"Are you sure you don't want to come trick-or-treating, Hayley?" my mom asked persuasively.

"No, it won't be the same without Aunt Wendy. Or Pumpkin," I added sadly.

"I'm sorry," she sighed, "But you know she's been in a better place for a year now. And Pumpkin's probably with her by now, licking her face off."

I laughed, closing my album of the dog and me in matching costumes. "Yeah, but I'm still gonna hang back this year."

My mother smiled sympathetically, "Alright, stay safe, honey. We'll be back in a few," and she left with my brother. Just then, I heard a scratch at the back door.