Written by an anonymous author

“Oh, I’m so happy I found you, Harper! I was getting worried I wouldn’t be able to find myself a clown today! My son will be very happy to meet you!” was what she said to me over the phone. As happy as I was to finally find a gig, this wasn’t exactly what I had in mind. But, money is money, and practice always makes perfect. The morning she called me was the day I had been preparing for. I’d been needing any sort of money, or else my mom was going to make me go back to college. So I spent a while in front of my mirror preparing as my mind ran wild. This wouldn’t work, it won’t work, I just know it. 

“HARPER!” My mom called out, interrupting my whole train of thought. I went downstairs to find someone who looked very impatient. “Hun, you’re going to be late. And I know you’ve just been looking at yourself in that mirror. You can’t keep doing this, you need to grow up and start facing the real world. Not everything is easy, and now’s your chance to finally start learning to get over it! So go back up and finish getting ready, and quit worrying so much.” 

I couldn’t even respond. My mouth refused to move. The only part of me that could move were my legs as they took me back up the stairs into my room. There was no backing out now. I had to go to this event. So I hushed my mind as I began to finish getting ready. I looked very put together at least, but we’ll see how long that’ll last. I didn’t tell my mom goodbye as I went out to my car to go to the event. There was an ear-piercing sound that continuously played. My heart. It kept beating louder and louder. It refused to stop. It felt and sounded like a siren in my chest. My mind was a ghost town with lots of nothingness and fog inside of it. But before I even realized it, I was there. Once I stepped out of my car, I could already tell the lady who had hired me wasn’t too pleased with me. “Harper! There you are, sweetie! You’re eight minutes late!” “…am I? Sorry, I uh…lost track of time.” was all that my mouth could mutter. “Oh, it doesn’t matter. Let me show you around!” The lady took me by the hand and led me inside. 

It was a very expensive and modern looking home, but not my style. It was very white, with few decorations around the home. It looked as though someone stole all of the color out of the build. “Who am I to judge? I don’t even have my own home…” I thought to myself. 

“Harper? Are you still there?” 

“Hm? Oh, yes, of course. Sorry…” 

“There’s no time for sorries!” she said as she took me to her backyard. There were many children outside who seemed to be enjoying themselves. All but one, who seemed to be keeping more to himself. “Poor kid,” I thought to myself. But now wasn’t the time to think of others. I need to get ready! The lady gave me a couple of balloons, juggling balls, and a hula hoop. Before she left to get the children, she whispered into my ear, “This better be good.” in a somewhat harsh and grating tone. I stood there as those words rang through my head. All of my confidence seemed to vanish. She gathered the children to watch me perform. I’ve never seen more mischievous and evil smiles. “This won’t be bad though, right?” I thought.

I couldn’t even begin my first act before they started acting up. One girl took the balls and started throwing them at me. Of the other children, two had stolen the hula hoop and began using it as a frisbee. The others stole the balloons and filled them up with water, throwing them at me. But I couldn’t do anything about it. And while I was lost in my thoughts, a few kids got bored and began to tug on my hair and mess up my makeup. I pushed them away, of course. But they kept coming back no matter what. They wouldn’t listen, whether I told them physically or verbally. I endured this for a bit hoping they would stop, but I got sick of it. Anger was filling up inside me slowly. I took a deep breath, leaving to find the lady. 

She didn’t seem concerned about what was happening. She wasn’t even watching. She was just inside, tuning out the loud noises from outside. “Hey, excuse me, but uh…I need a minute. Is that okay with you?” I asked her. She didn’t answer. I took it as a yes, so I went to the front porch to sit. 

The sky was a very pretty shade of blue and gray. The wind seemed to walk past me, leaving me with a comforting feeling. My anger vanished, almost like a ghost would when it gets caught. The outside environment was muffled as I tuned it out. That was until I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned to look, and saw the same kid from earlier who was by himself. 

“Hi…my name is David…” was all he said. I smiled softly at him as I waved. 

“Mine’s Harper. What are you doing out here, David?” I asked from curiosity.

“I just wanted to ask if you could make me a flower for my momma…” he said as he handed me a balloon. I took it from him, and began to make it. He watched closely as I started. 

“My papa told me that my momma left and she was taking a nap underground. I don’t really know why. But they put a pretty stone up where she is, so I thought if she woke up and saw a balloon, she’d like it. My papa said she loves balloons.” he explained to me. I looked at him in sadness and shock. After hearing that, I couldn’t help but feel extra sorry for the boy. I attempted to make the balloon as nice and professional as possible. 

It didn’t come out too well, definitely not my best work ever, but he seemed happy with it. “Well, I tried to make it as pretty as I could. But let me know what she thinks of it when she wakes up, okay?” I gave him the balloon back. He accepted it with the happiest expression I’ve ever seen a person make at me. He gently set it next to him on the concrete, and gave me a hug. 

“Thank you, Miss Harper! When my papa comes to get me, I’m gonna tell him you made this, and he’s gonna love it!” he said. All I could do at that moment was smile at him. The two of us sat on the front porch, talking to each other as the sky began to dim and display pastel, warm colors. But after a while, his dad came to pick him up. 

“Oh, I have to go. Will I get to see you again?” he asked, a hint of sadness in his voice. 

“Well, when’s your birthday?” I asked. 

“It’s in a few weeks.” he replied.

“Let your dad know you want a clown at your party, and I’ll be sure to come.” I told him. He gave me one last hug before he got into his car. I could hear him beginning to tell his dad about the flower and how he met me. Through the window, I could see David’s dad smile at me, before they drove off. I may not have done much at the party, but I’m glad I made someone happy. I hope I see him at his happiest when I meet him again on his birthday.