Kevin was beyond excited for Halloween. He’d helped his mom make a costume, assisted his dad in putting up spooky decorations, and could already taste the mountain of candy he’d collect. But as he wandered through the neighborhood, soaking in the festive atmosphere, he noticed something unusual—one house on his street was completely undecorated. For a kid who loved Halloween, it was a curious sight.

Every other yard on the block was bursting with Halloween spirit. Jack-o’-lanterns with jagged grins lined the sidewalks, skeletons swayed from trees, and cobwebs hung from porches. The sound of creaking doors and cackling witches filled the air, while the scent of candy and fallen leaves made everything feel magical. Kevin, just eleven years old, reveled in the excitement. But one house stood out, and not in a good way. Mrs. Kimbly’s home was dark and void of any Halloween fun.

Kevin knew Mrs. Kimbly as the older lady who kept to herself. He had mowed her lawn during the summer and shoveled her driveway in the winter, but she never said much beyond a simple “thank you” before retreating indoors. Now, her undecorated house felt out of place in the otherwise festive neighborhood. Kevin couldn’t help but wonder why she hadn’t put up any decorations. Was she not interested in celebrating? Maybe she just needed a little help, he thought.

With his heart set on making sure no one missed out on Halloween, Kevin crossed the street and knocked on Mrs. Kimbly’s door. After a long pause, the door creaked open, and there she was, her face serious and her eyes peering through thick glasses.

“What do you want, Kevin?” she asked bluntly.

Swallowing his nerves, Kevin offered a smile. “Hi, Mrs. Kimbly. I noticed you haven’t decorated for Halloween, and I thought maybe you could use some help.”

Her face hardened. “I didn’t forget,” she replied sharply. “I don’t need decorations, and I don’t need your help. Now, run along.”

Kevin, disheartened, tried one last time. “I could do it for free,” he blurted out. “You wouldn’t have to do anything.”

“No!” she barked, slamming the door shut.

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Kevin was stunned. How could someone dislike Halloween so much? As he walked home, an idea sparked in his mind. He wasn’t going to let Mrs. Kimbly miss out on the fun. The next day, he gathered all the decorations he could find—colorful lights, plastic spiders, and his favorite carved pumpkin—and set off to decorate her house, hoping to surprise her. He carefully hung the lights and arranged the pumpkins on her porch. But just as he placed the last pumpkin, the door flew open.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Mrs. Kimbly’s voice roared as she stormed out, grabbing Kevin’s carved pumpkin and smashing it on the ground. Kevin froze, heartbroken. Without a word, he turned and ran home, tears welling in his eyes.

That night, dressed as a vampire, Kevin couldn’t enjoy trick-or-treating. His thoughts kept drifting back to Mrs. Kimbly’s dark house, imagining what might happen if other kids decided to prank it. Determined to protect her home, Kevin returned and sat on her porch, handing out candy to trick-or-treaters, telling them Mrs. Kimbly wasn’t home.

Suddenly, the front door creaked open. “What are you doing here?” Mrs. Kimbly asked, her tone softer than before.

“I didn’t want anyone to mess with your house,” Kevin replied. “I wanted to help.”

She sighed and sat beside him. “I’m sorry about earlier,” she said quietly. “Halloween is hard for me. I don’t have family, and seeing everyone celebrate just reminds me how alone I am.”

Kevin’s heart ached. “You don’t have to be alone,” he said. “You can celebrate with us.”

A small smile crept across her face. “Thank you, Kevin. I’m sorry about your pumpkin.”

“It’s okay,” Kevin smiled back. “We can carve a new one together.”

And just like that, Mrs. Kimbly felt the warmth of Halloween once more—all thanks to a boy who refused to give up.