Hearing a commotion at the top of the stairs, he quickly fixed his face with a scowl. Téa and Starr descended, laughing happily. Starr caught sight of her father and practically flew into his arms.

“Daddy!!! You’re finally home!” she cried. The little girl was a veritable confection of pink tulle and silver glitter.

“Look at you,” said Todd gruffly, holding her away to look at her costume. “Wow!”

Starr pranced around, doing a quick turn so Todd could see the entire outfit. “I’m a fairy princess!” she cried happily.

“You look great, Shorty,” said Todd, unable to keep a smile from his face. “But it’s not very scary.”

“Dad-dee!” cried Starr in frustration, bopping him with her wand. “You don’t have to be scary for Halloween! It’s OK to be pretty, too. Right, Tee?”

Todd looked Téa up and down with a disapproving glare. “Uh, I don’t think ‘pretty’ was the look your step-mom was going for,” he said with a sneer. “Geez, Delgado! What is it about Halloween that makes attractive women go out of their way to look ugly!” He gave a mock shudder.

Téa faced him with a hand on her hip. She was dressed as a witch, complete with wart-encrusted prosthetic nose, green make-up, and fright wig. Fake talons tipped every finger, and her lips were black. As far as Todd was concerned, the only good thing about the costume was the dress. Although it had long, flowing sleeves and a full skirt, the black gown had a tightly laced bodice that showed off Téa’s voluptuous curves to perfection. Todd found himself longing to pluck at the laces as he stared at her chest.

“Well, at least some of us actually bother to dress up for Halloween,” said Téa, rolling her eyes. “Where’s your costume, Manning?”

“Yeah, Daddy, you promised to dress up! How come you don’t have a costume?” asked Starr, disappointment beginning to cloud her pixie face.

Todd swallowed hard. “Look, you guys,” he began uncomfortably, “I know I said I’d wear a costume, but I changed my mind.” He held up his hand against their protests. “It…it just isn’t me. Besides, I’m already Todd Manning. I can’t get any scarier than that if I tried.”

“You’re no fun, Daddy,” said Starr sadly, turning away and beginning to sniffle. Todd bit his lip hard, almost losing his resolve. Téa knelt down and took the little girl into her arms.

“It’s OK, Precious. Someone has to stay and hand out candy to the trick-or-treaters, right? Daddy just didn’t want to scare all the kids. Now run out to the door and get your pretty cape on. I’ll be right there. Hurry up! We don’t want to miss out on all the candy!” The little girl brightened and skipped to the foyer excitedly without a backward glance at her father. He looked after her sadly. There was nothing he hated more than disappointing his beloved daughter. He took a deep breath, knowing he’d make it up to her later.

Téa stepped close to him, fire flashing in her deep brown eyes. “How could you?” she hissed. “I know Halloween isn’t your thing, but couldn’t you at least put out some kind of effort for your little girl?” Todd glared at her defiantly, but said nothing. Téa shook her head in disgust. “I’ll never understand you,” she said angrily. “Just remember this moment some day when Starr won’t give you the time of day. You reap what you sew, Todd.” She started backing toward the door, tears of frustration in her eyes. “Don’t wait up,” she snapped. “I’m taking Starr trick-or-treating at Dorian’s and Llanfair, then we’re going to the children’s party at the Angel Square Community Center. Blair and Max are taking her for the night after that.” She snatched her voluminous black cape from the desk chair and swirled it around her shoulders. Starr handed her the classic pointed hat and prop broom and the two of them stepped out into the hallway. Starr ran to call the elevator and Téa turned around for a last word with Todd. “As for me,” she said, with a look that could kill, “Well, I don’t plan to let this costume go to waste. There are plenty of places for adults to have a lot of fun tonight, and I plan to check them all out. Like I said: don’t wait up.” She slammed the door, leaving an eerie silence in the apartment.

Todd walked slowly to the door, staring at it with a scowl on his face. Then, quick as a flash, he pulled open the hall closet and extracted his hidden shopping bags. Grabbing them, he sprinted toward the spiral staircase. “Oh yeah, Delgado,” he mumbled to himself, “You’re going to have lots of fun tonight. Just be prepared for a big, big surprise!”

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A few minutes later, Todd checked his appearance in the full-length mirror in the master bedroom, turning this way and that to be sure he was getting the full effect of his costume. It was daring, all right, and exposed a little more of himself than he would ordinarily be comfortable doing. But the anonymity of the mask gave him courage. What difference did it make if no one knew it was him prancing around looking ridiculous?

He was dressed as a medieval executioner, complete with a leather cowl that covered the entire upper half of his head. His burning hazel eyes peeked out from the eyeholes, and only the tip of his ponytail protruded from the back. The hood didn’t hide his mouth or chin, but his scar was covered up completely. The rest of the costume was equally provocative. A sleeveless black leather vest was laced tightly across his chest, revealing his well-muscled arms, the lower portions of which sported gauntlets. His legs were encased in snug-fitting leather pants that left little to the imagination. Around his waist was a wide leather belt. The final touches included a prop rubber ax, complete with fake blood, and a gruesome severed head, contorted in pain. This last was attached to his belt by its long, straggly hair.

As he checked his appearance one last time, his face lit up with an evil grin. Delgado and Shorty wanted him to wear a costume, did they? Well they were going to get more than they bargained for. It was about time they, and everyone else in this town, faced up to who Todd Manning really was. No stupid pirate or vampire costume for him this time around. It wasn’t just a little flesh or his body that he was showing off—it was his true violent nature. After tonight, no one, not even a member of his beloved family, would ever try to get him to play warm and fuzzy again.

He jogged lightly down the stairs, the prop head bouncing against his thighs. He flung open the door to the penthouse, surprising a lone trick-or-treater who had been just about to ring the bell. To his chagrin, the kid didn’t seem particularly scared by his appearance. Annoyed, Todd grabbed the candy bowl and emptied the whole thing into the kid’s bag. The little boy’s eyes widened under his Anakin Skywalker mask. “Now get lost, you little worm,” growled Todd. The little boy scampered happily to the elevator, where his parents awaited. Suddenly, his head popped out. “Thanks, Mr. Manning!” he shouted. “Cool costume!” Todd scowled after him, then closed and locked the penthouse.

As he waited for another elevator, Todd looked at his distorted reflection in the shiny metal doors. “Be afraid, Llanview,” he growled. “Be very afraid.”

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Todd chuckled as he rang the doorbell at Dorian’s mansion. With any luck the old bat would keel over in shock when she got a load of his frightening appearance. He fixed his face with his most menacing glare. He’d let her sputter in terror for a few moments before revealing his identity. There was nothing he enjoyed more than putting one over on his scheming ex aunt-in-law.

The door flew open revealing Dorian, dressed to the nines as a can-can dancer. “Todd,” she said without hesitation in a fake, sickly sweet tone of voice. “How nice of you to drop by. Unfortunately, you’ve just missed Starr and Téa. I believe they were heading to Viki’s.” An uneasy silence descended. “Todd, is something wrong?” asked Dorian, beginning to lose patience. One or two sentences of cordial conversation were about all she could manage with Todd. Then, her true hatred of him started to show. She wanted to avoid a confrontation now. She was expecting RJ and she didn’t want to be distracted. “Todd?”

Todd continued to stare, speechless. Dorian’s costume was cut low in front, revealing her ample cleavage. He couldn’t help admiring her trim waist and shapely legs. The fishnet stockings and stiletto heels set them off to perfection. She looked attractive—very attractive. Suddenly he gasped, shaking himself. This was Dorian, for heaven’s sake! She had to be what? At least 60? What the heck was he having thoughts like that for? Biting back a scream of terror, he turned on his heel and fairly sprinted down the walkway without looking back.

“Goodbye, Todd,” shouted Dorian at his back. “A pleasure, as always!” She slammed the door, not bothering to hide her sneer of contempt. Now, to check on the hors d’oeuvres. RJ just loved those little cheese puffs.

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Todd stood on the front porch at Llanfair, still shaking off the after-effects of his encounter with Dorian. That had been scary. At least he knew what to expect with his sister Viki. Oh yeah, Viki with all that blah blah blah about what a nice guy he really was under his prickly exterior. Well, it was about time to set her straight on that one. He removed the prop ax from his belt and rang the doorbell. He raised the ax over his shoulder, taking up a menacing pose, as though ready to strike down the unlucky person who answered the door.

Viki answered the door, a huge bowl of candy on her hip. She gazed steadily at the figure on her doorstep, her welcoming expression never changing. “Todd! I was hoping you’d stop by!” she said warmly in greeting. “Won’t you come in?” Crestfallen, Todd lowered the ax and attached it to his belt again. He stalked angrily into the house, steaming at the failure of his terrorizing tactic. He reached out and grabbed a handful of miniature candy bars, ripping them open angrily and stuffing two or three into his mouth at once. “Where’s Shorty and Delgado?” he sputtered, chewing noisily. Viki set the bowl down casually. She wasn’t wearing a costume, but she sported an adorable black sweater appliquéd with cutouts of ghosts, witches, and pumpkins. She led the way into the library.

“You just missed them,” she said. “Téa said they were heading to the Community Center children’s party. But I’m glad you stopped by. What an amusing costume.”

“Amusing?” said Todd angrily. “This is what you call amusing?” He stomped to the bar and dumped about three shots of scotch into a tumbler, polishing if off quickly.

“Yes, Todd. I find it endearing that you’re trying so hard to be big, bad Todd Manning,” said Viki easily. “But you don’t fool anyone. Underneath all that leather armor you’re just a man who loves his daughter and child, and will do anything to make them happy, even wear a costume when you didn’t want to.”

“Quit analyzing me, Viki,” said Todd in exasperation.

“Hey! Uncle Todd!” cried Jessica happily. She skipped into the room, towing Will Rappaport by the hand. They were dressed in matching Raggedy Ann and Andy costumes. Todd stared at them in horror.

“Looking good, Todd,” said Will, glancing appreciatively at the other man’s costume.

“We’re heading over to help with the kid’s party in Angel Square, Mom,” said Jessica, kissing her mother on the cheek. “Then there are a couple of costume parties on the campus.” Underneath his leather, Todd blanched.

“Uh….you be careful, Jess,” he stammered uncomfortably. “You never know what low-lifes are going to be lurking around those shindigs.”

Before Jessica could answer, a voice called out from the foyer. “Preeeeee-senting! For your pleasure…,” said the voice, imitating a vaudeville emcee. “Straight from the pages of Alice in Wonderland…It’s Tweedledum and Tweedledee!” Suddenly Joey Buchanan and Kelly Cramer pranced into the room in matching over-stuffed costumes and began jitter-bugging around, laughing happily.

“Argh!” shouted Todd, dashing for the doors to the terrace. “This place is scarier than any haunted house!”

Viki closed the French doors behind him, smiling enigmatically to herself.

******************************************************************************

The children’s party at the Community Center was in full swing as Todd arrived. He lurked a moment in the shadows, surveying the chaos. He spotted his ex-wife Blair, dressed in a can-can dancer’s costume identical to her aunt’s. What was it about those two and matching costumes? Freud could have a field day with that one. Max Holden hovered nearby, duded out in a sequined cowboy shirt and heavily embroidered red lizard boots. Todd clicked his tongue in contempt. Nothing like kissing up to Big Daddy Asa. Scanning the crowd, he finally spotted Starr sitting in the booth marked, “Coloring Contest.” Striding into the middle of the room, Todd headed toward her purposefully.

Tongue firmly between her lips, Starr was concentrating on her masterpiece, accompanied by River Carpenter, who was dressed as Batman, and another be-speckled little boy Todd had seen hanging around before. Marshall, he thought his name was. He had a silver jumpsuit and appeared to be costumed as some kind of alien, complete with antennae sticking up from his head. Todd stopped a few feet away, watching the children intently. His eyes roamed over the room, taking in the squealing joy of dozens of costumed kids as they raced from one bazaar booth to the other.

What was he thinking, crashing a kid’s party dressed like this? He was going to scare the crap out of them, including his own daughter. OK, maybe that was his original intent, but seeing their unmitigated happiness, he found his resolve to terrorize them all weakening. Let them have their fun, he thought. God knows they’ll grow up and find out about the true horrors of the world soon enough. With a weary sigh, he turned to go.

“Daddy!” cried Starr, stopping him in his tracks. “You came!” Busted, thought Todd. In the blink of an eye, she was in his arms, kissing his leather-covered face. “I knew you were just teasing!” she said, unfazed by his menacing appearance. “You did have a costume! Naughty Daddy!” She bopped him over the head again with her wand, giggling uncontrollably.

“Wow, cool costume, Mr. Manning!” said River, joining them. “Is that real blood?”

“Gee, Starr, your dad has a phat costume,” said Marshal wistfully. “I wish my dad had a cut-off head,” he whined, looking contemptuously across the room at a heavy-set man in a clown costume, trying heroically to make balloon animals for the children.

“Todd, nice to see you here,” said Andrew Carpenter in a carefully controlled voice. Todd set Starr down and soon the children were off like a whirlwind, seeking out new adventures.

“Rev,” said Todd by way of greeting, eyeing the preacher in his Friar Tuck costume. “Nice bald spot,” he said, glancing at Andrew’s fake tonsure.

“Nice head,” said Andrew, pointing at the gruesome mannequin. Looking guilty for a moment, Todd decided to take the offensive.

“So where’s my wife, Reverend Carpenter?” he sneered. “Did she put another spell on you?”

Andrew’s eyes hardened, but he kept his temper in check. “She dropped Starr off. She said Blair and Max were taking her home.” His mouth set in a barely controlled grimace, Andrew continued. “I take it you two had another fight.”

“I’ve told you this before. My marriage is none of your business.”

“You know Todd, I’ve tried and tried to get Téa to see the kind of man you are, to wise up and get out before you hurt her again. But nothing I say means anything to her anymore. She’s too in love with you. So take my advice and wise up. Meet her halfway or you’ll lose her.”

“That’s about all I’m going to take from you,” said Todd, removing his fake ax and sliding his thumb along the blade menacingly. “You keep your nose out of my business, Rev, or I may just have to cut it off to spite your face.” He chuckled coldly at his joke. Andrew was not amused. “So where did you say my wife was?” asked Todd.

“I didn’t say, because I don’t know. She was sad, Todd, really sad. She mumbled something about attending a party and then left. Congratulations. You’ve spoiled another holiday for Téa.”

With eyes like molten amber, Todd turned and headed out the door. A party? Delgado was going to a party without him? Well, he’d soon catch up with her, and then he’d make her pay. Oh yes, this would be one Halloween Téa Delgado never would forget.

TO BE CONTINUED