Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - Lita’s Dreamy New England Halloween

Episode Date: October 1, 2026

Narrator: Heather Foster 🇺🇸 Writer: Alicia LeVesque ✍️ Sound effects: residential morning ambience, birdsong 🏡 🐦  Welcome back, sleepyheads. Tonight, we'll join a girl named Lita as she learns that the magic of Halloween is something that we never have to outgrow. 😴 Includes mentions of: Halloween, Food, Beverages, Children, Parents, Family, Autumn. To receive our FREE weekly newsletter: JOIN OUR MAILING LIST Get Sleepy Premium Listen completely ad-free and access our entire catalogue of stories and meditations by subscribing to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠premium feed.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Your support means the world to us and makes it possible to keep the show running! ❤️ Get your 7-day free trial: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠getsleepy.com/support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect Stay up to date on all our news and even vote on upcoming episodes! Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠slumberstudios.com/getsleepy/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/getsleepypod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/getsleepypod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our Apps Redeem exclusive unlimited access to Premium content for 1 month FREE in our mobile apps built by the Get Sleepy and Slumber Studios team: Deep Sleep Sounds: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠deepsleepsounds.com/getsleepy/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Slumber: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠slumber.fm/getsleepy/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FAQs Have a query for us or need help with something? You might find your answer here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get Sleepy FAQs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About Get Sleepy Get Sleepy is the #1 storytelling podcast designed to help you get a great night’s rest. By combining sleep meditations with a relaxing bedtime story, each episode will guide you gently towards sleep. Thank you so much for listening! Feedback? Let us know your thoughts! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠slumberstudios.com/contact-us/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Get Sleepy is a production of Slumber Studios. Check out our podcasts, apps, and more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠slumberstudios.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. That’s all for now. Sweet dreams! ❤️ 😴 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get Sleepy is a production of Slumber Studios. To listen, add free, access our entire catalogue of episodes and support the show directly. Check out our premium feed by going to get sleepy.com slash support. Now, a quick word from our sponsors. New from Nespresso. Blend wellness into your coffee routine with the coffee plus range, infused with functional benefits. Choose the coffee you love with added B vitamins, like coffee plus B12 to help support immune function,

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Now it's official. You can now earn Canadian Tire money at Tim's. Link your Triangle Rewards and Tims Rewards accounts to earn twice with every Tim's run. Terms and conditions apply. Visit timhordens.ca slash triangle for details. Welcome to get sleepy. Where we listen, we relax and we get sleepy. My name's Thomas, and as always, I'm your host. We're kicking off the month of October in just the right style. Whatever age you are, Halloween is a time filled with youthful magic and wonder. Tonight, we'll be joining a girl named Halita, as she learns that this magic is something that we never have to outgrow. Thanks to Alicia Lavec for writing this one, which will be read by Heather.

Before we join Lita, let's take a moment to settle in. Take some time to adjust your pillows and covers. Notice the weight of the duvet and how it falls around you. Now, get in a position where you feel completely at ease. nestle into the warmth of your bed and take a deep breath. Hold it for just a moment. Letting your body be still. Then slowly exhale. Releasing all the tension in your muscles. Again, breathe in. Tensing any areas that tension still lingers within. Hold for a moment. then release the breath and every bit of tension that flows out with it.

Your day is over now and the only thing left is to allow your body to restore itself. You deserve this downtime as we drift into a warm, comforting rest. There's nothing you need to do, but listen. to the sound of Heather's soothing voice. So now, let's begin our journey and enjoy the nostalgic feel of getting ready for Halloween. On the second floor of a Victorian-style home,

a girl named Lita enjoys her last few moments of sleep. The morning carries a slight chill, characteristic of a New England town in deep fall. This is just how Lita likes it. The rich plum curtains of her canopy bed drape around her, sealing in the warmth. She is wrapped snugly in her fleece blanket, along with a hand-croached comforter made by her loving aunt.

A breeze blows through the cracked window, making the wispy curtains billow. Lita gently begins to stir. She loves mornings when there is no school, and she gets to wake up slowly. Gradually, she becomes aware of her surroundings, relishing the warm blankets that guard her against the cool air. Lita always sleeps best when is cold in her bedroom

and warm under her blankets. She pulls them closer around her, savoring the feeling of the soft fleece against her face. As she breathes in, she catches the faint scent of cinnamon and apple wafting into her room. And a smile comes to her face. Leda looks forward to waking up to this wonderful smell every year. This year is even more special.

because this is the first time they will be celebrating this beloved tradition in their new home. On the first day of Halloween break, Lita's parents wake up early to make cinnamon waffles with gooey apple topping. They have enjoyed this tradition

for as long as Lita can remember. Not only do the waffles taste like fall, but they signify the beginning of her favorite yearly festivities. In New England towns, Halloween is celebrated with unimaginable enthusiasm. Lita's parents fit in perfectly here. As in their old neighborhood, they were well known for being the best house to go trick-or-treating at. Lita's dad had always lived in the New England area,

He loves telling stories of the spectacular Halloween parties his parents through when he was growing up. Lita's mom is of Hispanic heritage. She enjoys teaching Lita about the customs and history associated with their sacred day of the dead. Together, Lita's parents share a love of this season, and all. its whimsical charm. Now Lita feels fully awake, a gentle pulse of excitement urging her on. She throws aside the warm blankets, slides her feet into her fuzzy slippers, and follows her nose to the best morning of the year. Lita makes herself comfortable at the breakfast table, where a plate is already waiting for her.

She serves up a hot, crisp waffle and loads it up with the warm, gooey topping. Then she looks around, scanning the table, just as she is about to get up. Her dad's arm reaches over her shoulder, offering up sweet-smelling maple syrup. It's almost as if he read her mind, Lita thinks. She pours the rich amber syrup over her plate and waits for her parents to join her. As tradition dictates, they all take their first bite together.

It's so wonderful that Lita closes her eyes. They are more than waffles, their memories. While adjusting to the new house was almost immediate for Lida, this feels like the final step in it becoming truly theirs. As she savors the delicious food in front of her and looks at the contented expressions

on her parents' faces, she knows this is the place where they will make many more beautiful memories. Lita takes the last bite of her waffle. The warm cinnamon flavor perfectly contrasted by the crisp app. Her parents are cleaning up their plates as well. Satisfied smiles beaming all around the table. Clean up is always a whole family affair.

And Lita jumps right in, saving the rest of the waffles. to heat up for tomorrow's breakfast. Today will be pleasantly busy. As Lita's dad hands her the dishes to dry, her mom starts a conversation about the week to come. This house is a bit larger and more gothic in style than their previous home, and they can't wait to finish the decorations.

Lita looks at the ones that are already out. There are glow-in-the-dark cobwebs twisted around the banisters, charming bats made of lace hanging in the entryway, and an antique cauldron greeting passers-by at the front door. The decorations are balanced perfectly between spooky and classic vintage. Lita knows that they will make a wonderful first impression in their new neighborhood. As cleanup winds down, the family decide that they will head to a pumpkin patch and pick their pumpkins for decorating.

While Lita's dad is a master carver, she's still a bit young to handle the carving tools. However, this isn't a problem at all. Lita inherited her mother's exceptional painting skills. Each year, Lita's parents let her pick out her own pumpkins to paint however she likes. She loves to find pumpkins in unusual shapes and turn their quirks into part of her design. As Lita puts her warm clothing on, she thinks about the fun idea. is she had for this year's pumpkin painting. When they arrive at the pumpkin patch, Lita looks around at all the people. She recognizes many of the faces. Most of the groups here are

families, and Lita knows most of the kids her age from her new school. She falls into step between her parents and glances up just in time to see them exchanging a smile filled with tenderness. Lita finds that as the weather cools, it brings out the warmest feelings. She notices that many of the people she passes are sharing the same sweet smiles. Parents, children, and a few grandparents alike are all enjoying their time together as they pick out the largest, most vibrant pumpkins for their porches. Lita's family joins in,

her dad going straight for the largest pumpkin in the patch. He plays out a comical show upheaving and grunting as he lifts the giant pumpkin. Lita and her mom laugh so hard that they have to wipe at their eyes. As they go along, the pumpkins change from bright orange to creamy white. Lita hears a delighted gasp behind her, and she turns to see her mom holding a small white. A small white pumpkin, already in the perfect shape for a sugar skull. Lita and her mom exchange a look of two artists with the same vision. Then as they turn, Lita sees another pumpkin that is almost identical in shape. Her mom notices it at the same moment, and she nods enthusiastically

as Lita gently picks it from the vine. Thank goodness Dad remembered to get a wagon, Lita thinks, as she adds her pumpkin onto the ever-growing pile. They pick a few more pumpkins, exchanging different ideas for what they will later turn into. The wagon is brimming now. Lita's mom has to push from one end, while her dad navigates it and pulls the handle,

both of them amused by the situation. As the wagon finally hits the paved walkway, Lita notices a line in front of a stand. Curiously, she peeks around her parents and the pumpkin wagon to see what everyone is waiting for. She can barely see the sign but she makes out the words, hot apple cider. As they get closer,

Lita can smell the warm scent of apple, cinnamon, and caramel, making her think back to her amazing breakfast. Before she can even ask, she notices her mom pulling on her dad's sleeve and nodding in the direction of the stand. They look back at Lita, and she smiles up at them. Leaving the wagon within eyesight,

they all get in line for the warm comfort of cider on a chilly day. In front of them is a group of young girls just about Lita's age. In fact, she recognizes some of them right away. In the center is Ray, who is quite popular. She is a grade above Lita, so they don't get to hang out much. But in the few interactions they have had,

Lita has been as charmed by her as everyone else at school. The girls are talking about Halloween and their plans for trick-or-treat night. One of them is taking her little brother. He wants to be a ghost, so she's going to wear a matching costume with him. Another girl chimes in

and says that since she's 13 now, she's going to stay home and hand out candy with her grandma. Finally, someone in the group asks Ray what she's dressing up as. Ray frowns a little and then it turns into a reluctant smile. I'm not dressing out this year,

she announced. I'm getting too old for that. A couple of the girls nod, a bit sadly, Lita thinks. They're only a year older than her. Am I getting too old to dress up? Lita wonders. Before she has much time to think about this, her dad is at the front ordering their drinks.

He gets a warm cinnamon cider for himself and something called the works for Lita and her mom. As the drinks come through the window, Lita's eyes widen in delight. Her mom has a similar look of childlike glee on her face. The drink is warm in her hands, and it is as lovely to look at as it is to hold. Lita dives into a layer of caramel, drizzled,

with cream, smiling up at her parents with a white mustache. They laugh as they all continue to enjoy their treats. When Lita finishes the creamy whip off the top, she gets her first real taste of the drink underneath. The cider is sweetened with caramel sauce, and it gives it an unexpected silky texture. The hint of cinnamon heightens the warming sensation as it spreads through her whole body. Lita and her parents have similar looks of contentment on their faces as they relax, enjoying the moment.

Later they pay for their pumpkins and wheel them to the car, all hands on deck as they load them. into the back. With their car and their hearts full, they drive home to continue their day of fun. Once all the pumpkins are unloaded, the family get themselves ready for the process of carving and decorating. Lita's dad has his drill out with a fine tip attached, while her mom is placing dots in an intricate pattern all over the giant pumpkin. Lita hears the drill start up as her mom finishes drawing and goes to get the paints. Then she sits next to her mom in their yard. The little jars of paint opened between them. As they begin to decorate their white pumpkins,

Lita's mom asks her what she wants to be this year. Lita is silent for a moment. I don't know if I'm going to dress up this year, she says. Her mom nods slowly, understanding more than her daughter could know. Steering away from the sensitive topic, she asks for ideas about what she and Lita's dad should dress up at. Lita looks thoughtful.

She doesn't exactly have any ideas, but she does have a question. She asks her mom if she's ever felt like she was too old to dress up. Her mom chuckles at this. Glad that they finally got to the heart of the matter. Of course, she too had overheard the young girls in the line talking. In fact, she came close to telling those sweet young girls that you're never too old to dress up. But she didn't want to risk embarrassing her daughter. Lita listens rapidly as her mom tells the story of the one Halloween she didn't dress up.

She was a year older than Lita at the time, and the group of friends she usually went trick-or-treating with, had all decided that they were too old to participate. Trying to fit in, she stayed home that night, watching her parents hand out candy. At the end of the night, her own mother, Lita's dear grandma, sat down to ask her what was wrong. She had told her mother about her friends and how she didn't want to be the only one. dressing up all alone. Her mother had folded her into a warm embrace as she taught her daughter a lesson that would shape her life for always. What's worse? She asked her daughter, sitting here on Halloween

night crying with me or going trick-or-treating alone. The girl nodded, taking in her her mother's wise words. In that moment, she had an answer. Being yourself was more important than following everyone else. She decided then and there that it was better to be happy doing your own thing than to be disappointed following the crowd. From that moment on, she had never missed out on dressing up. In fact, she had met the love of her life, who had become Lita's wonderful father at a Halloween party. Being herself was the best decision she had ever made.

After all, it led her to this charming life on this beautiful autumn day, shared with her two greatest love. Lita smiles up at her mom. Her eyes filled with hope. It's strange yet sweet to imagine her mom at her own age, struggling with the same thing she did. Lita had always thought of her mom is confident and self-assured. She never thought about the road she took to get there. I think I want to be a zombie girl, said Lita. Her mom smiles. The pride of her daughter shining in her eyes.

She tells Lita that it would be perfect. In fact, Lita's dad suggested that they go as Frankenstein's monster and his bride. Lita loves this idea, and she can't wait to see her parents all dressed up. They always look otherworldly and fantastical on Halloween. Throughout the rest of the week, their victory. home turns into a whimsical, haunted manner, straight out of a storybook. The inhabitants are just as darkly enchanting as the eve of Halloween finally arrives. Lita stands at the bottom of the stairs as her dad comes down the upper hallway.

His arms stretched out in front of him. holding his leg straight. He begins a comical, lumbering walk as he slowly descends the stairs, staying in character the entire time. Lita can't help laughing at her dad's antics. Right before he reaches the bottom step, they hear a door open at the top of the stairs.

Lita and her dad's antics, both turned to look at her mother as she comes down looking spectacular in her full costume. Her parents then stand side by side and hand Lita their camera. Her mom is wearing her actual wedding dress, but this time her shoulders are draped with a black lace shawl with a cobweb design. Her dark hair is in a beehive style, a white streak running through the center. Both of them have painted their skin, a ghoulish green, and stenciled on intricate black stitches. As a finishing touch, they've attached fake bolts to either side of their necks.

They look like they could be straight out of a movie, thinks Lita as she snaps the picture. Her parents come over to look at the photo, and they both nod in approval. Now it's time to put the finishing touches on Lita's costume. She sits still as her mom carefully draws on the stitches and uses some liquid latex to make realistic-looking zombie flesh. Stepping back to admire her handiwork, Lita's mom holds up a mirror for Lita to see herself. Lita gasps.

She can't believe how realistic her costume looks. Her mom's artistic touches on the makeup have brought everything together. Lita looks down at her tattered green and black dress and gives an impromptu twirl. She's absolutely. in love with her costume. She skips over to the door, unaware of her mom's proud smile following her. Lita sits down and pulls on her black boots over the ripped tights she wears under her dress, completing the ensemble. Finally, her parents opened the regal double doors that serve as the entry

into their home, inviting trick or treaters. The vintage cauldron outside is now brimming with candy. It looks right at home, surrounded by ornate pumpkins. And the streets are buzzing with fanciful ghouls of all sorts, running around with baskets waiting to be filled. Lita spots a familiar group and waves to them. The girls all stop in unison to stare in open wonder at Lita's house. Of all the decorated houses on the block,

there is something special about this one. I love your costumes. One girl exclaims her eyes wide. Lita and her parents all smile. thanking her for the sincere compliment. All the girls in the group are amazed by Lita's parents and their wonderful costumes. As the girls depart with their candy, Lita looks up to see her parents giving her a knot.

They love being with their daughter, but they also want her to go and enjoy this magical night with her friends. Before taking off, Leda gives her mom a quick, unexpected hug. She waves at her smiling parents as she follows the group, beginning a night of fun. After visiting a few houses, they all decide it's time to enjoy some candy. As Lita is unwrapping a peanut butter cup, She spots a familiar figure sitting alone on the stairs of her front porch. Popping the candy in her mouth, Lita runs over to Ray and sits next to her.

Why are you sitting here all alone? Lita asks. As Ray begins explaining why she didn't get a costume this year, Lita stops her. She tells Ray that she heard her that day at the pumpkin patch. She also admits that it made her second guess her decision to dress up. Ray apologizes and says that she's glad Lita changed her mind. She's clearly having the most fun of the two of them. Out of curiosity, Ray asks what changed Lita's mind?

Lita takes a moment to share her mom's story. As Ray listens, she wishes she had heard this early. If Lita's parents can dress up, surely none of them are too old. An idea forms in Lita's mind as she grabs Ray's hand and they race up to her room. Throwing the closet open, the girls begin pulling out items of clothing and tossing them on the bed. In a few short minutes, Ray is wearing. black tights with a long, flowy white shirt. A scarf is tied around her waist, and another one is wrapped around her head. They get permission to use her mother's eyeliner to color on an eye patch,

and now in her tall winter boots, Ray the Pirate is ready for trick or treat. Ray and Lita run out of the house and spot their friends getting more candy nearby. When the group turns around, they're all excited to see Ray. They have tons of compliments on her costume. Ray smiles happily, telling everyone how Lita put it together for her. None of them are surprised. After all, Lita has the best Halloween house on the whole. whole block. As the night comes to an end, the girls all go to their respective homes. Their baskets

filled to the brim with delicious candy. Ray and Lita are the last two left. As they're nearing Ray's porch, she turns to Lita and gives her a heartfelt thanks. She has learned something important this year. Ray and Lita make a pinky promise. that they'll dress up for Halloween every year, even if they live to be a hundred. It's a promise Lita is delighted to keep. When she gets home, she walks in to see her parents sitting on the couch and pajamas.

With their Halloween makeup still on, Lita smiles at the sight and goes over to join them. Her dad passes her the bowl of popcorn, and she digs in, telling them about her night as a spooky film plays in the background. They're glad that Lita had so much fun with her friends. But most of all, they're so proud of their sweet, brave girl. Sitting between her parents on the couch, Lita tries to focus on the film. Eyes are getting droopy.

It's time to say good night and make her way upstairs. As Lita falls into a deep slumber in her comfy bed, her dreams are as sweet as the candy she collected. This is the happiest Halloween she has ever had.