Megan and her husband Ross were doing their weekly shopping.
Ross walked a few steps ahead, firmly gripping the cart handle as he directed their shopping, his voice booming with pretend authority.
“So, what do you want for dinner, honey?” Megan asked, glancing at the shelves around them.
“Meat,” Ross said, scoffing. “Lately, you’ve been feeding me grass like I’m some herbivore…”
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Megan gave a small smile, though it didn’t reach her eyes.
“Sorry, I just thought it’d be good for us to eat healthier. You know, more veggies, more energy.”
Ross rolled his eyes, barely looking at her.
“Starving me counts as ‘healthy’ eating in your book? Don’t overthink it, Megan. Just get me some real food.”
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“Okay,” Megan nodded calmly, used to agreeing with him. In their home, Ross’s word was the final word, a rule she rarely questioned.
Going along with him was easier than dealing with the arguments that followed if she pushed back. But lately, she’d felt the stirrings of something more.
There were things she wanted, things that were important to her—things she didn’t want to ignore forever.
As they moved through the store, Megan slowed, her eyes catching on a Halloween display. The shelves were filled with decorations and costumes.
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She lingered a moment, running her fingers over the small costumes, picturing the tiny, smiling faces that would wear them.
She picked up a plush teddy bear, holding it close to her chest. The soft fabric reminded her of her deepest dream—the one she never let go of, even if Ross wouldn’t hear of it.
She’d wanted to be a mother for as long as she could remember, and despite Ross’s stubborn refusals, that dream only grew stronger.
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“Megan!” Ross’s voice cut sharply across the aisle. He walked toward her with an irritated expression, seeing her by the kids’ section again.
“You’re at it again?” he scolded, loud enough to draw a few curious glances from other shoppers.
“Ross,” she said softly, setting the bear back.
“You know how much this means to me. Don’t you ever want to be a father?”
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He folded his arms, his tone growing firmer.
“We’ve already discussed this, Megan. End of conversation. No, and that’s final. Don’t waste your time.”
She felt the familiar sting of disappointment, though she tried to hide it. “But why, Ross? I always give in to what you want—can’t you give me this one thing?”
Ross looked down at her, an exasperated smirk on his face.
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“You’re a woman, Megan. You’re supposed to listen to me,” he said coldly. “I said ‘no’!”
She felt the words bubbling up, the ones she’d never dared to say.
“I won’t stop asking.”
Ross only chuckled.
“Good luck having a kid without me,” he sneered, rolling the cart forward.
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With a heavy heart, Megan nodded and walked behind him, trying to push down the ache.
At home that evening, Megan sat by the window, lost in thought as she watched the families in her neighborhood.
Outside, the early evening was lively. Children were dressed in costumes, proudly parading around as pirates, princesses, and superheroes.
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Mothers gently guided their little ones, adjusting crooked hats or holding small hands as they made their way down the decorated streets.
Fathers laughed as they added last-minute touches to their spooky porch decorations.
The warmth and joy between them felt almost tangible, like something Megan could reach out and hold.
She felt a pang in her chest, a longing she hadn’t fully realized until this moment.
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For years, Megan hadn’t been sure if motherhood was right for her.
But now, with the sights and sounds of Halloween around her, she knew it was something she truly wanted.
Megan glanced over at Ross, glued to the TV, utterly oblivious to her thoughts. Taking a deep breath, she slipped on her coat and quietly stepped outside.
The cool evening air and the laughter of children around her felt comforting, like a small escape from her disappointment.
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She decided to take a slow walk, soaking in the Halloween magic and imagining what it might be like to share it with a child of her own.
Megan strolled along the lively street, enjoying the way Halloween filled the air with laughter and excitement.
Every porch seemed more decorated than the last, with spider webs, pumpkins, and strings of orange lights casting a warm glow in the cool evening.
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But then, something unusual caught her eye. Off to the side, a little boy stood alone, dressed in a costume made from taped-together cardboard boxes.
A small group of children pointed at him and snickered, their laughter making the boy shrink back, his eyes red as if he were trying hard not to cry.
Megan approached the boy slowly, bending down to his level so as not to startle him.
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“Hey there! That’s a really interesting costume,” she said kindly, offering him a warm smile.
“Who are you supposed to be?”
The boy’s face lit up a bit, and he straightened.
“I’m a transformer!” he replied, trying to sound confident, though his voice was soft.
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Megan nodded encouragingly.
“A transformer, huh? I love it! You look just like one of those awesome robots.”
The boy’s name was Rick, and as they spoke, Megan couldn’t help but feel impressed by his resilience.
“Don’t let those kids get to you, Rick,” she said gently.
“They’re probably just jealous. You did an amazing job on your costume. Did someone help you make it?”
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Rick hesitated, his eyes downcast. “I made it myself,” he said, his voice quivering just slightly.
“Wow, you did this all on your own?” Megan said, genuinely impressed. “You’re so young and already so creative and independent.”
“What about your parents? Did they help a little?”
Rick shook his head.
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“I don’t have a mom or dad,” he said, his voice barely a whisper.
The words hit Megan hard. She blinked, processing what he’d just said.
“Who… who do you live with, then?” she asked gently.
Rick shrugged. “No one,” he said simply. “I live by myself.”
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Megan’s heart broke for him. She couldn’t believe this little boy was out here, celebrating Halloween all on his own, with no one to share it with.
She felt an urge to do something, anything, to make his night feel special.
She knew she should probably call someone to help, but she wanted him to enjoy the holiday, even if just for a while.
“Hey, Rick,” she said with a soft smile.
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“How about we make your costume even cooler? I’ve got markers and more cardboard at my house. We could add some details, maybe even make it shine a bit more. What do you think?”
Rick’s face brightened, a spark of excitement lighting up his eyes.
“Really? You’d help me with that?”
Megan smiled, holding out her hand.
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“Of course. Every great transformer deserves to look their best.”
Rick nodded, and without hesitation, he took her hand. They walked together, Megan feeling a mix of warmth and determination.
Tonight, she was going to make sure Rick felt seen and valued, and maybe—just maybe—she could be the family he’d been missing, even if just for a night.
As Megan led Rick through the door, Ross’s glare met them instantly, his voice dripping with irritation.
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“Who did you drag into my house!? This isn’t a daycare. Send him back where he came from!” he demanded, arms crossed tightly.
Megan knelt down, gently covering Rick’s ears, feeling the small warmth of his head against her palms. “Ross, don’t talk like that! He’s just a child.” She kept her voice steady, meeting his glare with a calm resolve.
“Rick has nowhere else to go. I only want to help him fix up his costume, make him feel a little cared for tonight, and then I’ll call social services.”
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Ross’s eyes narrowed, his voice colder. “Fine, but not here. If you’re so desperate to play ‘mommy,’ do it somewhere else! Not in my house.”
She let go of Rick’s ears, but her tone sharpened as she stood up to face Ross. “Have a little compassion, will you?” She couldn’t understand how he could be so harsh, especially to a child who’d lost so much.
“Don’t you see? He has no family, no home. We could give him a taste of what it feels like to belong, just for tonight.”
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Ross scoffed, crossing his arms even tighter.
“This isn’t some stray dog you can just bring in and adopt, Megan! I don’t want any part of this. Either get him out of here, or you’ll need to find yourself a new husband—and a new place to live.”
The ultimatum hung in the air, cold and final, cutting through Megan like ice. She stared at Ross, shocked that he’d say something so cruel.
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Did he really care so little about her feelings? But as she looked down at Rick, who gazed up at her with worried eyes, something within her shifted.
The fear and hesitation that had long held her back faded, replaced by a strength she hadn’t felt in years.
“No, Ross. I’m not choosing between you and helping a child who needs kindness,” she said, her voice steady.
“I know what matters now.”
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With a reassuring smile to Rick, she reached out her hand.
“Come on, Rick. We’re leaving.”
They turned and walked out the door, Megan’s steps sure and unwavering. Ross called after her, his voice panicked now.
“Wait! Are you seriously choosing to walk out on me over some kid? Megan, come back!”
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But she didn’t stop, and she didn’t look back. Together, she and Rick headed toward the nearby store.
Megan watched as Rick’s eyes lit up, wandering over the costumes, his gaze wide with wonder.
“Go ahead, Rick,” she encouraged. “Pick out whichever one you like. Tonight is about having fun.”
Rick’s face brightened as he selected a superhero costume, holding it up proudly.
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“Really? I get to be a real superhero?” he asked, eyes sparkling.
“Yes, absolutely.” Megan couldn’t help but smile, her heart full as she watched him.
While Rick tried on his new costume, Megan stepped aside to make the call to social services, explaining Rick’s situation.
She knew it was necessary to ensure his safety and well-being.
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Yet, as she hung up, she felt a new certainty. She wasn’t going to leave him alone; if he needed a home, she’d be the first to offer it.
For the first time, she felt genuinely free, released from the fear that had kept her bound.
With Rick at her side, she’d finally chosen a path that felt right, filled with strength and purpose she hadn’t known she possessed.
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