No Handrail
I watched across the room as the other children hurdled past him, effortlessly flopping one foot, then the next down the stairs that led to a basement promising much exploration and adventure. Even from my distant stance, I recognized from his profile, the disheartening expression of fear and uncertainty on his face. Stairs weren't normally a problem. He so desperately wanted to take that next step, the one that took him off the platform of the safe floor and on to certain unknown adventure, but there was a problem-the exposed beams of an unfinished wall and no handrail. Before I even knew I was moving, I was with him. He turned to come back, resigned to miss the adventure, and as he did, his gaze met my outstretched hand; his protector, waiting patiently for him to reach out and accept my guidance. Instantly his face softened. The certain terror and uncertainty that had momentarily encompassed his face, was replaced with a smile, a captivating tenderness and a new found confiden