Trick or treating

Saturday, October 31st, 2026

“ Are you about ready?” Camille shouted as she put on her "I Dream of Jeannie" outfit. She was often told she looked like Barbra Eden, so this year she decided to go as her character on the classic show for Halloween.

“I’m coming, I’m coming.” Her husband, Mike Whitemoore, shouted back as he bounded down the stairs wearing a small Bedsheet with multiple holes cut in it.

Once he reached the bottom, he turned and faced his wife. Through one of the holes, he saw Camille had a sour look on her face.“And just what are you supposed to be?”

“Are you kidding me?”Mike retorted with a hint of disappointment in his voice.

Camille just shook her head.

Mike thrust his arms up. “I’m Charlie Brown.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You know. Charlie Brown. He had trouble with scissors and had all the holes cut in his sheet.”

Camille smirked and lightly shook her head. “You look ridiculous.” She walked towards her husband and kissed the sheet over his head. “You're just lucky I love you.”

Mike sighed. “I know.” He paused a moment and stared at her. “Wow, you look incredible.”

“I know.” Camille replied playfully. “That’s why you're so lucky.”

“That’s true.” Mike stated with pure sincerity.

Camille and Mike met at Modesto Junior College in acting class. It was love at first sight for both of them. Mike was studying Accounting hoping to become a c.p.a. one day. Camille was studying journalism, hoping to become a Pulitzer Prize winner. Many of their classmates thought they were an odd couple that would never last.

They did split up after graduating high school to pursue their dreams. Mike went on to Stanislaus state while Camille headed to Fresno State. Then, about two months later, Mike showed up at her campus with a dozen roses and a ring.

Camille moved back to Modesto, and three months later, they were married. Mike took a job at Target in loss prevention. Camille found her niche teaching yoga at a local gym.

Currently, Mike is head of Security at Target, while Camille owns her own gym she calls. Camille’s Fitness World. They are two months from their twenty-second wedding anniversary, with two kids, A 5 year old son, Mike Junior, and an 18 year old Daughter, Cassandra.

Mike stared at Camille thoughtfully. “Aren’t you going to be cold in that outfit?”

“A little, but I’ll be fine.”

Both turned their heads towards the bottom of the stairs when they heard the thump of someone racing down it.

When Cassandra reached the bottom, Mike’s eyes lit up when he saw her costume, and his fatherly instincts shifted into overdrive. “What the hell are you supposed to be?” He asked sternly

Cassandra was wearing a tight furry tank top, a furry skirt that was beyond way too short. She had on furry slippers and furry gloves with claws. There was a headband with ears on her head. Her black hair cascaded just below her shoulders. Her face had whiskers drawn on it.her look said she was offended by the question. “What? I’m a sexy kitten.” She smiled sheepishly.

“And you think you’re leaving our house dressed like that?” Mike’s voice remained stern.

“Yes.” Cassandra replied confidently. She shrugged her shoulders.” Why not?”

Mike took the sheet off and gave her a hard stare.” Why not? Because I said so.”

Cassandra looked atCamille with a potty look on her face.” Mom.”

Camille looked at her a moment, glanced at her husband, then faced her daughter. “And just where are you going?”

“To a Halloween party.”

“Not like that, you're not,” Mike interjected harshly.

Camille ignored him. “ And who are you going with?”

“You don’t know him?”Cassandra got an innocent look on her face.

“I said you’re not going out like that, young lady.” Mike sharply interjected.

Cassandra gave him a dirty looked then looked at her mom. “Please mom. Talk to him.”

Camille glanced at her husband, then looked at her daughter.” I’ll tell you what. If you tell me who you’re going with, I’ll let you go.”

“No.” Mike said loudly.” She can’t go out looking like that.”

“His name is Jeremy Norwood.” Cassandra paused a moment and gave her mom a desperate look. “He’s really a nice guy. And popular.”

Just then, a loud booming came from outside that sounded like music being played a little loud. There were two horn honks.

“That’s him. “Please mom.” Cassandra cupped her hands together and placed them under her chin.

Camille sighed deeply. “Alright. But promise to be safe.”

The horn honked again.

“Thanks mom” Cassandra ran to the door and opened it up. She looked at her mother. “You’re the best.” She quickly stepped out and shut the door.

Camille looked at her husband. His face was bright red. Don’t start with me.” She demanded.

“Start what?” Mike shouted. “You mean ignore the fact that you went against me and_”

“Lower your voice,”Camille stated calmly. “You have a son up there that doesn’t need to hear you yelling.”

“I don’t care,” Mike shouted. He paused a moment, looking embarrassed. He continued in a lower voice. “How could you ignore me and just let her walk out of here looking like that?”

Because.” Camille walked towards him. “She’s a good kid that just wants to have fun.” She stopped next to her husband, grabbed his hand a squeezed it. “She gets straight a’s. Does all of her chores.” She looked him straight in the eyes. “She’s just looking to have a little fun.

Mike yanked his hand from Camille’s grip as he grunted. He took two steps, then turned around and faced her. “And now she's dressing like a lady in those girls gone wild videos.” His face was beet red as he gave his wife a disapproving stare. “What next?” He flung his hands in the air. “Walking down Ninth Street trying to make a buck.”

Camille glared at him. “Don’t you trust your daughter?”

Mike scowled and huffed.” Not when she looks like a skank.”

“I can’t believe you_”

“To infinity.”

Both turned to see their son standing at the bottom of the stairs dressed like Woody from Toy Story.

“And beyond.” Mike retorted. He smiled widely.” Don’t you look handsome.”

“Dad,” Junior said as he ran towards his dad.

Mike bent down, Junior leaped into his arms.

Mike stood up and kissed him on the cheek. “Are you ready to take your mother trick-or-treating, and keep her safe?”

“You betcha,” Junior squealed excitedly.

Mike bent down and let his son down on the floor. He looked up at Camille. “Looks like you’re in good hands.”

“Oh, I know I am,” Camille replied playfully, but gave Mike a cold look.

She bent down and grabbed her son’s hand. “You ready, Woody?”

“Yep.” Junior replied happily. “I even have my trusty gun.” He pulled the toy gun out of the plastic holster around his waist.

Camille stood up.” Alright, let's go.” She led him towards the door. Once she got there, she turned to face her husband. “Well, have fun, Love you.”

“Ditto,” Mike replied half-heartedly,

Camille hung her head as she shut the door.