Allen laughed at Gwen's eagerness to stay as close to the ground as possible. "Sure baby," he said as he kissed her on her forehead, "we can get that package."
Allen finalized the arrangements and they were handed a two-way
radio, which he would be called on at the end of the hour, then was
escorted to the loading area to receive last minute instructions and
balloon selection. The balloon they selected was a brilliant blue with
wondrous waves of yawning yellow gracing the top and bottom of the
balloon. Allen attempted to load Gwen into the balloon with the picnic
basket, but with her fear, she wanted no part of being the first in the
balloon.
Allen tried to persuade her with gentle words and soft touches
but she told him that she was only interested in seeing examples of what
he was talking about. Allen agreed and stepped into the balloon hoping
to calm Gwen's fears. He stood near the rear of the balloon to give Gwen
enough room to maneuver in the event her fear returned before she made
it all the way into the balloon.
"You have done this before right?" Gwen asked Allen.
"Actually," Allen began as they were being secured into the balloon,
"no, this will be my first time going up."
"Baby, tell me that you are playing. Tell me that you have done this
before."
"No this is my first time going up on my own."
"Allen, I can't do this." Gwen said as she began to panic.
"Baby," Allen held her firmly, "baby listen to me. I promise you that
you will be fine. I have taken lessons for this but I have never had
anyone that was special enough for me to show the world to until now.
Nothing will happen to you that won't happen to me. I promise."
Gwen smiled as she listened to Allen's sweet words as they traveled
deep and fast to her heart and found room for a new occupant. Allen's
words and arms made her relax quickly as they ascended slowly through
the clear sky. Soon, hundreds of feet in the sky, the balloon stopped
climbing and Allen spread the blanket out for their lunch. Gwen stood
and looked over the valley in amazement at the peace that the world held
from a distance. She saw precise green fields of vegetation and crystal
clear water from local rivers and streams. She noticed silhouettes of the
top of mountain ranges in the distant and their height dominance of
clouds. She observed vast land uninhabited and with no present chance
of birth.
"You know, seeing things from a distance really gives you a chance to
see it's worth."
"I agree," Allen said as he finished preparing their lunch.
"Really, not only with the world, but with your family and friends also.
Looking at people from a distance sometimes helps you to see their lives
as they see it."
"Baby where are you going with this? Is the attorney coming out of
you or are you just making conversation?"
"I'm just making conversation."
"Well," he said as he handed her a glass of sparkling grape cider, "I do
understand what you mean."
"Do you, 'cause I am still trying to figure it out."
"Yes, I think what you are saying is that you didn't take the time to
look at the things that your girlfriend was going through and because of
that you couldn't see her life as it was to her."
"Yes, that sounds like what I am trying to say."
"Well baby," Allen spoke softly, "the more you think of the things that
you should have done, it will always keep you from the things that you
should be doing. As much as it hurts, we have to learn to leave the past
where it is so that we can get to our lives in the present."
"I know you're right." Gwen said as she sat to give Allen her attention
and her appreciation of his efforts.