Finding My Grip

I felt the sunlight coming through the car window and suddenly realized my boots weren't locked in place anymore. I leaned forward, flexed my fingers, and tapped against the textured vinyl of the armrest console. The little thud surprised me, so I took a cautious step closer to the leather seatback to test my balance. My knees actually bent! Standing here on my own feels like lining up on the field before kickoff—ready for whatever comes next.