Others took their children home.

Some simply stood there filming Karen as she issued violation notices with the calm efficiency of a parking meter.

A boy dressed as Spider-Man shouted:

“This is America!”

His mother whispered:

“Tyler, hush.”

“No,” Tyler said.

“She’s stealing Halloween.”

Nobody laughed.

He was right.

At 7:34, Karen posted an announcement.

The Halloween safety curfew has been implemented. Residents are expected to return indoors. Further outdoor activity will result in fines.

Rachel read it aloud.

Luis was still wearing vampire makeup.

“She cannot be serious.”

Julie was rocking Emma in her arms.

Emma's tiara had fallen sideways.

Her eyes were swollen.

“She took my baby's candy,” Julie whispered.

Nobody knew what to say.

Because it sounded small.

Candy.

A child's bucket.

A few pieces of chocolate.

But every parent understood.

It wasn't about candy.

It was the moment an adult decided a child's happiness was something she had the authority to confiscate.

The Garage Meeting

By eight, our garage was full.

Nobody had officially invited anyone.

People simply drifted toward our house because Rachel had left the side door open.

The garage had folding chairs, tools, a refrigerator full of seltzers nobody liked, and enough room for angry neighbors.

Luis came.

Julie came with Emma asleep against her shoulder.

Priya arrived wearing a witch hat she had forgotten to remove.

The Hendersons came.

Mrs. Bell arrived carrying a tray of caramel apples she refused to throw away.

Martin Bell came last.

He looked pale.