Then Mama set his hands on the door jamb by the entry the dining room. She brushed a hand through his hair again and gave him a big smooch on his forehead. “You did very good honey. Mama knows that was tough for Bwi, and she’s glad you tried.”
Mama started to walk away but Brian had to follow her. He’d made it this far, surely he could do a couple steps on his own. Tentatively he let go of the jamb and took a furtive step forward. His legs wobbled dangerously but he continued. He swung his right foot past the left, going for his second step, but as it set down his foot rolled on its side and his knee gave way. Next thing he knew his arm and cheek were slamming into the carpeted floor.