A Glossy Face-Off
A colorful autumn catalogue lay propped open against the sofa leg, showing a big, uncarved pumpkin resting silently in a painted patch. Think an unblinking, smooth face could ignore my presence? Not a chance. Still wearing my crumpled witch hat, I rolled right up until my jagged grin reflected straight across the glossy paper. I nudged the edge, tipping the slick page so my amber beam lit up its dull orange cousin with a fierce, flickering glow. One of us clearly ruled the patch.