Creaks, ever apparent in the well of descent, whether by apparition or ambulation, no longer tingled fears. Lily had become accustomed to the lack of materialized threat. What interested her today, though, was how dissimilar was the experience of footing the steps sans soles; she, in a sense, felt like she now belonged—that she was part of the structural milieu—rather than just a passing denizen. It was like how traipsing a beach is the height of a vacation experience, even more so than those crossed by credit charges. Was it ironic, then, that her current purpose was to make timely entry at the cobbler’s place that fronted the ground floor, the one passed with only the slightest subconscious awareness for years—until her heels’ needs heeded? As she stepped out onto the sidewalk—a surface not nearly as tactilely temperate as the stair planks, horned hullabaloo filled the air. Then, as she turned toward the store, the faint pelts of him working the lapstone—synced with neon’s buzz, followed by the door’s jingle—hit her head with harmony, distinct from, but clearly connected to what she had just felt during her downwards. They were already boxed and ready to go. He, of course, still used one of those manual rollers for stamping payment and she did not see a line for out-filling a tip—the shoes were better than new and held a novel scent—that of the store—which she hoped would not fade too quickly—and she only had a twenty. It was more than what was societally merited, but she happily slid it over to him with her thanks, hoping he would not decline it. Who would have known he was a baker too? she warmthfully wondered as she headed back home, balancing the bagged muffins on the shoebox. She thought about saving them for later, but ascent’s setting shadows pulled for an immediate return, so she dropped the kicks on the sofa and returned to the hall—leaving her door open, akin to how she was emoting—and walked down to the first landing—which was imbibing the best of day’s remaining light play—and curled her toes around the steps, leaned her back against the railing, opened the bag, and basked. ; )