My mind must have been elsewhere because, as I descended the back stairs that lead to the street, I fell.
Did I miss the handrail as I took a mental vacation? Or did I take a misstep? I will never know, but I fell in slow motion. Fortunately, my life did not flash in front of my eyes. I was aware of my fall, and tried to grab the handrail. I missed and continued down. I ended up with my feet near the top of the stairs and my head near the bottom.
Once down, I took stock of myself. Nothing hurt and that was good. My position was awkward so I took a moment. A moment too long apparently because Richard, who knew I was supposed to be taking him to the park, tried to barrel through my mayhem on the stairs. So much for canine empathy.
My effort to get up from my position was not elegant. There might have been some grunting and groaning. Richard gave me more than one look of impatience. As I arrived, upright, at the bottom of the stairs, I looked around – no one on the street.
I looked at Richard and said, “Let’s go to the park.” He set off at his normal happy trot and I kept pace. Despite the mud on one knee, I knew I was truly fine. When your biggest concern is Did anyone see me? you know you are just fine.
