In the quiet town of Westfield, nestled among the crimson-tinged trees of late October, there existed a tradition unlike any other: Steve Gardeners’ Halloween masquerade. The townspeople whispered that it was more than just a party; it was a magical affair where masks concealed secrets and love bloomed under the moon’s watchful gaze.

On that fateful night in 2018, the air crackled with anticipation. The old Gardener mansion , draped in cobwebs and mystery, stood as the venue. Its grand ballroom, adorned with chandeliers that cast dancing shadows, awaited the arrival of guests. Among them were two souls destined to intertwine.


Denise, a nurse with a penchant for taking care elderly dementia patients and a benevolent mother, arrived early. All dressed up in her sexy pirates’ costume she moved gracefully, her eyes scanning the room for a stranger who might ignite her heart.



And then he appeared: a man in a Carl Spackler costume (Bill Murray in Caddy Shack). His name, she would later discover, was Brandon. He was a carpenter whose hands were rough from working long arduous days, playing guitar and drums through out the years coaxing melodies with his unmistakable talent that echoed through the halls.



They met outside in the courtyard by the grand bum drum, its flames casting warmth upon their ardent faces. Denise’s heart fluttered like the wings of a butterfly. Brandons’ gaze held a promise—an invitation to converse amidst the enchantment.



Denise’s laughter spilled like champagne, and Brandon’s smile revealed a vulnerability he’d hidden from the world. As the night wore on, they shared stories of memories past. Denise confessed her dreams of traveling to Paris, tracing the footsteps of poets and lovers. Brandon spoke of lost melodies, compositions that had slipped through his fingers like sand. Their words flowed like the autumn breeze, carrying promises of forever.



When the clock struck midnight, they retreated to the mansion’s garden. Lanterns hung from twisted branches, casting a soft glow upon the fallen leaves. Beneath the moonlight Brandon gazed deeply into Denise’s eyes. His eyes widened as he beheld her face gleaming in the moonlight. He leaned in close to her to whisper “You are absolutely beautiful”



“And you,” Denise said, “are the melody I’ve been searching for.”
He kissed her then, his lips tasting of starlight and longing. The moonlight embraced them, leaves rustling in approval. It was a kiss that bridged the gap between two souls, binding them across time and space.