A quiet breath

Pip! When things feel heavy or too much to carry, the best trick is to find an empty corner and just stand very still. I tiptoed past the bustling checkout registers to the deep, silent chest freezer in the grocery corner. The frosted glass lid had a wide, smooth rim that was completely numb and peaceful. I sat right down against the icy rim, dangling my skinny stick legs over the edge. Pip... I watched tiny crystals of frost grow slowly on a cold metal hinge, breathing in the quiet chill until everything felt soft and steady again.