best friend. 'Okay' She thought. 'I've got the perfect excuse. I'm going for it.' Starina walked over to Monica, grabbed her hands and lifted her to standing. "'Nica I had time to think while I was showering. You were right. At that tattoo shop I was about to do something dumb. Thank you." The two young women hugged. Monica's towel fell. Starina gave her the tiniest of nudges; the redhead took a step back, bumped into her bed frame and fell onto her bed. Starina stared at Monica sprawled naked on the bed. She dropped her own towel, crawled onto Monica's bed, and wrapped her arms around her best friend. Their eyes met... Starina leaned forward and kissed Monica.

"EWWW!" Monica exclaimed. "Gross!" She gasped. She jerked backwards to separate from Starina. "God that was awkward." Monica gasped and started to laugh.

'What the hell was I thinking?' Starina forced herself to laugh as she sat up and bent over to retrieve the towels from the floor. 'I guess I was hoping you felt for me what I feel for you.' Starina thought sadly as she watched Monica cover herself with the towel. Starina climbed off Monica's bed, covered up with her own towel and returned to her side of the room. She now knew her best friend would always be that... friend, not lover. 'I won't make that mistake again.' She resolved.

During the first semester of their second year, Monica made what she only admitted deep, deep, deep inside, the biggest mistake of her life. The star of the university football team noticed her in an art class and asked her on a date. She agreed and before she could say 'those are my panties' she was naked in his bed... her virginity history.

Six weeks later she sat crying in her dorm room staring at the positive pregnancy test. Starina wasn't particularly supportive. She raged at Monica about her stupidity. "Why the hell were you not on birth control?" She practically screamed. "Or at least make the stupid bastard use a condom. What the fuck were you thinking? Please tell me you'll get an abortion." Monica shook her head 'no'.

When Monica told the football player she was pregnant he sighed. "I guess we should get married." He added with all the enthusiasm of a condemned man being led to the gallows.

"Yeah, Okay." Monica answered with equal enthusiasm. Two days later Monica and the football player climbed the steps to the county courthouse accompanied by Starina and a second football player. They took their vows, signed the paperwork and returned to school. The housing office on campus said a married student apartment wouldn't be available until the start of the next semester so the newlyweds each returned to their dorm rooms. Their honeymoon consisted of the bus ride back to the campus and dinner at the student union.

It was not a happy marriage.

*****

EIGHTEEN YEARS LATER

Monica O'Hara, now 39 years, 11 months, and 23 days old... not that she was counting... drove mindlessly toward her weekly Friday coffee chat session with her best, closest, and oldest friend Starina Mendez. She glanced at the passenger seat. The divorce decree and the final court order... her ex insisted that she revert to her maiden name... sat there. She smiled with pride as she thought of her 18-year-old son, Sam. While not subject to custody orders or child support, he'd made it absolutely clear that he wanted nothing to do with his father and would only live with his mother. "I'd rather be homeless than be anywhere near that... man." He'd told the judge with as much contempt as he could muster. Of course it was a moot point because his father was still in county lockup after violating a restraining order by drunkenly smashing in Monica's apartment door and attacking her. She still had a 3" by 5" bald spot above her left ear where the ER nurses had shaved the area so that doctors could stitch the gash made by a broken beer bottle. It could have been a lot worse but Sam had stepped in and ended the assault with one punch. Without thinking Monica reached over to touch the divorce decree to reassure herself it was real. She winced in pain. Her dislocated right shoulder still had not fully healed. Monica couldn't remember if the shoulder injury happened before or after the being hit with the beer bottle.

"Call Starina!" Monica ordered her car phone.

Starina Mendez was expecting the call. "Hello? Is it done? Are we still on for coffee?"

"Hi Trina."

"'Nica! Hi, is it done?"

" Yes it's done. I'm a free woman. Coffee's a go. Give me half an hour."

Monica pulled into 'CuppaJo' and immediately spotted Starina's fully restored Matador Red, 1969 Pontiac GTO 'The Judge'. It had been part of the settlement after Starina discovered her now ex-wife was having an affair and had gotten pregnant by Starina's business partner. The ex's ability to support her new husband and baby was seriously diminished by the time Starina's lawyers finished with her.

Inside the shop the two best friends hugged like it had been years not days since they'd seen each other. The barista, Patricia, had their personal cups waiting. She adored the two women for their simple order: regular coffee, two sugars, and 2% milk. It was an easy order... plus the two women left large tips... and they were absolutely gorgeous. In a few minutes Patty brought over their coffees. "Here you go ladies, enjoy! If you want to try something different we're offering drinks with pumpkin spice leading up to Halloween.

"Thanks Patricia but not today." Starina answered.

"Ms. Mendez, I see that you got a haircut." Patty said as she dallied at the table a little longer than necessary.

"Thank you for noticing Patricia. Please, call me Starina... or just Trina." Starina turned to Monica. "I know I told you I was going to try and go longer but when it started tickling my ears and the back of my neck I had to go to the barber." She paused. "So, 'Nica, I saw you wincing when you reached for your coffee, how's the shoulder?"

"Sore."

"And where's the sling your doctor gave you?"

"I hate that thing! It's so ugly and unflattering. At least I use the ice packs."

"Well I certainly can't fault you for that. Afterall, being fashionable is EVER so much more important than getting healed." Starina paused. She saw Monica nod in agreement; she'd missed the sarcasm. "Dammit 'Nica you need to use the freakin' sling and let your arm heal. What the heck are you thinking about?"

Monica's eyes went wide and her face turned red. Starina knew something was off. Her experience was that her friend only turned bright red when she was angry... no furious... or hugely embarrassed.

Monica stared at the table, picked up her spoon, and started stirring her coffee. "Nothing." She muttered as she kept stirring.

"Come on Monica spit it out. You're all red, what's up?" Monica kept stirring until Patricia was back behind the counter.

"'Trina... you know my ex hadn't had any interest in me... romantically at least... in over three years. I've been really, really... lonely. I've practically worn out my vibrator."

"I understand. That bitch ex of mine, once she started up with my business parter, hadn't touched me in God knows how long before I divorced her. And I've had nothing since the divorce. Honey, I know just how you feel. Look at me; this morning I found another grey hair. Christ, and next Saturday we turn for..."

"Don't!" Monica insisted. "Don't say it... Please. I can't deal with it right now."

Starina laughed and reached across the table and took Monica's left hand. The engagement and wedding rings were already gone. "'Nica whether we admit it or not next Saturday we hit the big 4-0." Both women shuddered and laughed.

Patty the barista walked from behind her counter and approached them again. "Would you ladies like anything else? Remember we've got that Pumpkin Spice coffee on special."

Monica and Starina glanced at their empty cups and nodded. "Can you make it decaf." Patty walked back to her station and grabbed the carafe of decaf. 'Damn, those two are so hot. Especially Starina... God what a fabulous name. I wish they weren't together.' She thought to herself as she added milk and sugar. She took a deep breath and sighed 'I have to do this... for me.' She quickly jotted her phone number and message on a napkin and folded it. She picked up the coffees and carried them over to Starina and Monica. After placing the coffees she met Starina's eyes, smiled, and handed her the napkin. She blushed, then turned and walked away.

Starina unfolded the napkin and glanced at the note. 'I love your new haircut. My phone is xxx-xxx-xxxx. Please call. Luv, Patty.' Starina glanced over at the counter. Patricia was watching them. Starina smiled and nodded. Patty grinned and went about her duties feeling like the weight of the world was off her shoulders.

"What was that?" Monica asked.

"Patty just gave me her phone number and asked me to call her. I definitely will. If we hit it off would you be offended if I ask her out as my date to the all-women Halloween Party at the club... instead of you?"

"Not in the least. I can think of a thousand things I'd rather do than getting pinched and felt up by a bunch of crazed, drunken lesb... women. No offense."

"None taken. They were pretty rowdy last year, weren't they?" Starina grinned. She wasn't the least bit apologetic; it had been an epic party. "So what will you do for our birthday if not hang out with a bunch of rowdy, drunken lesbians?" Starina grinned.

"Hell I don't know. Probably stick around the apartment Sam and I got after I left my ex. Maybe I'll hand out candy to any neighborhood kids that stop by for Trick-or-Treat. Nothing exciting. I'd pretty much decided to dress up in that same witch costume I used last year."

"I remember. You were one hot-looking witch. For the only time in my life I seriously considered drugging you and dragging you to my bed."

"You wouldn't dare?!" Monica exclaimed.

Starina grinned. "You're right. I wouldn't. We love each other to much for that. Does Sam have any plans?"

"He said there's a party he's going to. For a costume he said he's dressing as Captain America."

Starina nodded. "Yes. Ever since Sam put down your ex with one punch I can see that. Sam is quite the catch. You know if I wasn't... well... the way I am... I think I'd enjoy trying to seduce him. He's a very attractive young man. No offense?"

Monica didn't answer. She blushed bright scarlet. Her ears looked like they were about to catch fire. Her mouth opened and closed but no sound came out.

"Monica? Are you okay. You look like you're about to have a stroke. All I said is that Sam is... Oh My God! You feel the same way, don't you. You've been lusting for your own son! You naughty girl!" Starina laughed happily then became serious. "Whatever happens, 'Nica, I promise I won't judge."

"'Trina! I would never!"

"Uh huh. I'm sure. Just out of curiosity, you mentioned wearing out your vibrator. Who are you fantasizing that big hard dick belongs to?"

Monica's eyes dropped and she flushed red again. She looked around the room. "Sam." She whispered without meeting Starina's eyes. "God, I'm so disgusting."

"You're not disgusting 'Nica. Stop saying that. Honestly, I'd bet half the mothers in the country... the world... have the same thoughts about their sons. And you can bet your rent money that more than half the sons are having the same fantasies about their mothers."

"Really? You think so?"

"Oh come on 'Nica. You can't possibly be so naïve as to think Sam doesn't fantasize about you. Look at you: you're tall, have thick red hair almost down to your ass, nice big firm titties, big green eyes. You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. You're every red blooded boy's... and not a few girls... wet dream. You don't really think all those tissues in Sam's bedside trash can are from a runny nose do you?"

"How do you know about... I mean of course not. But I can't imagine he's thinking about me."

"Okay. You go ahead and live in your fantasy world. I'm going home and get out of this suit, open a bottle of wine, and indulge a few fantasies of my own before I call Patty as soon as she gets off of work. Hey, don't forget you promised to take some sexy photos of me and my car. I'm still waiting."

"I've got my cameras in my SUV. Do you want to do it now?"

"Nah. I want to be wearing something sexy, not this business suit. Maybe wearing a bikini by a beach?"

"Okay. Well think about what you want. When you're ready we'll set up an appointment... maybe make a day of it. We can play with the sunlight and shadows so we can make it special."

"Great. I've got to get going. If not before, I'll see you here next Friday?" Starina held Monica's hand for a second, "Remember I'll never judge." She then left, waving to Patty as she went out the door. Once in her car she left the parking lot with the engine roaring and tires squealing.

Once Starina was gone Patty hurried over and began cleaning the table. After she'd wiped the same spot about 20 times Monica laughed, "Patty, relax 'Trina's going to call you as soon as you get off work."

Patty grinned, "You really think she will?"

"I know she will. But be warned she told me she's going home and drinking a bottle of wine. She's liable to be a bit... unfiltered."

Patty nodded. "I hope I haven't offended you..."

"Not in the least. We're best, best friends; have been since the day we were born. But not 'girlfriends' if you get my meaning. 'Trina tried to get me into bed once but I said no. By the way, you should start thinking about a costume for Halloween. I have it on good authority 'Trina's going to ask you to be her date for The Maxwell Club Halloween Gathering. I know 'Trina's planning to go as a pirate queen."

"The Maxwell? My God that's like the biggest society event ever."

"Yeah. You'll meet, and get pinched and propositioned, by some of the richest, most influential, not to mention drunkest, women in Texas. I guess I'd better get going. I need to get home and start dinner for me and my son."

*****

Sam Dunlap, Monica's 18-year-old son, stood in the middle of the living room and looked around. He'd vacuumed and dusted; his bedroom and bathroom were clean; his mom had promised she'd cook dinner so he didn't need to worry about that. He tried to think if there was anything else to do before he turned on his PS 5. Just then his phone rang. It was his mom's stunning friend Starina. "God what a waste of a fine woman." He muttered as he swiped to accept the call. "Hi Aunt 'Trina. Is my mom okay?"

"Hi Sammy. Your mom is fine."

'My mom is way beyond fine' Sam thought. I just wish I could tell her how I feel.' "Thanks Aunt Trina. What can I do for you?"

"Monica and I just finished our coffee. I wanted to let you know that she's had a rough day; the divorce is finalized, and her shoulder is hurting. You should be extra nice to her tonight; maybe order some pizza so she doesn't need to cook. Get her to relax and maybe vent about the divorce."

"Thanks for the heads up Auntie. I'll get right on it."

"Okay. I'll talk to you later Sammy. Take good care of yourself and your mom. Oh, one more thing: your mom mentioned your plan to dress as Captain America for Halloween."

"Uh oh! What did she say? Is she okay with that."

"She's fine. She already thinks you're a superhero. I've got to go Sam; I have a phone call to make. You be sure to take good care of your mom. She's a special woman." She hung up.

Sam smiled as he dialed the local pizza joint and ordered his mom's favorite, if nasty, Hawaiian Pizza. He ordered himself his standard pepperoni, mushroom, and onion pie.

Sam was in the kitchen washing his hands when Monica walked into the apartment. "Hi Sam, I'm home!" She called out. "Give me 10 minutes and I'll get dinner started."

"Hey Mum. Why don't you relax. I called out for pizza so you don't have to cook."

"That's so thoughtful. Thank you Sam."

"I can't take all the credit. Aunt Trina called and said I should pamper you because the court thing had worn you down. She also said I should give you hell for not wearing your sling." Sam picked up the sling from where Monica had abandoned it early that morning. "Use this... Please?"

"Yes Dear." Monica laughed. "Let me go change."

"Okay. Make sure you put on something comfortable that will help you relax. Remember Mum, your ex is in jail now; you're safe with me."

Monica walked over and kissed Sam on the cheek. "I know Sam. Thank you. I want YOU to remember, even though you're the man-of-the-house now you're still a teenager. I want you to get out and have some fun."

Monica left the living room. In her bedroom she removed and hung her one good 'business' suit that she'd worn to court for the 8th or 9th time; she wasn't quite sure after all the stalling tactics her ex and his lawyer had tried. In her bathroom she washed her face and hands then combed her hair. She checked carefully and sighed with disgust... that damn streak of grey... no, silver... was still there. "What the hell," she muttered, "After this past year I've earned it."

She donned a green silk kimono and matching slippers. Then she put her arm in the sling. She hated how it looked but had to admit it took pressure off of her shoulder. She sniffed the air; it smelled as though the pizza had arrived. When she returned to the living room she found that Sam had pulled the large coffee table in front of the couch and set out plates, glasses, soda, and the pizza.

She sat on the sofa while Sam served up a slice of her favorite Hawaiian pizza. "Sam, you're spoiling me. But I could get used to this."

"I hope so. I wanted to do this by candlelight but I couldn't find the candles. Is the pizza good?"

"The pizza is delicious as always. The candles are in my bedroom closet... on the top shelf I think."

Sam set down his plate, got up, and walked to Monica's bedroom. In the closet he found the long box holding the candles, two candleholders, and a box of matches. He returned to the living room, set up the candles on the coffee table, lit them, and then turned off all the lights. He sat down next to Monica. She leaned against Sam's shoulder. "Thank you Sam. This is the first time I've felt really safe in several years."

"I wish I'd figured out what was going on sooner."

"No. You were too young to understand. And I was too good at covering up the bruises and injuries and then convincing myself it wouldn't happen again. I..."

"Mom! Don't you even think about saying it was your fault!" Sam turned to face his mother and took her face in his hands. "It was not your fault that my father turned into a drunken, jealous, monster." Sam pulled his mom into a tight hug. "Mum, you're safe now. So let's forget the past while we enjoy a nice, romantic, candlelight dinner."

'Oh My God! Did I just say romantic... to my mother? What the hell is she going to think of me?'

'Oh My God! Did my Sam just use the word romantic? With me? Does he see me as... like that?'

Monica set down her half-eaten slice of pizza, wiped her fingers on a paper towel napkin, and reached out to hold Sam's hand. "Thank you Sam. I do feel safer with you around. And thank you for being so kind and supportive during the divorce."

There was a knock on the door. Sam started to get up but Monica told him to relax, that she'd get it. It was the woman from down the pathway to the other end of the complex. They'd nodded in passing but they'd never spoken. "Hello, I'm Anneliese Lurey, I wonder if I might ask a favor?"

"Of course. I'm Monica Du... O'Hara. Over there is my son Sam."

"Hello Samuel. How are you?"

"I'm fine Mrs. Lurey. How are you?"

"Much better than the last time we met. And please, I asked you to call me Anneliese." She turned to Monica. "Your Samuel was a life saver. Last month I was in a hurry to get to an appointment. I got out to the parking lot and found I had a flat tire. I called the auto club and they told me it would be at least two hours. Just then Samuel came around the corner, saw I was distressed, and asked how he could help. It took him less than ten minutes to find and mount my spare tire. I was in such a hurry I forgot to thank him." She turned to Sam. "Thank you Samuel."

"You're welcome Anneliese. I'm happy to help any time."

"I hope so. I've asked everyone else... do you, by any chance, have any raw and unfiltered honey? I'm starting to prepare things for Halloween and I've run out. All I've been able to find is the commercial, heavily filtered stuff and that just doesn't work for this recipe."

Monica glanced at Sam and felt a stab of jealousy at how he was looking at the other woman. Sam jumped up from the sofa. "I'm sure we do. We keep it on hand for my Aunt Trina's tea when she visits." He hurried to the kitchen and pulled out the expensive quart jar they'd bought at the local farmer's market the week before. He hurried back to the living room and handed the jar to his mother.

Monica smiled and handed the jar to Anneliese. "I hope this is enough."

"Thank you Monica. This will be perfect. I'll leave you alone now. Goodnight Sam."

"Goodnight Anneliese."

"Don't forget the Halloween block party down at my end of the complex next Saturday." Anneliese left. Monica and Sam sat back down on the couch and picked up slices of cooled pizza.

"Lukewarm now." Monica muttered.

"Lukewarm is almost as good as hot. But if you want, I'll stick a couple pieces into the oven and warm them up? It'll take about 15 minutes." Sam stood up and grabbed Monica's pizza box before she could say anything. Once Sam went to the kitchen Monica heard a couple cabinet door open and shut, the oven beeped a couple times, and true to his word Sam returned 15 minutes later with two steaming hot and crispy slices of Hawaiian pizza on a paper plate.

He sat down on the sofa and picked up another piece of his own and took a huge bite. "Mmmm. Good. So Mum... do you think we can go to the block party Anneliese mentioned. It might be fun." He paused hoping he wasn't pushing his luck. "You could be my date?"

"Oh come on! You wouldn't want to date an old lady like me." Monica playfully slapped his arm. 'Would he really?' She allowed herself to hope.

"Sure I would. You're the prettiest woman I know and I'd be proud to go out with you... to be seen with you."

"Okay. I'd like that. But if, while we're at the party, you're attracted to some pretty young thing your own age I won't be offended." Monica smiled and rubbed his hand. 'Like hell I won't. I'll get her alone and rip her heart out!' She thought.

By the time Saturday arrived Sam and Monica both were on edge. Monica woke up later than usual and walked down to the kitchen wearing her favorite satin pajamas. Sam was already there. He jumped up from his chair and wrapped her in a hug. "Happy Birthday Mom." He greeted her. He held her long enough to kiss her cheek then stepped back and handed her a bouquet of flowers and a birthday card. "We're still on for our date tonight, right?"

"Right."

*****

Captain America and the beautiful red haired witch left their apartment a little after seven that evening. They found the party in full swing. They mingled a little, ate a little, drank a little, and danced a lot.

After two hours Sam had had enough. He'd never been much of a party person. "Mom, I'm done. How about we head back to the apartment?" He shouted over the noise and music. What he didn't say was that the last slow dance with Monica had given him a painful erection... and they were close enough that he was sure Monica noticed.

"You go ahead Sam. I'm having fun and I want to stay for a while." She kissed his cheek and let go of his hand before she turned and waded back into the middle of the party.

More than a little disappointed, Sam returned to the apartment and stripped out of his uncomfortable costume and put on a pair of cargo shorts and a clean black T-shirt. He noticed the candleholders on the coffee table and grinned. He went to his mom's bedroom closet and brought down the entire box of candles and as many holders as he could find. He placed candles all around the living room, lit them and then turned off the lights. He hoped he'd created the perfect seductive ambience. Tonight was THE night... he just knew it.

He woke up when his cell phone started ringing. The room was dark. "Hello?"

"Hey Sam it's Aunt Trina. Is your mom around?"

"Hi Auntie. What time is it? I fell asleep on the sofa."

"It's a little after midnight."

"Midnight!" He stood up and automatically reached for a light switch. He looked around a realized all the candles had burned down and gone out. He went to the door, opened it, and could hear the party still going strong. "Aunt Trina, sorry, it doesn't look like mom's here. I think she's still down at the party."

"Okay. When you see her tell her I said 'Happy Birthday'. Love you Sam. Bye."

Sam waited a few minutes before deciding to go look for his mom. He approached the party and immediately spotted her. The long red hair was unmistakable. But she was holding a bottle of beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other. Sam walked over and tapped her on the shoulder."

"Whaddaya want kid?" Sam was shocked; this woman with his mom's costume, his mom's red hair, even his mom's voice was only in her early twenties. "If ya' can't talk get the fuck away from me. Can't ya' see I'm trying to get laid?" She waved Sam away harshly, took a final drag off the cigarette and dropped it on the ground, and wrapped her arms around the tall guy Sam had never seen before. "Come on handsome, what was it you and your buddies wanted to show me in your apartment?" She kissed him and then the three other men surrounding her.

Sam stepped back, confused and... well, confused. "Sam!" He heard a gentle voice call him over the party noise. He looked around and saw Anneliese Lurey standing on the concrete step to her apartment. He walked over to her.

"Hello Anneliese. Happy Halloween." He tried to smile. He didn't really have a grasp yet on what was going on.

"Hello Sam. It's not so happy; I'm afraid I've made a terrible mistake. Would you come inside with me?"

He followed the older woman inside. The place looked like a chemistry geek's laboratory. Many tables had various containers of... stuff... cooking on electric heating elements. He suddenly panicked. "You're not cooking Meth are you!"

"No Sam. Not Meth. But we need to talk; as I said, this evening I made a terrible mistake."

"Are you a chemist or something... doing private experiments?"

"Again, no. Sam, I am the descendent of a long line of... potion masters. We've been called many things: potioneers, I was once called Potion Master at a school where I taught but that was long, long ago. Many, many centuries ago I was called an Alchemist. My Great-great-great-great grandmother claims her knowledge has been passed from mother to daughter directly from the time of Ceridwen of Wales."

"So you're, like, a witch. Is that what you're saying?"

"Some sceptics have used that word but we are not... we call them 'wand wavers'. My matriarchal ancestors and I are masters of the natural world; everything has a use and properly combined we can achieve amazing results."

"Sounds like you could make a ton of money?"

"We used to be quite well thought of... until one of my ancestors barely escaped with her life from Salem back in 1693."

"The Salem Witch Trials?"

"Exactly. Sam I needed to speak with you now. As I said I made a terrible mistake tonight."

"My mother?"

"Yes. We were standing together watching the young folks dance. Your mother sighed and said she wished she was young and had that kind of energy again. One thing led to another and I asked her inside; she stood exactly where you are now."

"And your mistake?"

"I offered her a drop of 'Perpetual Youth' to increase her energy and well-being. I saw the way you and she looked at each other. I thought you were in for a miraculous night of loving..."

"But...?"

"Yes. There always seems to be a but. As I gave your mother the one drop my hand shook. Your mother reached up to steady me but when she squeezed my hand the entire dropperful of the potion squirted into her mouth. She swallowed before I could make her spit it out. She immediately collapsed to the floor. When she woke up minutes later her body and mind were 21 or 22 years old. You see that was my mistake; I didn't understand what your mother's deepest, darkest feelings."

"I don't understand. May I sit down my legs are shaking."

Anneliese led him from the 'lab' to a sitting area. Once in a chair he asked, "So... your mistake?"

"Yes. While the 'Perpetual Youth' potion gives youthful energy it only acts as strongly as the user desires. Sam, your mother didn't want to feel youthful, her deepest darkest desire was to return to her youth when she was just 21. She wanted to re-live her life free of a husband, child, and responsibility."

"Are you saying she hated me?"

"No Sam. But deep, deep, deep in her psyche she bitterly resented the life she was forced to live for a husband and child. The massive dose of 'Perpetual Youth' acted on those resentments. Your mother is now 21, wild, experimenting without inhibitions, and without a care in the world."

"Does she know me?"

"No. In her new reality you don't exist."

"Anneliese? What the hell am I going to do? I've got nowhere to go. I can't afford the apartment."

"No. I feel terrible about what happened; oh, not so much about your mother... she's now living her deepest desire. I feel sorry for how your life has been upended... mine too in a way. After this I'll have to move and change my name. Oh don't worry Sam over the years I've had many names and lived in many places. Sam, if you'd like, you can accompany me as my apprentice. I'll teach you everything I know. Now, because you're a male and not of my lineage, I can't promise you'll be able to do what I do, but..."

Sam stood up and took a hard look at the woman in front of him. "Anneliese, I have one question: I don't want to be rude but was what happened to my mother truly an accident or did you have some sinister plan in motion to separate us?"

"Sam that's a very perceptive and intelligent question. I'm not offended at all. The answer is 'NO'. I swear to you by the Goddess and the God that what happened tonight was an accident."

"I see. Ummm... do your apprentices get paid?"

"In more ways, Sam, than just money... but we'll discuss that later. If you're agreeable go pack and meet me in half an hour."

The End

Author's Note: Thank you for reading my story. Like all my other stories if you enjoy my characters feel free to borrow them and take them on new adventures. Wrighter42.