A grandmother took down all the Halloween decorations her grandson had made – but when her mother pointed it out, she whispered, « Ask him why he wanted them taken down. »

That evening, he sat next to me on the sofa.

« Mom, can we do this again next Halloween? »

« Absolutely not. »

He sighed.

« And what about the eggs? »

« Besides, » I added, « I’ve already taught you everything I know about toilet paper. »

Owen smiled. « And what about the eggs? »

I stared at him. « Don’t even think about it. »

He burst out laughing.

And I thought to myself that it was much better than hearing my son cry because of a ghost.