When Did The World Change?

Happy Halloween. Here's a treat.

By Henry Allen, Washington Post Staff Writer

July 10, 1995

You rent a house at the beach. One night, just back from the ice cream place, you say to your kid, "Wanna go for a walk?"

Over the sea grass and through the dunes. You step out of your sandals and look at all the darkness out there, the flop and fall of surf. You feel privileged, as if you were backstage watching it rehearse.

A different world. There's a bonfire way down the beach. Sand comes up through your toes.

"Dig your toes down a ways," you say. "You can feel where it's still hot from the day."

"Wow," your kid says.

You walk. This is great.

"Is this like it was when you were a kid?" your kid asks.

"Su…