08/20/98

I felt the shaggy, short cushioned

carpet with my bare toes and tried

to ignore the lack of padding

waiting for me on the ground. 

My arm was starting to ache

from the life or death grip I

had holding onto the side of the chair.

Would my legs hold me? Would

my feet stay flat on

the ground? The air touching

my heel, still raised, kept me

from answering with anything but the truth. 

I could feel the pain starting to

build as the fire grew hotter on

the balls of my feet. I was surprised my

arm, the only thing supporting my

balance, hadn't given out yet. 

I considered saying I

needed to rest, giving into the

easy option even as my eyes met the

proud ones waiting in front of me,

sparkling with hopeful tears.  

With one last, unsteady breath, I took my first steps.