The Real Magic

It was a dark, windy, rainy night in October – one of those night when you’re glad to be indoors looking out of the window to watch leaves fly by and see nearly naked tree limbs bending in wind. Joey and his father stood by the door in his aunt Alice’s house zipping up their coats and bracing for the walk home, several blocks away.

“Careful on the walk home. It’s a frightful night out there,” Aunt Alice said as they walked out the door into the wind and pouring rain. “Keep your eyes opened especially wide when you pass old man Walter’s place.”

Joey cringed. Old Man Walter’s house was rumored t...