by Karen Greenberg

Created on: April 16, 2009

The Balloon

It was a beautiful March day- sunny, not yet too warm, a slight breeze. Like many Sundays before, Dad suggested we spend the day using our membership at the Phoenix Zoo. Claire and I cheered. We were always up for a trip to the zoo.

"I want to see the bears," Claire shouted, too excited to control her five-year-old voice.

"I want to see the baboons," I said. Ever the logical one I continued, "We didn't even go on the Africa trail last time.

The baboons are on the Africa trail.
We see the bears all the time."

"Girls," Mom interrupted, "Let's not fight. Why don't we let Dad pick today? He never takes a turn."

"As long as I am with my family, I'm happy," replied Dad. "However, I will decide which trail we take today." Claire and I knew Daddy had a hard time choosing which animals we saw at the zoo. He was too easy going, and loved life with us in a way not a lot of fathers do. "I say we see both- the bears and the baboons.
Carla, my dear wife, what do you want to see? We'll make a whole day of it."

We all laughed. Dad could be such a push-over at times. Mom said she would like to see Stingray Bay before the exhibit went away for the summer.
With the plan settled Mom and Dad cleared the breakfast table, packed a snack and water for each of us, and got Claire ready to leave. I was old enough to take care of myself.

There was a surprise waiting for us at the entrance. The zoo was giving away free balloons. "Please, Daddy, pleeeeaaassseeee," I whined. "Can we please have a balloon just this one time? I will be very careful with it. I won't let it go. I promise."

"You know our rule, Charlotte. We don't allow you to get balloons because we don't feel comfortable with them in the car.
Accidents happen when balloons are let go in enclosed areas. The answer is no." Mom was the spoil-sport in our family. She never bent the rules, not even for a day at the zoo.

"Dear, I think the girls understand how important it is to hold on to their balloons in the car now. Let's try it today. It's a great day. What the heck, I just can't say no to my beautiful little girls." Like I said, Daddy was easy. I knew how to get what I wanted, just by batting my eight-year-old eyelashes.

We did make a whole day of the zoo, a change of pace for us. We usually spent an hour or two at the most. We each saw the exhibit we most desired. Claire's bears were, as usual, sleeping. My baboons were picking fleas off each other.
We arrived at Stingray Bay, Mom's choice, just in time for feeding. It was the perfect day at the zoo.

As we know, though, no day can be perfect. Dad tried to prevent the skid. Our car spinning into oncoming traffic made me dizzy, my eyes unfocused.
The smell of burning rubber filled my nostrils. Cars honking added to the confusion, making my ears ring. BANG! I may not remember the accident itself, but I do remember the terror I felt in those few brief moments before the collision.

I woke up in the middle of the third day. The doctor looking into my eyes reminded me of Daddy. He had such a kind face and big, strong hands. I knew he would tell me the truth.

"Are the others dead? Mom?
Dad? Claire?" I asked.

"I'm sorry, Charlotte, they are," replied the kind doctor.

Somehow I had known. Waking up alone in a strange place was a sensation I would have to get used to. I will never forget that last day together.
It would have been perfect- if only I had not let go of the balloon.

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