Jane hops into the air balloon in time for it to launch. Her husband Marco marched onwards onto the air balloon as soon as they arrived, for he felt it was already a big favour for their friend to offer to take them out. They had just wanted a trip out in the country, overlooking the miles of fields and trees and posh houses that populated the area. He had not told Jane that they were going in a hot air balloon, she didn't even know that they were going out. They had just hopped in the car and drove.

As soon as they arrived she saw the hot air balloon and screamed, unlocking her seatbelt and throwing herself to the back of the car.

"What on earth is the matter darling?" asked Marco

"that THING, what is that"

"It's only a hot air balloon"

"a what what whatwaht?"

"a hot air balloon, have you not seen them before?"

"NO Marco, i have not"

Pulling up closer to the balloon Marco stops the car and takes the keys out of the ignition. Jane remains in her spot as Marco steps out of the car to a nice, sunny Saturday afternoon.

"Jane will you please get out of the car?"

"No i will not Marco" said Jane "i want to go home"

"You're being ridiculous honey, just step out in this bright sun"

"NO"

Marco walked over to their friend who was offering the ride, he said he was ready as can be and the balloon for that matter. However Marco explained the current dilemma and their friend wished nothing but for her to get better and to come to her senses.

"Darling don't you want to meet our friend?" Marco shouted from the balloon

"I would love to but that THING is there" Jane shouted back

"Honey really, this is getting a bit annoying now just calm down and come out"

"I will come out when that thing is gone, and when you learn to respect my limits and boundaries" Jane said

"I'll be back in just a sec" Marco said

Marco walked back to the car and shut the door behind him. Jane was still in the back in a kind of foetal position, staring at the back of the passenger seat.

"Look, is this a joke? Cause it's not really that funny anymore" Marco said

"No it's not Marco, i am being totally serious" said Jane

"Well talk to me Jane, why aren't you coming out?"

"Cause THAT'S there" she said pointing

"Yes I KNOW that Jane, but why?"

"Cause mother said so"

"Wait wha-" Marco paused, and then pondered a bit.

Marco suddenly remembered going once to Jane's mother's house. A nice woman, but awfully superstitious with old wives' tales and the lot. She was also a massive contrarian, not taking part in any kind of trend or being remotely interested by anything happening in the world for she once claimed that "I have and know everything, i've lived long enough to see everything". With a smile Marco went down towards Jane.

"Jane dear, this isn't about your mother is it?"

Jane nodded

"i respect that your mother was your mother and she raised you all by herself but you have to realise, she is wrong on a few counts. Don't you think? Like remember when she first met me? She thought we wouldn't last a week, now here we are three years later."

"O-ok" said Jane

"You also remember the time when we all had a heated argument about the new iphone? Remember how passionately you said afterwards to me that she was wrong?"

"Y-yeah i do actually" Jane said

"And surely you must remember the time when she kicked out one of our friends from our own house when he said that there was a new president?"

"Yeah, yeah she was wrong on those occasions. But Marco i feel her everywhere ever since her passing, i can't shake her, we've had conversations about this."

"Jane, I'm sure your mother would actually be more than proud of you right now. Going out, discovering new things, having new experiences, talking to people. This is all part of that and your mother, wherever she is, is looking at you with a smile right now. So Jane, please, take my hand let's go in the balloon"

Jane reached out her hand at first hesitantly, but then she got more comfortable and followed her husband to the balloon. They both got in just as their friend was making it ready to fly, and they went, with Jane's mother's eyes following them wherever they were...