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The way that child looked at me, one would’ve thought I had personally canceled Halloween.

Afterward, I dropped Granny off at one of her friend’s houses. The two of them had planned what sounded like Granny’s version of a perfect evening: dinner, their favorite television shows, plenty of gossip, and absolutely no loud music or strangers dressed like demons running around the house. Granny had been more than happy to escape Willow’s party preparations, especially after watching my sister turn half the mansion into Halloween headquarters for the last several days.

Henrietta had arranged to pick Kaidence up from there later because, of course, there was no way she was letting Halloween pass without stealing her grandson for the night.

That woman had been talking about their movie night for days. She had already bought them matching pajamas, snacks, and enough candy to make me question whether she understood the definition of moderation.

The moment she arrived, Kaidence practically launched himself into her arms.

“Grandma!”

“There’s my baby!”

Henrietta hugged him tight before pulling back to admire his costume. “Oh, look at my little Spider-Man!”

Kaidence immediately held his candy bucket up like he had been waiting all evening to show it off. “Look how much candy I got!”

Henrietta peered into the bucket, then frowned dramatically. “That’s all you got?”

I stared at her. “Excuse me?”

She grinned.

Kaidence gasped like he had been personally offended. “Grandma, I got a lot!”

“I see that, baby. We might have to stop somewhere on the way home and get you some more.”

I slowly turned toward her. “Absolutely not.”

Henrietta laughed. “I’m playing, Lakelyn.”

“No, you’re not.”

“Well, maybe a little.”

I shook my head. “Please don’t let him eat all that candy. He does not need a stomachache and nightmares all night.”

She waved me off. “Baby, I raised Caspian. I know how to handle a little boy.”

“That’s exactly what I’m worried about.”

She laughed again. “And if he gets a stomachache, I’ll rub his little belly. If he has a nightmare, he can get in the bed with Grandma.”

Kaidence grinned because, of course, she had just told him everything he wanted to hear.

I folded my arms. “And when he comes home tomorrow running through my house like Spider-Man really gave him superpowers?”

Henrietta smiled sweetly. “I’ll bring him back once he calms down.”

I burst out laughing. “You’re terrible.”

“And you love me.”

I did.

God, I loved that woman.

Henrietta had been such a blessing to both me and Kaidence, and there were moments when being around her made me think about my own mother. I found myself wondering how much my mom would have loved watching Kaidence run around in that Spider-Man costume, how she would have fussed at me for spending entirely too much money on an outfit he would probably outgrow before the next Halloween, and how she would have turned around and bought him more candy anyway.