My focus was way up ahead to the stop sign at the other end. I kept my eyes on that sign and kept my feet stepping under me, quick and steady. I wasn’t even halfway across when I caught sight of some sort of string frantically whipping in the wind, and I was running straight toward it. My gaze moved to follow the line of the string, trying to see what it was attached to, and that’s when I saw it, caught in the big tree right by the fence. The red, heart-shaped metallic balloon, and my heart hit the ground.
Chapter Two
I was standing still, and my feet were glued to the ground. Dumbfounded, I stared at the balloon caught in the clutches of the trees branches, and I wanted to melt into the earth. It was as if the world was happening in slow motion around me. Everything was frozen — all sound, all movement. Every color evaporated from the scenery, except for the bright, shiny red of that heart-shaped balloon. As it sat trapped within the branches, I watched it appear to twist and turn in the tree, trying to find some way to free itself and continue its assent to Heaven where it belonged. After situating myself, I moved my feet, which felt like lead, and walked over closer to the tree. I was so close that the string was now thrashing in the wind just inches from my face. Somehow I had to free that balloon. Vibrations traveled up and down my spine. The metallic foil crackled against the branches, and it was like the balloon was begging me to free it. But it was so high up I didn’t know how I could manage the task. From its placement in the tree, I knew that if I went through the gates into the cemetery that I could easily climb to the spot where it was and bring it back safely. Retrieval of the balloon would require going into the cemetery, and I didn’t do that. For the past year and three months, I hadn’t stepped inside there. And even with my growing anxiety about getting that balloon out, I knew I still couldn’t step on that ground.
Frantically, I looked around for some other option. But there was none. With steady hands I tried tugging on the string, but the more I tugged, the more the balloon got entangled in the branches. Somehow I would have to get as close to the balloon as possible so it could safely be removed. Portions of the large tree hung over the surrounding gate. After I positioned myself near the gate, I proceeded to climb up on it. When my footing was near the top, I was able to grab onto a thick portion of one of the branches. As I balanced, nearly dangling from the branch, I tried to keep my feet on the top of the gate. My right hand slipped, causing my right shin to scrape against the tip of the wrought iron. Determined to regain my hold again, I grasped harder and pulled my legs up swiftly so I was hanging like a monkey from the branch. Warm, wet blood dripped off my shin. From my position, I could clearly see the balloon about three branches up. Without thinking of the consequences, I looked down, and immediately my head began to swim. It took a moment for my brain to realize I was now hanging over the cemetery. My heart felt like it was beating not just in my chest but in my throat as well, and my temples began to throb. I’ll save you. I promise I’ll get you free.
With some momentum, I was able to travel myself up two more branches. As I looked up, I saw the balloon was well within my reach but I needed to get a tad higher. Struggling to control my grip, I couldn’t figure out how to maneuver myself from where I was so I could get close enough to the balloon. I took a chance and stretched my arm out, grabbed the string, and started to pull. Still trapped in the tree, the shiny foil crinkled against the branches, and as it twisted slightly, I could clearly see an envelope taped to the outside. The weight of the envelope must have caused it not to fly straight up but sideways, making it to crash into the tree. My breath was caught deep in my lungs, and my eyes were getting hazy. I tugged again, and part of the balloon seemed to twist free, and with a few more guided tugs I managed to free it. When I saw my distorted reflection in the metallic foil, I finally exhaled.
It wasn’t until I started my descent that I realized climbing up the tree might have been the easier part of the rescue. Trying to manage my slight fear of heights, keeping the balloon intact, along with the rest of me, I wrapped myself for dear life around each tree limb I could grab. When I was back where I had started, I realized that there was no way I could easily swing myself over the gate. The tips of the gate looked like daggers just waiting for me to fall on top of them so they could
