Chapter 26 - THE STAIRSTwo years after the fall, I stood at the top of the rebuilt staircase holding a cup of tea.
Not symbolic on purpose.
Megan noticed.
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
The new runner was dark blue.
Firmly fixed.
The handrail matte, not polished.
I placed one foot on the first step.
My body tightened.
Memory without image.
Muscle.
Nerves.
I descended.
Slowly.
Megan stayed below.
Did not reach for me.
Good.
At the bottom, she asked:
“Want applause?”
“No.”
“Confetti?”
“No.”
“Cake?”
“Obviously.”
We laughed.
May you like
Ordinary stairs.
That was enough.
