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A quiet afternoon. A young man just been to the cinema with his friends. They bid goodbye, his friends reluctant, himself sure. He wanted to walk home. The weather was nice, he took his jacket off and slung it on his broad shoulder. His steps was confident, and though he was built big, his walk was soft like a cats.
 
He looked at the sky. Beautiful blue. He took a quick look around himself and walked on. Smiled, felt content and happy. It had been a great day.
 
As he walked along the last row of bars, the city noise slowly faded. Right up ahead was the park, with a pond. Sometimes swans swam there. He decided to go inside, find somewhere to sit, and just enjoy the quietude.
 
He pulled the jacket down, carried it in his hand as he entered the park, through the iron gate. Crossed the field of flowers spelling “Have a nice day” , and came down to the pond. As he arrived there were no birds present. Abit disappointed he sat on a bench nearby, decided to wait and see.
 
He was all in his own thoughts when he heard some commotion behind him.
 
Turning around he watched the scene unfold. There was a man, seeming his own age or a few years older, with a handful of balloons, trying to fasten them to a bench close to the flowerbeds. He was swearing loudly to himself. His gaze turned upwards, and suddenly the young man understood why the man with the balloons was so angry. Higher and higher they rose up in the air, Winnie the Poohs, red hearts, tigers and airplanes. It was such a beautiful sight he stayed seated just watching for a little while. 
 
Sorry for the guy that now had slumped down on the bench looking utterly miserable, he finally rose and tried to casually stroll over. 
As he came closer, he tried with a 
– Hi!
 But the man with the balloons didnt reply.
 The young man chanced on sitting down on the same bench. He stayed silent.
If the balloonman wanted to talk, he would.
At a closer look, the man had to be close to his thirties. He had short dark hair. A narrow face, with soft features, and brown eyes. His body lean, but strong. 
 
They sat spaced apart. Looking at the flowers, and the pond further ahead, still with no birds. The young man leaned back and rested his arm on the back of the bench.
 That made the man with the balloons turn to him. He looked so miserable.
The young man could nothing but feel for him. Their gazes met, and darted away. 
 
A heavy sigh. 
– Im sorry if my swearing offended you. But that, 
 he pointed up to the sky where they still could see some tiny spots, 
 – that was todays paycheck. 
 
The young man leaned forwards. Trying to catch the mans eyes.
 – Its ok. I would have been mad too if i lost a days pay.
 
He looked to the few that were left. A turtle of all things, mixed in with two hearts, Winnie the Pooh and a star.
 – Say, what do you want for a balloon?
 
The balloonman looked at him as if he was nuts.
 – Would YOU want a balloon?
 
The young man smiled.
 – No.
 
– Then why? 
 The incredulous look made the young man laugh.
 Then he reached out with his hand. Still smiling.
 – Hi. Im Thor.
The balloonman swallowed, not daring to meet Thors gaze, still disbelieving.
 Then out of nowhere he shook the hand, surprisingly gentle.
– Hi, he responded quietly, i am Niko.
 They let go, and Thor looked to the balloons again.
 – I would like to have them all.
 
Niko looked at him with eyes not comprehending what he heard.
 
– I mean it. There was something definite in his voice.
 Thor took out some dollar bills and asked:
 – Is this enough?
 
– Please, I dont know, is this some sort of….
 – No. I want all your balloons. Im going to give them away.
 
Niko took the money. Gently, as if they could break in his hands. He didnt count them. 
 – Thank you. You just made my day!
 Thor just smiled.
 – Will you help me untie these please?
 
Niko joined him, and soon the balloons were all in Thors hand.
 – Come, i would like to show you something.
 
Niko stayed while Thor just walked on, not even looking back to see if he was coming, and after hesitating he decided to follow.
 
They went down to the bench by the pond, and Thor looked to him, big smile breaking through, wagging his eyebrows. Then turned his face upwards to the sky, lifted the hand, and released the balloons. They rose to the sky just like the lost ones. He laughed like a child at the sight.
– Look at that isnt it just awesome? I told you i would give them away!
 
Nikos jaw was on the ground, but not for long. Thors laugh was so contageous. He gave up and joined in, and they stood looking for the balloons until they were gone.
 
Thor put a friendly arm on his shoulder. 
– Come on, lets call it a day and go for some coffee.