Every year since Munch got his first sewing machine in 4th grade, he and Lolly went to the Halloween carnival as a famous duo. This year, Lolly was a little bit apprehensive. After all, Trevor was going to see her in whatever Munch created. All week she had been trying to talk Munch into telling her who they were going to be, but it was a no go.

Mitzi and Lolly sat on the front porch waiting for Munch. His mom was dropping him off on her way to her Thursday evening drawing class. Her little VW bug pulled into the drive. Lolly reached for Mitzi’s hand before she could dart off the porch. Munch got out and took a garment bag out of the back seat. When he slammed the door closed Mrs. Dutchendorph waved at them and backed out of the drive. As soon as she was gone, Mitzi jerked her hand free of from Lolly’s. She rushed up to him and said, “I wanna see, I wanna see!”

Munch grinned at her and said, “Patience.”

Hopping on one leg, Mitzi frowned. “You know I’m not any good at that.” She wasn’t.

Grandma Toady opened the front door. She said, “Come on in Munch. We are all dying to see what you made.”

This comment pleased Munch. He took the garment bag into the living room, Lolly and Mitzi followed behind. He said, “Places, places! Everyone in their places." Grandma Toady sat down in the recliner. Lolly and Mitzi took the couch. From the kitchen, Max wandered in, eating a sandwich.

With a dramatic flourish, Munch unzipped the bag. From it he pulled the most adorable Flapper dress Lolly had ever seen. Mitzi’s eyes got so big and her mouth formed a perfect O. She was stunned for a moment, and then she asked, “Is that for me? You made that for me?”

“Yes, Honey, I did. Do you like it?”

Mitzi launched herself off the couch and snatched the dress out of Munch’s hand. She hugged it to her and spun around. Softly she said, “This is the most beautiful dress I have ever seen. Thank you!” Her eyes were shining so bright.

Pleased by her reaction, Munch said, “There is one more thing.” He pulled out a pair of patent leather tap shoes. When he handed them to Mitzi, she heard the click of the taps. Absolute joy radiated from her.

She exclaimed, “Tap Shoes! I always wanted TAP SHOES! Granma, help me put on my costume so I can dance for everybody!”

Grandma Toady said, “Hold on a sec, I want to see what Munch made for him and Lolly.”

With mischievous little grin on his face, Munch jerked their costumes from the bag. Lolly was horrified. There were two striped shirts. On one the stripes went up and down, and on the other, they went sideways. Bert and Ernie from Sesame Street! They were going be Bert and Ernie! Munch handed her a rubber ducky and asked, “You like?”

“I— I—,” Lolly couldn’t get any words out.

He said, “I will be Bert and you will be Ernie.”

This was terrible. If there were no Trevor at the carnival, she would have been fine with the costumes, but he said he would be there. He said he would see her THERE!

In a hurt voice Munch asked, “So you hate them?”

“Uh, no. I don’t hate them.”

“But you don’t like them either.”

She couldn’t lie. “No.”

“But I worked so hard.” He looked like he was about to cry.

Lolly knew his work. He hadn’t made these t-shirts, he had bought them. He looked so upset she wanted to say, “Its okay, I will wear the shirt,” but she just couldn’t seem to get the words passed her lips.

“Well,” he said, “If you don’t want to be Ernie, would you like to be the Blue Fairy from Pinocchio?” From the bag he pulled out a filmy blue gown and a pair of silver wings. Tiny stars dotted the gown and there was glitter on the wings. The costume looked like Magic.

She whispered, “Oh, Munch it is beautiful.”

Mitzi clapped her hands and shouted, “We are gonna be so gorgeous for Halloween! Everybody will give us lots of candy!”

A huge grin spread over Munch's face. From the bag he took out his costume. It consisted of red shorts with big buttons, a hat with a feather and a white shirt. Mitzi squealed, “You are Pinocchio!”

“Yup, I am.” He turned to Lolly. The smile on his face was not so big or so bright. In fact, he looked apprehensive. He took in a big breath of air, before he said, “There is one more thing. Its supposed to be cold tomorrow night and, I well, "I thought, you might need this Lolly." He reached into the bag.

Fear rushed through Lolly. She sent up a prayer that Munch was not about to pull a blonde wig from the garment bag.

He took out a small paper bag and handed it to Lolly. He told her, “You do not have to wear this if you don’t want to.”

Whatever was in the bag, didn’t feel like a wig. She opened it. Inside was a blue hat that looked like a flower bud turned upside down. She pulled it out. It was stitched with silver thread. He must have spent hours working on it. Tears came to Lolly’s eyes. She hugged Munch. In his ear she whispered, “You are the best.”

He laughed and said, “Ain’t I though."

Mitzi asked, “Now, can we PLEASE try on our costumes?”

Max who had been silent the entire time asked, “Could Kevin and I borrow those Bert and Ernie shirts?”

Munch let go of Lolly. “Sure. Y'all can have em."

Jumping up and down, Mitzi said, “Lolly, Lolly, hurry up! Let’s put on our dresses.”

The two took their dresses and ran to Lolly’s room. Of course, Mitzi had to get dressed first. For several long minutes she stood in front of the mirror just staring at herself. Slowly, she began to swish her skirt back and forth. She was completely mesmerized by her own reflection.

Lolly, slipped into her dress. It had long sleeves and they were lined with satin. It fit her perfectly. The wings had elastic and she pulled her arms through the loops. Last of all she put on the hat. For an instant she hesitated before she looked atherself in the mirror. She met her own eyes and was amazed, she looked like a real live fairy. Munch was magic, pure magic. The hat brought out the color of her eyes.

In front of her, Mitzi said, “Oh, Lolly. We should get Munch to make all of our clothes!”

“Yes, we should.”

*

The sky was cloudless. Dusk was falling. The football field spread out before Munch and Lolly. Booths and games littered the field. There were even a few rides. All around children and parents wandered. There were vampires, witches, princesses, hippies, Super Heroes and a bunch of kids in a variety of animal costumes. The air had a tinge of smoke in it. The stadium lights were on. In the center of the field, Lolly saw her favorite part of the carnival, the Pick a Pocket Lady. Her skirt reached from waist to her toes. The skirt stood out like a bell around her and had rows of pockets filled with prizes. If you gave her a two quarters, she would let you pick a pocket. and then she would give you the prize inside. The prizes were always good.

Lolly’s eyes scanned the football field. Grandma Toady, Mrs. Dutchendorph and Mitzi were at the cake walk. Puccini had had to stay home. Carnival's and crowds were dangerous for stuffed, much loved bears. Through the gate, she saw Uncle Luke enter. He headed straight for the cake walk. Aunt Jessie was at work. Max and Kevin were at the apple dunking booth talking to a couple Junior High girls dressed as witches. The boys had on their Bert and Ernie shirts. They had borrowed two pony tail holders from Mitzi. Their shaggy hair was pulled into short pony tails on the tops of their head. Max was even carrying the rubber ducky. No sign of Trevor anywhere.

Munch asked, “Now who are you looking for?”

She didn’t comment. Maybe he wasn’t there yet. Maybe he wasn’t coming at all. A tight ball started to form in her stomach.

Munch asked, “You want to go to the Pick a Pocket lady first?” He knew her so well.

“Yes.” In her hand, Lolly held quarters.

When they reached the Pick a Pocket Lady, she recognized Lolly. “Hi, good to see you again. Great costumes!”

“Thank you,” said Munch.

Shyly, Lolly smiled. She handed the lady two quarters and said, “Third bottom pocket on the right.” It was the pocket she always picked.

The Pick a Pocket Lady stooped down and pulled a small tissue paper packet from her pocket. She handed it to Lolly. The packet was very light . Eagerly, Lolly tore the paper off. Inside was a necklace with a tiny gold star. It was lovely.. She said, “Thank you!”

“You are welcome, Dear.” The Pick a Pocket Lady turned away from her to talk to a little boy.

Munch asked, “What did you get?”

She showed him the star. He smiled. “Perfect accessory. Let me put it on you.” He took it from her and clasped it around her neck. Gently, she touched the star with her fingers. In her head she heard Jiminy Cricket singing, “When You Wish Upon a Star.” She glanced up at the sky, the first stars were appearing.

Beside her, Munch whispered, “Look.”

Lolly dropped her gaze to Munch. He jerked his head to the right. She turned to look. Trevor was coming through the gate.