Genevieve was exhausted. Since the birth of her twins, Lily and Lucas, life had been a blur of sleepless nights, endless diaper changes, and a constant feeling of being behind. Every day felt like a battle to survive, and Halloween seemed like a distant thought.
While the rest of the neighborhood buzzed with excitement, Genevieve could barely manage to keep up with the daily tasks, let alone think about decorations and costumes.
Her next-door neighbor, Brad, was the self-proclaimed “King of Halloween.” Every year, he transformed his house into an elaborate Halloween spectacle. His yard was filled with glowing pumpkins, creepy skeletons, and fake gravestones, all set up with meticulous care. He loved the attention it brought him, and his smug grin grew wider with every compliment from the neighbors.
But for Genevieve, it was all just noise. She couldn’t summon the energy to care about his decorations.
One morning, Genevieve stepped outside, barely awake, holding Lily in one arm and Lucas on her hip. She blinked, trying to focus, when her eyes fell on her car. It was covered in eggs. The shells were scattered across the hood, and yolk was dripping down the windshield. This wasn’t just a prank. Her car had been parked directly in front of Brad’s house, and it was clear who was behind this.
Anger surged through her, but she was too tired to deal with it properly. She couldn’t believe this was happening. But she also knew she had to confront Brad. She marched to his house, the twins still with her, and knocked on his door. Brad answered with his usual smug expression, standing proudly in front of his perfectly decorated yard.
“Did you see who egged my car?” Genevieve demanded, her voice shaky with frustration.
Brad looked at her coolly. “I did,” he said. “Your car was blocking my decorations.”
Genevieve couldn’t believe her ears. “You egged my car because it was in front of your house? You didn’t even ask me to move it!”
Brad shrugged, unbothered. “People come from all over to see my display. How could they enjoy it with your car in the way?”
He crossed his arms, the smirk never leaving his face. “I’m the Halloween King, Genevieve. My display is important. I just need a little cooperation.”
Genevieve’s anger flared. “I have newborn twins, Brad. I parked there because it’s easier when I’m carrying both of them.”
Brad shrugged again, indifferent. “Not my problem, Genevieve. After Halloween, park there as much as you want.”
Too tired to argue any longer, Genevieve turned and walked away. She knew this wasn’t over. Brad had messed with the wrong person.
Later that night, as Genevieve rocked Lily to sleep, she had an idea. Brad’s biggest weakness was his pride—his Halloween display. It was clear that he would do anything to make sure his decorations were perfect. She didn’t have the energy for an all-out confrontation, but she could definitely pull off some subtle revenge.
The next day, she approached Brad as he was tweaking his decorations. “Hey, Brad,” she said with a smile. “Your display looks fantastic! Have you ever thought about upgrading to some high-tech stuff, like fog machines and ghost projectors?”
Brad raised an eyebrow, suspicious. “Upgrade?”
Genevieve nodded. “Yeah, it could take your display to the next level. People would be blown away.”
She named a few brands, knowing they were cheap, malfunctioning machines that would cause nothing but trouble. But Brad didn’t need to know that. His eyes lit up with excitement.
“Yeah, I like the sound of that,” he said, practically glowing with pride.
Halloween night came, and Brad’s house was impressive at first. The fog machines hissed, and the ghost projectors cast eerie shadows. The crowd gathered, admiring the setup, and Brad stood proudly. Genevieve watched from her porch, holding the twins, a sense of satisfaction growing inside her.
Then, as she had expected, things began to go wrong. The fog machine sputtered, turning into a malfunctioning sprinkler and soaking Brad’s lawn. The ghost projector flickered, the spooky image turning into a jittery blob, causing the kids to burst into laughter.
Finally, the inflatable Frankenstein began to deflate, its head rolling across the yard. Teenagers started throwing eggs at Brad’s house, and the entire display fell apart into a chaotic comedy.
The next morning, Brad knocked on Genevieve’s door, looking deflated. His arrogance was gone, replaced by discomfort.
“I, uh, wanted to apologize,” he mumbled. “For egging your car. I overreacted.”
Genevieve crossed her arms and waited a moment before replying. “Yeah, you did.”
Brad shifted uncomfortably. “I didn’t realize how hard it must be with the twins. I’m sorry.”
Genevieve let the silence stretch between them. “Thanks for apologizing, Brad. I’m sure it won’t happen again.”
Brad nodded quickly. “It won’t.”
As he walked away, Genevieve couldn’t resist saying, “Funny how things balance out, huh?”
Brad glanced back but said nothing. And for once, Genevieve had the last word.
What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments!
