Roy wolk to the screaming of chilren. His siblings to be sure. He groaned an pulled th blanket over his head. His head was pounding, and his ear was throbbing. He wondered if it was infected at this point. He should really go to the hospital..fuck that. He couldn't afford it. 
Terry was up. He could hear him chattering in the livingroom, who was he talking to? Spencer? probaly. He wishe he didn't have to get out of bed today, but his siblings doubtlessly  wanted things like breakfast and needed things like a reminder to brush their teeth and comb their hair. It might have been saturday, and halloween but he couldn't just slack off.  He felt nauseous though, and he really, really didn't want to get up.
Someone was in the room now, he could hear them moving around, they were trying to be quiet, failing fairly miserably. He listened. It was Terry, he could tell now, he felt eyes on him, and little little shuffling sounds of his brothers uncertain feet. Terry wante him for somthing but he didn't want to wake him. Fuck it. Roy pulled the covers down, he was still bloody. He's forgotten. Terry screamed.
------------------------------
The morning had been a long one. He'd been to the ER, for several hours while they stitched his ear anda pumped him full of antibiotics.  He felt so tired. he  was not up for the day he had ahead of him.It was already almost three, he had to get Terry dressed, get himself dressed and get to Burton. 
Terry had told him they didn't have to go, but there was no way that his youngest brother was paying for what his stupid ass had done the two nights previous. He wished Terry was a little more capeable of dressing himself, at ten, he should have been. He didn't want to think about that. His brother was not slow. He wouldn't think about that. He could do t-shirts, and his pants as long as they didn't have a button that needed doing. He could put on his shoes as long as there were not tricky laces. He could manage. 
He watched as his brother Spencer laced his shoes. No trouble there. Ten months older than Terry, and no trouble. As he thought, the cheap sausage he'd been cooking for his siblings began to burn on the stovetop. Spencer stared at him, wondering just how far in space his brother acutally was before going to tend to it himself.
Roy snapped out of it "Shit! Pen. Sorry." He got up and hurried over to the stove "Ah I was just.."
"you arn't feeling well. You should just stay in tongiht." Spencer replied snappily. "I'm going out. I have things to take care of before tonight. I've..got somewhere important to be." He frowed, and twisted his sweater in his hands.
That worried Roy. Spencer only did that when he was embarrassed,stressed,or lying about somthing. He wasn't sure which it was, but Spencer's refusal to go trick-or-treating with the rest of the family (and any tag-alongs Roy'd somehow gotten roped into watching) worried him. Maybe Zeke was right though, Zeke'd told him that Spencer was proubly just going out with a girl. That reminded him, with a sinking feeling in his stomach, that he would be going with a girl as well. later. after he went with Terry. What was that girls name. fuck. He had to remember before he ran into her again. He could not fuck a girl, and not remember her god-damn name.Ugh.
Roy finished feeding everyone an got Terry an his youngest sister Dixie dressed. He'd gotten a neighbor to agree to babysit his siblings for the later portion of the night, and he was incredibly greatful for that, he had a party to go to, and while he wasn't going to enjoy it anyways, he could at least feel safe knowing that Walker would make sure eceryone was safe and cared for. He liked Walker really. Even if he was six feet of muscle bound stupid. No..that wasn't right, Walker wasn't stupid.. he was quiet, there was a difference. 
Roy handed out costumes, and laid out supplies for decorating the old pillowcases that he'd bought for  trick or treat sacks. With Terry and Dixie with him they'd be able to work in peace, and he'd already decorated the bags with the little ones earlier in the week. He laid out some apple slices and balogna and cheese rolls, and then walked Terry and Dixie to the bus stop
------------------------------
The ride to Burton had been a peaceful one. Terry didn't get to leave the part very often so his face was glued to the window as the scenery passed them by, and Dixie, snoozed laying against Roy. He was pretty happy with out her little mummy costume had come out. Even if it was pink. She'd insisted that it had to be pink. He was more proud of Terry's costume though, which was of a charater from one of his favorite books. He wore a white sweatsuit with black boots (those sure had been a lucky find and he could wear them this winter too) and an oversized green coat. Roy'd had to do a bit of work to sew on the red collar and large bronze buttons,but he didn't mind and he thought it looks pretty good, specially with a stuffed fox at Terry's side.
He himself was dressed as a pilot. Not exactly to compliment Terry's costume, but just becuse it was easy. the flight jacket had been an amazing find, even better than terry's boots, that of course was thanks to Penny. The clerk at the thrift store in Eastwood. she always put aside the best for him. perks of having a 'fan' he supposed. he'd made the helmet and the red scarf. Terry told him he looked like Snoopy. That was fine.
The church did look pretty in fall. Roy wasn't at all a religious person. He didn't belive, he never had reason to, but, his mother had tried for a few months, so, at least he wasn't a total stranger to the place. He carried Dixie and held Terry's hand as they walked up the incredibly long path to the church. It was all decced out with pumpkin and fall decor, bats being the scariest thing on display, Terry looked thrilled, and that made Roy happy. Even if his ear still throbbed, and his stomache was still in knots. 
What Roy hadn't expected was the sheer amount of cute girls that attented this church. Well, he had to admitt to himself, not just girls. He let Terry and Dixie loose, free to go car to car to get their candy while Roy chatted a bit with people. It'd all been pretty dull, until he'd caught sight of an incredibly cute dog. He made Roy's heart skip a beat, and when he was joined by another, well, Roy made his way over there pretty quick. 
"Hey." He said cheerfully as he could muster "I'm Roy. I don't think we've met before." 
The petite blond smiled at him, his hair was shoulderlength, fluffy and tied in a very neat ponytail. He had a really cute face, babyish with full lips, lips Roy wouldn't have minded seeing wrapped around his..uh, never mind. Roy also loved the boys mismatched eyes. One brown, one blue. Like David Bowie. Well not just like. He doubted this boy'd ever gotten punched by anyone. Roy couldn't help but stare at him. God he was prettier than almost all the girls Roy knew. he was so soft and delicate, and..just wow, and his cousin who stood beside him wasn't someone to forget either. Wow.
Maybe he was just worked up though..but..that boy in his angel costume. That white toga hugging his cute frame, and the cheap little halo. Roy really, really wished he could think of somthing more impressive to talk about, instead he just began babbling about his little brother. Oh god. They were going to think he was such a dork.
Thankfully the cousin, whom he learned was named Riley was very freindly, and really happy to talk little siblings with him. Seemed that Riley had a little sister named Abigale who was there with him, and who'd been waiting all week in eager anticipation of this event. Riley was dressed up like a knight. the costume was cheesy and plastic, but roy liked it, even if it didn't realy look quite right on the curvy puppy. Riley was a little pudgy at the hips and maybe just a touch at the tum, barely noticeable really, but it made him look incredibly girly. He bet if Riley and his lovely cousin really were girls,they wouldn't be here at a church on halloween. 
"I really wanna go trick-or-treating." Riley lamented "Brandy and I both wanna go, but we can't find anyone to go with! it sucks." Roy couldn't help but smirk as Brandon's mismatched eye went wide at the 'vulgar' language of his cousin and roy, stupidly opened his mouth "I could take you around..and uh...there is this party going on after..."
"Oh I could never." Brandon said quickly. Riley cut him off "Miss it. he could never miss it. We will sooooo, soo be there. "he giggled happily "but uh..thats your brother right? Playing with my sister over there..maybe um..wanna..talk to my Dad maybe they can play together tonight! you said you were worried he was gonna be bored and lonely and junk.."
Roy was delighted to hear that offer "Yeah! Lets talk to your dad that'd be great." So they did, and Roy, much to his suprise found Terry -thrilled- with the idea of a halloween sleep over with this girl he'd just met. Roy normally would have shot the idea down, but after speaking with Mr.Bikket and his wife for a few moments, he trusted them. He couldn't explain why he just did. They were both so kind. Real kind, not 'charity' kind. Terry and Abigale had really hit  it off it seemed...still he was a bit curiosu about the sudden rush that Riley and Brandon were in to leave the church. He collected phone numbers and Dixie and then left with the two beautiful boys to head back to the trailer park.
----------------------------------------------------------
The next few hours were a happy blur. Pizza bagels were doled out to hungry siblings costumes were put on, glitter was spilled all over the kitchen floor, and Brandy and Riley made Roy smile and laugh. He loved how innocent and silly Brandon was and how sweet and loveable Riley was. Everything was going fantastic, until he remembered he had a date, a date who would soon be there, and a date whos name, he still could not place. Even that couldn't really bring him down at the moment though, he was having too much fun.  
Brandon was really great with his siblings. really great, and so was Riley. Roy was thrilled. Maybe..maybe he'd have to have those two over again if all the little ones liked them, and they never swore or..made him feel confused and, angry and, weird like Zeke had been lately.
That hurt. Zeke was his best friend. They'd grown up together, even before Zeke was the way he was now. So angry all the time. Sure that was a perfect punk attitude but..all the girls, and boys for as far as he knew he slept with and, all the trouble he was always getting into. It made Roy..mad? Maybe that wasn't right. He didn't want to think about Zeke right now. The night was going so well..and maybe, maybe he could just skip that party. Fuck he'd already been a total shitlord, the past few days what would a few more hours of shittiness cost him? He could just take the kids, and these awesome boys and bail on that chick from the other night, he didn' owe her anything! He didn't even know her fucking name.
..but he couldn't really do that. No. he didn't have it in him. Maybe he could avoid the party, avoid Zeke, avoid..dealing with Spencer wherever he was sneaking off to for the night. It was about time to get going anyways, the kids were about to burst, and it was after supper, late enough to get started. "Let's go" he called to the group "Gotta pick up Zeke's sister and Libby from across the street." 
Marcella, Zeke's little sister was waiting on her front porch for them, and she looked, hot. Ew. Roy hadn't been expecting that. He didn't really want to think Zeke's bratty little sister could look hot, but there she was, a twelve, almost thirteen year old skunk in a glittery red belly-dancers outfit, two-tone hair up in a high ponytail, glittering red lipstick on her lips, oh man. He had to get that under controll. what the heck was wrong with him lately. This was zeke's gross sister. He'd known her scince she's been in diapers. Gross. he couldn't think she was cute..she sure was walking kinda weird today though. He'd seen girls walk like that before, usually tripping out of the bathroom after they were with Zeke, but..nah. that was weird, and kinda gross. He didn't wanna think about that either. "Hey Marcy." He called to her cheerily "you ready to get some candy?"
"I'm not four shitdick." ah, she got her charming speech from her brother. That was better, no chance of getting any awkward boners while her mouth was open. Roy smiled at her.
"You fucked the concert last night too. You're a real asshole" Sweet little Marcy. 
-----------------------------------------
He rounded up the gang, and wondered how exactly he'd become the babysitter for almost half the kids in the trailer park. He took em around to all the houses, and then to the truck stop. The diner gave out full sized candy bars to each kid, the owner, and irsh setter named Delarge, was absolutely nuts about kids and always had somthign planned for the holidays. He took pictures of the costumes, and patted roy on the bum, which was weird but whatever, really it was rare to see him as he was usually holed up in his office. 
Roy thought he was a pretty cool dude, and he liked that he always wanted to help kids. He wondered breifly about getting a job at the diner instead of the shitty joint where he worked. Then he thought of the fact he'd have to serve Zeke and any idea of asking after that went out the window. 
When they'd finished in the diner, Delarge suprised them all, paying bus fair into Burton to extend their trick-or-treating trip. Roy proubly should have called and checked with everyone but, he just didn't bother. it was a fourty minuet drive tops, usually less. He packed the kids up and they headed off.
----------
A couple hours later, all the borrowed children had been returned, and Roy was just about to lay down for a little nap before the party when there was a knock at his door. God he'd forgotten. that girl. She must have been there now. He grumbled and rolled off the couch before heading for the door. He pulled it open and looked out..then down. Oh god she was so much shorter than he remembered. 
The girl stared up at him smiling. She was a weasel. Pretty. She had soft, light brown fur except on her underbelly where her fur was white. Her hair was long, really, really long and blond with lots of curl to it. She had a little rounded face with a big, cheery smile and rounded ears on the top of her head. She had great eye, big and pretty,a great color,like summer grass when she smiled they lit up. No wonder he'd gone with her. She looked so young now though, diffrent than she had the day before. Shorter too. he didn't remember her being so little. It was her though, he recognized the eyes, and..her body, her long neck and torso, her legs. No, she  wasn't just pretty he..really thought she was beautiful.So alive, and so happy. She wanted to see him, and god he needed that. Everyone was looking beautiful tonight though. He smiled at her, touched her sweet face "Kaylee." He  remembered.