THE POINT
A Halloween Story
©2006, Write By Myself, All Rights Reserved.
Any duplication, in whole or in part, is expressly prohibited without the written consent of the author.
REVISION DATE: 29 October 2006

It’s Halloween morning and Billy is very excited about trick-or-treating. Even though it’s a school day the next morning, he knows he’ll have fun. At 13 years old, he knows he’s getting a bit too old for this but right now he’s still into it. He knows his older friends now go to a party instead of going door-to-door.

Billy doesn’t know he’s earned a reputation around his neighbourhood for his costumes. He never goes as a pirate, ghost, or vampire. He goes as something thought provoking. Last year he went as a stem-cell researcher. Billy thought it was clever even though some people were obviously offended; he supposed these people were probably just as offended by all the Satanic costumes as well. Billy didn’t care, because he liked to make people think. At least everyone knew what he was supposed to be. That was always the challenge.

This year Billy had a grand idea, and he wouldn’t even share it with his parents, Bartholomew and Betty. His parents were very supportive of their slightly odd child. He was smart, got good marks in school, and never caused them any trouble other than the occasional phone call about his slightly unusual behaviour. He’d been this way since he was able to talk. But he was social and had friends so they weren’t too worried. They were even glad he hadn’t started dating yet. Thirteen was definitely too young they thought. They didn’t even have to argue with him because he’d shown no interest in it so far. They weren’t worried at all.

Billy had a rough day in school. It started in homeroom during roll-call. “Billy Baxter.”

“Present, sir. But could you please call me Bill?”

“I beg your pardon? You’ve been Billy as long as I can remember.”

“I know. But from today forward, I am Bill. Not Billy. Please?”

“Sure. Your name, your choice.”

Billy smiled because the teacher was so easy about it. He hoped the rest of his day would go as easy. The class looked at him a bit oddly, but he was more than used to that. None of the looks were hostile, just puzzled.

After roll-call, everyone was discussing either their party plans or their costume plans. Billy just said “Wait and see.” They all just rolled their eyes and wondered what sort of statement the precocious kid was going to make next. His costumes were always such a trip and everyone looked forward to whatever they were -- because they were creative and inventive if nothing else. It was hard for anyone to dislike Billy because his good-natured spirit was very infectious.

Billy’s day was difficult because he had a hard time concentrating on his studies. None of his teachers gave him grief, because he was one of the best students in class. And one bad day wasn’t going to hurt him. In every class he had to repeat the “Bill” discussion.

At lunch, a group called him over, “Hey, Billy, come over here!” and he went over. He was still smiling but said “Call me Bill from now on. I’m not Billy anymore. Billy is a kid’s name.”

His friends’ eyebrows rose in surprise, but Billy was full of surprises. “Sure, Bill. If that’s what you want. It’ll take some getting used to.”

“There are lots of things that take getting used to. I’m still me, but I’ve decided I’m Bill now. I hope that’s okay with you all. Make sure you let everyone now.”

“Sure, Bill. Whatever you say. Can you tell us why?”

“It’s simple as I already told you. I’m not a kid anymore and Billy is a kid’s name.” Billy momentarily lost his ever-present smile and that did not go unnoticed by anyone. The subject dropped immediately.

“So what about your costume?”

“Oh, you’ll have to wait and see but I think it’s my best one ever.”

After lunch there were another few classes but nothing changed. It was the same as all the others. Some surprise at his name change and a number of interrogations about his costumes. He even got invited to an All Hallow’s Eve party -- the first time he’d ever been invited to one. “Thanks, Brandy. I appreciate it. If you’re still talking to me next year, I’ll gladly go. But I can’t let my costume go to waste.”

Finally, school ended for the day and he ran home as fast as he could. It was only a few blocks away. He was playing on his computer when his parents came home just before six in the evening. “Shouldn’t you be getting ready?”

“No! Not at all. It won’t take me long to get ready. What’s for dinner?”

“We’re having spaghetti and meatballs.”

“Awesome!”

They had the usual chit-chat over dinner: school, work, and the usual parent-child discussions. Nothing was amiss but a stray question from Billy, “You’d love me no matter what, right?” Billy knew the answer but he still wanted to hear it from them.

“Of course, Billy. We’d love you no matter what. You never even have to ask that question. We love you unconditionally and without reservation.”

Billy didn’t answer. He smiled. He knew this deep-down but it was nice to hear it anyway. Billy was very secure. “Oh, one last thing. Can you call me Bill from now on? I’ve decided Billy is a kid’s name and I’m not a kid anymore.”

His parents were a bit puzzled but Billy didn’t seem troubled. “We’ll try, son. But it may take some time. We’ve been calling you Billy you’re entire life. You’ll have to humour us.”

“No problem, Mom and Dad. Just try, okay?”

“Sure thing!”

“Can I get ready? It’s almost time to leave.”

“You can be excused. Have fun.”

Billy ran to his room, changed his shoes and shirt, and then started downstairs to head out. His parents looked at him as he left and noticed he was dressed just like he always was, except for a clean shirt and a change of shoes to his favourite pair. “Bill? Where’s the costume?”

“This is it! Isn’t it great?” he shouted, running out the door.

His bestest-friend in the whole world, Joshua was waiting for him at the kerb. Josh looked at him and said, “Um, dude, like where’s your costume at?”

“This is it! Isn’t it great?”

Josh thought a moment. He knew this was going to be weird. He was used to weird with Billy. “If you say so.”

They walked straight to the very end of their street. That’s what they always did. Then they worked their way back. It was only four blocks, but with so many houses it would take several hours to get to their end of the street -- a cul-de-sac with four homes including Billy’s and Josh’s.

The first two stops were uneventful, and they looked at the candy with glee. The third stop was old man Cranston’s house. He was always a bit cranky, but he always gave out candy anyway.

They rang the bell and out came old man Cranston. “Billy, why aren’t you dressed up?”

“I am.”

“But you look the same as you always do.”

“No, today I’m dressed as a gay person.”

It was too much for old man Cranston, who let it go and handed out the candy. As soon as the door shut, Josh looked at Billy. “Are you nuts? What the fuck is your problem?”

“I don’t have one. I am dressed as a gay person.”

“But you look the same as you always do.”

“That’s the point.”

Josh rolled his eyes in frustration and they continued on.

Most people didn’t comment, but of those that did, nobody seemed to care. Billy was disappointed. He wanted a reaction and the only one he got was from Josh.

At the end of the day, he said goodbye to Josh and went home.

“How did it go, Son?” asked his father as he came in the door.

“Not well.”

“Maybe if you were wearing a costume it would have gone better.”

“This is my costume. Nobody got it. I went as a gay person. Nobody noticed anything different. I think they missed the point.”

His father thought, long and hard, leaving Billy standing there.

“Actually, Billy, I think you missed the point.”

-- end --