Entry #12050104001305

We Have Lift Off

"So why exactly are we here?" Jay asked as Tim pulled in to a parking space. In front of them was a park - not a park with a forest and walking trails, but a park for children with brightly coloured equipment. Beyond the park was an open subdivision with a single line of trees separating each house. Outside of the subdivision, houses stretched in each direction for miles. Behind them was the road and across the street stood a gas station. With no forest in sight, Jay was already feeling a little more confident.

"Come on," Tim finally said as he exited the vehicle, Jay following suit. Once outside the car, Tim tossed the plastic bag to Jay before grabbing the balloons out of the back seat.

The park was empty, which Jay was thankful for. Two adult men hanging around a park with children - with balloons and coloured markers, no less - would be extremely suspicious, and Jay didn't feel like having to explain the situation to the police.

After lightly tying the balloons to a nearby piece of equipment, Tim grabbed the bag from Jay and removed the pack of paper, tearing the plastic wrap off and stuffing the trash back into the bag before doing the same with the markers.

"Alright," Tim said as he dropped the plastic bag on the ground. "My name is doctor Wright and I will be your therapist for today." Jay couldn't help but let out a quiet laugh as Tim continued. "Today we're going to try an activity to help you deal with the stress you're feeling. Unless you don't feel any?"

Grinning, Jay shook his head. "No, I feel plenty of stress, trust me." Tim pretended to read over the piece of paper - as if Jay's mental health history had actually been written on it - before nodding.

"Yes, above all else, you seem to have a long history of crippling stress. So," Tim clapped his hands, "we're going to try to relieve that stress." Tim handed Jay a sheet of paper and let him pick one of the markers before continuing with his speech. "I want you to write what is causing you the most stress on that piece of paper."

Removing the cap from the marker, Jay began writing on the paper. It took him no time to write something down because he knew exactly what was causing him the most stress. Recapping the marker, Jay held it out to Tim who took it and read it over.

"I am stressed because strange things are happening that I have no control over."

"Good. Now roll it up," Tim said as he went to untie a balloon. Following "his therapist's" orders, Jay rolled the paper into a scroll. "Now I want you to tie the balloon to the paper." The two traded objects and Tim held the scroll as Jay tied the string tightly around it. Once the paper was tied up, the two traded back and Tim held the balloon as he said, "If you had to describe that sentence with one word, what would it be?"

Jay thought it over before shrugging and indifferently replying, "It would probably be 'powerless'."

Tim nodded. "Then write that on the balloon." Jay did as instructed before Tim handed the balloon back to him.

"Now what?" Jay asked.

"Now you let it go," Tim replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. What else would he do with it? Invite it to dinner?

Holding onto the string of the balloon, Jay stared at the rolled up paper. What was this supposed to solve? Letting go of the balloon wouldn't make the stress go away. It would still be there, same as always. Nothing would change. But maybe, if nothing else, letting go of it would provide the illusion of peace. Fake as it might be, Jay welcomed it. If this could, in some way, let him feel at least temporary relief, then why not? Taking a slow, deep breath, Jay let go of the balloon.