Mia was four years old. It was Halloween. She wore a soft black cat costume with little ears. Her tail swished when she walked. She smiled and held a long paper banner. The banner said, “Welcome.”
“Tonight we say hello to friends,” said Mom. “We need your banner.”
Mia nodded. “I can hang it,” she said. She felt proud. She felt curious too. The porch had pumpkins with friendly smiles. Paper bats swung on strings. A round moon peeked out.
Mia stepped onto the porch. The air was cool and sweet. Leaves went rustle, rustle. A tiny sound said, tap, tap.
“What was that?” Mia asked. She took a small breath. She looked around.
Tap, tap. Rustle, rustle.
“It's me,” said a voice. It was only the wind, playing with a little spider decoration. The spider wiggled and waved. “Hello,” Mia whispered. “You look busy.”
The banner was long. It tickled Mia's nose. She giggled. “You are silly,” she told it. “We will hang you high, so friends can see.”
She lifted one end. The other end slid away and went flop, flop. “Oh!” said Mia. “Come back, please.” She picked it up again.
“Whoo,” said a soft sound from the tree.
“What was that?” Mia asked. She turned. “Who is saying whoo?”
A small owl sat on a branch. It had round eyes and a calm face. “Whoo,” it said again, very gentle.
“It is only the owl,” said Dad, stepping out with a little stool. He held Mia's hand. “Are you ready?”
“I am ready,” Mia said. “We will hang the Welcome.”
Dad held the stool steady. Mia climbed one step. She felt safe. She held one end of the banner. The wind puffed, like a friendly puff. The paper fluttered and danced.
“Wait, wait,” Mia laughed. “Nice and slow.” She looked up. She looked down. She took her time.
“Meow?” said a new sound. It was Mr. Jasper, the neighbor cat, with a tiny bell. He rubbed against Mia's leg. Tink, tink went the bell.
“It is only Mr. Jasper,” Mia said. “Hello, helper.”
“Boo,” said a tiny voice. A little ghost costume peeked around the gate. It was Mia's friend, Ben. He waved. “I can hold the other end,” he said.
“Yes, please,” said Mia. She gave Ben the end. “Thank you.”
Together, they lifted the banner. Dad clipped one side. Mom clipped the other. Mia checked the middle. She smoothed a little wrinkle. She patted it gently.
“Welcome,” she read. She liked the word. It felt warm.
Pumpkins glowed. The owl said whoo. The leaves danced. The bell went tink. Mia took a small breath. She felt calm and glad.
Friends walked up the path in bright costumes. A tiny witch. A round pumpkin. A happy robot. Mia stood by the door and waved.
“Welcome,” she said. “Welcome, welcome.”
The banner swayed softly. The night was cozy and kind. Mia's tail swished. She held Mom's hand and smiled.
Curious Mia looked at the moon, the leaves, the lights. She listened to the gentle sounds. She felt brave and gentle too.
“Welcome,” she whispered again, and the porch felt like a hug.
