36
The illness relapses. Oxford. January 1974.
Caitlynn Aine O’Hannigan was ten months old when she took her first steps in her parents’ apartment. She completed the distance between the two winged armchairs pulled in front of the hearth without falling once.
Encouraged by Emilee and Connor’s jubilation, her bravado doubled on the spot, and she let go of her mother’s hand, having turned around on unsure feet, staggering with her diapered bottom, billowing sideways, toward her father’s outstretched hands, attempting a repeat feat, muttering something that sounded like, “Walk . . . Walk.”
Her foot caught on a slight fold in the carpet and she fell flat, face first, bawling. Emilee, laughing, scooped her daughter up, faster than the surprised dad could.
Connor remained in his chair as Em
