Kind Deed, A

It goes without saying that women can, at times, be far more vengeful than any man could ever dream of being. This is a story of vengeance, misplaced trust, and helium. Mostly the latter.

Kendra was 19. She had long brown hair, dark green spectacled eyes, freckles, and a warm smile. She would give the time of day to people not deserving of the time of month. She was well liked by most, despised by one.

Sarah was 20. She had short blonde hair, blue eyes, a fair complexion, and a smile that left you a little uncertain of her intentions. She meant well, even though she didn't always show it. She was liked by several, adored by many, and idolized by one.

One fine day, as many days go in this era, Sarah was feeling decidedly unfine. So unfine, in fact, that she had made up her mind to stay home from work. She rested in bed, pondering things like life, tricycles, and goldfish; all delightful things to ponder about when you're sick.

Five miles away, a small flower shop sat along a busy street. Inside this shop sat Kendra, adjusting a rather fine tulip arrangement. The phone rang and she picked it up. "Jones' Florist, how may I help you?" she asked in a rather upbeat tone of voice. She nodded a few times then added "Oh darn, I'm certainly sorry to hear that. I will work doubly hard to pick up the slack. Have a wonderful day!" Sarah was sick. Not allowing this to phase her, she returned to the arrangement. Suddenly, she had an idea. She called Sarah's boyfriend and invited him into the shop to assist with a surprise for his girlfriend.

Half an hour later, a red sports car pulled up to the shop. In walked William. "You're such a good friend, you know that?" he asked.

Kendra nodded, "don't worry, we'll give you most of the credit."

William shook his head, "No, I could never do that, this is your act of kindness, not mine."

"Ah, but I'm putting you in charge of this project now. So, boss, how will we start?" Kendra said.

William went to the back wall and selected a series of bright colored balloons and handed them to Kendra. "And Lilly of the Valley, she loves those."

Kendra selected the finest specimen in the store and began arranging them in a nice basket. Following that, she walked to the helium cylinder. Kendra was the resident balloon expert. She loved them, and her love for her creations was visible in each arrangement she made. Her skills were famous all across the county. it was rumoured that she could transform even the most lifeless flower arrangement into a masterpiece with just one aureate addition. Her current project was certainly no exception. Ten vivid balloons adorned the flowers, creating a bouquet that would put a smile on anyone's face.

As Kendra placed the finishing touches on the arrangement, Sarah, deciding to make sure the shop was alright, pulled up across the street. William's parked auto piqued her interest. She eyed the window for a moment, and made out two vague figures. Soon enough, both Kendra and William exited the shop, Kendra with a magnificent arrangement in tow. Kendra handed the basket to William and helped him get it into his car. Sarah continued watching, a spark of jealousy growing deep within her. As Kendra waved goodbye, Sarah's spark was fanned into an inferno of hatred. After Kendra reentered the shop and William was well out of view, Sarah stormed into the building herself.

"Oh, hello Sar-" Kendra managed to get out before Sarah cut her off.

"So, you think since I am at home sick, you can just have your way with my William? Is that it?!"

"No, I-" Again, Kendra was interrupted.

"I can't believe you! I thought we were friends!" Sarah was furious. "I saw the balloon bouquet, everything! I can't believe you!!"

"Sarah, the bouquet was for you!" Kendra finally managed to get out. Her glasses slipped down her nose as she yelled, something she wasn't used to doing. She pushed them back up.

"Oh, I'm sure. I knew he had been eyeing you for some time! I knew it! I can't believe you'd do this to me!" Sarah was in hysterics.

"Sarah, please listen to me," Kendra pleaded, "You know I would never-"

"A balloon bouquet! From my store, no less!" Sarah was lost in rage. She had suspected William of cheating on her for several weeks, a feat he had never done, especially with the ever-so-kind Kendra. Sarah's damaged self-esteem found this a prime opportunity to make an excuse for itself. It just so happened to find poor Kendra as a target to do so. "I saw them, too! Those were your special balloons!"

"Sarah, they were for-" Kendra tried again, desperately.

"Him?! I knew it!! How could you, you little... you little... BALLOON TWIT!" Sarah was furious.

"Sarah, no!" Tears began to stream from Kendra's eyes.

"Shut up! I've had it with you!" Sarah yelled, "I'm going to... I'm going to...†Her eyes caught a glimpse of the green helium tank sitting in the corner. With one arm she tugged the poor Kendra over to the tank, she grabbed a roll of packing tape with the other. Without saying a word she shoved Kendra up against the wall and held her in place.

"Please, stop!" Kendra pleaded, "What are you doing?"

"Why, I'm making an even better balloon to give to William. After all," Sarah grabbed the hose for the tank and shoved it firmly between Kendra's lips, "he can't like your balloons better than mine, and he already likes you, so I just figured I'd make it easier on both of us." With that, she tore off a length of packing tape and attempted to secure it to the sobbing girl's mouth.

Kendra spit out the hose, "Please! Don't do thi-"

Sarah jammed the hose back into Kendra's mouth and quickly taped it into place. Kendra's eyes grew wide as she saw Sarah's hand moving closer to the valve. She shook her head vigorously, trying to dislodge the apparatus. Sarah's hand carefully twisted the knob. Kendra's cheeks bulged out like balloons as the gas rushed into her. It filled up her lungs and rushed back out of her nose. The helium made her lightheaded and blurred her vision as she looked pleadingly back at Sarah.

"What's the matter? I thought you LOVED balloons!" Sarah twisted the knob some more. More gas rushed through the girl's nostrils. "Uh oh, it looks like our balloon has a leak! We can't have that, now can we?" Sarah unrolled some more tape and forced it over Kendra's tiny nose. With the helium's escape route blocked, the gas began to build up and Kendra's cheeks bulged out further, comically distorting her face.

The gas filled and filled the poor girl, it rushed down her throat and into her body. A soft creaking sound could be heard as her skin pulled firm. Still aware, Kendra was in shock and panic. She could feel the gas forcing its way into her tiny body, plumpening her up all over. Suddenly, her slouched figure began to straighten up. Her cheeks were now the size of cantaloupes as her shoulders began to fill up and out. Slowly, her arms began to raise up away from her sides as they filled with helium, bulging them out. Most of the gas was collecting in her upper half so far, puffing out her face and chest. Her breasts began to inflate slowly, like rising dough. As her arms stuck straight out to her side, her hands and fingers plumped softly out. Her blouse restricted much of the spreading of the gas, keeping her form intact, albeit exaggerated.

Kendra began to feel very light and airy. She felt so funny, so inflated! she couldn't believe what was becoming of her. Her breasts continued to blow up, they filled out big and round. When they reached the size of large beach balls, the helium began to force its way into lower parts of her body. Her waist and tummy began to swell out a bit, as did her thighs and butt. Her white skirt pulled tight against her inflating body. The gas migrated down her legs, pumping up her calves and feet as it did so.

With her entire body filled, the gas continued to increase in pressure. Her breasts filled some more, forcing her nipples to audibly pop out. Her fingers, too, began to fill and bulge as the helium filled her. her calves and thighs bulged against her skirt and hosiery.

Sarah opened the valve all the way.

Kendra's eyes widened as much as they could behind her ballooned cheeks. The gas forced its way into wherever it could find inside of the poor, overinflated girl. Her body slowly began to rise off the ground. Her seams burst as her arms and legs jutted stiffly out from her body. Her belly button popped out and her lips blew up as the helium found every last space within her body. Her skin squeaked as she was inflated with more gas.

Finally, Sarah shut off the valve and eyed her creation. 5'6" with 40" thighs and 32" arms, the ballooned Kendra just bobbed in the air of the room, like the gigantic blimp of a girl she had become. Sarah carefully removed the hose and capped off the strong gust of air with another piece of tape before her associate could deflate. Even so, the small release of air sent ripples all throughout Kendra's body. She elongated and fattened as the remaining gas fought for equilibrium inside of her. She tried to release a couple of vocal squeaks as Sarah tied a red ribbon around her left ankle. The inflated Kendra, just light enough to escape gravity, was pulled closer by Sarah as she tied a counterweight to the other end of the ribbon.

Then, the telephone rang.

"Now don't go anywhere, mmkay?" Sarah talked sweetly to the balloon girl.

Kendra tried to squeak in reply.

Sarah made her way to the still-ringing phone. "Jones' Florist, how can I help you?" she asked. It was William. "Oh, Kendra? I'm afraid she's tied up at the moment. However, I do believe she has something she wants you to pick up at the shop. Five minutes? Great! It'll be waiting here for you."