The Halloween

House is big and old.

I'm told that on
Halloween night
things happen there.

Now Suzie's moved in--she's

only 4--along with her
brother, her father and
mother, and little Picador.
He's their dog. Well, maybe
half a dog. He's a Chihuahua,
as small as they come.
Suzie's room is in the attic.
It's no fun. With a high ceiling,
cold and gloomy, and shadows
that run halfway up the walls.
Suzie hides under the blanket.
Picador too. Come on, he's no
guard dog.
Suzie's mom bought her a
bear. A teddy bear named
Teddy. He's big and fluffy and
Suzie adores him. "I love you
so much" she says. Then she
wraps her arms around him,
snuggling like a cat ready to
purr while Picador buries
himself in all that fur.
The Halloween House's attic
may be scary, but Teddy's not.
Around his neck he wears a
blue scarf with red polka dots.
On his back paws are black
tennis shoes tied with lace and
plenty of knots.
Something is silly about that
teddy bear. He's got a goofy
smile from ear to ear. It's kind
of lopsided and sweet,
although not quite complete.
He was cheap when Suzie's
mom bought him at the Dollar
Store.
But his smile is always
there.
When scratching and
squeaking come from the
walls,
Teddy smiles.
When clothes on the floor
become strange figures in
piles,
Teddy smiles.
When an invisible spider's
miles of cobweb fades away in
the morning,
Teddy smiles.