Julie loves fall; the crisp, sunny days, the colorful leaves. And Halloween. So when it approached, she volunteered to take her nephews trick-or-treating. They are ages eight and ten, and sometimes they can be little hellions. They don't usually act up with her because she tries to keep them busy doing cool stuff Mom or Grandmother won't let them do. Things usually go without a hitch. But this Halloween would be different.
This year Kev, the eight year old, dresses as the Minion Kevin, of course, and the ten year old, Billy, as Iron Man. Julie dresses as Wonder Woman, hoping to forestall any shenanigans. The kid's costumes were rather bulky and hard to move in so she figured they'd be restricted in what kind of trouble they could get into. She did not expect that they could scheme and plot a way to do it. Guess she still sees them as little kids, and not little grownups.
She'd already taken them to Grandmother's house and did her street. They also walked their own street, and their bags were getting full of candy, with the occasional box of raisins, toothbrush, or other such items Julie knew would be thrown out. She did not envy my sister once they get the candy in them.
Anyway, they saw some friends heading to Main Street and wanted to join them. She saw the group was paraded by a set of parents so thought it would be a safe idea.
Very few shops are open when the little goblins are about. One or two were and they were giving out candy and had beverages for the adults.
"Last stop, guys. Time to head home."
"Aw, Aunt Julie, can't we stay out longer?"
"No. It's time, you have enough in your bags now to last until Christmas."
"Okay," the crestfallen voices say.
They approach a shop that was still open but not participating in treats. She should've had the sense to cross the street before they reached the shop but she was distracted by a group of older kids.
One minute they are headed home, and the next, she's getting yelled at by the shop's owner.
"I'm sorry, sir. I don't know what happened."
"Your kids just egged my shop. They got egg all over the windows and door, and some even reached the chairs inside. They need to be punished, and I know just how they should be."
"Sir, I can understand your anger. They are just kids and I have no doubt my sister will punish them once I get them home."
"Someone still needs to take care of this prank."
"Sir, if it will help, I'll come back and help you clean up."
"Thank you, miss. That would be helpful indeed."
"Okay, I'll get them home and be back in about twenty minutes. Will that be alright?"
"You'd better or I'll go to the cops."
"I will."
She corrals the two kids and they head home. She explains the situation to her sister and tells her that she'll take care of the shop if she punishes them. She agrees.
Julie leaves them there, trying to explain where they got the eggs, and headed back to the shop.
She walks into the shop and sees no one there. "Hello? It's Wonder Woman here to clean up."
The owner comes out of the back with cleaning paraphernalia and hands her the mop.
"Please clean the floor."
Julie mops the eggy mess off the floor and finishes with a soapy solution and rinse. In the meantime, the owner, Ed, was doing the windows and doors.
They finish about the same time. "The chairs still need doing. Here are some towels."
He hands them to her and she gets to work wiping off the chairs, three in all, starting by the door and working her way inside. Ed stands there watching me clean.
"You are doing a great job, very thorough."