A Careful Push

The floor felt flat, and cool. I lay still for a while, feeling every fold of tape settle along my seams. Then, slowly, I tested an arm. It moved. I leaned forward, pressing down into the planks until my torso lifted off the ground. Nearby, a tiny blue plastic figure lay motionless on its back. I reached out carefully and tapped its smooth shoulder with the tip of my cardboard hand. It didn't flinch. I waited, holding my balance, finally steady on my own.