“Vinyl Seahorse Balloon”
Jul 04, 2019The sisters sat down. They were worn out. Clear seashorse vinyl balloon in hands.
“Mom,” yelled the younger sister. But mom ignored her. She was talking to Tia about the guy she was dating and looking forward to seeing when they got home. The older sister was staring into her hat, ignoring the world.
“Sister,” said the younger one.
“What do you want?” said the older one.
“Where are we going?”
“Home, amor.”
“It doesn’t feel like we’re going home.”
“Just close your eyes and we’ll be home soon.”
“I’m afraid.”
“Afraid of what?”
“Afraid of closing my eyes.”
“Why are you afraid of closing your eyes?”
“I’m afraid he’s gonna get me.”
“Who?”
“Mama’s man.”
The older sister sat back and thought for a while. She didn’t have a good response for her baby sister. She had been there before and knew it was something her sister would have to get through on her own. She put her arms around her baby sister and they held onto the clear vinyl seahorse balloons, closed their eyes, and dozed off.