The next morning, I woke to someone screaming.
“WHAT ON EARTH IS THIS?!”
I recognized Elaine’s voice immediately.
“She’s really, really mad!”
A moment later, Owen burst into my bedroom. “Mom! Grandma’s outside!”
I stretched and yawned. “Is she? How lovely.”
He was practically bouncing. “She’s really, really mad!”
“Well, we’d better see what all the excitement is about.”
I put on my robe, poured myself a cup of coffee, and walked onto our porch with Owen.
“You can’t judge my house today!”
Several neighbors had already gathered along the sidewalk.
Elaine was standing in her driveway, wearing a pink bathrobe and waving her arms.
Just then, a car bearing the neighborhood Halloween contest logo pulled up.
Three judges stepped out, carrying clipboards. Elaine rushed toward them.
“That’s a bold new direction.”
“You can’t judge my house today! Someone has ruined everything!”
