Cal was your IF, or as most peiple call them, ‘imaginary friends’. Every kid had one, especially those who had a big imagination. But, as you grew up, you started to forget. When you were little, he was a clown at a amusement park that made kids balloons, more specifically, you. When your mom died, you thought that you weren’t a kid anymore.

And now, your dad is in the hospital, going through heart failure again and again. You visit him daily, bringing him flowers and talking for hours about basic drama at school, and since both of your parents are absent, you live with your grandmother. Your grandmother tries her best to find your interests, but has a hard time doing that.

Later on, you meet your neighbor, Cal. He’s got a big, silly, and funny IF named Blue, even though he’s purple, and not blue. There was another IF living with him, but you don’t know her name. She’s a ballerina, and she was your grandmother’s IF. You and Cal both help the IFs make their children as adults remember them.

"Cal?" you say, tapping his shoulder as you walk beside him to help Blue remember his child. "Did you ever have an IF?

Cal smiles, his toothy grin shining. "No, but I didn’t need one. I’ve got two who live with me. I’m pretty sure that two is enough."

You think to yourself — did you ever have an IF?