A bright red balloon slips from the young boy’s fingers. It floats upward toward the blue sky.
The young boy gasps and sprints after it. His sneakers thump hard against the warm pavement.
The balloon drags him past a sleeping dog. The dog wakes up and barks in confusion.
Leo keeps running, dodging a sprinkler. Cool water sprays him as he chases the string.
The balloon gets stuck high in a tree branch. A toddler sits on a bench below, crying.
Leo climbs up quickly. His face turns red with effort as he reaches for the string.
He grabs the string just as the toddler wails louder. Leaves rustle in the breeze.
Leo carefully lowers the balloon down. It hovers right in front of the toddler’s tear-stained face.
The toddler’s eyes go wide. A tiny smile breaks through the sadness.
The toddler holds the red balloon and laughs. Leo watches them, feeling happy in the sunny park.
