Last October, DH* and I hosted a pumpkin carving party at Roth Lair.
To help our guests get into the holiday spirit, we covered our wall with spider webs—tossing in a couple of monstrous spiders for good measure—set out some white candles that dripped red wax, and hung bloody hand and foot prints all over our walls. (All of which was perfectly visible from the walk up to our apartment complex.)

The Coup de grâce being the bloody razor blades DH loving arranged around the exterior of our apartment.

Since we were in Germany over Halloween proper, we didn't give it a second thought to leave our decorations up while we were gone. (Of course, we made sure to leave a bowl of candy out for the miniature ghosts and ghouls that haunted our halls.)

It wasn't until the second weekend of November before we could take down our decorations; during which time, our old neighbors moved out and a new set moved in.

On Election Day, I left the office early and stopped by the apartment to garb a book to read while standing in line to vote.

As I was about to walk into the apartment, our neighbor's door swung open and there stood a sixty-year-old Asian Indian woman, complete with sari and frown.

I managed to compose myself after being startled by her and said hello.

The woman glared at me in silence.

I smiled weakly: "You must be new here. Welcome to the apartment complex."

Silence; the woman doesn't attempt to move.

"…Okay, we'll I'm going into my apartment now."

I open my apartment door, walk in, shaking my head in disbelief, and snatch my book off the night stand, then leave.

As I step out into the hallway, I'm greeted by the woman's harsh stare.

She never moved.

I smile, wave good bye, and leave.

It wasn't until I was getting into my car that it dawned on me. This woman probably wasn't familiar with the concept and customs of Halloween and thinks she moved next to a couple of psychos.


* Darling Husband