Bluey the Balloon is... nay, was blue.
Hence his her name.
(Did you know I used the word "hence" in a seventh-grade history report on the Fertile Crescent and the teacher thought I had made up the word? That same teacher "taught" eighth-grade history by just turning on the projector. Most of the time he wasn't there. And then there is the time that a bunch of firefighters came over to help sub in our Algebra II class when both teachers fell ill on the same day. [Of course, those teachers were married, so it wasn't too much of a surprise.] Not that I think firefighters can't do math; just, an odd idea even if the fire house was within walking distance of the school.)
Bluey was acquired through the every-six-month ritual of going to the dentist. Sure, there are other balloons in the universe, but a Dentist Balloon is an awesome prize.
Yes, Bluey was quite beloved for the 47.3 seconds that Splig owned her.
"Race you to the car!" were the last words Bluey heard out of Splig's mouth before the carefully tied bow around his wrist came loose. In slow motion, Bluey shook her string-hips as she came out of Spig's grasp. His smile contorted, and the water-works began.
The wind carried Bluey up quickly, swirling, dipping, and dancing amongst the sparse clouds in the sky that matched her exterior.
Splig's mouth remained agape, shocked that Bluey would leave him so soon.
"Balloon incident?" The dental assistant had already blown up a balloon and was walking towards us, nodding with understanding. Alas, she had blown up a green one as a replacement, and Splig really really wanted blue.
But I don't want to raise brats, so ushered him out with a bright "Thank you so much!" to the dental assistant while shushing Splig's color concerns.
In the van, Splig lamented how he'd never see her again. Even if by chance the atmosphere didn't pop her, he knew "another kid" would steal her away. (Yes, he was crying, "The atmosphere! It will pop her!")
The Cat came up with an elaborate science fiction scheme to shush his younger brother. He tried with simple teleportation (figuring we could get our hands on a new blue balloon somehow) but had to add different features to ensure that the teleported Bluey wouldn't go back up in the air or be snatched by some other kid. He finally settled on a special ray that made Bluey invisible to everyone except "Spliggle Spupabix Weeocutie", since there might be other "Spliggle"s in the world, and maybe even some "Spliggle Weeocutie"s or "Spliggle Spupabix"es.
Still skeptical, Splig worried, and kept lamenting, "I can't handle it!"
Back at home, by the magic of having an overstocked party-supply store contained within our house, I brought out a helium canister and some blue balloons. Immediately, Splig perked up.
Bluey II floated up to the ceiling a couple times, but I got her down and re-tied her string. Until I tried to get her down yet again and she exploded.
Splig's face exploded, too.
Instantly he was on the ground, face-down.
But seconds later, I brought down the helium tank again. Interestingly, Bluey III kept deflating as I tried to inflate her. I discovered a pinprick hole. Splig deftly discovered some tape, carefully broke off a piece in preparation for the delicate surgery, and solemnly watched me patch his dear balloon.
We were back in business.
Or at least, we're in business until Bluey III goes to great balloon heaven to join her namesakes.
Above, Splig poses with his new best friend.
P.S. No, Splig is not usually this goofy. I bet $100 bucks the movie the kindergartners saw this morning when their recess was rained out was that crazy French red balloon film that all students must see at least once per year until they graduate from public education.
FIN.
Comments (1)
Cat is such a good big brother.
Posted by Jaelithe | June 1, 2010 7:40 AM
Posted on June 1, 2010 07:40