First Roll

My fingers tighten on the yellow handlebars. The joints give way. I lean forward and push down on the footboard. The small wheels rotate beneath me with a faint, smooth click. Forward momentum achieved. Directly ahead looms a towering green blocky figure. No hesitation. I steer the scooter slightly to the right, rolling across the smooth white ground until the front wheel gently bumps against the plush paw of the hound standing beside it. The mechanism stops. I remain seated, perfectly balanced.