#FlashFictionMagic: The Clouds

 A flick of Dale’s thumb sends the model airplane spiraling over the ballfield. Behind him, Sheila and the kids cheer. He performs all the old stunts: inside and outside loops, the tail slide, the falling leaf. After each one, Sheila claps and hoots loudly, then rubs his shoulder, beaming with pride.

Through the gray haze of his sunglasses, Dale watches the plane climb to the edge of the remote control’s reach. He remembers it so well: gliding higher than the birds, feeling close to heaven itself. He knows Sheila thinks this is almost as good. She needs to believe this is enough.

When he brings the plane in for a landing, the kids clamor for another run, but Dale smiles wanly, shaking his head. “That’s enough,” he says, “for today.” 

Heading back to the van, Sheila pushes his wheelchair. “That was fun, wasn’t it?” she says breezily. He nods. “Sure.” 

As Sheila drives home, Dale gazes out the window. One cloud takes the shape of a beautiful two-story house with a porch and a garden and trees all around. Dale blinks, and already it’s dissolving, that home among the clouds that he’ll never see again.