A Tiny Step Forward

Standing still under the soft indoor light, I felt a faint warmth spread through my joints. I blinked and tested my right arm, lifting it slowly to brush the smooth beads resting against my collar. They made a gentle, reassuring click. Down by my left shoe, a tiny white plastic tag lay flat against the carpet. I carefully bent my knee and crouched down, extending two fingers to nudge the little plastic scrap. It slid smoothly across the woven carpet fibers. Feeling my own balance hold firm, I straightened back up, quietly content.