Sofie Heffenbacher watched excitedly as her little girl grabbed a hold of the tiny chair in her room and pulled herself up to a standing position. Maybe this time she'd get it. At eighteen months, her daughter had never mastered the delicate art of walking. After much observation, Sofie determined it was her balance, or rather, her lack thereof. Lisa face scrunched up as she concentrated hard and let go of the chair. She stood on her own for a few seconds before she lost her balance. Her bottom hit the ground hard. Lisa's eyes widened in surprise. Sofie got to her before she could even start crying. She picked Lisa up and bounced her a bit, waiting for the girl to realize that the source of her pain was over.
Sofie's husband, Leon, was reading the newspaper when he heard a muffled thump. He braced himself for what he knew would come next. He so hated the sound of his daughter crying. At least she didn't cry as much anymore. She could vocalize her feelings fairly well for a girl of her age. It was just the surprise that got her. Leon stood and made his way into his girl's pink painted room. He found his wife sitting in a chair much too small, holding out her hands to Lisa so she could use them to balance. Lisa was very calm now. She knew her mother would never let her fall. Leon sighed.
"Sofie, how long do you think it will be?"
"Leon, I'm surprised at you. You know some developmental stages take longer than others…" Sofie lapsed into the pages of her well worn parenting book. "I mean, look how quickly she learned to talk!"
"Yes!" Lisa agreed, not knowing what she was agreeing to. Her parents laughed. Leon bent down so he could look his daughter in the eyes.
"You'll walk for me someday, right?" He asked her teasingly. Lisa giggled and let go of her mother's hands. She tried to stay perfectly still so she wouldn't fall. Then, she slowly picked up a foot and prepared herself for the fall. When it didn't come, she put her foot down in front of her. Then the other. Lisa walked three steps before the floor rushed up to meet her once more. She didn't cry though, because her mother was ready with a bright blue band-aid. She held up her hand as Sofie plastered the bandage over her arm, adding to her large collection. When Sofie was done, she scooped Lisa into her arms and smoothed out her short blonde hair.
"I fell." Lisa informed her mother. "But I walk also."
"Yes, Li. You did."
"I will walk in time." Sofie nodded, and put Lisa back in her crib, flowing Leon out of the room.
"See?" Sofie asked him, "She can talk so well!" Leon shook his head in disbelief.
"I swear, Sofie. When that girl grows up, she's going to be able to do anything in the world except walk in a straight line."
"Yes!" came the excited cry from inside the bedroom.