Kevin was filled with excitement as Halloween approached. He had already helped his mom put together a costume and assisted his dad in decorating their house. The thought of all the candy he’d collect on Halloween night thrilled him. But something bothered him—there was one house on his street that remained undecorated. Kevin couldn’t understand why anyone would skip celebrating Halloween, so he figured they might need help.

As Halloween drew near, the neighborhood transformed. Every yard seemed to compete for the spookiest house. Jack-o’-lanterns with crooked grins lined the sidewalks, plastic skeletons dangled from trees, and cobwebs clung to porches. The air smelled like candy and dry leaves, and eleven-year-old Kevin felt the excitement bubbling inside him.

Halloween was Kevin’s favorite day of the year. It was the one day you could become anyone you wanted, and for one night, the world turned magical. He loved it. As he wandered through the streets, admiring the glowing decorations and eerie ghosts, his smile grew wider. But something unexpected caught his attention.

One house was completely dark. No pumpkins, no cobwebs, no decorations at all. The sight made Kevin frown. The house belonged to Mrs. Kimbly, a quiet, older woman who lived alone. Kevin remembered mowing her lawn in the summer and shoveling her driveway in the winter. She never said much—just handed him his payment and disappeared back inside. Her undecorated house felt strange in the otherwise festive neighborhood.

Why hadn’t Mrs. Kimbly decorated for Halloween? Everyone else had. Kevin felt uneasy about it. Halloween was supposed to be fun, and no one, especially someone living alone, should miss out.

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Determined, Kevin hurried across the street to Mrs. Kimbly’s house. The leaves crunched beneath his feet as he climbed the steps to her front door. After a moment of hesitation, he knocked. The sound echoed through the quiet house. After what felt like a long pause, the door creaked open. Mrs. Kimbly appeared, her face stern, her eyes peering through thick glasses.

“What do you want, Kevin?” she asked in a gruff voice.

Kevin swallowed nervously. “Hi, Mrs. Kimbly. I noticed your house isn’t decorated for Halloween. I thought maybe you forgot, and I could help.”

Her expression hardened. “I didn’t forget,” she snapped. “I don’t need decorations, and I don’t need your help. Now, go away.” She moved to close the door.

Kevin’s heart sank, but he wasn’t ready to give up. “I could do it for free!” he quickly offered. “You wouldn’t have to lift a finger.”

Mrs. Kimbly scowled. “No!” she barked, slamming the door shut.

Kevin stood there, stunned. How could anyone dislike Halloween so much? He knew kids might prank her house if it stayed undecorated—he didn’t want that to happen. As he walked home, an idea began to form in his mind.

Back home, Kevin found his mom in the kitchen. “Mom,” he said, sitting at the table, “something weird happened.” He told her about Mrs. Kimbly’s undecorated house and how she slammed the door in his face.

His mom’s expression softened when he mentioned Mrs. Kimbly. “Maybe it’s best to leave her alone,” she gently suggested. “Sometimes people have reasons for doing things that we don’t understand.”

Kevin frowned. “But, Mom, I don’t think she’s mad. I think she’s sad. Halloween is supposed to be fun, and no one should be left out.”

His mom smiled softly. “You have a good heart, Kevin. Just remember, some people aren’t ready for help, even if they need it.”

Her words stayed with Kevin, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that Mrs. Kimbly was just lonely. Determined, he gathered all the decorations he could find the next day—colorful lights, plastic spiders, and even his favorite carved pumpkin—and set off for her house.

Kevin worked quickly, hanging lights and arranging pumpkins on her porch. Just as he finished, the door flew open.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Mrs. Kimbly shouted, her face red with anger. Before Kevin could explain, she grabbed his carved pumpkin and smashed it on the ground.

Kevin blinked back tears, his heart broken. Without a word, he ran home.

That night, dressed in his vampire costume, Kevin couldn’t enjoy Halloween. His mind kept drifting back to Mrs. Kimbly’s dark house, worried that kids might prank it. Determined to stop any trouble, Kevin returned to her house and sat on her porch, handing out candy from his own bag to trick-or-treaters.

Startled, Kevin looked up when the door opened. Mrs. Kimbly stepped outside, her face no longer angry. “What are you doing here, Kevin?”

“I didn’t want anyone to mess with your house,” he explained.

Mrs. Kimbly sighed. “I’m sorry for earlier,” she said softly. “Halloween is hard for me. I don’t have family, and it makes me feel alone.”

Kevin smiled gently. “You don’t have to be alone. You can celebrate with us.”

And for the first time in years, thanks to Kevin, Mrs. Kimbly felt the warmth of Halloween again.