I see him everyday.
On my way to school: in the same spot, wearing the same clothes, holding the same red balloon. It is nearly winter and there is snow on the ground and all he wore was a flannel with holes and worn out jeans. My mom told me not to talk to strangers so I did not even bother stare at him yet alone talk to him. He looked creepy anyway so why would it even matter. I was walking home from school one day and I happen to make eye contact with him.
He looked at me and I looked at him. All of a sudden he held out his hand with the balloon in it like he was giving it to me. I did not say a word I just looked at him. In that moment when I looked at him I could see the loneliness in his eyes.
I started to walk towards the old man and he grabbed my hand and put the string of the balloon in it. Before I could say anything he said in a soft voice,
“With my last breath I want to say to you…. change the world, be different, and do not judge a book by its cover.”
Then he stopped
Reached in his pocket
Pulled out a needle
and popped the balloon.
From that balloon something fell. It was a note that read,
“For I know you, yet you look at me and what you see isn’t very pleasing. Go out and be different.”
As he read that note allowed it seemed as if it began to change me. After he got done reading I grabbed his old wrinkly hang, said thank you and hugged him so tight.
As he took his last breath in my arms.
