For Experience Writing  Writober  Flash Fiction: FEAR OF FAILURE

Tani only dressed up for Halloween because her Mom and Dad made a big deal out of taking Tani and her brother Slyvester out for dinner at the Burger Barn and then to Helblings Department Store to choose a boxed costume out of the  hundreds upon hundreds of costumes that took up the back of the store.

Helblings also gave away free plastic pumpkins to put your loot in and they gave away free popcorn to.

Tani’s Dad, who was normally an impatient man with other places to be and her Mom had projects she was always working on something in her sewing room- the thing is she was always behind in her projects and that always made her a little crazy. But when it came time to shop for Halloween costume, Tani’s parents were front and center and ready to rock and roll.

The second they walked into Helblings, Tani’s little brother raced down one aisle and back up another. When he returned he had three boxes in arms- a magician, a race car driver and an astronaut. ” I can make up my mind! ” Sylvester said. ” Can  I get all three? ”

Tani’s Mom shrugged. ” Sure. Go ahead. ”

”  Okay. I’m done. I’m going to get my popcorn now. Hurry up Tani!”

Sylvester was gone in the blink of an eye.

” What do you think Tani? ” her Dad asked as if he had all the time in the world to hang out in Helblings.

” I  don’t know. Maybe a nurse? The Fortune Teller is okay too. ”

” Get them both. It’s fine. You can always give the ones you don’t like to your cousins. They’ll be big enough to wear them next year. ”

Tani reached up and grabbed a Princess mask. She had a pink plastic matching dress. ” I like this one. It might be fun to look like- ”

Sylvester was back and he had two bags of popcorn. He handed one out to Tani and her Father grabbed it. He winked at her.  ” Choose your costume and ye shall be rewarded. ”

” Dad, ” Tani said as she slid the palm of her hand down her face and gently  removed the skin mask she wore when they went out. ” I want to look like a girl for Halloween. A pretty one. ”

Tani’s Mom took the Princess Costume from Tani’s hand and she told her eldest daughter, the child she had lovingly stitched together from the remnants of children left behind in cemeteries all over the county they lived in, ” You are beautiful Tani- no matter what mask you choose to wear.”