“OK Lex…pick out a balloon…the sky’s the limit!” joked Jon.
Alexis wrapped an arm around Jon and squeezed, "Thanks, hon!" Her face lit up as she grinned wide. She turned to the balloon cart girl and looked up at the rainbow of choices. The balloons bobbed and rubbed against each other in the slight breeze, making them look like they were in an imitation of some fetish rave. "Hmmm...so many to choose from."
"I can assure you, which ever you pick, you will not be disappointed." The seller said, waving a hand at her stock, a gleam of light catching her eyes in a golden flash. She smiled, showing white teeth.
Standing on tiptoes Alexis pointed to one balloon. "I want that one!" The seller nodded and tugged out a string, followed by a pink balloon in the shape of a comically inflated tiger, complete with purple stripes. The balloon was handed to Jon who took it.
"How much..." Jon began to say before he was interrupted by Alexis. "And THAT one!" The balloon girl nodded again and pulled out another balloon. This one was brown and appeared to be two balloons. No, Jon, corrected himself, it was one balloon and in the shape of a squirrel with a rather large tail coming out the back. Jon couldn't help but think of the Sword in the Stone movie and the transformations Wart had gone through. One of which was a squirrel.
Jon took the offered balloon and looked at his girlfriend. "What? you need one too." Alexis said and grinned at him. He nodded and again turned to the balloon seller.
"What do I owe?" He asked. The balloon seller shook her head.
"Nothing, they're my treat for you guys. You make such a cute couple, I couldn't possibly charge you anything." She winked at Alexis. "Please enjoy your balloons, you two!" With that, she turned away and pushed the rainbow cart down the lane.
Jon watched her go, two cartoonish animal balloons tugging at his hand, eager to be free in the wind. Alexis gave him a big bear hug, "Thanks!" She said and pulled Jon along. "So, which balloon do you want?" She asked as they walked.