Well, not so heavenly ...

At one of those Halloween stores that pop up like mushrooms every October I found a devil costume that I thought would complement the girl's outfits. The most expensive part by far were the special boots that ended in polished black hooves and that lifted my heels by more than three inches. I was skeptical at first, but the clerk convinced me to try them on and they were surprisingly comfortable. It also gave me a sense of what it would be 6' 3". The rest of the costume was a fake leather loincloth and a leather harness that looked like something out of a BSDM catalogue. To tint my skin an appropriate shade of red I bought a bottle of tint that the clerk assured me would wash off after one or two showers.

I spent most of my effort in the kitchen making treats the next few days. I made a three-layer devil food cake with real buttercream frosting, a couple dozen layered pastries filled with a honey nut mix, and finally a trifle with layers of whipped cream, black sponge and bright red strawberries.

Angel outfit, and once again I can't help but smile when I picture her reaction to seeing me in the devil costume. I told her what I was going to be, but resisted every time she tried to get me to show her what it looked like. I hope her Christian Fellowship friends aren't too freaked out, but the worst that would happen is that they would leave early, and I get to strip my fallen angel of her wings and halo ... and everything else she had on.

“Katie's going to love these nut things,” she assured me, “and Gab and I are probably going to make ourselves sick eating that cake.”

Then in a flutter of wings and sparkles she was gone, and the kitchen felt suddenly empty.

It's been four years since I even bothered with candy for trick-or-treaters, but tonight I left my lights on and got 15 to 20 kids from the neighborhood ring my bell. I think I scared the crap out of the little ones, and I got more than one scowl from the neighborhood Karens, but the college students who stopped by were duly impressed. Mostly the girls wore sexy cat, togas or witch costumes, and one was even dressed as an angel, but none of them looked anywhere as sexy as Alison with her white dress and handmade wings. It was around eight and I was outside on my porch waiting when I saw the trio making their way up the street. I went out to meet them on the sidewalk and I could see that something was bothering them. In hindsight, it probably would have been safer not to wear a costume like this, but too late now.

One of Alison's wings was missing, and the other two girls look frazzled too. Alison didn't even seem to mind the way I was dressed and when she saw me, she ran forward and gave me a hug.

“Oh, thank God we're here.”

“What happened?” I ask as I bring them into the house and show them the table loaded with goodies and the fruit punch and ginger ale punch bowl.

“Some of the Sig Epps were already drunk and they started getting really handsy with us.” Gabrielle fills me in although her attention seems to be split between me and the chocolate cake slices sitting on the table. “Two of them started pulling on Alison like dogs fighting over a bone, they ripped her angel wings in half.”

“Are you all OK?” This is not the first time I've heard about the fraternity parties getting out of hand, but usually not until around midnight. “Should I call the campus police?”

“We're fine Mr. P. There were some other guys in a car that kept passing us and saying disgusting things, but now that we're here it's all OK.” The other girls nod in agreement, and then Alison starts to giggle.

“What's so funny?” I ask as confused as her two friends.

“I'm sorry, Mr. P. I just think it's funny that I feel safer here with the Devil than I did back on campus.” With that little quip, the tension is broken and all three of the young women gather around to admire my costume. I even feel their hands running along my arms to see if the red tint was really there.

“Thanks, Mr. P. We promise we won't be any trouble.” Gab gives a cute curtsy, “we'll be little angels, won't we, girls.”

“Well, you'd better behave, young ladies.” I try to sound like some hokey old horror movie. “If you don't I have plenty of space for fallen angels down in Hell.” For just a moment I think I may have gone too far, but Alison dips her finger in the trifle dish and plops a blob of whipping cream on my nose.

“You're not so scary now, Satan. My friends and I are pure as this yummy cream and we'll never fall for your tricks and lies.” Considering what I plan to do to that lovely angel as soon as we're alone, Alison is playing with fire.

“That's right Mr. Patterson.” Gabrielle lifts her wings to pose for me. “Maybe we can tempt the devil to change his ways.” She is tempting, I'll give her that, but I'm more than happy with the angel I already have.

The happy banter continues for a few more minutes before Alison decides that she needs some coffee if she's going to be any fun tonight.

“I'll make it.” I say as I step towards the kitchen, but Alison stops me before I take more than a step.

“I know how to make coffee, Mr. P.” She pushes her friends gently towards you. “Katie and Gabs can keep you company. I'll be right back.”

I'm actually looking forward to a chance to chat with the pair. Katie hasn't said more than a word since she's been in my house, and I want to make sure she's not weirded out by this red-skinned demon hosting the party.