Snippets And Conversations

Balloon

 "And she'll get the mac and cheese." Larissa told the server as she closed the menu. The server nodded and walked away. Wednesday was sat next to her on the booth coloring on the play mat.

"Mama, help!" She pointed to the word cross on the paper, "I can't find this one." She pointed to a list of words that was about half way crossed out. Larissa leaned over and pointed to the diagonal line. "Thank you!"

When Wednesday looked up next the food had arrived. Behind the server, there was someone with a bunch of balloons walking around the restaurant. The goth was soon enamored by the sight. She stared, fixated on the hovering orbs. There was a black one that seemed to have her name written all over it.

"Mama," She tugged at her caregiver sleeve, pointing. "'loon."

"BA-loon. But yes, good job sweetie!" Weems praised, pulling her daughter into a side hug. "Say ahh..."

Wednesday opened her mouth, not focusing on what the older woman was spooning into her mouth. It was just as well, since Larissa had snuck a piece of broccoli onto the fork, hidden in the sauce. She smirked as Wednesday chewed on it, not noticing anything.

"Do you maybe, just maybe, want a balloon?"

The little squealed happily, almost knocking the forkful of pasta out of her caregivers hands.

"Yes! Best Mama!"

Larissa laughed, she noticed the woman with the balloons walking table to table. Waiting until she got to their table, she continued to feed herself and Wednesday.

"Hi there!" The bubbly woman waved as she walked up to the table. "Would you like a balloon, little one? I have a whole buncha colors."

Wednesday shied away, leaning into Weems. Larissa pushed her forward a bit. "Go on, dear. Tell the nice lady what you want."

Pointing, the girl tilted her head. "Black?"

Nodding, the woman happily handed her the dark ball. "I'm so glad you chose this one! Nobody else wants it and I don't want it to be lonely."

"Thank you, Weds, what do we say?"

"Thank you!" The little said as the woman walked away to the next table. The goth was playing with the string, pulling it down and letting it go. She had the biggest smile on her face, and it took all of Larissas strength to be able to look away for a moment to load the fork with macaroni.

"I wuv mah ba-woon."

"Honey, don't talk with your mouthful."

Wednesday chewed and then swallowed.

"I love my ba-lloon!"

Her caregiver smiled, grabbing her phone from her back pocket. She opened the camera, scooting back from the little for a better angle.

"Say cheese!"

Wednesday grinned, macaroni cheese all around her mouth. She held up her balloon, waving it around and making it very difficult for Weems to get a clear picture. But she managed, and then finished feeding her daughter. They paid and left, Larissa carrying her daughter, who was carrying the balloon, on her hip. The girl babbled quietly to herself, tugging absent-mindedly at the string.

"Don't let go, honey."

"Mm." Wednesday said as she was strapped into her car seat. Weems' smile didn't disappear as she got into the driver's seat. Backing out of the car park, the woman drove them back to the school.

"Come on, baby girl." Larissa unbuckled the goth's car seat, waiting for Wednesday to sit up. Grabbing her around the waist, she put her back on her hip, she was still playing with the balloon. "Remember don't let go."