We live in a condo with a parking spot on the lower level and to get from the garage to the elevators, we go through a security door, down three steps and through another door to the hallway.

Nat has difficulty these days on stairs but I still try to get her to come down on her own using the hand rail.

We came from the car and first thing, she wouldn't come through the security door. I had to cajole and plead just to get her to step across the sill. On the little landing she balked again. No way was she going down those steps.

More pleading and encouraging. I could hear people coming in the outer hallway and I asked her to please hurry and come down, other people would be wanting to get into the garage.

With a curse (yes, a curse) she started down the steps but refused to hold the hand rail. I took her by the ar and helped her down. Just as the door opened, she took the last step and stumbled slightly into my arms.

The door opened and the couple that were entering stopped and asked if we were okay.

Nat said, "He'll be fine."