There was something about the air in Chicago whenever October rolled around. Brooklyn breathed in the fresh autumn air from the patio. For some reason, the air seemed fresher and cleaner. Its crispness mixed with the scent of freshly fallen leaves, reminding her that the days were getting shorter and the nights were getting colder. Normally, October was her major party month. She’d take weeks to prepare for her annual Halloween party. 

But this year, things were different. She and Danny had been together for quite a while now and somehow, the idea of partying with a bunch of drunken girlfriends didn’t seem as appealing. Watching the sunset from her patio, she thought about Danny, away in his Dallas world. He’d already told her that he wouldn’t be back in Chicago until November at the earliest.

It was difficult for Brooklyn to get Danny out of her mind, especially since their last time together. He had the most perfect abs Brooklyn had ever seen – or tasted. Closing her eyes, she could envision him lying next to her, in front of the fireplace, his Beer in hand. Even the way his brown hair fell across his face was different from any other man’s she had known.

She missed him. Better to spend the night at home, she thought, than cavorting with her usual Halloween hooligans. Besides, it was getting really cold out there. Maybe a nice fire and a good book really was the smarter way to go. Venturing outside to grab a few twigs, Brooklyn made sure her Hummer was locked for the night and headed indoors. It only took a few minutes before the fireplace began to crackle, spraying the room with a warm, orange glow.

“What the hell,” she murmured as she poured himself a Wine cooler. Raising her glass toward the fireplace, she toasted aloud, “Here’s to you, Danny, wherever you may be tonight.” Then she settled in her favorite armchair, snuggled under a blanket and flipped open her book.

Brooklyn must have fallen asleep, because the next sound she heard was the ringing of her doorbell. She looked at the clock on the mantle. Ten o’clock. “Oh no,” she exclaimed, “I forgot to leave a bowl of candies on the front porch for the kids!” She scrambled up from the armchair and grabbed the bowl beside the front door.