Trares
There was a new chapter to the story — “Peter Pan Braves the Arctic.”
In this one, the spritely scamp searches out treats from across the land, only to be stymied by snow, wind and freezing temperatures.
We were once again reminded of the unpredictable nature of, well, Mother Nature in Indiana recently as we prepared for Halloween. Just days before, temperatures were pushing 80 degrees, with the sun shining and short sleeves out in abundance.
But we were keeping an eye on the upcoming forecast, and it didn’t look good. The thermometer was only going to barely reach 40 degrees on Oct. 31, with flurries and a bitter wind possible.
Anthony was blissfully unaware. His only concern — how to get as much candy as possible.
He decided to dress up as Peter Pan this year. He had discovered the 1953 Disney cartoon classic at the behest of my wife, and was a big fan. In conjunction with our vacation to Florida a few weeks ago, and a trip to Disney World for its Halloween celebration, he would dress as the Boy Who Never Grew Up, while my wife would don wings and be Tinkerbell.
I was dressed as Dad Who Carries Souvenirs, so it all worked.
Anyway, between Disney and our own neighborhood’s trick-or-treating, Anthony would have plenty of opportunity to break out his costume for candy. With shimmery green pants, a light tunic and a hat sporting a red feather plume, his outfit was so lightweight you’d almost think he could kick up his feet and fly like the real Peter Pan.
Which was great, except for the wintry blast that fell over central Indiana on Halloween.
To his credit, the cold didn’t slow Anthony down. We dressed him in thermal pants and a shirt underneath his costume, but he refused a coat or a hat.
“No one will be able to see my costume!” he exclaimed when we suggested bundling up.
His only complaint was the blustery weather made his hands numb; so there he was, clutching his candy bucket with oversized gloves protecting his fingers.
So while the other grown-ups and I were shivering at the end of driveways, clutching hot drinks and whatever else could keep us warm, he was running from house to house. Anthony and his neighborhood friend were on a mission, and systematically stopped at every house in our portion of the neighborhood to get the sweet stuff.
Even though we quit before the 8 p.m. Halloween deadline, we outlasted most other people; the streets were empty when we made it home to tally the bounty.
And the perseverance paid off. Anthony had a pile of candy that would make Willy Wonka jealous. He took his time meticulously sorting the different types of sweets to get a true sense of his Halloween haul.
The way we figure, his candy supply should last well into the Christmas season. Though it wasn’t the nicest of nights, Anthony’s Peter Pan story had a happy ending.
Ryan Trares is a senior reporter and columnist for the Daily Journal in Franklin. Send comments to [email protected].
