Balloons

Five-year-old Vin Tanner hunkered down in the tall grass in the backyard of the house on the hill. He had arrived at the house, a temporary foster home, just that morning. His foster mother, Elizabeth, had gotten him unpacked and settled in before showing him around the house and yard, and explaining to him what his chores were and what was expected of him.

Shortly before dinner her husband, Dan, and their four children arrived home and Vin was nearly overwhelmed in the chaos that ensued. Not knowing yet what kind of home this was going to turn into, Vin ate sparingly, and allowed the older boys to eat what would have been part of his portion. It was better to not rock the boat.

After dinner was finished, Vin helped clear the table, scraping his own plate and placing it on the counter before being dismissed with the couple's two oldest boys, one 14 and one 12, to take out the trash and feed the handful of chickens the family kept on hand.

It was while they were outside in the chicken coop that twenty some hot air balloons rose over the top of the hill and continued on over the house. The sight caused Vin to stop in his tracks and stare wide-eyed as the brightly colored hot air balloons floated directly over his head, close enough that he could easily see the people inside.

"They do that every year," Jake, the 14-year-old told him. "They launch from the field at the bottom of the hill, and then get driven back in trucks to set up again. Then they do a ‘glow' when it gets dark enough."

"A glow?" Vin asked tentatively, still watching as the last of the balloons passed over and moved off into the distant sky.

"Yeah, a glow. Means that they anchor the balloons to their trucks or trailers and then light them up. The fire inside the balloons makes them glow. Let's go."

Vin spent the rest of the evening sitting on the floor in the living room, tucked back out of the way while the other kids did homework. One of the rules was that homework was done after dinner and chores were completed, even on a Friday night, unless the family had some event to go to. This left the entire weekend free to do other things. Vin just wasn't sure what these "other things" were.

At eight o'clock, Vin was sent upstairs with 7-year-old Tyler for baths and bed time. Vin washed up quickly so as not to use too much hot water, and changed into his worn out pajama bottoms and a clean t-shirt. When he exited the bathroom Elizabeth was waiting to settle him into bed.

The bedroom Vin was given had a view of the back yard, and Vin could see a slight glow from the bottom of the hill. His curiosity getting the better of him, Vin climbed out of the bed and stood by the window. But he couldn't see the balloons.

Vin studied the area outside his window. The window opened up onto the top of the back porch and it looked like there was a trellis on one side that he could climb down. It wouldn't hurt to go take a quick look and then hurry right back would it? Carefully he pushed the window open, and then raised the screen as well. Casting one last glance at the closed door to his room to see if he had been heard, Vin slipped out onto the porch roof and down the trellis before silently making his way to the grassy spot looking out into the field below.

Vin sat down cross legged, tucking his feet beneath him in an attempt to keep them warm. The September temperatures kept the days warm, but it did start to cool off at night. Once he got comfortable, he watched as the balloons lit up and then went dark again, just to light up moments later. He was so engrossed in watching that he didn't hear his foster father approach.

"What are you doing outside Vin? You're supposed to be in bed."

The sound of the man's voice caused Vin to start. The boy jumped to his feet, ready to bolt if he needed to.

"Oh, I see. You came out to see the balloons." Dan sank down onto the ground a few feet from where Vin stood. "They're pretty aren't they? Have you ever seen a hot air balloon before?" Dan turned to look at Vin in the darkness and could make out Vin as he vigorously shook his head no.

"This is an annual event. They do it for charity. Are you cold?"

Vin didn't expect the question but slowly nodded

"Come here. Let's get you warmed up." Dan motioned Vin over and lifted him gently to settle Vin in his lap, pulling the blanket he had brought out with him around the small boy, making sure to get his feet tucked in as well. Then he proceeded to explain to the boy how a hot air balloon worked.

"In the morning they'll do another lift off, weather allowing, then do another glow tomorrow night. Would you like to go watch?"

"Really?" Vin's voice was soft and Dan had to really listen closely to hear him.

"Yup, really. In fact, they serve a pancake breakfast in the morning too. Do you like pancakes?"

"Yes sir!"

"Then we'll plan on going."

The two sat there watching the end of the glow. Vin sighed and leaned tiredly back against the man's chest. Maybe this was going to be a good home after all. Too bad it was only temporary.

The End