One Single Red Balloon

*Contains mentions of mental health issues and drug use*

“Don’t go to the skatepark, Hitoshi. Please!”

“It’s fine, Mom. They’re tearing it down, just gonna get some last looks. That’s all.”

Hitoshi steps out, turning to close the door behind him. Seeing the uneasy look on his mother’s face, Hitoshi thinks to himself.

“Always worrying.”

Taking a familiar path through the city, feeling the late summer air as the afternoon slowly turns to evening. His miles trek leads just meters from his destination. A young woman of his age photographs the decrepit graffiti-marked concrete of the condemned skatepark. She looks up from her lens, noticing a silhouette approaching that feels uncannily familiar. She peers in Hitoshi’s direction. She perks up from her squatting position and waves enthusiastically. Calling out to him.

“Hitoshi! Is that you?!”

Hitoshi thinks to himself.

“That can’t be.”

As he closes more distance on this serendipitous occasion. He realizes it’s true. It is Skylar. He calls out to her.

“Skylar? What the heck?!”

Skylar runs up and hugs him tightly. Practically leaping into his arms. Hitoshi returns the embrace with equal force.

“What are you doing here? It’s been so long.”

“I’m so happy to see you! I heard they were tearing down our park, so I came to take some final photos. This place brings back so many memories.”

Hitoshi surveys the abandoned skate park, a shadow of its former glory. Weeds seem to have sprung up from every crack in the cement, eroding the structural integrity and chipping away at a once-smooth surface. He hears the ghosts of laughter and skateboard wheels echo from their shared past. Tears begin to form. Coating his glassy eyes.

“I can’t believe they let it fall into ruin.”

Skylar watches Hitoshi’s reaction closely. She briefly turns away, struggling to control her own emotions.

“It’s tragic. Isn’t it? This place was our sanctuary. Now it feels like a graveyard.”

In an attempt to lighten the mood, Hitoshi points out a particular faded spray-painted graffiti. The message is imperceptible to anyone who didn’t paint it. He laughs.

“Look, our tag.”

Skylar cackles then blushes slightly before snapping a photo of the decade-old mark on the edge of the skate bowl.

“‘S and H 4 ever’. Who knew our masterpiece would outlive the park itself?”

“It’s crazy, isn’t it? Also seeing you. This is completely unexpected. I’m not going to lie, I was heartbroken when you had to move away all those years ago. I don’t know why I didn’t keep in touch.”

Skylar shifts her stance, sharing the weight of their fizzle.

“We got busy growing up, making new friends, and pursuing different interests. But I always cherished our memories, and deep down I always held out hope that our bond would remain unbroken.”

Hitoshi reads the sincerity in her eyes.

“It doesn’t feel like anything has changed, for me.”

Skylar’s smile sparkles.

“Even though things around us change, the important stuff stays the same. Like our friendship. It may have been dormant, but it never truly went away.”

Hitoshi smiles.

“Do you want to see if that crummy vending machine is still here?”

Skylar howls.

“Ha ha. Oh man, that vending machine. Remember how the soda was never entirely cold? We would complain about the warm soda and still buy it anyway! I don’t know why we didn’t just start bringing our own cooler.”

They approach the worn-down, slightly rusted machine. Time peeled the interior decal from the inside.

“True. Wow, I can’t believe the vending machine is still here. And it’s buzzing!”

Hitoshi puts in a dollar and goes through the motions of it being rejected multiple times before the machine decides to accept it. The buttons are faded, giving anyone else’s best guess at what soda might be dispensed. Hitoshi pushes a button in the familiar position. The expected soda crashes into the collection bin. He reaches in. Smiling, he takes the can and hands it to Skylar.

“Is this still your favorite?”

Skylar’s eyes shine.

“Grape. You remembered, I’m impressed!”

Hitoshi laughs.

“Could I forget? Still warm, Sky. Maybe you should check the expiration on it.”

She rotates the can. Squints her eyes to read the dotted date on the bottom of the can.

“Haha, expired four months ago. Which is better than I expected. I guess the city doesn’t have a lot of incentive to restock regularly. Just like old times, except now the soda is even more stale.”

“Ha! I’ll still drink it with you. Want to share like old times?”

Skylar nods and cracks open the warm grape soda. She winces slightly as she sips its aged contents. Shaking her head then eagerly hands it off to Hitoshi. He takes a sip.

“Yeah, it’s pretty awful, but still sweet. Just ike old times.” Hitoshi hands the can back. Skylar chuckles as she takes another swig.

“Agreed, I think my taste buds betrayed me. There’s something weirdly charming about the off-flavor of old soda. It’s a nostalgia trip in a can.”

Hitoshi laughs. His eyes widen as he remembers. He hastily digs in his pocket.

“I have a great idea.”

He pulls from his pocket a joint and a lighter.

“Want to go on a real nostalgia trip?”

Skylar raises her eyebrows.

“I haven’t done that in so long!”

She smiles and shrugs her shoulders.

“Why not? For old time’s sake.”

They stroll to their old spot and plop down outside the bowl. Their feet, dangling over the edge of a twelve-foot drop. There’s a foot of water pooled at the bottom from a clogged drain and a recent storm.

Hitoshi lights up and takes a few puffs before passing it to Skylar. Smoke envelopes them as each takes their turn, exhaling white clouds. They take stock of the familiar graffiti-tagged relics of ramps, rails, and boxes. The early evening sun reflects in the glassy, smooth rainwater at the bottom of the bowl, painting them both in a soft amber color. Skylar turns to Hitoshi with a faint smile.

“It’s like no time has passed at all, we’re still those same two kids finding joy in the smallest things.”

Hitoshi smiles, gazing into green eyes.

“Nothing changed. I know I said it before, but I can’t shake this feeling. I missed you so much, Skylar. I’m so happy to see you again.”

Skylar’s cheeks flush as she exhales a plume of smoke.

“I missed you, too, Hitoshi. So very much.”

She scoots closer to Hitoshi. Adjusting her position so her body is angled towards, yet not fully facing him.

“Do you believe in second chances, Hitoshi?”

“More than most.”

He turns to her, searching her face and hoping to meet her gaze. Skylar faces Hitoshi. Their eyes lock. Skylar feels her heart thumping in her chest. She leans forward. She speaks softly as if trying not to blow out a candle lit inches from her face.

“Maybe we got our second chance here. Today, right now.”

Hitoshi leans closer.

“Maybe we did.”

Skylar flicks the joint into the makeshift pond below. She touches the outline of Hitoshi’s cheekbone. Looking deeply into his eyes.

“Are you going to kiss me, Hitoshi?”

Hitoshi gently rubs Skylar’s cheek with his thumb.

“I think so.”

Skylar closes her eyes. Hitoshi leans in, his lips meeting hers as they share a heartfelt kiss. Sylar giggles after the session.

“Hitoshi. It’s like we picked up right where we left off.”

Hitoshi nods.

“When I saw you earlier. I felt carefree like when we were young. All of the worries of adulthood faded away with you.”

Sylar smiles.

“I know exactly what you mean. It was like stepping through a portal back to our carefree childhood.”

Hitoshi touches Skylar’s chin, holding eye contact with her.

“I don’t want to lose this feeling, Skylar.”

Skylar holds his hand to her cheek.

“Neither do I, Hitoshi. Let’s hold on as long as we can.”

Hitoshi hugs Skylar tightly. Tears begin streaming down his cheeks. Skylar returns the hug with equal force, rubbing his back as her tears cascade. She whimpers softly.

“I’m sorry I left. I’m sorry it took me so long to come back. I promise I won’t leave again.”

Hitoshi wipes Skylar’s tears. He chuckles weakly.

“It’s not your fault, Sky.”

Skylar smiles.

“I have something to show you.”

She reaches into her camera bag and pulls out a flat red balloon. Hitoshi’s smile fades. Giving way to the pit in his gut.

“No, Skylar. Please, not the balloon.”

Skylar raises the balloon to her lips and begins inflating it with her breath.

“Seriously, Skylar. Just put the balloon away. You can show me that trick later, I promise.”

She continues to inflate the balloon, tying the end. She pulls a matching ribbon from her camera bag. She ties it on. The string becomes taut as the balloon floats up.

“I hate that. That's not even possible. You exhale carbon dioxide, not helium. Please just pop the balloon and stay with me!”

Skylar forces a smile through a sad expression. The floating balloon begins to hoist her up as well. With the ribbon in hand. First, her arm is raised. Then the rest of her body follows. Levitating her over the bowl by the force of the rising red balloon. Hitoshi panics as her altitude increases. He goes to grab her, only able to grasp her by her shoe, preventing her from floating higher. He cries.

“Skylar, don’t do this, please. Come back down. Just please don’t go.”

Skylar smiles peacefully as her eyes well up with tears.

“You need to let me go, Hitoshi.”

Hitoshi sobs.

“I don’t want to!”

Tears start streaming down Skylar’s face.

“I know, Hitoshi. I don’t want you to either. But you must!”

Hitoshi holds strong to her shoe.

“I can’t, Skylar. I love you too much. Please don’t go.”

Skylar sobs, crying out.

“I love you so much, Hitoshi! I’m so sorry! I have to go now!”

Hitoshi holds on with all his might.

“Please! Let’s just talk about this. Pop the balloon, Skylar. Stay for just a little while longer.”

Skylar’s foot pops out of her shoe. She floats out of Hitoshi’s reach. It falls into the stormwater gathered below, sinking to the bottom of the murky liquid. Skylar floats higher into the air.

“Skylar!”

Tears dripping off her reddened cheeks, Skylar waves goodbye, blowing a kiss to Hitoshi. He tracks her ascent towards the clouds. Following on the ground as the breeze carries her aloft. Without taking his eyes off her, he watches closely as she shrinks into the distance above. Hitoshi is guided to the other side of town, in an attempt not to lose sight of her. Despite trying to prolong his time with her, Skylar fades.

All Hitoshi can see is the red balloon as it alone begins to slowly descend back to Earth. As it gets closer and closer, Hitoshi looks up. His gaze locked on the balloon. He closes the distance. It’s just out of reach above. The sun begins to set as it falls towards his grasp. He reaches his hands out to catch it.

“Skylar! Don’t worry, I gotcha, babe!”

The balloon bursts inches away from his grasp. Its remnants fall through his fingers to the ground. Hitoshi looks around and realizes he’s alone in a cemetery. He kneels to collect the ragged pieces of red rubber from the patch of grass beneath him. He notices the engraving on the headstone in front of him.

“Skylar Tominaga April 14, 2000 - September 9, 2015 Beloved Daughter, Granddaughter, Niece, Friend”

Hitoshi collapses on the ground, wailing. He curls up next to Skylar’s headstone. Whimpering, he pleads for forgiveness.

“I’m so sorry, Skylar. Please come back, I miss you so much. This is all my fault.”

A stern voice of an older man emerges from behind him.

“It’s not your fault, Hitoshi. It was an accident.”

Hitoshi turns around. His eyes meet the equally tear-soaked ones of a middle-aged man carrying flowers and sticks of incense.

“Mr. Tominaga.”

The man lays the flowers on the grave and lights incense.

“You saw her again, didn’t you?”

Hitoshi nods aimlessly.

“She was with me at the park.”

Police and paramedics pull up without lights or sirens. An officer who’s familiar with Hitoshi approaches and sits down next to him. He speaks in a sympathetic tone.

“Your mother called. Are we going to do this every year, Hitoshi? These guys are going to take you to the hospital.”

Sgt. Morishita gestures to the paramedics. Hitoshi shakes his head. Clutching the headstone firmly.

“No. I’m not going. I’m fine. Skylar is coming back. I just saw her.”

Mr. Tominaga’s eyes well up. Sgt. Morishita speaks in a softer tone.

“Don’t make us do this the hard way, Hitoshi. Remember what happened last year? Please go with them.”

Hitoshi looks confused.

“Last year, we found you digging. You were halfway. You could have gotten in a lot of trouble for that. You’re lucky the court sympathized with your illness. Come with us, Hitoshi. We’ll get you help.”

Hitoshi clings to the headstone. Sgt. Morishita turns to Mr. Tominaga.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Tominaga, we’re going to have to take him by force. You don’t have to see this.”

Mr. Tominaga sighs and kneels to speak to Hitoshi in a whisper.

“Hitoshi. Listen to me, Hitoshi. I see her too. If you go with these guys, Skylar and I will visit you. I promise.”

Hitoshi’s eyes light up.

“Really? You see her also?”

Mr. Tominaga nods.

“Of course I do. I just.. I have to pretend that I can’t. We have to pretend that we can’t see her. It’ll be our secret.”

Mr. Tominaga smiles faintly. Hitoshi smiles.

“You’re right, Mr. Tominaga. Ok, I’ll go.”

Mr. Tominaga shakes Hitoshi’s hand.

“Attaboy. We’ll see you soon.”

Hitoshi smiles peacefully before he is led into the back of the ambulance by two paramedics. Once out of view, Mr. Tominaga falls to his knees sobbing. Sgt. Morishita exhales deeply.

“I’m sorry for your loss again, Mr. Tominaga.”

“It’s been ten years since I lost my only child. Nine years since my wife left. At this point, it almost pains me more to see Hitoshi like this after all this time.”

“If you don’t mind. What happened to.. What happened to Hitoshi?”

Mr. Tominaga takes a deep breath.

“It was ten years ago today, Skylar and Hitoshi’s two-year-anniversary. Since they began going steady. They were best friends when they were little. That friendship blossomed into what I used to think was puppy love. Given what I’ve seen, I wouldn’t consider their relationship as mere ‘puppy love’ anymore.

Anyway, on that day, today, ten years ago. Hitoshi bought her flowers and sweets with a balloon. They met up at the skatepark. It’s their favorite place, was their favorite place. They were just being teenagers. They smoked a bit of weed.

According to witnesses, Skylar must’ve briefly let go of the ribbon tied to the balloon, or it slipped from her grasp for a second. It happened near the edge of the bowl, basically a big empty swimming pool where the kids would skate. I always thought the sport was dumb and dangerous. A pastime for punks. Her mother and I wanted her to stay in dancing. But she loved skateboarding. And she was so good at it. You should have seen what she could do.”

Mr. Tominaga’s eyes well up.

“Anyway, when Skylar reached to reclaim the ribbon in time before her balloon floated away. She lost her balance and fell into the bowl.”

“That’s terrible.”

“Hitoshi dove. He was only able to grab Skylar by the shoe. Naturally, she slipped out of it. Hitoshi was forced to watch helplessly as she landed on her head. She died instantly. None of the witnesses disputed that story.”

“Damn. Anyone would go goofy after seeing that. But why would he blame himself?”

Tominaga sighs and shakes his head.

“You mean between his weed making Skylar uncoordinated, the distracting balloon that he gifted to her, or the fact that he was unable to save her?”

Days later, the last bulldozer drives away from the demolished skatepark. That night, Hitoshi awakes in his nearly pitch black room. It’s silent in his wing of the psych ward. He notices a familiar silhouette watching him from the corner of his room.

“Skylar, is that you?”

Her lips curl into a grin.

“I’ll never leave you, Hitoshi.”