Always remember, the grass is your friend. Clutching a chair, I teeter to my feet and try balancing on the eight skinny wheels. I loosen my grip. Knees bent, arms forward, I push off. With a jolt, I thump across the sidewalk's paving bricks.
Legs start to wobble.
I attempt to stop. As instructed, I transfer weight and step sideways. The obstinate skates shoot in opposing directions. Balance falters, and with a bum-bruising thud, I land cheeks to the pavement. I stagger up and start out again.