Seeing Jake cling to Dan and Tommy’s nervous smile, I quickly pivoted. “We’re off on a new adventure, right boys?” They hesitated—until I promised face painting, games, and all the candy they could dream of at the downtown Halloween festival.
That night was magical. The boys raced from booth to booth, their laughter echoing in the crisp fall air. Jake looked up at me later and said, “This was the best night ever.”
The next day, my friend Julia—who had catered the party—called to tell me what she’d overheard: Isla had deliberately matched our costumes to make us feel unwelcome. She even called us a “discount superhero act.”
I was stunned. But I didn’t get mad—I got creative.
Two days later, a billboard appeared across from Isla’s neighborhood. It featured a joyful photo from the festival: our family in costume, glowing with happiness. The caption read: “The Real Super Family: No Villains Allowed.”
It went viral. Messages of support poured in, memes were made, and even Dan’s father’s assistant texted, “That was legendary.” A local café even named a hot chocolate after us.
That evening, as we watched the boys playing in the yard with their capes fluttering behind them, Dan hugged me and whispered, “You’re the real superhero.”
Isla had her designer costume and grand party—but we had something better: real joy, family, and love. And that’s something no one can fake.