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go home.”
    “Okay, I’m going to say something I normally don’t say, but he’s hot, Paisley.”
    I smiled. “I know. I’m not blind.”
    “So are you going to go back to the meetings?” he asked.
    “No. I went, I saw, I conquered, and I don’t need to go back. Do me a favor and please, I mean please , don’t tell anyone in the family about this. I mean it, Keaton.”
    “I won’t. Get ready, sis; here comes a wave.”
    “Wow, look at you,” I yelled. “Hot surfer boy on the loose!”
    He laughed and lost his balance. After we finished surfing, we headed back to the truck.
    “Remember, don’t say anything to the family about what I did last night.”
    “My lips are sealed.”
    ****
    R omeo jumped on my desk and sat down on the edge while I took out the pale pink stationery and pen.
    My dearest husband,
    What a week it’s been. Kenny added another column to Dear Paisley. He wants me to answer questions about sex. Try to contain your laughter up there. How am I going to write about sex? I mean, I know about sex and what’s good and what’s not – at least I did when I was with you. I’m not sure if I can do this. I went to a support group for widows last night, out of curiosity. It was weird sitting there and listening to people talk about their grief. I could relate, though, and in some way, it was comforting. Keaton dragged me to the beach to go surfing with him this morning. I will admit that I had a good time. It felt good to hit the waves. I got caught in a rip tide and went under. For a few moments, I didn’t try to swim back up because being pulled under and the feeling of drowning, wasn’t any different than how I felt above the water. I miss you. Happy Halloween, darling. I wish you were here to save me from having to celebrate with my family tonight. Never forget how much I love you.
    Love forever,
    Paisley
    I folded the letter, sealed it in the matching envelope and put it neatly in the drawer. I sighed as I looked over at Romeo. He was staring at me with his bright blue eyes. As I placed my hand on his head and started to pet him, he purred.
    ****
    “H appy Halloween, Paisley. Where’s your costume?” my mom asked as I walked through the door.
    “I’m wearing it. See? I’m a widow.”
    The frown on her face told me that she didn’t think I was funny.
    “I can’t believe you just said that,” she said as she turned around and stirred the spaghetti sauce on the stove. “Your sisters and brother are in the living room.”
    “I’m sorry, Mom. Do you need any help?”
    “No. Everything is done. The table is set and as soon as I pull the bread out of the oven, we can eat before the little trick or treaters start to come by.”
    I grabbed the bowl of spaghetti off the counter and set it on the table in the dining room.
    “Hey, Paisley,” Charlotte and the gang said.
    “Hey,” I said with a small smile as I kissed each family member, including soon-to-be members, on the cheek. “Dinner’s ready.”
    They all got up and we took our seats at the table. As we were passing around the bowl of spaghetti, Piper decided to ask me a question.
    “So, are you going to tell us about Ben?” She smiled.
    “Piper!” Keaton shouted.
    “Thanks a lot, Keaton!” I said as I slapped him.
    “What? I accidentally slipped and said something to Mom. She must have told everyone else.”
    “Now, Paisley. Why on earth wouldn’t you tell us about your support group and Ben?”
    “First of all, Mother, it isn’t my support group, and second of all, there’s nothing to tell about Ben.”
    “Sure, there isn’t,” Charlotte said.
    I rolled my eyes and slapped Keaton again with my napkin. “See, this is why I didn’t want you saying anything!”
    “It’s Mom’s fault. Yell at her.”
    “Stop it, both of you. If Paisley says there’s nothing to tell, then there’s nothing to tell. I think you all need to drop the subject right now and leave Paisley alone,” my dad interrupted. “If