All Hallows Eve is looming. For weeks, Children of the Corn have been anticipating this last day in October. I got my decorations for the house in mid-September out of the attic; okay, I got H to bring it down so I can slowly put them up around the house to infect everyone in the family.

Last week, Child of the Corn I presented her plan for All Hallows Eve – to go trick-a-treating with her so-called BFF. They plan to have a sleepover on Saturday night. She told H that her BFF’s mother will take them to church and I immediately interjected. What? Church? Why? No. Absolutely not. The presentation stopped quicker than it started. I have nothing against churches. I just do not want her to go there with her friends. We do not go to church, we do not believe in it. We will go there if someone gets married in one or funeral services of people we know are being held there. Otherwise, no church going of our minors without our explicit supervision.

That was not all that happened. A few days ago, she went back to H and said that she wanted to spend the night at her BFF’s starting Friday night. She said to H that she told him all about it in the car while they were on their way back from breakfast. H said he does not remember such discussion. She then took her mobile phone and showed him the SMS that her friend sent her detailing the PLAN. H said, No, her parents will not even be there. He turned to me, shook his head and read out loud, “Get off the bus at my stop after school, my parents will be at a party and there will be just US.” I sighed. I did not even bother to open my mouth because it was past 7 P.M and I will not stop detailing why she should not even consider it until past midnight. Who has time or energy for such a tirade?

So why do I object to her spending time with her BFF? Apart from the fact that the parents will not even be at home that night, I object because we do not even know where she lives. That’s right. Last year, we allowed Child of the Corn I to go to a party a week before All Hallows Eve. Towards the end of the party, she rang the house and said she wanted to go to another classmate’s house round the corner from where we dropped her off and then they were going to spend the night at another person’s house, also around the corner. I asked her where exactly is this corner she will be spending the night and she did not know. She handed the phone to the girl who lives there. The girl hesitated giving me her address and gave me her mother’s phone number instead. I called the woman and started to ask if she minded Child of the Corn I spending the night there. Apparently, everything has been arranged beforehand without our knowledge. The mother then told me that her house is difficult to find and that we should meet up with them at the local petrol station by her neighbourhood the next day. H decided to let Child of the Corn I stay and I agreed. Hey, I am always the bad guy, setting what appears to be impossible limits for the poor teenager.

One year has passed and we still do not know where they live and that bothers me. We know that they live in a trailer park but that is hardly the reason why we do not wish for our child to continue being friends these people.

Last year, we decided to have a birthday party for Child of the Corn I inviting her BFFs. This particular kid whose residence is a mystery to us said she will come but did not show up.

In light of all these, I do say it is fair for me to limit my teenager’s exposure to this family. How can I in good conscience allow my kid to spend the night with a family who seem to have everything to hide from us?

At this point, I do not care if they think I am a snob or I am different because I do not believe in any church or Asian or even not an American. I am trying my best not to discriminate against others but this is too hard.

We have always made a conscious effort to be friends with everyone regardless their religious persuasion or lack thereof; their income tax bracket, their residence or skin colour, the food that they eat or their fashion-sense. Hell, H and I came from two different countries with two different religious backgrounds.

I have decided to hell with it. I have told Child of the Corn I she is not allowed to visit her BFF whose residence is a mystery to us and not to even bother asking if she could go anywhere near there.

If her BFF and her parents have a problem with it, they know where WE live, they have our phone numbers, and they can take their sorry hick arses here and ask us themselves.