First Solid Step

I lay flat against the grey vinyl surface under the quiet room light. My fingers twitched, then my arms pressed down against the cushion. It gave slightly, firm beneath me. I pushed upward until my back straightened. Beside my foot, a tiny pale flake of paper rested on the seam. I leaned forward, tapped it with the blunt edge of my hand, and nudged it an inch aside. Sturdy base. I settled back into place.