Anxiety

Sitting here on the stair, watching the world go by, afraid sometimes to walk out the door. He pastes on a smile for those who pass him by, but sometimes he feels like a duck swimming on the water. Graceful, like there isn’t a care, when his legs were paddling so fast underneath they hurt.

It wasn’t always like this.

That night, those men crashing through the alley, ready for a fight. He tried to say he was just on his way home, but they didn’t listen. Three against one – it wasn’t a fair fight, but he tried his best to protect himself.

Now, going out was a trial he didn’t want to go through. Perhaps it would be safer to stay home, but he needed to work. All he needed was to take one step – perhaps find a way to face his fears.

‘Are you okay?’ his neighbour asked.

‘I’m back at work today,’ Mike said. ‘It’s just . . . ‘

‘I tell you what, I’ll give you a lift. I’m going that way.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘Yes, I’m sure . . . truth is I need the company.’

Walking out with a friend was far easier than walking alone. Small baby steps, and he could get through this. Everything wasn’t okay, but it could be in time.