I want to write this story one day...
ooo
Every year in this city, they hold a hot air balloon festival in the park where hot air balloons are flown and lots of merriment is had. Every year the balloon man wants to do the festival patrol but is stuck patrolling the park path leading to the festival. He can't see anything because of the trees hanging over and obscurring his view. He patrols back and forth, handing out balloons to people who run to the festival. As the festival begins, no one else passes through, but still he dutifully walks back and forth. That night when it's over, he parks his cart into the shed and walks home sadly. He makes a promise to himself that he will be the best balloon man he can be so they have to give him the festival patrol the coming year.
As he goes home, he notices a new neighbor in the room next to his 15th story apartment. It's a young woman who is suffering from cancer. The cancer is currently in remission and she wanted to move out and get some fresh air until it came back since this time could be fatal. Her best friend is a nurse and has agreed to live with her in case she needs anything. She has a bed in the living room by the window so she can see out into the skies above the city and dream she is flying through the stars. The balloon man inroduces himself and makes idle chat before going back to his room.
The year goes on and through it, he becomes very close to the young woman. Through the year, despite his promise to be the best balloonman, he falls back into his old habits; giving away a balloon to a girl who can't afford one, replacing the balloon of a child who popped his, accidently releasing a handful of balloons to help a child in need, etc. Because of this, come festival time, he's back to pacing the path outside once more.
He sadly does his duty and then come night fall and the festivel's end, he packs up his cart and turns to leave, hearing his fellow balloon men making fun of him as they leave. He sighs and sees that one of the hot air balloonists hadn't taken down their balloon yet. Without thinking further, the balloon man gets into the balloon and flies away. He navigates the balloon to the 15th story window of the young woman's apartment only to find her crying. Her cancer is returning with a vegence. He asks her to join him this night, to fly, to forget all their worries, and so she does. He helps her into the basket from her window and the two fly off into the night, holding hands.
He brings her back and returns the balloon to the park. The manager is furious at his recklessness, but instead of reportig him, he fires him. The balloon man sighs sadly and leaves. He had always wanted to be a balloon man, but it was worth it. He lived out his dream and the dream of his young lady friend. A few weeks later, she sadly passes away. Even though he's sad, he reads a note she left him thanking him for helping her live out her biggest dream before it was her time. He can't help but smile at the memories.
Eventually he moves out of the city and to the countryside where he gets a job piloting balloons for less fortunate kids. Bringing smiles to their faces warms his heart and so he lives happily ever after making the lives of others happy as well.
