Free Death of a Pumpkin Carver by Lee Hollis

exactly the kind of woman Aaron was attracted to and it was Hayley who hadn’t been his type.
    That would certainly explain why their relationship didn’t last.

Chapter 12
    â€œThey look adorable!” Hayley cooed as she snapped photos of Leroy and Blueberry with her iPhone later that morning.
    Gemma proudly inspected her work. Leroy was dressed as a devil with red horns and a red cape and Blueberry was a witch complete with a black pointy hat and cape.
    They both looked absolutely miserable and utterly humiliated.
    â€œI have to post these photos on Facebook immediately!” Hayley said, tapping her phone excitedly.
    â€œCheer up, guys,” Gemma said, rubbing the heads of Leroy and Blueberry, both of whom glared straight ahead silently planning on just how they were going to exact their revenge for this gross indignity. “You look so cute one of you just might win the contest.”
    Suddenly Danny breezed through the front door. “Hey, Gemma, awesome job! They look fantastic!”
    â€œThanks, Dad. I think the costume choice for both of them was very appropriate,” Gemma said, chuckling.
    Hayley stared at Danny, marveling at his audacity.
    He still had no concept of how to act like a proper ex-husband.
    You don’t just show up and enter the house without even ringing the bell.
    Danny caught her looking at him exasperated.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œYou do realize you no longer live here, right?”
    â€œYeah. Why?”
    â€œSo usually when someone doesn’t live here, they don’t just barge in unannounced.”
    â€œYou serious?”
    Hayley stared at him until he got the message.
    Danny sighed. “Fine. Next time I’ll knock.”
    â€œYou going to stay for dinner, Dad?” Gemma asked as she knelt down to adjust the pointy black hat on top of Blueberry’s head.
    â€œSorry, Gem, it turns out I have to leave town a little earlier than expected,” Danny said, frowning.
    â€œWhat? Why?” Gemma moaned.
    â€œSomething’s come up. But I couldn’t leave without swinging by to say good-bye to my kids. Where’s your brother?”
    â€œUpstairs,” Gemma said, standing back up and hugging her father. “I don’t want you to go.”
    â€œI know. I wish I could stay too,” Danny said before calling upstairs. “Hey, Tarantino, get down here and give your old man a hug good-bye!”
    â€œThis is rather sudden,” Hayley said, more than a little suspicious. “Would this have anything to do with what happened at the Criterion Theatre last night?”
    â€œNothing happened at the theater. Everything is fine,” Danny sighed.
    She could tell he was lying.
    She could always tell when he was lying.
    He couldn’t completely hide his fidgeting and twitching, which was a surefire indicator that he was a complete ball of nerves.
    Dustin pounded down the stairs. “You’re leaving?”
    â€œYeah, got to hit the road. But I’ll be back, okay, bro?” Danny said, cupping a hand around Dustin’s neck and drawing him in for a big bear hug. “Make sure you two look after your mom. She’s getting old and won’t be able to take care of herself much longer.”
    â€œThat’s really the last thing you’re going to say before you leave?” Hayley asked, playfully slapping him on the arm.
    â€œI’m kidding you. You’ve never looked younger or more beautiful,” Danny said, attempting honest-to-goodness sincerity.
    Hayley was just barely buying it.
    But she appreciated the sentiment.
    â€œWhen are you coming back?” Dustin asked.
    â€œI don’t know. Hopefully soon. But you will be the first to know,” Danny said, kissing him on top of the head.
    Hayley watched her kids.
    They were making a real effort not to look sad and disappointed.
    But it was tough because she could tell that’s what they were feeling at the moment.
    Their father was