Edward's Red Balloon

Edward could see that it was a sunny day. He got his bag ready and looked himself at the mirror. Aged 10, he stared at his reflection and imagined how the mirror work. Did his twin live there and behaved exactly like he did?

His thoughts came to a standstill as his mom called out his name.

He ran out fast and stopped when he saw his mother smile. She was smearing up a load of butter on a loaf of bread and had neatly kept a glass of milk for him. His tiny feet lead him quietly to her and he held up a bunch of her flowery sundress and signed her to bend down.

His mother, Margaret slowly bent down and Edward ran his eyes through her face and hand before hugging her. Her mother knew that her son did have this habit since he was 5. She simply hugged him back. Suddenly they heard the outdoor open and saw Patrick, Edward’s father.

Patrick beamed at the sight of his son and spoke,” Ed! Look what I brought for you!”

Edward gushed at the sight of the balloon.

A Red Balloon.

He simply loved balloons. An inflated floating ball was a source of major joy for him.

The bright red balloon was the prettiest he ever had.

He took the thin thread and held it carefully.

For days, he kept the balloon safe. He would walk out on streets proudly holding the thin thread while people seemed to look at the balloon.

It was his prized possession.

He didn’t take it to his school though. A pesky kid, Timon seemed to have a liking and knack for bursting balloons. He did take it once on his way to school but changed his mind. He asked traffic police,” Sir, can you protect this balloon until I return from school?”

The traffic police inspector did protect his balloon and in exchange, Edward gave him a piece of toffee.

*****

It was a windy day today. Edward didn’t seem to like this kind of weather. He preferred the sunny day.

He quietly walked on the street with his red balloon. But it seemed the wind intensity was more.

He hurried after the balloon as the balloon seemed to float a bit. He couldn’t lose his balloon.

Luckily the same traffic police inspector caught it. He came closer to the kid and handed him the balloon. Edward shyly looked at him as he said,” I don’t have a toffee to pay you!”

The inspector laughed and said,” That’s okay. I did it out of kindness.”

Kindness? This new word seemed to make him curious as he asked,”Kinness?”

The inspector laughed again before saying,” Yes. It is like uhh..you taking care of someone or helping!”

It made sense. Edward suddenly beamed and said,” Like my mom?”

The inspector nodded before waving him a bye.

He walked and walked, tightly holding his balloon this time to reach his home.

When he walked into his house, he heard his mother scream. His mind reminded him of similar times.

He remembered her bloody nose when he was five.

He remembered her hands having gruesome marks.

He could hear his mother scream,” Please stop beating me, Patrick!”

His Dad seemed to say in a cold, careless tone,” It’s good that you have feelings. I like to see your feelings and emotions. Even if it means to see you in physical pain.”

He seemed to laugh and Edward just stood there.

He looked back at his balloon. Again and Again.

His heart was attached to this beautiful Red Balloon.

Slowly, walking up to the table, he took a pen.

He longingly looked at the balloon.

He was again going to burst a balloon. Like he did always.

He forcedly pierced and the balloon burst loudly.

He knew like always that his father will stop beating his mother.

He bent down to look at the remains of the balloon and whispered,” Don’t worry. You are kind. Like all those balloons I used for mom.”

He heard his father walkout.

He knew his father would not be able to look him into the eyes. It was fine. He didn’t care.

His mother walked into the room. Edward ran and looked at her hands and ran his eyes on her face.

She smiled as if nothing had happened.

Her hands and face told a different story.

She told a lie,” I fell again.”

But he knew her lie.

He smiled as if he knew nothing and nodded.

Whatever made his mother okay.