SOLVED. YA Horror - Tale in a “scary story” anthology where a father deliberately gouges his eye out on the corner of a table in honor of (or as penance for?) his dead son.

[Austin]

I read this around 2001-2006. It was not a novel, but a collection of stories like “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.” In the only story I remember from the collection, the young son had died (somehow having to do with one of his eyes gouged out) and now the father is driven by guilt or perhaps being haunted by his son’s ghost. The story maybe takes place on Halloween or maybe has something to do with pumpkin carving.

I believe the last line of the story is something like “So I turn my head towards the corner of the table and angle it just right.”

I really appreciate any help—this story has haunted me for decades.

[Austin]

SOLVED.

The book is "Halloween Horrors" edited by Alan Ryan.
(The specific story I remembered is "Eyes" by Charles L. Grant)

Finally searched with the right combination of words!

[Rainbowheart]

Glad you found it, thanks for the update!