Kevin had already made his costume, helped decorate the house, and was excited for candy. But one undecorated house on his street bothered him—Mrs. Kimbly’s. She lived alone and never joined in, but Kevin didn’t think anyone should miss out on Halloween.He knocked on her door and offered to help decorate. She snapped, “I don’t want decorations. Go away,” and slammed the door. Kevin was stunned—but not ready to give up.

At home, he told his mom, who gently suggested Mrs. Kimbly might be going through something. Still, Kevin believed she was just lonely.He gathered decorations—including his favorite carved pumpkin—and secretly decorated her porch. But when she saw it, she was furious. “I told you not to!” she yelled, then smashed his pumpkin. Kevin ran off, heartbroken.

That night, in costume, he couldn’t enjoy Halloween. Worried kids might prank her house, he returned and handed out his own candy from her porch.Later, Mrs. Kimbly opened the door. “What are you doing here?”“I didn’t want anyone to mess with your house,” he said. “You don’t have to be alone.”She sat beside him, her anger gone. “Halloween’s hard for me. I don’t have family.”“You have neighbors,” Kevin said. “You have me.”She smiled. “I’m sorry about your pumpkin.”“I have another. We can carve it together.”For the first time in years, Mrs. Kimbly felt Halloween’s warmth—thanks to one kind, persistent boy.