First Step Forward

My joints clicked faintly. I paused, testing the resistance in my right knee, and realized the hinge was answering my own push. The ground beneath felt uneven and fibrous. Directly behind me rested a massive orange cushion covered in round fabric bumps. I turned slightly, reached out with one hand, and pressed a single orange knot to assess its give. Soft. Resilient. Satisfied with the structure, I straightened up and braced both feet firmly on the fleece.